On this episode of Blending In, I chatted with Danielle Adams, a middle school ELA and Social Studies teacher in Hemet Unified School District who is implementing the Modern Classroom Project Blended Learning Model in her classroom. In our conversation, Danielle explained her love for the magic of the MCP model and how impactful it has been on student learning in her classroom! You can find additional information and resources about this episode in the show notes at www.blendinginpodcast.com *** Do you know an innovative educator like Danielle who should be a guest on the Blending In podcast ..read more

On this special episode of Blending In, I got the chance to chat with Priten Shah, a Harvard grad, educator, entrepreneur, and author of the recently published book: “AI and the Future of Education: Teaching in the Age of Artificial Intelligence”.  Priten is the CEO of Pedagogy.Cloud, which provides innovative technology solutions to help educators navigate global challenges in a rapidly evolving world.  In our conversation today, Priten and I talk about his new book and the need for educators to “blend in” AI as it changes the learning landscape in classrooms across our nation. You ..read more

On this episode of Blending In, I chatted with middle school Social Studies teacher Tasha Burton from Diamond Valley Middle School.  In our conversation today, Tasha shared how she developed her passion for “blending in” technology and AI platforms into her classroom in order to cultivate the 4Cs - creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking - to engage and empower her students. You can find additional information and resources about this episode in the show notes at www.blendinginpodcast.com Do you know an innovative educator like Tasha who should be a guest on the B ..read more

On this episode of Blending In, I chatted with Omar Ali, the Career and Technical Education teacher from Tahquitz High School.  Omar shared how his education and career background in film, radio, and journalistic photography led him back into a classroom to teach digital media to high school students!  In our conversation, Omar shares how he “blends in” project-based learning, student voice, and leadership skills all while guiding students down a two-year pathway in his Digital Media class! You can find additional information and resources about this episode in the show notes at www ..read more

On this final episode of season 1, I share my journey into starting this podcast and some of the most valuable insights that I have gained this last year since launching Blending In.  I discuss how I’ve “blended in” podcasting into my role as an EdTech Specialist and how, through this platform, I’ve been able to highlight some amazing educators who are providing incredible learning opportunities inside the four walls of their classrooms. I reflected back on my conversations with each of them and how they're "blending in" good pedagogy with meaningful use of technology to engage and motiva ..read more

On this episode of Blending In, I’m chatting with Kimberly Vannaman, a 5th grade teacher at Cawston Elementary School in Hemet Unified School District who also serves as an Alder mentor teacher, as the 5th grade team lead, and as the technology lead. In today’s episode, Kimberly shares about how she loves using technology not only as a tool to make learning more engaging and differentiated for her students, but to make her life as a teacher easier.  Listen in on our chat to learn more about how blending in technology is simplifying her teacher life! You can find additional information and ..read more

On this episode of the Blending In Podcast, I’m chatting with John Muro, another colleague that I first met at Diamond Valley Middle School while I was working as a site-based instructional coach.  John, currently a middle school math teacher, says that he became a computer geek when he tried to fix his broken Atari 2600 years ago.  His passion for technology led him to study electrical engineering after high school before becoming a teacher in 2010.  His love of technology continues in the work he does in pro wrestling and podcasting, but most importantly, with his students in ..read more

On the very FIRST episode of the Blending In Podcast, I'm chatting with my friend and colleague, Erin Carr!  Erin is a middle school math and science teacher at Diamond Valley Middle School in Hemet Unified School District who is in her 16th year of teaching (which includes a year of online and hybrid teaching during the pandemic).  She is a mom to four kids and has been married to her husband Brian for 18 years.  Erin believes that teachers play an integral role in the lives of each child they encounter, and that a good education is the key to a successful society.   In to ..read more

On this episode of Blending In, I’m chatting with Anne Rizzacasa, a high school biology teacher at Tahquitz High School in Hemet Unified School District.  Anne and I serve together on the Inland Area CUE board of directors and I got the chance to sit down and record a conversation with her while we were at the Spring CUE Conference in Palm Springs this year (my apologies for the poor audio quality)!  In our conversation that was recorded in my hotel room one morning before our conference shenanigans began, Anne shared her passion for blending in technology in her science classes and ..read more

On this episode of Blending In, I’m chatting with Mekel Bromley, a dynamic 4th grade teacher from Hemet Elementary School.  Mekel, like me, comes from a long line of educators and after exploring careers outside of education, she realized that her calling was in the classroom.  She has taught internationally in South Korea as well as in several schools here in the States.  As the STEAM Coordinator on her school site, Mekel strives to integrate STEAM practices wherever possible. Listen in on our chat today as Mekel shares how she makes the magic of STEAM and blended learning happ ..read more