Authentic connection leads to creative collaboration. In this episode you will hear how four administrators are re-imagining how school could look.  With a passion for education and a desire to see students empowered by learning, these leaders are beginning the conversation about moving schools from the traditional model to a model where students are the designers of learning. What began as an authentic conversation between friends, is growing into a movement across a district. Listen in and join us as we imagine what the future of our schools could look like. The Future is Faster than You Think - By Peter H. Diamandis (https://www.amazon.com/Future-Faster-Than-You-Think/dp/1982109661) Abundance by Peter Diamandis (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005FLOGMM/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1) The Upside of Stress by Kelly McGonigal (https://www.amazon.com/Upside-Stress-Why-Good-You-ebook/dp/B00OI5PGWU/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+upside+of+stress&qid=1587580773&s=digital-text&sr=1-1) Dive Into Inquiry by Trevor Mackenzie (https://www.amazon.com/Dive-into-Inquiry-Amplify-Learning/dp/1733646825/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=dive+into+inquiry&qid=1587580869&s=digital-text&sr=1-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExU0RNUllEU0FTVEJOJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMTA5MTUyM1I4UTBKU0I1RURQQyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNTA0OTg4MVlZTVVBMEZDV0s5MyZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=)

During this COVID 19 pandemic, teachers are still working to connect with students and keep them learning. Jennifer Monteleone has create a way to deliver a week's worth of learning to her students through Google Classroom and Google Slides.  It is manageable for her and her students.  She talks about how she is setting times throughout the week to connect with them and how she is supporting the positive class culture online she worked so hard to build in the classroom. Sample of a Google Slide Weekly Assignment (https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1YFAleloX6WTwacJyoA10XQ4ZWkmtXfb1GMMHQOP8Bzk/edit?usp=sharing) MPS Google Slides Resource Page (http://www.mpsaz.org/edtech/resources/googleapps/presentations)

STEM education can be very powerful in elementary? Porter Elementary teachers Carmen Sorce and Rachel DeChristina share how they provide STEM to their students. Each grade level at Porter has the opportunity to be exposed to and interact with science, technology, engineering and math each week in the STEM Lab! As students explore a variety of different topics, they learn 21st Century Skills. Show Notes Porter Elementary STEM Lab Site SRP Supports Education STEM Curriculum for K-12 The Secret to Success in Elementary STEM Education   Code.org (https://code.org/)

“Art is the vessel to create thinkers.” - Principal Christy Cuddy - This Revolutionary Leader plays the trumpet! Christy Cuddy, principal of Highland Arts Elementary shares how playing the trumpet led her to become the leader of a school that is centered around the arts. Cuddy shares how teachers incorporate the arts into the curriculum through inquiry which fosters creative thinkers, empathy, collaboration, and innovation with students. Show Notes The Kennedy Center (http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/educators) Arts in the 21st Century Classroom - Article from The Kennedy Center (http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/educators/how-to/take-five/arts-in-the-21st-century) Why Empathy  Holds the Key to Transforming 21st Century Learning (https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/46980/why-empathy-holds-the-key-to-transforming-21st-century-learning) MPS Portrait of a Graduate (http://www.mpsaz.org/mission/portrait/)

Science teacher, Alanna Dipert from Westwood High School shares how she uses the Inquiry Model of Learning in her classroom. From her own experiences and trying something new, Dipert highlights how she introduces, explains and reinforces how students show what they are learning. Check out this podcast for ideas you can use in your classroom. 4 Phases of the Inquiry Model   What is Standards Based Grading? (https://www.teacherease.com/standards-based-grading.aspx)

Scholars in Rachel Thune-Real’s English class from Mountain View High School use Microsoft OneNote digital notebook in their classroom to take notes, collaborate and stay organized. In this episode Thune-Real highlights how she incorporates best teaching practices, AVID strategies and technology into her classroom to build a strong and dynamic culture with her students. Show Notes What is OneNote? (https://support.office.com/en-us/article/video-what-is-onenote-be6cc6cc-3ca7-4f46-8876-5000f013c563) OneNote Class Notebook: A Digital Binder That Will Change the Way You Teach (https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/onenote-class-notebook/) What makes and AVID classroom unique? (https://www.avid.org/the-AVID-difference)

Marta Connally, an English teacher at Skyline High School, shares how she uses digital portfolios to assess her students and reflect on their progress. Marta shares her thoughts on why she uses digital portfolios to enhance their writing skills and show what they have gained from their learning. Students also have an opportunity to share how they feel about digital portfolios. Marta also highlights some helpful tips and challenges she has learned along the way. Show Notes 11 Essentials for Excellent Digital Portfolios (https://www.edutopia.org/blog/11-essentials-for-excellent-eportfolios-vicki-davis) Tools for Creating Digital Student Portfolios (https://www.edutopia.org/article/tools-creating-digital-student-portfolios) Digital Portfolios: Utilize your Virtual Learning (http://blog.etechcampus.com/2019/02/19/digital-portfolios-utilize-your-virtual-learning-environment-to-let-your-students-shine/) Environment to let your Students Shine! (http://blog.etechcampus.com/2019/02/19/digital-portfolios-utilize-your-virtual-learning-environment-to-let-your-students-shine/) Google Sites (http://sites.google.com)

We can all agree that technology is a powerful tool in the classroom and this week’s guests are passionate about using technology in the special education classroom. Max Leaf from Mesa High and Jayme Leaf as a Special Education Instructional Coach see and understand the power of transforming learning through technology in the special education classroom. They share different programs and resources they use with their students from OneNote with several accommodations already built in to immersive readers to communication programs. This is an important conversation and one you do not want to miss. Show Notes Creating inclusive classroom with the help of OneNote (https://educationblog.microsoft.com/en-us/2017/05/creating-inclusive-classrooms-with-onenote/) Using Technology to Empower Students with Special Needs (https://www.edutopia.org/article/empowering-special-education-students-technology-kathryn-nieves) SymbolWorld - (https://symbolworld.org/) provides picture supported text in the areas of current events, science, sports, functional tasks, etc.     Chat Editor Resources (https://touchchatapp.com/support/articles/programming-windows-editor) - Chat Editor is located in the Software Center for MPS Teachers

Have you ever wanted to try a Digital Escape Room? Digital Escape Rooms allow for collaboration and are a great way to review content.  When Kino Junior High Algebra teacher, Sierra Rhinehart plans an escape room, her students race to class! She shares her process of why and how she creates these engaging activities. We can't help but wonder how amazing it would be to see students create their own escape rooms to share with each other. Be sure to listen in as she shares a plethora of resources.  Feeling inspired? Check out the links below! MPS Digital Escape Rooms (http://www.mpsaz.org/edtech/resources/escaperooms/) 30+ Digital Escape Rooms (https://ditchthattextbook.com/30-digital-escape-rooms-plus-tips-and-tools-for-creating-your-own/) Creating a Digital Escape Room (https://engagingandeffective.com/how-to-create-a-digital-breakout-for-the-classroom/) Practice a Digital Escape Room - Grab a buddy! (https://www.smore.com/cvf4p-digital-escapes)

Dr. Lisa Cannon shares her journey as an educator and principal of Falcon Hill Elementary. She talks about how her staff and community have worked together to transform the campus into a place where students are excited to learn.  Through Project Based Learning, her staff and students have embraced the process of learning as they are inspired and empowered to create meaningful projects to show their learning. Project-based Learning at Falcon Hill has impacted the students, teachers, and community. Show Notes Falcon Hill - PBL (http://www.mpsaz.org/falconhill/pbl/) PBL Works (https://www.pblworks.org/)