Blending In

On this special bonus episode of Blending In, I share some insights about what's next for me in my journey with the production of this podcast as I transition from EdTech Specialist back to the classroom! *Check out the show notes on the website for somewhat of an epilogue to this episode! :) *** Music Credits:  ⁠Old Love Instrumental⁠ by ⁠Joe Hertler and the Rainbow Seekers⁠, 100% Clearance through ⁠Musicbed⁠ Subscribe to the Blending In Podcast: ⁠Spotify⁠ | ⁠iHeartRadio⁠ | ⁠Anchor⁠ | ⁠Apple⁠ | ⁠YouTube⁠ | ⁠Stitcher⁠ | ⁠Pandora⁠ | ⁠Pocket Casts⁠ | ⁠Amazon Music⁠ Follow the Blending In Podcast on Social Media: ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Facebook⁠ | ⁠Twitter⁠ (X) Get a cool t-shirt to show your support of the Blending In Podcast ⁠HERE⁠ or Venmo @blendinginpodcast to make a donation!

On this episode of Blending In, I had the privilege of chatting with my good friend Laurel Aguilar-Kirchhoff!  I met Laurel through our involvement with CUE and have been so inspired by all of the work she has done in the world of Educational Technology that I invited her to be on the show. We discussed how women in our lives empowered us to step outside of the classroom and cast a wider net of influence over learners. *** Do you know an innovative educator like Laurel who should be a guest on the Blending In podcast?  Nominate them HERE. Music Credits:  Old Love Instrumental by Joe Hertler and the Rainbow Seekers, 100% Clearance through Musicbed Subscribe to the Blending In Podcast: Spotify | iHeartRadio | Anchor | Apple | YouTube | Stitcher | Pandora | Pocket Casts | Amazon Music Follow the Blending In Podcast on Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter (X) Get a cool t-shirt to show your support of the Blending In Podcast HERE or Venmo @blendinginpodcast to make a donation!

On this episode of Blending In, I got to chat again with Erin Carr, who was my very first guest ever on the show!  Erin is a math-science teacher turned Instructional Coach, and we chatted about her transition from being inside the four walls of her own classroom to being able to see into the classrooms of other teachers.  *** Do you know an innovative educator like Erin who should be a guest on the Blending In podcast?  Nominate them HERE. Music Credits:  Old Love Instrumental by Joe Hertler and the Rainbow Seekers, 100% Clearance through Musicbed Subscribe to the Blending In Podcast: Spotify | iHeartRadio | Apple | YouTube | Pandora | Pocket Casts | Amazon Music Follow the Blending In Podcast on Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter (X) Get a cool t-shirt to show your support of the Blending In Podcast HERE!  If you’d like to support the production of the show with a financial contribution, click HERE or you can donate through Venmo @blendinginpodcast - thank you for your support!

On this episode of Blending In, I had the privilege of chatting with Steve Martinez, a Google certified, Microsoft Innovative Educator, podcaster, and innovator from the Central Valley of California, who works for Kami, Turlock Unified, and CSU Stanislaus!  Steve is an expert on flipped learning, project-based learning, and design thinking, and provides professional development for teachers all over the world. In our chat today, we had a great discussion about project/problem/inquiry-based learning and design thinking, and how tapping into students' passions and interests can stimulate their desire to learn, create, and solve real-world problems. *** Do you know an innovative educator like Steve who should be a guest on the Blending In podcast?  Nominate them HERE. Music Credits:  Old Love Instrumental by Joe Hertler and the Rainbow Seekers, 100% Clearance through Musicbed Subscribe to the Blending In Podcast: Spotify | iHeartRadio | Anchor | Apple | YouTube | Stitcher | Pandora | Pocket Casts | Amazon Music Follow the Blending In Podcast on Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter (X) Get a cool t-shirt to show your support of the Blending In Podcast HERE or Venmo @blendinginpodcast to make a donation!

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?  Nominate them HERE. Music Credits:  Old Love Instrumental by Joe Hertler and the Rainbow Seekers, 100% Clearance through Musicbed Subscribe to the Blending In Podcast: Spotify | iHeartRadio | Anchor | Google | Apple | YouTube | Stitcher | Pandora | Pocket Casts | Amazon Music Follow the Blending In Podcast on Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter (X) Get a cool t-shirt to show your support of the Blending In Podcast HERE or Venmo @blendinginpodcast to make a donation!

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 can find additional information and resources about this episode in the show notes at www.blendinginpodcast.com *** Do you know an innovative educator like Priten who should be a guest on the Blending In podcast?  Nominate them HERE. Music Credits:  Old Love Instrumental by Joe Hertler and the Rainbow Seekers, 100% Clearance through Musicbed Subscribe to the Blending In Podcast: Spotify | iHeartRadio | Anchor | Google | Apple | YouTube | Stitcher | Pandora | Pocket Casts | Amazon Music Follow the Blending In Podcast on Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter (X) Get a cool t-shirt to show your support of the Blending In Podcast HERE or Venmo @blendinginpodcast to make a donation!

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 Blending In podcast?  Nominate them HERE. Music Credits:  Old Love Instrumental by Joe Hertler and the Rainbow Seekers, 100% Clearance through Musicbed Subscribe to the Blending In Podcast: Spotify | iHeartRadio | Anchor | Google | Apple | YouTube | Stitcher | Pandora | Pocket Casts | Amazon Music Follow the Blending In Podcast on Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Get a cool t-shirt to show your support of the Blending In Podcast HERE or Venmo @blendinginpodcast to make a donation!

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.blendinginpodcast.com Do you know an innovative educator like Omar who should be a guest on the Blending In podcast?  Nominate them HERE. Music Credits:  Old Love Instrumental by Joe Hertler and the Rainbow Seekers, 100% Clearance through Musicbed Subscribe to the Blending In Podcast: Spotify | iHeartRadio | Anchor | Google | Apple | YouTube | Stitcher | Pandora | Pocket Casts | Amazon Music Follow the Blending In Podcast on Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Get a cool t-shirt to show your support of the Blending In Podcast HERE or Venmo @blendinginpodcast to make a donation!

On this episode of Blending In, I’m chatting with Kenia Harding, the award winning librarian from Diamond Valley Middle School who has been recognized as a Hemet Unified Employee of the Year and who has been a nominee for Riverside County Educator of the Year!  In our conversation, Kenia shares her passion for designing the Diamond Valley Middle School library as an equitable, inclusive, and innovative space for students at DVMS!  Listen and learn how Kenia has effectively blended technology into what is known as a "traditional learning space" to make it into a welcoming student-centered, technology-rich learning environment. 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 Kenia who should be a guest on the Blending In podcast?  Nominate them HERE. Music Credits:  Old Love Instrumental by Joe Hertler and the Rainbow Seekers, 100% Clearance through Musicbed Subscribe to the Blending In Podcast: Spotify | iHeartRadio | Anchor | Google | Apple | YouTube | Stitcher | Pandora | Pocket Casts | Amazon Music Follow the Blending In Podcast on Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter (X) Get a cool t-shirt to show your support of the Blending In Podcast HERE or Venmo @blendinginpodcast to make a donation!

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 motivate students to do the hard work of learning. *** Do you know an innovative educator who should be a guest on the next season of Blending In?  Nominate them HERE. Music Credits:  Old Love Instrumental by Joe Hertler and the Rainbow Seekers, 100% Clearance through Musicbed Subscribe to the Blending In Podcast: Spotify | iHeartRadio | Anchor | Google | Apple | YouTube | Stitcher | Pandora | Pocket Casts | Amazon Music Follow the Blending In Podcast on Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Get a cool t-shirt to show your support of the Blending In Podcast HERE or Venmo @blendinginpodcast to make a donation!

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 how she has even blended in podcasting with 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 Anne who should be a guest on the Blending In podcast?  Nominate them HERE. Music Credits:  Old Love Instrumental by Joe Hertler and the Rainbow Seekers, 100% Clearance through Musicbed Subscribe to the Blending In Podcast: Spotify | iHeartRadio | Anchor | Google | Apple | YouTube | Stitcher | Pandora | Pocket Casts | Amazon Music Follow the Blending In Podcast on Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Get a cool t-shirt to show your support of the Blending In Podcast HERE or Venmo @blendinginpodcast to make a donation!

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 happen 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 Mekel who should be a guest on the Blending In podcast?  Nominate them HERE. Music Credits:  Old Love Instrumental by Joe Hertler and the Rainbow Seekers, 100% Clearance through Musicbed Subscribe to the Blending In Podcast: Spotify | iHeartRadio | Anchor | Google | Apple | YouTube | Stitcher | Pandora | Pocket Casts | Amazon Music Follow the Blending In Podcast on Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Get a cool t-shirt to show your support of the Blending In Podcast HERE or Venmo @blendinginpodcast to make a donation!

On this episode of Blending In, I’m chatting with John Bradshaw, the principal at Hemet Unified’s Academy of Innovation.  John, who was once an aspiring paleontologist, followed in the footsteps of his parents into education.  After teaching history and government for 15 years, he served as an assistant principal for several years before stepping into the role as a principal. At AOI, their mission is to “impact academic achievement, build healthy relationships, and connect with our community” through alternative educational paths.  Listen in on our chat today as John shares about the broad scope and complex dimensions of blended learning models that are happening at this unique school he leads. 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 John who should be a guest on the Blending In podcast?  Nominate them HERE. Music Credits:  Old Love Instrumental by Joe Hertler and the Rainbow Seekers, 100% Clearance through Musicbed Subscribe to the Blending In Podcast: Spotify | iHeartRadio | Anchor | Google | Apple | YouTube | Stitcher | Pandora | Pocket Casts | Amazon Music Follow the Blending In Podcast on Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter Get a cool t-shirt to show your support of the Blending In Podcast HERE!

On this episode of Blending In, I’m chatting with Gerardo Saldana, a Science and STEAM teacher at the Academy of Innovation in the Hemet Unified School District, where he was recently chosen as Teacher of the Year!  Gerardo found his calling in teaching while he was volunteering at a community center 8 years ago as an ESL Adult Learning teacher, and has since devoted his time to teaching students in different academic disciplines and developing STEAM curriculum for different programs at HUSD.  Listen in on our chat as he shares how he “blends in” STEAM, eSports, and intentional use of SEL strategies and technology to engage and motivate students in online and hybrid learning models. 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 Gerardo who should be a guest on the Blending In podcast?  Nominate them HERE. Music Credits:  Old Love Instrumental by Joe Hertler and the Rainbow Seekers, 100% Clearance through Musicbed Subscribe to the Blending In Podcast: Spotify | iHeartRadio | Anchor | Google | Apple | YouTube Follow the Blending In Podcast on Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Exciting news for the podcast!  Blending In is going to be featured as part of the Meet the Podcasters session at the Spring CUE conference in Palm Springs this year!  Listen for details about this and more awesome things that are happening at Spring CUE!!! To become a member of CUE and our local IACUE affiliate, you can join HERE.  You can register to attend the Spring CUE conference HERE. And finally, you can register for our local IACUE affiliate dinner HERE. Hope to see you at Spring CUE!!! Music Credits:  Old Love Instrumental by Joe Hertler and the Rainbow Seekers, 100% Clearance through Musicbed Subscribe to the Blending In Podcast: Spotify | iHeartRadio | Anchor | Google | Apple | YouTube Follow the Blending In Podcast on Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

On this very special episode of Blending In, I chatted with three very special inland area educators as part of a live panel at IACUE’s Reimagine EDU Conference in January of 2023!  My guests were Lisa Moe, known as @MissMoeTeaches on social media networks, who is known for the way she gamifies learning for her students; Kevin Roughton (@MrRoughton), an award winning social studies teacher and author of Teach with Magic; and my good friend and colleague, Dr. Christina "Tina" Brown @DocBrown0603, who is a Language Arts teacher and Instructional Coach alongside me in Hemet Unified School District.   Listen to hear how these educators have reimagined ways to blend in technology to connect, engage, and motivate 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 Lisa, Kevin, or Tina who should be a guest on the Blending In podcast?  Nominate them HERE. Music Credits:  Old Love Instrumental by Joe Hertler and the Rainbow Seekers, 100% Clearance through Musicbed Subscribe to the Blending In Podcast: Spotify | iHeartRadio | Anchor | Google | Apple | YouTube Follow the Blending In Podcast on Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

On this episode of Blending In, I’m chatting with Bryce Bovee, middle school science teacher, business owner, and curriculum developer who is currently serving students at Dartmouth Middle School. He is passionate about blending technology into every aspect of the classroom and believes strongly that proper use of it can create a more effective and equitable learning environment. Bryce hopes to show educators that implementing technology into their classrooms is not complicated; simple and consistent use of a few key tools can radically transform the classroom for the better. 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 Bryce who should be a guest on the Blending In podcast? Nominate them HERE. Music Credits:  Old Love Instrumental by Joe Hertler and the Rainbow Seekers, 100% Clearance through Musicbed Subscribe to the Blending In Podcast: Spotify | iHeartRadio | Anchor | Google | Apple | YouTube Follow: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Normally, I chat with innovative educators who are integrating EdTech, but today on this special bonus episode of Blending In, I answer some questions posed by my previous guest, P.E. teacher Aaron Coyle, about why I started the Blending in Podcast in the first place!  Tune in to learn what inspired the podcast and how this amateur podcaster made the Blending In concept come to life! In today’s show notes on www.blendinginpodcast.com, I’ll include some extra information that wasn’t discussed in the episode, including more details about the production process as well as links to all the platforms and tools that I use to produce the show. Do you know an innovative educator who should be a guest on the Blending In podcast? Nominate them HERE. Music Credits:  Old Love Instrumental by Joe Hertler and the Rainbow Seekers, 100% Clearance through Musicbed Subscribe to the Blending In Podcast: Spotify | iHeartRadio | Anchor | Google | Apple | YouTube Follow: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

On this episode of Blending In, I’m chatting with Aaron Coyle, one of our veteran elementary school PE teachers from Hemet Elementary School who is also the elementary PE coordinator in our district!  In today’s episode, Aaron shares his love for teaching kids, how he’s building the PE culture at his new school site, and because of technology, how his teaching methods and strategies have evolved over his 20 year career in education.  Listen in on our chat to learn more about how Aaron is “blending in” technology in P.E.! 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 Aaron who should be a guest on the Blending In podcast? Nominate them HERE. Music Credits:  Old Love Instrumental by Joe Hertler and the Rainbow Seekers, 100% Clearance through Musicbed Subscribe to the Blending In Podcast: Spotify | iHeartRadio | Anchor | Google | Apple | YouTube Follow: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

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 resources about this episode in the show notes at www.blendinginpodcast.com Do you know an innovative educator like Kimberly who should be a guest on the Blending In podcast? Nominate them HERE. Music Credits:  Old Love Instrumental by Joe Hertler and the Rainbow Seekers, 100% Clearance through Musicbed Subscribe to the Blending In Podcast: Spotify | iHeartRadio | Anchor | Google | Apple | YouTube Follow: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter