Career and Technical Education is often overlooked, misunderstood, or siloed. In this episode of My EdTech Life, Dr. Alfonso Mendoza sits down with Tisha Richmond, veteran CTE educator and author of The Magical CTE Classroom, to unpack what meaningful, joyful, and real-world CTE learning actually looks like.

Tisha shares her journey from the classroom to edtech and back again, why CTE teachers face unique challenges, and how intentional design can transform labs, kitchens, workshops, and hands-on learning spaces into powerful environments for creativity, collaboration, and career readiness.

This conversation explores how CTE classrooms can move beyond compliance and certifications toward engagement, student agency, and authentic learning experiences that prepare students for the real world of work.

⏱️ Chapters
00:00 – Welcome to My EdTech Life
02:10 – Who Is Tisha Richmond
05:20 – From Industry to the CTE Classroom
08:45 – Why CTE Teachers Feel Siloed
12:30 – The Story Behind The Magical CTE Classroom
16:10 – The MAGICAL Framework Explained
21:40 – Gamifying Vocabulary in CTE
26:30 – Safety, Structure, and Lab-Based Learning
31:20 – Industry Certifications and Real-World Skills
36:10 – Teaching Employability Through Play
41:10 – Challenges Facing CTE Educators Today
45:30 – Where to Find Tisha’s Work
48:00 – Final Thoughts and Stay Techie

Connect with Tisha Richmond:
Website: tisharichmond.com
LinkedIn: Tisha Richmond
Instagram: @tisharichmond

About the Host:
Dr. Alfonso Mendoza is the host of My EdTech Life, a podcast amplifying educator voices and exploring how technology, creativity, and intentional design shape learning experiences.

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