Blended Learning Podcast
To gain more insight on blended learning, I sat down with my colleagues for our first video discussion about our innovation plans. I wanted to learn about their perspectives on blended learning and share what I've been working on with my innovation plan. Anna and I are collaborating on an article about blended learning, and the discussion proved that our colleagues are just as excited about its potential to transform learning as we are.
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Anna, Chris, Eboni, and I shared our thoughts about blended learning and how we hope to create a more authentic and personalized learning environment for our students. For an additional perspective on creating an authentic learning environment, Stephanie Noll, one of the top three finalists for New Mexico's 2022 Teacher of the Year, joined us as a special guest. You can learn more about each panelist in the bios below.
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In addition, we have compiled a list of digital resources that have helped guide us on our journey into blended learning.
References:
Horn, M. B. & Staker, H. (2015). Blended: using disruptive innovation to improve schools. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Podcast Panel
Anna is a secondary social studies teacher, who has spent most of her 13 years in education as a middle school teacher. She grew up on a farm in Kansas, and then earned a degree in secondary social studies education from Kansas State University. She taught high school for 2 years in Salina, Kansas before moving to Austin, Texas and teaching 8th grade U.S. history in Pflugerville, Texas. After 11 years in Pflugerville, Anna moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico with her family. She is currently taking graduate classes in the Applied Digital Learning program at Lamar University while also staying at home with her 5 and 2 year old daughters.
Christopher is a Construction Trades Instructor at the Newaygo County Career-Tech Center in Fremont Michigan. He has been in this role since 2008. He has taught in many ways outside his primary job as well. He served as the Training Officer for his local Fire Department (2010-2021) He is a State of Michigan certified fire instructor. Chris also finds great passion in coaching Pre-K thru high school athletes in his community. He is the current head JV Soccer coach in his hometown of Montague. He enjoys a great wealth of time and experiences at athletic complexes with his wife (Julie) and 3 kids (Chris 16, Claire 13, Steve 12).
Eboni Mitchell
Eboni is a current Lamar University graduate student in the Digital Learning and Leadership program. She completed her degree in Elementary Education in 2017 from University of Michigan-Flint. Eboni has been a Substitute Teacher for the last few years with plans to get a full-time Leadership position, working with teachers to implement blended learning and the use of technology in the classroom. Eboni lives in Grand Blanc, Michigan, where she was born and raised, with her husband and 3 children.
Stephanie Noll
Stephanie is an English Language Arts teacher at Peñasco High School in Peñasco, NM. She graduated with a degree in secondary English education and then taught for 5 years in Houston as part of the Teach for America program. She earned her masters degree in creative writing at Texas State University, where she then taught for 12 years as a senior lecturer. She returned to teaching high school two years ago, and this past fall was named one of the top 3 finalists for New Mexico’s 2022 teacher of the year award.