EdTech Bites Podcast

This episode is sponsored by Teq. One of the biggest challenges in schools right now is capacity. Educators are asked to do more, often with new tools, and very little support. Teq helps by combining classroom technology like SMART Boards and STEM resources with professional learning that respects educators’ time and reality. It’s support that makes technology usable, not overwhelming.Learn more at Teq.com.In this powerful episode, I welcome back Mandy Froehlich—longtime friend of the podcast and a leading voice in educator mental health. Mandy introduces us to the concept of healing spaces. These are not just quiet rooms or meditation music, but deep cultural shifts that support teacher recovery, emotional well-being, and long-term sustainability in education. We unpack the difference between burnout and demoralization, how leadership can unintentionally miss the mark, and what educators truly need to feel supported. If you feel like you’re trying to stay afloat or you’re an administrator ready to build a better culture, this episode is your blueprint for creating change.Connect With Gabriel CarrilloEdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.comEdTech Bites On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/edtechbites.bsky.socialEdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbitesEdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbitesEdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbitesEdTech Bites On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@edtechbitesEdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbitesConnect With Mandy FroehlichMandy’s Website: http://www.mandyfroehlich.comMandy On X: https://twitter.com/froehlichm

Want to bring your whole district together with one simple tool? ClassDojo for Districts makes it easy to engage families and strengthen school communities—at every level. It's the number one communication app trusted by millions of K-12 teachers, now with district-wide oversight and controls. From Pre-K to high school, ClassDojo connects your schools and families in one seamless place. Learn more at classdojo.com/districts. AI is everywhere in education but what if our fear of it isn't new at all? In this episode, I'm joined by Brett Salakas from down under. He delivers one of the most unexpected AI metaphors you'll ever hear: Frankenstein. This conversation connects AI, educational change, and human fear in a way that will completely shift how you think about innovation in schools. We unpack why every major tech revolution follows the same pattern, why "Luddites" weren't villains, and what educators can learn from a 200-year-old novel about embracing change without losing our humanity. Oh and yes…Buc-ee's, poetry slams, beaver onesies, and brisket sandwiches all make an appearance. If you're wrestling with AI implementation, staff resistance, or your own uncertainty, this episode will give you clarity, perspective, and a few laughs along the way. Buen provecho! Connect With Gabriel Carrillo EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com EdTech Bites On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/edtechbites.bsky.social EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@edtechbites EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites About Brett Salakas Brett Salakas, the HP Education Ambassador, is an international keynote speaker, the best-selling author of 'A MAMMOTH Lesson', the founder of #aussieED (the largest online network of teachers in Australia) and the co-founder of the ED Poets Society. Currently, he is identified by Linkedin as a TOP VOICE (top 1% worldwide) in K-12 Education. Brett was awarded with the NSWICTE and ISTE 'Making 'IT' Happen award in 2024, was recently identified by the District Administration Leadership Institute as one of the top 100 most influential leaders in education globally (the only Australian named on the list) and he was named the Most Influential Educator in Australia for 2024 by The Educator magazine. Brett is a teacher and experienced school leader who, over the past 26 years, has taught in South East Asia and Australia. He is passionately committed to turning educational theory into real classroom practice. Brett is all about CONNECTION, COLLABORATION and INSPIRATION.‍ Connect With Brett Salakas Brett On X: https://x.com/MRsalakas Brett On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salakas/ Brett on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brett.salakas

Today's episode is sponsored by WeVideo, a cloud-based interactive video platform used by millions of educators and students. With WeVideo, educators have everything they need to create dynamic learning opportunities in the classroom. Easily assign pre-made video projects in just a few clicks, and collaborate with learners in real-time. Embed interactive elements like multiple choice questions, free responses, and discussion prompts into new or existing video content, and watch engagement soar. Meet students where they are, in a medium they love, and develop crucial 21st-century skills like creativity, communication, critical thinking, and collaboration. WeVideo makes it easy to create videos, podcasts, GIFs, and more — no matter who you are. Try WeVideo today and maximize engagement, retention, and performance in the classroom. Visit www.wevideo.com/education to learn more. In this episode, I have a meaningful and powerful discussion with Dr. Sawsan Jaber. She travels around the globe bringing humanity back to the classroom. She's breaking down the barriers within our educational walls and helping students foster positivity and inclusivity. Her story is one that entails the struggles of stereotypes, sexism, and inequity that have shaped who She is today. This is an episode that will help reignite the passion for inclusivity and equity within our schools and society. Sit tight and listen to Dr. Sawsan Jaber as she explains what it's like to bring the missing piece back to education, Humanity! Buen provecho! Connect With Gabriel Carrillo EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com EdTech Bites Twitter: https://twitter.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites Threads: https://www.threads.net/@edtechbites EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites About Dr. Sawsan Jaber Dr. Sawsan Jaber is a global educator, presenter, equity strategist, curriculum designer, community activist and keynote speaker of 20+ years. She has held a variety of leadership positions both in the U.S. and abroad. Dr. Jaber is currently a high school English Department Chair, District Equity Leader, and teacher at Maine West High School in Park Ridge, IL. Dr. Jaber founded Education Unfiltered Consulting and works with schools nationally and internationally. She completed her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on inclusion and belonging of students from marginalized communities, with a focus on Arab American students in historically homogenous communities Sawsan was one of the ten finalists for Ilinois State Teacher of the year. She was awarded the Cook County Teacher of the year in 2023, ISTE 20 to Watch Award for 2023, the CEL Teacher-Leader of Excellence Award in 2023, and IDEA Teacher of the Year in 2022. Connect With Dr. Sawsan Jaber Dr. Sawsan Jaber On Twitter: https://x.com/sjeducate Dr. Sawsan Jaber On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sjeducate? Dr. Sawsan Jaber On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sawsan-jaber-phd-nbct-5835ab242/ The Book Is Officially Out! My first book "Cooking Up Experiences In The Classroom: Focus On Experiences, Not Just Lessons" is officially out! A HUGE shout out to Lumio for helping sponsor this book. I'm super excited about this project. It's filled with ideas on how to make memorable experiences for your students. In addition, each chapter also lays out a specific recipe mentioned in that chapter along with a video tutorial on how to prepare that dish. Make sure you get your copy and cook up some experiences for your students and loved ones! Click Here To Purchase Your Copy On Amazon

* We want to take this moment to thank our sponsor - Wakelet. Wakelet has been changing the game when it comes to student portfolios. The platform is helping students across the US showcase tangible evidence of their success in creative and personalized ways. Wakelet portfolios boost college readiness, and help students share their skills and achievements in ways that go beyond just test scores. For teachers, Wakelet is a powerful tool for sharing learning resources, creating lesson plans, and boosting collaboration in your classes. Help your learners redefine student success, and outshine their test scores with Wakelet Portfolios. Head to wakelet.com/portfolios to learn more, and sign up for a free account today. In this episode, I chat CTE with Heather Brantley and Stacie White. This conversation was recorded at the TCCA conference in Aldine, Texas. Heather is a two time EdTech Bites Food Tour participant and Stacie is a CTE teacher who "doesn't Social Media". This is an awesome discussion around this hot topic in education. And sticking with CTE and Culinary, I also quiz them on 5 different food trivia questions. Can you beat Heather and Stacie in food trivia? Find out for yourself. Buen provecho! Connect With Gabriel Carrillo EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com EdTech Bites Twitter: https://twitter.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQCZcyW4BkCFQ5P2BLK61xg About Heather Brantley Heather Brantley is an experienced educator and founder of HeatherTechEdu. With a background in instructional design and technology integration, Heather is passionate about helping teachers and students leverage the power of technology to enhance teaching and learning. Through HeatherTechEdu, she provides presentations on AI/AR/VR in the classroom, instructional design services, and educational technology consulting to schools and districts around the country. Heather is currently teaching CTE technology and CEER at Pine Tree ISD. Connect With Heather Heather on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeatherTechEdu Heather's Website: https://Heathertechedu.com About Stacie White The Amazing Mrs. White has been teaching for 18 years both online and in the brick and mortar arenas. She has taught Spanish 1 and 2, as well as Special Education Reading Resource. Now she focuses on her favorite course of all, Project Success, which is a career explorations course through the Career and Technical Education department. She is passionate about helping students gain vision for their lives and guiding them to be the best they can be both in and out of the classroom. At home, she and her husband of 18 years have 5 super involved kids, 2 loving grandparents, a German shepherd and a chihuahua who remind them to be grateful for their many blessings.

In this episode, I break bread with Eric Curts. Not just break, fatty brisket to be exact. We have a great conversation all about well-being. And what a more perfect time to discuss well-being than Spring Break! Eric gives some great advice as to how he has focused on digital well-being in order to be a more balanced individual. So make sure you check this episode out and hear what Eric and I have to say about well-being... and fatty brisket. Buen provecho!

Season 3 is under way folks! In this episode, I give my beginning of the year keynote that is directed to admin, coaches, tech coaches, teachers, and students. I do this while eating my favorite pasta ever, bucatini carbonara. Tune in to hear what I have to say to YOU to motivate you this school year. Buen provecho! Timestamps Admin, coaches, tech coaches: 4:51 Teachers: 11:20 Students: 19:30

In this episode, I sit down with a good friend and colleague of mine, Chad Belford. We met up at an authentic Chicago eatery called Wise Guys in San Antonio and discussed microcredentialing, digital badging, and of course...Chicago eats. This is definitely a "squirrel!" episode with lots of side conversation but hey, that's dinner table talk right? We manage to discuss what we've come across in our own research of "how to" digital badge and the pros of it. We're ready to start rolling this out in our district and would love to hear your journey in Microcredentialing and Digital Badging. Also, if you'd like to tell us about your favorite Italian eatery, please chime in on Twitter with #EdTechBites. As always, enjoy and Buen Provecho! Or in this case, Buon appetito!