Special Episode ft. PasstheScopeEDU
Recorded on April 22, 2018
About Brian R. Smith, Sr:
Brian Smith is currently a Digital Learning Consultant with the responsibility of providing personalized PD and digital culture changing opportunities for teachers and administrators in regards to meaningful, pedagogically driven technology integration within the learning Environment. He is also responsible for providing support for schools in the area of digital equity by providing equal access and learning opportunities for all students. He has developed Student Tech Squads and Innovation Leadership Committees with the emphasis on providing opportunities for students to Create, Collaborate, Communicate Critically Think and Change their current educational environments in several districts. Brian is a Common Sense Education Ambassador, Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert, Google Certified Educator, Flipgrid Ambassador and Community Builder, Hoonuit Learning Ambassador and an Alpha Squirrel, all fueling his passion for meeting Students Where They Are, while providing Relevant Digital Citizenship opportunities through Student Voice platforms and Real-World experiences. Brian is in his 20th year as an educator, holding a Bachelor’s in Education from the University of Missouri and a Master’s in Education Media Design and Technology from Full Sail University.
Brian is most importantly the proud father of 4 wonderful, technology savvy, athletically active, artistically minded kiddos (2 girls and 2 boys) and a faithful husband of 1 loving wife.
About Derek Larson:
- Derek Larson taught 4th and 5th grades in Southern Utah for 8 years, absolutely loving every minute, before becoming the Educational Technology Director for the Southwest Educational Development Center (SEDC) in Cedar City, Utah.
Having completed his M.Ed. with an emphasis in technology, he feels technology is one of the most crucial aspects of teaching because of the way students are excited by and look forward to using it. If educators can find ways to effectively harness technology into their teaching, they will be better able to reach their students and help them catch the excitement of learning. This is one of Derek's goals as he works with teachers in rural districts across Southwestern Utah.
He was awarded the 2014 UCET Outstanding Young Educator of the Year, an award presented to an outstanding young educator, in the first ten years of their teaching career, who demonstrates vision, innovation, action, and transformation using technology to improve teaching and learning. He also received the Certified Educational Technology Leader (CETL) certification from the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) in October of 2016. Earning the CETL certification helps education technology leaders demonstrate they have mastered the knowledge and skills needed to define the vision for and successfully build 21st-century learning environments in their school districts. In Fall of 2017, Derek earned the Google Certified Educator Levels 1 and 2 along with his Google Certified Administrator certifications, showcasing his ability to effectively use the G-Suite toolset as well as effectively administer the back-end of the G-Suite productivity system.
Derek is a founding moderator for #UTedChat, an education Twitter chat focused on Utah educators which happens every Wednesday @ 9 pm Mountain Time. Come on by and join the conversation.
He is currently serving as the Public Relations Director for the UCET Board, which he thoroughly enjoys. Derek also served on the planning committee for the SUECON Conference as well as helping plan many additional educational conferences across the state of Utah.
Derek has three kids and a wonderful wife who help him stay grounded in the things that matter most. He loves spending time with them in the mountains where he is reminded of the need to unplug occasionally to make sure he is the best person he can be.
About Valerie Lewis:
Valerie Lewis is dedicated to the transformation of learning through engaging and creative activities for ALL students. She founded AppleSeed Learning to offer learning through community-based cultural programs, partnerships with community leaders, innovative learning labs, and one of the newest projects to be born: The EdObstacle Course! She is the Director of Teacherpreneur chat on Voxer to encourage others (and herself) to delve deeper into one's passion and merge it with sound business practices.
Valerie is respected amongst her peers as a motivator (of staff and students alike), and as a result she has led the Special Education Department for a number of years. She is Remind's Connected Educator's Lead Teacher for SpEd teachers. She also consults the New Business and Development group of Cox Communications in Atlanta on educational initiatives. She has written blogs for companies like Piktochart and EdSurge concerning Professional Development and the integration of infographics within the classroom.
Music: Ron Madison (@Madison_Ron)
Producer: Sarah Thomas (@Sarahdateechur)
