Inspiring Distracted Students by Making Lessons More Epic, Practical and Relevant

12/11/21 • 12 min

Teaching pandemic distracted students has made it more important than ever to create lessons that spark students' imagination, curiosity, and interest at the deepest levels. In this episode, our guest explains how epic, practical, and personally relevant lessons are moving her students from distracted to inspired, engaged, and enthusiastic learners.

Follow on Twitter: @kyndra_johnson @Rdene915 @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd@Definedlearning

Kyndra Johnson is the executive director of STEM and Innovation at Richardson Independent School District. She is responsible for developing, planning, managing, supporting, organizing, and implementing the STEM programs within the schools and providing leadership for District-wide initiatives for STEM.

Follow on Twitter: @kyndra_johnson @Rdene915 @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd@Definedlearning

Previous Episode

Simplifying STEM Instruction During the Pandemic: Let Students Take the Lead, Let Colleagues Help

What are the easiest, simplest, and most effective ways to teach STEM subjects during the pandemic? Listen in as our guest shares practical PBL strategies we can use to reduce our workload while making instruction more meaningful and relevant to our students.

Follow on Twitter: @DrJacieMaslyk @Rdene915 @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd@Definedlearning

An educator for the last 22 years, Dr. Jacie Maslyk, has served as a classroom teacher, reading specialist, elementary principal, and assistant superintendent. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) and a Master’s Degree in Instructional Leadership from Robert Morris University. Her doctorate was earned in curriculum and instruction, also from IUP.

Jacie has published numerous articles on topics like principal leadership, designing effective interventions, and leading STEAM and Making in schools. She is the author of STEAM Makers: Fostering Creativity and Innovation in the Elementary Classroom, Connect to Lead: Power Up Your Learning Network to Move Your School Forward, Remake Literacy: Innovative Instructional Strategies for Maker Learning, Unlock Creativity: Opening a World of Imagination With Your Students, and All In: Taking a Gamble in Education. Jacie is a featured blogger with Demco, Defined STEM, and Education Closet, as well as maintaining her own blog, Creativity in the Making at www.jaciemaslyk.blogspot.com .

Next Episode

Compliant Students or Passionately Motivated Students: Which Are You Seeing Most in Your Classroom This Year and Why?

Many, maybe even most, students see school as a grade game. "What do I have to do to get an A?" Many of us have been driven to see teaching as a compliance game. "What do I have to do to get my students to meet the course requirements?" In this episode, we talk about practical strategies we can use to change the game of school (at the classroom level) to cultivate more students who are passionate about learning in your class.

Follow on Twitter: @DWettrick @Rdene915 @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd @Definedlearning

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Don Wettrick is the founder of The STARTedUP Foundation, which hosts Innovate WithIN- Indiana's innovation and entrepreneurship programming and competition. He is also the author of “Pure Genius: Building a Culture of Innovation,” which aims to create innovation mindsets in our schools. Don is known for his award-winning work as a middle school and high school teacher; educational and innovation consultant; and educational speaker.