In this high-energy, heartfelt season finale, science educator, TV personality, and keynote speaker Steve Spangler joins us live at the Innovative Schools Summit in Orlando to talk about the power of creating experiences in education. From his upbringing in a family of magicians to leading explosive science demonstrations across the country, Steve shares the moments, mentors, and mindset that shaped his approach to teaching. He unpacks how to truly connect with students, inspire curiosity, and bring learning to life—while reminding educators of the vital impact they make every day.🔑 Key Takeaways:✔️ Connection is Foundational: Learning doesn’t happen without trust and connection.✔️ Every Experience Counts: Students remember how you made them feel, not just what you taught.✔️ Failure is Part of the Journey: Embrace and model failure—it’s essential for innovation.✔️ Supportive Leadership Matters: Environments that encourage creativity fuel better teaching.✔️ Rediscovering Joy: Even veteran teachers need to “re-spark” their passion from time to time.💬 Memorable Quotes🗣️ “Teaching is about connection first and foremost. If you don’t have that, nothing else matters.”🗣️ “You don’t connect to students—you connect with them.”🗣️ “If what you did in the classroom made it to the dinner table, you win.”🗣️ “Sometimes you’re performing at people. What they need is for you to connect with them.”🗣️ “Every kid needs three things: a spark, a champion, and someone who supports their cause.”🧠 Strategies You'll LearnHow to build “experiences” instead of just delivering contentUsing curiosity, surprise, and storytelling to enhance lessonsThe power of “feigned ignorance” to increase student engagementTips for navigating unsupportive administrative environmentsHow to humanize virtual learning spaces (“humanizing the square”)👁️‍🗨️ Additional PracticesMake space for student voice—listen for their passions and spark pointsUse classroom failures as shared problem-solving opportunitiesInvolve students in design—“What would you change if we did it again?”Prioritize relational connection over performanceReflect often: Are you teaching with students, or at them?📚 Resources and Links🔗 Steve Spangler Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevespangler/?hl=en🔗 Steve Spangler Science Website: Steve Spangler Science🔗 The Self-Regulation Skill Set for Educators by Brad Chapin – YouthLight.com❤️ Love This Episode?✅ Share it with a fellow educator!⭐ Rate & Review to help more teachers find this show💬 Join the Conversation on social media or in your next staff meeting!💡 Innovative Schools Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/innovativeschoolspodcast/💡Listen on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovative-schools-podcast/id1502414943💡Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Lbw553jnDXuG08IZ43Kb5💡Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@innovativeschoolspodcast

In this insightful episode, hosts Jordan and Will talk with veteran educator and consultant Dr. Marquita Blades about the promise and pitfalls of Artificial Intelligence in schools. Together, they explore how AI can lighten teacher workloads, boost student engagement, and foster deeper critical thinking when used intentionally. Dr. Blades shares real-world strategies, favorite tools, and how educators can shift from fear to empowerment in a rapidly changing digital world.🔑 Key Takeaways:✔️ AI should supplement, not substitute. Teachers must evaluate whether AI enhances or replaces meaningful instruction.✔️ Demystify AI to prevent misuse. Treat it like Google in the early days—teach how to use it instead of banning it.✔️ Cheating is not new. Focus should shift to digital citizenship and responsible use, not fear-based avoidance.✔️ Students need structured guidance. Without clear modeling and purpose, students will misuse or underuse AI tools.✔️ Start small with automation. Use AI for grading, lesson refreshes, or tailoring content to specific student needs.💬 Memorable Quotes:🗣️ “Cheating should be the least of our concerns. Kids have found a way to cheat since the one-room schoolhouse.” – Dr. Marquita Blades🗣️ “AI is a tool—like a hammer. It can build or destroy. It’s how we use it that matters.”🗣️ “Demystify AI. When you make it part of the lesson, the obsession fades. And learning begins.” – Dr. Marquita Blades🗣️ “We must teach AI just like we teach reading or math. It’s a skill students need to learn step by step.” – Dr. Marquita Blades🧠 Strategies You'll Love:Prompt with purpose: Ask ChatGPT to adapt lessons for your specific student mix (reading levels, engagement needs).Student-AI comparisons: Have students input the same prompt into multiple platforms (Gemini, ChatGPT, Perplexity) and analyze results.Reimagine old lessons: Use AI to refresh outdated curriculum examples or analog materials into modern, engaging content.Build AI “student rooms” in MagicSchool.ai to guide learners through AI tools without distractions.Replace one-size-fits-all assignments with AI-supported PBL simulations or scenario-based activities.👁️‍🗨️ Additional Practices:Try MagicSchool.ai for automated lesson plans, quizzes, and personalized student tools.Use Eduaide.ai for generating hands-on, low-tech activities that reintroduce kinesthetic and collaborative learning.Train students to verify AI outputs—practice sourcing and cross-checking to build research fluency.Shift AI from novelty to norm. Consistent, transparent integration reduces misuse and increases skill-building.📚 Resources & Links:🔗 Website: https://drmarquitablades.com/🔗 Dr. Marquita’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/powarrfulteaching/?hl=en🔗 Instagram Threads: https://www.threads.com/@powarrfulteaching?xmt=AQF0ok4A67oMHKbzymXEC-ojX8WAsABYZVBrNzXXpfpmUes🧰  AI Tools Highlighted in the Episode 🔗 ChatGPTUsed for ideation, reimagining lessons, synthesizing feedback, and providing next-step resources for students.Helps reduce repetitive tasks and create more personalized teaching strategies.🔗 MagicSchool.aiDesigned specifically for educators with “magic tools” like lesson planners, quiz generators, and YouTube video analyzers.Allows customization based on student needs and data (e.g., pre-assessment inputs).Features “ Student Rooms ” and a  Tutor Me with AI  tool to support student learning in a guided environment.🔗 Eduaide.aiCreated by a teacher, for teachers.Supports both high-tech and analog/kinesthetic strategies  (e.g., jigsaws, four corners, debates, bingo).Great for designing student engagement activities that balance screen time with hands-on learning.🔗 Google GeminiUsed as a point of comparison for AI output analysis.Encourages students to analyze and evaluate the quality and tone of results across platforms.🔗 Perplexity.aiHighlighted for research-focused tasks due to its strong citation features.Suggested for cross-platform analysis and information verification exercises.  ❤️ Love This Episode?✅ Share it online or with a fellow educator!⭐ Rate & review to help more teachers find this show!💬 Join the conversation on social media or in your next staff meeting.Innovative Schools Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/innovativeschoolspodcast/Listen on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovative-schools-podcast/id1502414943Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Lbw553jnDXuG08IZ43Kb5Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@innovativeschoolspodcast

In this episode, Jordan speaks with Megan and Kara from IntegratED about how frustration in their own classrooms sparked a powerful shift in teaching practice. They share their journey of reimagining instruction through “Integrated Pathways”—seven dynamic methods that empower both educators and students. From hands-on learning to storytelling and visual arts, they outline a framework that helps teachers engage every learner, without adding more to their plates. Whether you’re a new teacher or a veteran, you’ll leave this episode with strategies to spark student growth and your own professional joy.🔑 Key Takeaways:✔️ Integrated teaching is about more than combining content—it’s about connecting with students in meaningful, lasting ways.✔️ Student engagement must be prioritized over mere compliance or memorization.✔️ All learners deserve multiple, accessible pathways to understanding, no matter their age or ability.✔️ Instructional experiences don’t need to be elaborate to be impactful—simple strategies can spark transformation.✔️ Real-time classroom feedback and purposeful planning fuel lasting growth for both students and educators.💬 Memorable Quotes🗣️ “Activities are transactional. Experiences are transformational.” – Steve Spangler🗣️ “The definition of experience includes the word knowledge—so why wouldn’t we use them in education?” – Kara Rigsby🗣️ “We weren’t ready to walk away… so we asked, What if we just taught differently?” – Megan Diede🧠 Strategies You’ll LearnIntegrated Frameworks: How to combine existing standards across subjects into a unified, purposeful experience.Pathways to Learning: Techniques to deliver content using multiple modes:MovementMusicStorytellingVisual ArtsHands-On LearningTechnologyAuditory LearningAssessment Reinvented: How to use creative student outputs as authentic assessments.Small Shifts, Big Results: Implementing “mini-experiences” like student-led storytelling or simple measurement activities to increase engagement.👁️‍🗨️ Additional Practices:Reflect after each lesson: How did students access the information today?Start small: Use visual aids, manipulatives, or peer teaching as entry points into integrated learning.Engage with your students’ strengths: Let them show what they know through art, movement, or story.Use pathways as differentiation tools—not all students need the same access route to learning.📚 Resources & Links:Website: https://www.integratedk12.com/Follow on Social Media:Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/integratedk12/Book coming soon! ElevatED Educator:https://www.integratedk12.com/elevated-educatorhttps://www.youthlight.com/browse.php?p=ElevatED+Educator❤️ Love This Episode?✅ Share it with a fellow educator!⭐ Rate & Review to help more teachers find this show💬 Join the Conversation on social media or in your next staff meeting!Innovative Schools Podcast Insta: https://www.instagram.com/innovativeschoolspodcast/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/innovativeschoolspodcast

In this deeply personal and often hilarious episode of the Innovative Schools Podcast, Kevin interviews Dr. Debbie Silver, a nationally celebrated educator, author, and speaker. From an accidental start in a rural Louisiana classroom with no curriculum or training, to shaping future teachers and leading national conversations on education, Debbie’s story is one of resilience, humor, and heart. Whether you're struggling to find your place or looking for renewed inspiration, this candid conversation is a reminder that every educator has a story—and every student deserves to be seen.🔑 Key Takeaways:✔️ Teaching isn't always planned—but it can be a calling - Debbie’s journey into education started with no intention or training, proving that connection often trumps credentials.✔️ “You do you, Big!” - Authenticity matters. Every teacher has a unique style that can resonate with different students.✔️ Grace and flexibility are critical - Education is serious work, but rigid systems and pacing guides often miss the mark. Reframing and resilience are essential tools.✔️ Culture begins with the teacher - The classroom culture you create echoes in school-wide relationships, expectations, and student engagement.✔️ Growth over grades - Debbie encourages formative data over summative punishment—meet students where they are and measure growth, not just scores.💬 Memorable Quotes:🗣️ “You saw me.” — Tara, Debbie’s former student and now a full colonel🗣️ “I wasn’t a real teacher. I was a scared girl in a hot classroom full of crying first graders.”🗣️ “Don’t worry about being me—worry about being the best version of you.”🗣️ “The job is serious. But don’t take yourself too seriously.”🗣️ “If you’re passionate about it, the kids will be too.”👁️‍🗨️ Additional Practices:Pre-year letters to students: Personal notes that build empathy and connectionStudent surveys & learning inventories: Start the year by understanding how your students learn bestFlexible rubrics: Let students choose how to demonstrate masteryClassroom check-ins: Make eye contact, greet students intentionally, and build trust dailyCommunity building through storytelling: Use your own journey as a bridge to student engagement📚 Resources & Links:🔗 Dr. Debbie Silver website: https://debbiesilver.com/🔗 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovative-schools-podcast/id1502414943🔗 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Lbw553jnDXuG08IZ43Kb5?si=61c80af2fd07497d🔗 Innovative Schools Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/innovativeschoolspodcast/🔗 Check out our website: https://accutrain.com/❤️ Love This Episode?✅ Share it with a fellow educator!⭐ Rate & Review to help more teachers find this show💬 Join the Conversation on social media or in your next staff meeting

In this episode, hosts Liz and Jordan talk with therapist and educator Tracie Berry-McGhee about the impact of social media on adolescents, particularly how it influences relationships, cyberbullying, and mental health. Tracie shares her work with the Sista Keeper Empowerment Center, explains her innovative Wellness Mobile, and introduces her self-esteem-building LOVE Principles. She emphasizes the need for educators, families, and communities to create safe, empowering environments for young people navigating digital life.🔑 Key Takeaways:✔️ Social media is a double-edged sword: it connects but also fuels anxiety, comparison, and relational aggression.✔️ Cyberbullying doesn't stop at the school doors—it follows students 24/7 and deeply impacts school culture.✔️ Students are seeking connection, but many feel isolated even while surrounded by followers.✔️ Middle schoolers are particularly vulnerable to social media's harms due to identity formation and impulsivity.✔️ Educators can make a huge impact by creating safe spaces, paying attention to non-verbal cues, and encouraging emotional literacy.💬 Memorable Quotes:🗣️ “Followers, but no friends—that’s how many of our students feel.”🗣️ “Your algorithm will find you if you’re being true to yourself.”🗣️ “We compare ourselves to a highlight reel that isn’t even real.”🗣️ “You must be a keeper to yourself first before you can be a Sista Keeper.”🗣️ “Social media isn’t going anywhere. We have to teach kids how to use it as a tool—not be used by it.”🧠 Strategies You’ll Learn:The LOVE Principles: A practical framework for students, educators, and parents:L – Listen: Encourage mindfulness, quiet time, and tuning into inner thoughts and feelings.O – Observe: Look beyond words—watch non-verbal behavior and shifting moods.V – Validate: Use affirmations and let students know they are seen, heard, and valued.E – Empower: Promote self-worth by encouraging originality, not comparison.👁️‍🗨️ Additional Practices:Use restorative justice circles and safe group spaces for expression.Practice meditation, journaling, and affirmations in school settings.Monitor emotional shifts via body language and classroom behavior.Encourage positive use of social media (affirmation posts, reflection prompts, etc.).Promote digital literacy: understanding the emotional effects of algorithms and social comparison.📚 Resources & Links:🔗 Tracie’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theempowernista/🔗 I Define Me website: https://www.idefinememovement.com/who-we-are🔗 Meet JOY: https://www.idefinememovement.com/copy-of-idm-media🔗 Book The IDM Wellness Mobile: https://www.idefinememovement.com/book-the-wellness-mobile❤️ Love This Episode?✅ Share it with a fellow educator!⭐ Rate & review to help more teachers find this show💬 Join the conversation on social media or in your next staff meeting