Jared and Dani are continuing the Back to School series this week by talking with Rachel Fletcher, a school counselor at the Salt Lake Center for Science Education. As we discussed the need for schools to address the social and emotional needs of student and staff, we also covered the following topics: how we can help students, teachers, and parents who are dealing with anxiety related to schools opening, what types of supports can schools provide for students who need to share their feelings about COVID related issues, and what role schools can play to help provide a safe space for all.

UEN Homeroom is joined by Rick Gaisford, Educational Technology Specialist for the Utah State Board of Education. Rick discusses the changes he's seen in classroom technology over his 30+ years in education and the crew shares their thoughts about the Digital Teaching and Learning Grant, the impact technology has made for schools, and more.

This week UEN's Rob Bentley joins Jared and Dani in the Homeroom to discuss how students can learn from games. We discuss the difference between game-based learning and gamification, how games help students engage with content, and how to get started building your own educational games.

Jared and Dani are talking coaching the week with Robert Proffit, Professional Learning Coordinator from Washington County School District. As we look into coaching we discuss the following topics: What are the biggest impacts for teachers who participate in a coaching program? How do you encourage teachers who are reluctant to coaching to try a new approach? What is the research surrounding coaching and its effects?

This week UEN Homeroom is pleased to rebroadcast our interview with Rushton Hurley, the founder and executive director of Next Vista for Learning, to the podcast. In our conversation we focus on how teachers can effectively develop opportunities for students to create videos in class. Topics included in the discussion are: How teachers can use student video projects to engage kids in learning. How film festivals promote student work. How much technical know-how teachers need to help with student video projects and the basic essentials teachers need to get started. How video projects are particularly effective during blended or online learning and more...

This week UEN Homeroom is pleased to welcome Rushton Hurley, the founder and executive director of Next Vista for Learning, to the podcast. In our conversation we focus on how teachers can effectively develop opportunities for students to create videos in class. Topics included in the discussion are: How teachers can use student video projects to engage kids in learning. How film festivals promote student work. How much technical know-how teachers need to help with student video projects and the basic essentials teachers need to get started. How video projects are particularly effective during blended or online learning and more...

In this episode of UEN Homeroom, Matt and Dani are joined by Shannon Rupert from the Mars Society and Jen Carver Hunter. They share great ways teachers can take advantage of learning opportunities involving the Mars Desert Research Station, right here in Utah!

UEN's Homeroom welcomes Sam Mitchell, an school technology specialist from the Granite School District to discuss the impact that podcasts are having on learning. We share our favorite podcasts, provide tips for finding great podcasts, and explore ideas for learning with podcasts.

Jared and Dani are back with another UEN Homeroom. This time we're joined by Sarah Young, Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Utah State Board of Education. The conversation touches upon fun topics like what your Zoom background looks like to when is the appropriate time each day to get dressed. Sarah provides information about how USBE is helping districts deal with addressing student technology needs, how the Digital Teaching and Learning program has helped Utah prepare for distance learning, and what schools may look like next year.

In the next installment of the Learn @ Home series, UEN Homeroom talks with Scott Wihongi, principal of Murray High School. As the school year nears completion, we talk about topics like: how to provide the class of 2020 a sense of closure, connecting with students and parents who are struggling during this time, and helping the community stay strong in the face of challenge.

Kathleen Riebe, School Technology Specialist in Granite School District and State Senator from Cottonwood Heights, joins the Homeroom on location from the State Senate floor to discuss her journey from the classroom to the Senate. We also talk about the current legislation that involves education and share ideas for getting teachers involved in the political process.

In our Back to School series, UEN Homeroom visits with Shanna Bingham, a Kindergarten teacher from the Granite School District. During our conversation we talk about the issues surrounding returning to school and look back at remote learning from last year. Topics in the podcast include: how to build relationships with students and parents, the need to connect with students using video and more, how to move your in-person curriculum online, and many more. Mrs. Bingham is described as "Mary Poppins if she taught Kindergarten" - listen to this interview and you'll fall in love with her positive outlook on education.

Dani and Jared are pleased to welcome Shannon Ririe Lyon, UEN Super Trainer and Computer Programming Guru, to UEN Homeroom this week. During our conversation on the Hour of Code we discuss topics like: why the Hour of Code is such a successful program, how teachers can get started with computer programming beyond Hour of Code, the benefits of having students get involved with computer programming, and how students can grow intellectually through programming.

As we move into our 3rd season of UEN Homeroom,the two Jareds (Covili and Fawson) catch up with the guys from Skill Struck. Our conversation focuses on the importance of providing students with real world opportunities to show what they know. We also discuss how student internships can provide opportunities for schools to connect with their local communities, the need for students to prepare for post-school employment, and the impact Skill Struck has in helping students learn computer programming.

On the first episode of the new Homeroom season, Matthew Winters debuts as Dani Sloan's new co-host! The two talk to Dan Ryder, and Mat Dombrowski about encouraging student innovation and maintaining innovation over time.

In this episode of UEN Homeroom,Dani and Matt are in the studio with Utah's First Lady, Abby Cox. Abby discusses the experiences of her new position and starting education initiatives to make positive change. The three of them chat about the need to focus on both educators' and students' emotional wellness.

On this episode of UEN Homeroom,Jared Fawson joins Jared Covili as Dani's substitute. The two of them welcome Tabitha Pacheco, director of the Utah Teacher Fellows program and National Board certified teacher in exceptional needs. Their motivating and lively discussion focuses on advocating for teachers in Utah and how teachers can advocate for themselves and their students!

This week Fernando joins Jared from behind the mixing board to host a conversation on creativity. We welcome special guest, Tacy Trowbridge, Leader of Adobe's Global Education Programs. We cover topics: what does creativity look like in the classroom, how to help solve challenges using their personal creativity, and how Adobe tools can promote creativity for students.

Tami Pyfer, the Education Advisor to the Governor, joins us as we kick off the 2019-2020 school year. As part of our conversation we discussed the state of education in Utah, the role of the Education Advisor and how she works on behalf of Utah teachers, and the need for teachers to share the good things they are doing in their classrooms.

In this episode of UEN Homeroom,Dani and Matt are joined by Kami Dupree from the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) and Heidi Mattews with the Utah Education Association(UEA) to discuss teacher retention in Utah. Listen to learn more about how these two groups define teacher retention and how, through their data collection, they're creating initiatives to address the teacher retention issue in our schools.