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The 2016 election is finally here, but what do this year's races have to do with education policy in America? In this episode, we take a closer look at some of 2016's most important races with the help of an excellent voter's guide created by Education Week. Congressional races, gubernatorial elections, and ballot measures will all be a lot more fun to talk about than the race between Hillary and Trump. And when there's no more to be said about this week's ballot, never fear - ECOT founder Bill Lager is spending less this year on political contributions, and the American Academy of Pediatrics has some new advice for parents who are concerned about their children's "screen time". Follow us on Twitter or Facebook! @educreators facebook.com/educreators Send feedback, questions, or a suggestion for a news story to podcast@educreators.org or visit our subreddit – /r/eduCreators.2016 Elections: Education Week's Voters' Guide - Education Week — Get a jump on the issues, candidate positions, and policy stakes in the Nov. 8 federal and state elections.Ohio education board will see at least four new faces | The Columbus Dispatch — There could be significant turnover

Politicians come from all walks of life, bringing their personal experience and background to the table when creating legislation. A voice that is often missing from the discussion on education policy might be the most important; the voice of the teachers. But in Oklahoma, where the state's government has been known to ignore the needs of teachers and parents, some aspiring politicians are looking to change that this November. In this episode, I talk to three candidates for public office in Oklahoma: Mickey Dollens (State Representative District 93), Forrest Bennett (State Representative District 92), and Judy Mullen Hopper (State Senate District 47). They describe their professional experience as educators and advocates for public education, explain what led them to run for office, discuss the most pressing issues facing Oklahoma's public education system, and offer more details about how they will promote public education and the teaching profession if elected this November. Dollens, Bennett, and Mullen Hopper aren't the only educators looking to become politicians, though - visit the edWeek article in the show notes below to learn more, or watch the PBS NewsHour segment from October 4th, also linked below. Also, check out episode 30 of "The edTech Podcast" where host Sophia Bailey interviewed me, Joanna Bersin (Head of Education at Kano Computing), Sam Patterson (Makerspace Coordinator at Echo Horizon School in San Francisco, CA), and Michael Luetjen (Computer Science and edTech Lead Learner at Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale, FL) to talk about the use of Kano Computer kits (think LEGO + Raspberry Pi) in public libraries, schools, and community centers, and the importance of giving students meaningful opportunities to build and create their own content. And, if for some reason you're still looking to hear more from me, episode 33 of "The edTech Podcast" is live and this time, it's just me and Sophia! Resources "Fed up with state's K-12 stance, Oklahoma teachers run for office"

Giving students in elementary school a chance to make authentic choices is an essential part of preparing them for taking responsibility later in life, so one of the latest trends in classrooms is to offer flexible seating arrangements. In this first episode back after the summer, Cory talks to Nicole Davis and Kayla Kidwell, two […] The post Flexible Seating in the Elementary Classroom appeared first on eduCreators.

We’re looking at two different studies, one by UCLA researchers that highlights the terrible costs of suspending students from school, and another by ACT that looks to help align the nation’s curriculum with expectations of college instructors and employers. The governor of Illinois has harsh criticism for Chicago Public Schools, and education pioneer Jerome Bruner […] The post Morning Announcements – June 20, 2016 appeared first on eduCreators.

Project Right Angle – a challenge to 13 middle school STEM students to design the perfect arm brace to help 7th grade social studies teacher Matt Brown overcome the side effects of his radiation treatments. Earlier in 2016, Matt passed away after a long battle with cancer, but Project Right Angle lives on. In this episode, I […] The post Students and STEM: Project Right Angle appeared first on eduCreators.

In this episode of the eduCreators Morning Announcements, we go back in time to help Dublin City Schools in Ohio decide if test scores from 2014 are important anymore, we bring some good news to supporters of the National Writing Project, and then we follow that up with some bad news for McGraw-Hill, publishers of […] The post Morning Announcements – May 24, 2016 appeared first on eduCreators.

In this episode of the eduCreators Morning Announcements, we look at the results of UCLA’s nationwide survey of 2015’s freshmen class, more trouble coming from Ohio’s Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow, and the exciting impact that the Broadway musical Hamilton is having on culture and education. Spoiler alert: Hamilton dies at the end. Resources referenced in […] The post Morning Announcements – March 19, 2016 appeared first on eduCreators.

In this post-SXSWedu episode, Cory Roush speaks about the way that the media creates a narrative, unintentional or not, that doesn’t reflect well upon the teaching profession. He also introduces an interview with two Ohio County Schools administrators, Michelle Dietrich and Susan Nolte, where professional development, teacher training, and family engagement are just a few […] The post Exploring edcamps and Family Engagement appeared first on eduCreators.