Category: Primary

Episode 29 – Soney Day



29 - Soney Day.png

SONEY DAY is a 2nd grade teacher at Coy Miller Elementary School in Frisco, TX. She describes herself as a teacher, mom, tech integrator, proud Texan, and Seesaw ambassador. Soney enjoys advocating for young learners and strives to have an innovator’s mindset.

In our conversation, Soney shares about an emotionally draining challenge she faced in just her second year of teaching. Although it was nightmarish at the time, she calls it a learning experience today and mentors new teachers using some of the knowledge gained from that ordeal. Soney tells us why she’s such a big booster of social-emotional wellness for learners, and encourages teachers to pay more attention to education policy decisions and governance. Finally, she offers some great recommendations for Twitter accounts to follow, books to read, and more.

Follow Soney on Twitter @DaysMrs.

TIMESTAMPS. In this episode, Soney discusses …

Song Track Credits

Intro: Relax (by Simon More)
Outtro: Starley – Call on Me Remix (by DJ Zhorik)

LISTEN to this episode on YouTube and SUBSCRIBE for more episodes!

Episode 28 – Jordan Potrzeba

28 - Jordan Potrzeba.png

Jordan Potrzeba is a 4th grade teacher at Walter Caldwell Elementary School in Auburndale, FL.

Imagine being told by your principal in your first year of teaching that you were different and didn’t belong. After experiencing just that, Jordan moved from Nebraska to Florida, where he found a school that welcomes his energy, ideas, and unique personality. In our conversation, Jordan shares about his passion to see teachers grow, share, be vulnerable, and take risks. He also describes how travel and music enrich his life, and offers some great recommendations around books to read, Twitter accounts to follow, a great YouTube channel to subscribe to, and more.

Follow Jordan Potrzeba on Twitter and Instagram @JordanPotrzeba, and check out his reflections on education at https://bloggingjungle.blogspot.com/.

TIMESTAMPS. In this episode, Jordan discusses …

  • 0:58 – his teaching situation: 4th grade teacher at Walter Caldwell Elementary in Auburndale, FL
  • 2:10 – a low moment in his career: being told by an administrator in his first year of teaching that he was different and didn’t fit in
  • 7:45 – what gets him excited about education today: seeing teachers stand up, share their voice, be vulnerable, and regain their passion
  • 12:22 – another area of personal passion and learning: travel
  • 13:36 – a personal habit that contributes to his success: listening to music no matter what the context, dancing when possible
  • 15:23 – two accounts we need to follow on Twitter: Nicole Taylor (@GuysBride) and Todd Nesloney (@TechNinjaTodd), co-author of the new Sparks in the Dark
  • 16:34 – his favourite edtech tools: Nearpod (@Nearpod) and FlipGrid (@FlipGrid)
  • 19:21 – two book recommendations: Refugee by Alan Gratz (@AlanGratz) and Play Like a Pirate by Quinn Rollins (@jedikermit)
  • 20:36 – a YouTube channel pick that works well in elementary Math classrooms: NumberRock Math Songs
  • 22:44 – his go-to on Netflix (even though he’s currently not a subscriber): The Office
  • 23:23 – the best ways to follow him online … see above!

Song Track Credits

Intro: Relax (by Simon More)
Outtro: Starley – Call on Me Remix (by DJ Zhorik)

LISTEN to this episode on YouTube and SUBSCRIBE for more episodes!

Episode 26: Bobby McCutcheon

LISTEN to this episode on Anchor and SUBSCRIBE to the podcast!

26 - Bobby McCutcheon

Bobby McCutcheon is the principal of Randall Elementary School in Independence, MO. He’s a husband, father, #GeniusHour advocate, travel junkie, Royals fan, and occasional political expert.

After teaching for several years at the middle and high school levels, Bobby was offered the position of elementary principal and has never looked back. He points to a decision to transform his diet and fitness three years as a turning point in what has become an exciting journey of growth. Today, Bobby is passionate about building a positive culture at Randall and promoting creativity in his students through Genius Hour. You won’t want to miss his remarkable story about a struggling student who dove deep into learning about K-9 police dogs. His learning took him to places he’d never imagined, and he was able to share that journey with the entire school community.

Follow Bobby McCutcheon on Twitter @Fight4Mizzou and see what’s happening at Randall Elementary School @RandallBears.

TIMESTAMPS. In this episode, Bobby discusses …

  • 0:53 – his current context as principal at Randall Elementary School
  • 1:34 – the challenges associated with students who are dealing with trauma, and the positive community culture required to create safe spaces
  • 4:11 – what really ignites his passion for education today: teachers who think outside the box, students who explore their creativity through Genius Hour
  • 8:14 – other areas of passion and learning: sports, history, and politics
  • 11:40 – personal habits that have transformed his mental and physical health in three years: regular workouts and an improved diet
  • 15:21 – an education leader to follow on Twitter: Adam Welcome (@MrAdamWelcome)
  • 16:29 – an edtech tool that facilitates PLN participation: TweetDeck
  • 18:08 – a book recommendation: Lead Like a Pirate by Shelley Burgess (@Burgess_Shelley) and Beth Houf (@BethHouf)
  • 19:52 – a podcast recommendation: StartEDup with Don Wettrick (@DonWettrick)
  • 20:59 – two Youtube channels to subscribe to: Message to a New & Aspiring Principal (by @PrincipalKefele) and Athlean X
  • 22:11 – what he’s watching on Netflix these days: all the Marvel and Avengers movies
  • 23:17 – the best ways to follow him online (see above)

Song Track Credits

Intro: Relax (by Simon More)
Outtro: Starley – Call on Me Remix (by DJ Zhorik)

LISTEN to this episode on YouTube and SUBSCRIBE for more episodes!

Episode 26 – Bobby McCutcheon



26 - Bobby McCutcheon.png

BOBBY McCUTCHEON is the principal of Randall Elementary School in Independence, MO. He’s a husband, father, #GeniusHour advocate, travel junkie, Royals fan, and occasional political expert.

After teaching for several years at the middle and high school levels, Bobby was offered the position of elementary principal and has never looked back. He points to a decision to transform his diet and fitness three years as a turning point in what has become an exciting journey of growth. Today, Bobby is passionate about building a positive culture at Randall and promoting creativity in his students through Genius Hour. You won’t want to miss his remarkable story about a struggling student who dove deep into learning about K-9 police dogs. His learning took him to places he’d never imagined, and he was able to share that journey with the entire school community.

Follow Bobby McCutcheon on Twitter @Fight4Mizzou and see what’s happening at Randall Elementary School @RandallBears.

TIMESTAMPS. In this episode, Bobby discusses …

  • 0:53 – his current context as principal at Randall Elementary School
  • 1:34 – the challenges associated with students who are dealing with trauma, and the positive community culture required to create safe spaces
  • 4:11 – what really ignites his passion for education today: teachers who think outside the box, students who explore their creativity through Genius Hour
  • 8:14 – other areas of passion and learning: sports, history, and politics
  • 11:40 – personal habits that have transformed his mental and physical health in three years: regular workouts and an improved diet
  • 15:21 – an education leader to follow on Twitter: Adam Welcome (@MrAdamWelcome)
  • 16:29 – an edtech tool that facilitates PLN participation: TweetDeck
  • 18:08 – a book recommendation: Lead Like a Pirate by Shelley Burgess (@Burgess_Shelley) and Beth Houf (@BethHouf)
  • 19:52 – a podcast recommendation: StartEDup with Don Wettrick (@DonWettrick)
  • 20:59 – two Youtube channels to subscribe to: Message to a New & Aspiring Principal (by @PrincipalKefele) and Athlean X
  • 22:11 – what he’s watching on Netflix these days: all the Marvel and Avengers movies
  • 23:17 – the best ways to follow him online (see above)

Song Track Credits

Intro: Relax (by Simon More)
Outtro: Starley – Call on Me Remix (by DJ Zhorik)

LISTEN to this episode on YouTube and SUBSCRIBE for more episodes!

Episode 23: Danielle Peters

LISTEN to this episode on iTunes and SUBSCRIBE to the podcast!

23 - Danielle Peters

Danielle Peters is an elementary teacher at Westerman Elementary School in Surrey, BC, Canada. Recently completing her Master’s in Ed. Tech., Danielle is passionate about helping kids learn, create, and innovate using technology.

In our conversation, Danielle talks about how team teaching allows her to better meet the social-emotional needs of her learners and grow from her colleague’s perspectives each day. She describes how her third graders are using green screens and stop motion to make stories come alive, and explains how she combines her loves of book reading and photography to produce beautiful book reviews. Finally, Danielle gives us some great recommendations for books to read, Twitter accounts to follow, a YouTube channel to subscribe to, and more.

You’ll find more of Danielle’s content on these great platforms:

In this episode, Danielle discusses …

  • 0:56 – how she team teaches 42 3rd graders
  • 2:58 – how team teaching helps her meet the social-emotional needs of her learners
  • 5:07 – what lights her passion for education: the amazing possibilities for learning enabled by new technologies in the classroom
  • 7:12 – a personal passion outside of the classroom: book reviews and photography
  • 9:25 – the importance of building a strong network of educators, and the role of critical friends
  • 11:52 – educators to follow on Twitter: Karen Fadum (@MrsFadum) and Curtis Wiebe (@DivisionW)
  • 12:36 – what her students are currently creating: stop motion videos
  • 13:47 – a book recommendation: Launch: Using Design Thinking to Boost Creativity and Bring Out the Maker in Every Student (by John Spencer and A J Juliani)
  • 14:19 – podcasts to check out: Serial (a crime series) and TED Talks
  • 14:51 – a great YouTube resource for the English classroom: Flocabulary
  • 15:44 – what she’s watching on Netflix: Evil Genius and Black Mirror
  • 16:23 – the best ways to follow her (see links above this section)

Song Track Credits

Intro: Relax (by Simon More)
Outtro: Starley – Call on Me Remix (by DJ Zhorik)

LISTEN to this episode on YouTube and SUBSCRIBE for more episodes!