ActiVAtED Learning

E34 Maximizing Technology for English Language Learners

Holly Sawyer at Oscar Smith High School in Chesapeake loves her job teaching English Language Learners, and she works hard to make sure that her students get the chance to learn the language of computer science while also learning English. For a video version of this podcast, please visit link below. ttps://youtu.be/iqZFo2R2F2I [https://youtu.be/iqZFo2R2F2I]

E33 Meet Computer Science Educator of the Year Deb Crawford

In this episode we meet Dr. Deborah Crawford, the Virginia Department of Education's Computer Science Educator of the Year for 2025. Her work, with many other partners, has brought world class Data Science instruction to both teachers and students in grades K-12. For a video version of this podcast, please visit link below. https://youtu.be/RHA2-mWKRwI [https://youtu.be/RHA2-mWKRwI]

E32 Classroom Humor: Tips from the Pros

Host Tom Landon sits down with two stand up comedians and educators who use humor to help teachers improve their practice AND get through the day smiling. Esteban Gast and Devin Siebold were both keynote speakers at the 2025 VSTE Conference and they willingly shared how "keeping it light" can improve classroom connections. For a video version of this podcast, please visit link below. https://youtu.be/1FsrqGhgV_8 [https://youtu.be/1FsrqGhgV_8]

E31 VSTE Champions

On this episode of ActiVAtED Learning we meet the winners of the 2025 VSTE Awards for Coach of the Year, Leader of the Year, and VSTE Honors. Chad Huff is theInstructional Technology Specialist at Corporate Landing Elementary School, Virginia Beach City Public Schools. Jennifer Thomas is the Coordinator of Instructional Technology and Library Media Services for Portsmouth Public Schools, and is the 2025 VSTE Leader of the Year. Terry Lowry was awarded the VSTE Honors of the Society. She's been a beacon in Virginia’s educational technology landscape for decades. Beginning her career as a teacher and later serving as Director of Technology at Wakefield School, she has consistently demonstrated the vision and courage to transform teaching and learning through technology. For a video version of this podcast, please visit link below. https://youtu.be/nUYMITsPMA8 [https://youtu.be/nUYMITsPMA8]

E30 Leading with Compassion with Dr. Kim Richardson

Dr. Kim Richardson has had a long career in Hampton Roads, VA as a teacher, coach and administrator, and host Tom Landon caught up with her at the Virginia Society of Technology in Education's annual conference in Virginia Beach where they spoke before a live audience about coaching, continuous learning, and what she's learned about leadership. For a video version of this podcast, please visit link below. https://youtu.be/mkYmmGWy9JY [https://youtu.be/mkYmmGWy9JY]