Are Students Ready to Own Their Learning? with Courtney Watson
In this episode of the Play Ed 3 podcast, hosts Rick and Tisha welcome Courtney Watson, an educator and tech coach. They discuss Courtney's journey from being a classroom teacher to developing her own educational philosophy, Tech Without Tears. The conversation highlights the importance of humor in education, the challenges of technology integration, and the personal stories that shaped Courtney's career. The episode concludes with light-hearted questions about teaching philosophies and personal preferences. In this engaging conversation, the hosts explore various themes ranging from food preferences, particularly the debate over how to enjoy French fries, to the challenges and philosophies of teaching. They discuss the importance of technology in the classroom and how teachers can better support each other. The conversation also touches on personal anecdotes, including a fun segment about what one would take to a desert island, and culminates in a discussion about community-building through social gatherings like the Watson Kickback. In this engaging conversation, Tisha Poncio and Courtney Watson explore a variety of topics ranging from party planning and personal anthems to nostalgic memories of the 90s. They discuss the significance of walk-up songs, share fun confessional questions, and reminisce about music and technology from their youth. The conversation also touches on gaming preferences, board games, and fashion trends of the 90s, culminating in a reflection on dramatic moments from their school days. Courtney shares her social media handles and upcoming events, inviting listeners to connect with her.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
02:59 Courtney Watson's Background and Education
06:03 Transitioning from Teaching to Tech Coaching
08:57 The Journey to Tech Without Tears
11:54 The Role of Humor in Education and Technology
15:00 Philosophy of Teaching and Technology
17:58 Fun Questions and Closing Thoughts
21:37 The French Fry Debate
25:31 Teaching Philosophy Through Food
30:00 Tech Tools in the Classroom
35:04 Desert Island Choices
39:00 The Watson Kickback
40:43 Party Planning and Social Connections
41:10 Walk-Up Songs and Personal Anthems
43:29 Juice Box Confessional: Fun Questions
44:34 Nostalgic Music and Technology Memories
48:02 Gaming Preferences and Board Games
49:03 90s Fashion Throwback
51:20 Dramatic Moments from the 90s
53:42 Where to Find Courtney Next
About Courtney Watson
Courtney is a Lead Learning Guide at friEdTechnology who is passionate about equipping all learners with the necessary tools to help them become successful and ensuring they have fun while learning. With twenty-plus years of experience, Courtney is a certified educator and trainer for Google, Adobe Express, Newsela, Microsoft, and more, who infuses each professional learning experience with a one-of-a-kind mix of skills, creativity, and a joyful spirit. #TechWithoutTears is her goal when sharing tools and ideas with educators to effectively integrate technology into their classrooms.
Follow Courtney Watson on:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@edtechcourtney
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edtechcourtney
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@msrodgers02
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edtechcourtney/
X: https://x.com/EdTechCourtney
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/edtechcourtney.bsky.social
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