What Happens Behind the Scenes of Learning?

What School Never Taught You A Gen Z Take on RealWorld Readiness with Avery Davenport

In this episode of the Play Ed3 Podcast, Rick and Tisha kick things off with the historic Artemis II moon mission before welcoming a very special guest — Avery Davenport. A recent high school graduate and first-time manager, Avery shares candid insights on what it really felt like to step into the real world, and what she wishes school had taught her first. From learning to trust yourself and think critically, to understanding that asking permission to throw something away isn't normal — this conversation is honest, relatable, and hits close to home for anyone who's ever sat in a classroom wondering what any of it was actually for. The discussion digs into the role of AI in education, the importance of human connection in a tech-driven world, and what young people genuinely need to thrive in the workforce. Plus, Avery takes on the Juice Box Confessionals — with some very real talk on adulthood, financial literacy, and the never-ending pile of laundry. 00:00 The Historic Artemis II Launch 05:01 Reflections on Education and Autonomy 12:40 The Importance of Critical Thinking in Education 19:24 Building Connections and Trust in Learning 25:46 Navigating the Workforce and Overcoming Fear of Failure 30:14 The Art of Conversation and Connection 31:14 The Role of AI in Education 33:50 Teaching Technology to Students 37:36 Juice Box Confessionals: Fun and Games 39:05 Adulthood Expectations vs. Reality 42:30 Defining Success in Adulthood 43:27 Understanding Financial Literacy 45:28 Romanticizing Adult Responsibilities 49:49 Finding Meaning in Everyday Life About Avery Davenport Avery manages a local coffee shop, where she enjoys creating a welcoming space for her community. Outside of work, she loves reading, writing, and watching films, and is a proud cat parent to her favorite boy, Jack. 📢 Listen and subscribe on your favorite platform: Spotify | Apple Podcast | Amazon Music | YouTube 📱Follow Play Ed3 Podcast on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/played3podcast [https://www.instagram.com/played3podcast] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/played3podcast [https://www.tiktok.com/played3podcast] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PlayEd3Podcast?sub_confirmation=1 [https://www.youtube.com/@PlayEd3Podcast?sub_confirmation=1] 🙋‍♀️Follow Tisha on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tishaponcio [https://www.instagram.com/tishaponcio] X (Twitter): https://x.com/tishaponcio [https://x.com/tishaponcio] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tishaponcio [https://www.tiktok.com/@tishaponcio] 🙋‍♂️Follow Rick on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rickbutterworth [https://www.instagram.com/rickbutterworth] X (Twitter): https://x.com/r1ck11 [https://x.com/r1ck11] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rickbutterworth [https://www.tiktok.com/@rickbutterworth] Want to be a guest?: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeCaEyQrrPcYsKdQHaSlFbVXVVC_eNyXMMfy5NTj0aRNcR6Vw/viewform?usp=header [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeCaEyQrrPcYsKdQHaSlFbVXVVC_eNyXMMfy5NTj0aRNcR6Vw/viewform?usp=header] 🧠 Let's learn, grow and play together

What Should Students Actually Learn in the Age of AI? with Matt Miller

In this episode of the Play Ed3 podcast, hosts Rick and Tisha welcome Matt Miller, an influential figure in education and author of 'Ditch That Textbook.' The conversation explores Matt's journey from journalism to teaching, his writing process, and the impact of technology on education. They discuss the importance of critical thinking in the age of AI and the need for educators to adapt to new tools while fostering responsible use among students. In this conversation, Matt Miller discusses the importance of integrating AI literacy into education, emphasizing the need for critical thinking and analysis skills. He advocates for a gradual approach to teaching AI, suggesting that educators should not overhaul their entire curriculum but instead incorporate AI discussions into existing lessons. The conversation also touches on the urgency of adapting to AI advancements, the varying policies surrounding AI in schools, and the necessity of fostering a culture of understanding among students and teachers alike. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 03:44 Matt Miller's Journey to Influencer Status 06:39 The Process of Writing and Creating Content 10:35 Living in the Country vs. City Life 12:21 Matt's Background and Early Life 14:55 The Role of Technology in Education 17:11 Blame Game: Technology vs. Education 22:09 Critical Thinking in the Age of AI 27:14 Building AI Literacy Through Critique 29:15 Integrating AI Literacy Across the Curriculum 30:36 Practical Steps for Veteran Teachers 33:40 Creating a Culture of AI Understanding 35:20 The Urgency of Embracing AI in Education 40:53 Navigating AI Policies in Schools 43:24 Juice Box Confessionals: Fun and Games About Matt Miller Matt Miller has taught in public schools for more than 10 years, teaching all levels of high school Spanish. In his career, he planned nearly 12,000 class lessons. He taught more than half a million instructional minutes. And he graded work for nearly 2,000 days of class. He’s an award-winning author of six books. Matt is a Google Certified Innovator and was named a ‘23-’24 Top 100 Influencer in EdTech by EdTech Digest. His Ditch That Textbook blog encourages tens of thousands of educators in more than 100 countries to use technology and creative ideas in teaching. Matt is an award-winning author who has published seven books, including his most recent -- AI Literacy in Any Class. Follow Matt Miller on: TikTok: tiktok.com/@ditchthattextbook Instagram: @ditchthattextbook Facebook: facebook.com/ditchthattextbook YouTube: youtube.com/ditchthattextbook LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ditchthattextbook X: @jmattmiller / @DitchThatTxtbk BlueSky: @ditchthattextbook.com Other: DitchThatTextbook.com 📢 Listen and subscribe on your favorite platform: Spotify | Apple Podcast | Amazon Music | YouTube 📱Follow Play Ed3 Podcast on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/played3podcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/played3podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PlayEd3Podcast?sub_confirmation=1 🙋‍♀️Follow Tisha on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tishaponcio X (Twitter): https://x.com/tishaponcio TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tishaponcio 🙋‍♂️Follow Rick on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rickbutterworth X (Twitter): https://x.com/r1ck11 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rickbutterworth Want to be a guest?: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeCaEyQrrPcYsKdQHaSlFbVXVVC_eNyXMMfy5NTj0aRNcR6Vw/viewform?usp=header 🧠 Let’s learn, grow and play together

Can Community Change Everything? with Claudio, Jeni, Lydia and Manny

Season 2 kicks off with a bang. Rick and Tisha bring together four of EdTech's most connected educators — Claudio Zavala Jr., Jeni Long, Dr. Lydia Croupe, and Manny Curiel — for a conversation about the power of community. From noise violations at conference booths to flying solo to Minnesota for the very first time, the stories in this episode show exactly what happens when educators find their people. The group reflects on how community shaped their careers, what safe spaces really mean in professional life, and what the next generation of teachers needs to know about building connections that actually matter. Whether you're brand new to education or a veteran who's been around since the Flipgrid karaoke days — this one's for you. 00:00 Welcome to Season Two 02:58 The Importance of Community 05:49 Personal Connections and Community Engagement 09:01 Favourite Community Memories 12:07 Building Relationships in EdTech 15:00 The Power of Shared Experiences 19:56 Building Connections Through Community 26:13 Reflections on 2016: Community and Growth 35:15 The Impact of EdTech Community on Personal and Professional Growth 40:01 Building Confidence Through Community Engagement 43:09 The Importance of Feeling Safe in Professional Spaces 45:56 Advice for the Next Generation of Educators 53:57 Quickfire Confessions: Personal Preferences and Community Connections Follow Claudio Zavala Jr. on: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@claudiozavalajr [https://www.tiktok.com/@claudiozavalajr] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claudiozavalajr/ [https://www.instagram.com/claudiozavalajr/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IAmClaudius [https://www.youtube.com/@IAmClaudius] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudiozavalajr/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudiozavalajr/] X: https://x.com/ClaudioZavalaJr [https://x.com/ClaudioZavalaJr] Follow Jeni Long on: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jenallee1 [https://www.tiktok.com/@jenallee1] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jlo731 [https://www.instagram.com/jlo731] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1RgWxPrdfb [https://www.facebook.com/share/1RgWxPrdfb] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenilong [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenilong] X: https://x.com/jlo731 [https://x.com/jlo731] Follow Dr. Lydia Croupe on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/educroupe/ [https://www.instagram.com/educroupe/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lcroupe/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lcroupe/] X: https://x.com/EduCroupe [https://x.com/EduCroupe] BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/educroupe.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/educroupe.bsky.social] Website: cupoftea.education Follow Manny Curiel on: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mannydiscotech [https://www.tiktok.com/@mannydiscotech] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mannydiscotech/ [https://www.instagram.com/mannydiscotech/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mannycuriel/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mannycuriel/] X: https://x.com/MannyDiscoTech [https://x.com/MannyDiscoTech] 📢 Listen and subscribe on your favorite platform: Spotify | Apple Podcast | Amazon Music | YouTube 📱Follow Play Ed3 Podcast on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/played3podcast [https://www.instagram.com/played3podcast] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/played3podcast [https://www.tiktok.com/played3podcast] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PlayEd3Podcast?sub_confirmation=1 [https://www.youtube.com/@PlayEd3Podcast?sub_confirmation=1] 🙋‍♀️Follow Tisha on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tishaponcio [https://www.instagram.com/tishaponcio] X (Twitter): https://x.com/tishaponcio [https://x.com/tishaponcio] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tishaponcio [https://www.tiktok.com/@tishaponcio] 🙋‍♂️Follow Rick on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rickbutterworth [https://www.instagram.com/rickbutterworth] X (Twitter): https://x.com/r1ck11 [https://x.com/r1ck11] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rickbutterworth [https://www.tiktok.com/@rickbutterworth] Want to be a guest?: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeCaEyQrrPcYsKdQHaSlFbVXVVC_eNyXMMfy5NTj0aRNcR6Vw/viewform?usp=header [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeCaEyQrrPcYsKdQHaSlFbVXVVC_eNyXMMfy5NTj0aRNcR6Vw/viewform?usp=header] 🧠 Let's learn, grow and play together

What Happens When You Just Do It Anyway?

In this season finale of the Play Ed3 podcast, hosts Tisha Poncio and Rick reflect on their journey through 50 episodes, discussing the evolution of their collaboration, the trust they've built, and the personal growth they've experienced. They explore the challenges of navigating in-between moments, the quirky changes in their podcasting journey, and the lessons learned along the way. Tisha shares her experiences with ADHD and the impact of posting on TikTok, while Rick discusses his training for half marathons and the importance of trust in their partnership. The episode encapsulates the essence of their dynamic and the growth they've achieved together. In this episode, Rick and Tisha explore various themes including quirky personal touches in their podcast, the neurodivergent experience of fidgeting and focus, and the importance of confidence over competence. They debunk common myths about podcasting, emphasizing authenticity and simplicity, and draw parallels between Justin Bieber's performance and the film Napoleon Dynamite, advocating for a return to basics in creative endeavors. 00:00 Season Finale Excitement 02:39 Building Trust Through Collaboration 10:50 Navigating the In-Between Moments 14:48 Looking Back and Moving Forward 19:49 Personal Growth and New Challenges 25:33 Quirky Changes and Observations 27:12 Quirky Observations and Personal Touches 30:00 Fidgeting and Focus: The Neurodivergent Experience 33:00 Debunking Myths: Confidence Over Competence 39:06 The Importance of Authenticity in Podcasting 45:00 Never Say Never: Embracing Vulnerability and Simplicity 51:02 Back to Basics: Lessons from Justin Bieber and Napoleon Dynamite 📢 Listen and subscribe on your favorite platform: Spotify | Apple Podcast | Amazon Music | YouTube 📱Follow Play Ed3 Podcast on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/played3podcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/played3podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PlayEd3Podcast?sub_confirmation=1 🙋‍♀️Follow Tisha on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tishaponcio X (Twitter): https://x.com/tishaponcio TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tishaponcio 🙋‍♂️Follow Rick on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rickbutterworth X (Twitter): https://x.com/r1ck11 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rickbutterworth Want to be a guest?: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeCaEyQrrPcYsKdQHaSlFbVXVVC_eNyXMMfy5NTj0aRNcR6Vw/viewform?usp=header 🧠 Let’s learn, grow and play together

Gen Z Desk: Are We Teaching the Way Students Learn? with Jace Poncio

In this episode, Tisha & Rick hosts a lively discussion with Jace Poncio about the differences between Gen Z and previous generations. They explore Gen Z's activities, misconceptions about their lifestyle, the evolution of gaming, the rise of retro technology like cyber decks, and the resurgence of vinyl records. The conversation highlights the nostalgia for physical media and the unique experiences that come with it, as well as the generational differences in music consumption and social interactions. In this episode, the conversation explores the personal connections people have with music, the impact of technology on memories, and the nuances of listening to albums. The guests discuss the significance of walk-up songs, generational differences in perspectives on adult complications, and the importance of social-emotional health in education. They also delve into balancing creativity and structure in assignments, and conclude with a fun quickfire confessional segment that highlights Gen Z preferences. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 01:45 Gen Z Activities and Misconceptions 03:12 Gaming Then and Now 05:44 The Rise of Cyber Decks 11:04 Vinyl Records vs. Digital Music 21:54 Nostalgia and the Treasure Hunt for Music 22:32 The Personal Touch in Music 23:33 First Memories of Technology 24:34 Listening to Albums: Vibes vs. Storytelling 25:40 Walk-Up Songs: Personal Anthems 27:24 Generational Perspectives on Adult Complications 29:10 Social-Emotional Health in Education 35:53 Balancing Creativity and Structure in Assignments 39:22 Quickfire Confessions: Gen Z Style 📢 Listen and subscribe on your favorite platform: Spotify | Apple Podcast | Amazon Music | YouTube 📱Follow Play Ed3 Podcast on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/played3podcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/played3podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PlayEd3Podcast?sub_confirmation=1 🙋‍♀️Follow Tisha on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tishaponcio X (Twitter): https://x.com/tishaponcio TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tishaponcio 🙋‍♂️Follow Rick on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rickbutterworth X (Twitter): https://x.com/r1ck11 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rickbutterworth Want to be a guest?: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeCaEyQrrPcYsKdQHaSlFbVXVVC_eNyXMMfy5NTj0aRNcR6Vw/viewform?usp=header 🧠 Let’s learn, grow and play together