Introduction : Rita Bateson shares her educational journey, highlighting her American-Irish background and experiences teaching in various countries. Career Path : Transition from teaching in Ireland to the UK, then Switzerland, Bermuda, and finally back to Dublin. Involvement with the International Baccalaureate (IB) and curriculum development. Current Projects : Focus on AI in education, exploring both its potential and challenges. Discussions around ethical AI and sustainable practices in edu...
Mar 09, 2025•28 min•Season 9Ep. 4
In this episode of Design Cast, Jason chats with Dan Thomas, a dedicated STEM teacher from Jamestown, New York. They discuss the value of play-based learning (PBL), the importance of creativity in the classroom, and Dan's upcoming projects. Dan's Background : · 33 years of teaching experience. · Currently teaches 7th grade STEM, covering robotics, coding, woodshop, metal shop, and CAD. Teaching Philosophy : · Focuses on creating "aha moments" for students. · Emphasizes fun and play in learning, ...
Feb 23, 2025•31 min•Season 9Ep. 3
In this episode of the Design Cast Podcast, host Jason welcomes Stephanie Simoes, a critical-thinking educator and founder of Critikid.com. Stephanie shares her journey into critical-thinking education and discusses the importance of teaching these skills to students, especially in the age of social media. She highlights the lack of critical thinking training in traditional education and the need for resources tailored for children and teens. Stephanie explains her innovative approach, using sto...
Feb 16, 2025•23 min•Season 9Ep. 2
Hey everyone! I’m Jason Reagin, your host, and I’m thrilled to be back with a brand-new season of DesignCast after a year-long break. In this episode, I’ll share what I’ve been up to, why I took some time off, and what’s next for the podcast. Whether you’re a long-time listener or new to the show, thank you for tuning in! --- In This Episode: - What I’ve Been Up To : I’ve been busy with various projects, including teaching at an international school in Beijing, where my family and I have been li...
Feb 09, 2025•13 min•Season 9Ep. 1
On this episode of #DesignCast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Lindsay Lyons. Lindsay calls herself an ‘Educational Justice Coach’ and when you listen to this episode you can see why! What an amazing journey she has been on for many years as she has worked with all kinds of organizations regarding #Equity #Inclusion #SocialJustice #Diversity. She describes her work as ‘co-creating’ lessons, units, and curriculum around these timely and important topics! Connect with Lindsay and check out he...
Dec 10, 2023•24 min•Season 8Ep. 19
On this episode of #DesignCast, I was joined by Darrin Peppard. Darrin is a “Leadership Coach, Speaker, Author, & Publisher” and has a website named ‘Road to Awesome.’ He and I talk about the ups and downs of leading in today’s educational environment. I am certain you will find some joy and knowledge through listening to this episode! Connect with Darrin through his website: https://roadtoawesome.net...
Dec 10, 2023•33 min•Season 8Ep. 18
On this episode of Design Cast, I had the pleasure of speaking to Adam Morris. Adam is the “Schools Technology & Integrations Director” at Faria Education Group. We talk all things EdTech and listening to his perspective about using a Professional Network Model to improve platforms and systems is interesting and refreshing! You can connect with Adam through his LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-morris-08905a20/...
Oct 17, 2023•24 min•Season 8Ep. 17
I had the privilege of speaking with Claudio Zavala Jr. for this episode of Design Cast. Claudio is a true Renaissance man with many talents and interests. He is an educator, photographer, YouTuber & videographer. We have an awesome chat about where he finds inspiration for his videos and how he gets to help students around the world with Adobe Express. I know that you will find so much value in this conversation! Connect with Claudio : https://bio.link/claudiozavalajr (connect to all of his...
May 14, 2023•30 min•Season 8Ep. 15
For this episode of Design Cast, I spoke to AJ Crabill. Improving student outcomes is AJ Crabill’s focus. He serves as Conservator at DeSoto, Texas ISD. During his guidance, DeSoto improved from F ratings in academics, finance, and governance to B ratings. He’s also Faculty at the Leadership Institute of Nevada and Director of Governance at the Council of the Great City Schools. He served as Deputy Commissioner at the Texas Education Agency and spearheaded reforms as board chair of Kansas City ...
May 07, 2023•32 min•Season 8Ep. 14
For this episode of Design Cast, I had the pleasure of chatting with Jill DuBois! Jill is a veteran elementary teacher and owns her own publishing imprint where she shares her stories of inspiration and helps others tell their stories! She is creating content full-time for her own website and for her podcast, in addition to the professional development provider that she works with. Our conversation was about her journey to becoming a published author and illustrator. Ultimately, her mission is t...
Apr 23, 2023•28 min•Season 8Ep. 13
For this episode of Design Cast I sat down with James Abela. James has such a diverse background and touches on some of those experiences during our conversation. He has a passion for making learning fun by adding an element of playfulness and gamification to his lesson. James is the author of several books including ‘The Gamified Classroom!’. I know that you will enjoy our conversation! You can connect with James: His website: https://sites.google.com/view/rdpt/ On Twitter: @eslweb Or find him ...
Mar 25, 2023•29 min•Season 8Ep. 12
On this episode of Design Cast I had the distinct pleasure of chatting with my long-time friend Sara Candela. Sara is leading community development at Focusable. She is an educator by trade and EdTech community champion by passion! You will not be disappointed by our discussion and constant shenanigans. Please comment on your favorite part of the show by tagging us both and using the hashtags in the episode! Connect with Sara! www.linkedin.com/in/sara-candela-42742694/ twitter.com/Scandela9 http...
Mar 18, 2023•30 min•Season 8Ep. 11
For this episode of Design Cast, I was so pleased to have the opportunity to talk with Jeff Imrich. Jeff is the co-founder of Rock By Rock. He believes that kids benefit academically from real-world, project-based learning and that it can ignite a passion for learning. Our world requires kids to solve meaty problems, innovate, and come up with creative solutions. Kids need to be learners for life that see the joy in a challenge. With this in mind, Rock By Rock was created! I know you will enjoy ...
Mar 11, 2023•24 min•Season 8Ep. 10
For this episode of Design Cast, I had the pleasure of connecting with Christin Mohammed King. Christin is a former colleague with so much value to add to any organization. Her perspective on her recent experience in an all-boys school is incredibly insightful. We discussed her experience working with boys in several different contexts and what she learned from them. I do want to mention that we discuss a tragic event in her school and how it affected the boys. This is a very sensitive topic, an...
Mar 04, 2023•48 min•Season 8Ep. 9
On this episode of #DesignCast I had the opportunity to speak to Dr. Chris Allen. Chris currently serves as ‘coordinating principal’ for an international secondary school in Surabaya, Indonesia. He has loads to share about his experiences in international education so far and how his current school is inviting students to engage in entrepreneurship opportunities! I know that you will enjoy our conversation! This is episode #100! I am so humbled and honored that something that started as a way to...
Feb 25, 2023•34 min•Season 8Ep. 8
On this episode of #DesignCast I had the pleasure of speaking to Rezuan Chowdhury. He is based in Bangladesh and is currently a PYP coordinator. Rezuan is a researcher, author, and educator, but actually started his career in business administration! He has several interesting insights into his career so far. I invite you to sit back, relax and enjoy this chat with Rezuan Chowdhury. Connect with Rezuan: https://www.facebook.com/rezuan.chowdhury.9?mibextid=ZbWKwL https://www.linkedin.com/in/rez-c...
Feb 11, 2023•18 min•Season 8Ep. 6
On this episode of Design Cast I had the incredible experience of talking to Dianne Blackburn. Dianne is an independent Educational Consultant working with international schools globally. She has many years of consultancy experience in pedagogical leadership, change management, and educator training solutions. Dianne has worked extensively with large groups of schools in the Middle East and Europe, supporting their development of inclusive practice through the introduction of Universal Design fo...
Feb 04, 2023•26 min•Season 8Ep. 5
On this episode of Design Cast, I had the terrific honor of speaking to Ryan Ford. Ryan is a 25-year veteran of digital design. He has been fortunate enough to lead design at some of the internet’s most interesting destinations: DeviantArt, Crunchyroll, chime, vida health, and now Crackle & Redbox (where he is working to revitalize these brands). His background in the industry motivated him to share thinking around topics like leadership, career paths, and (most notably of late) the design p...
Jan 28, 2023•34 min•Season 8Ep. 4
On this episode of Design Cast I had the pleasure of chatting with my longtime friend and colleague Dr. Barbara Wrightson. Spanning more than 25 years in the field of education, Barb's career has encompassed a myriad of roles in PK-12 schooling, ranging from a teacher (of multiple Secondary subjects) to Curriculum Coordinator to Administrator. Additionally, she teaches and trains teachers at the tertiary level. Throughout her time in the field of education, Barb has gained a wealth of knowledge,...
Jan 21, 2023•29 min•Season 8Ep. 3
On this episode of Design Cast, I was fortunate enough to chat with Fonz Mendoza. Fonz is the charismatic host of the popular podcast “My EdTech Life”. He currently serves as an Instructional Software Specialist at a public school district in south Texas. A student himself, Fonz has been able to see first-hand how technology can be used to create positive change in the education system and has become a prominent advocate for its use in schools, universities, and other educational institutions. H...
Jan 14, 2023•29 min•Season 8Ep. 2
Levi Allison grew up in a small town in Kansas with dreams of traveling the world. He attended the University of Kansas and obtained a BA in Music Education. His love of music inspired him to join the Marching Jayhawks, the school marching band, during his 4 years at KU. Immediately after university, Levi took a leap (or a plane) and began his international teaching career in Kuwait. An upbeat and fun person to be around, teaching is a calling from which he derives immense happiness and fulfillm...
Jan 07, 2023•23 min•Season 8Ep. 1
Are you ready for the new season of #DesignCast?! New episodes are available in January 2023!!!
Dec 20, 2022•1 min
On this episode of #DesignCast I had the pleasure of speaking to Jonathan Nalder and Damien Aldridge from STEM Punks! It was a great conversation and we talked about how STEM Punks are using Minecraft to create healthy competition in schools with #InnovationSports! I know that you will really enjoy this chat! Connect with Jonathan and Damien through the links in the show notes! Jonathan Nalder - STEM Punks Chief Futures Officer Twitter: @jnxyz LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/jonathannalder ...
May 07, 2022•28 min•Season 6Ep. 18
On this episode of #DesignCast, I share my thoughts about the gamification of learning and eSports in schools. There is a need for new and innovative ways to explore healthy competition. Please join the discussion on all of my social media channels: Twitter: @diskon4no IG: @discon4no LinkedIn: wjreagin TikTok: @discon4no
Apr 30, 2022•14 min•Season 6Ep. 17
On this episode of #DesignCast I was so lucky to chat with Anna McMahon. She is a well-being expert that specializes in working with schools and educators! We talk about how the current situation in schools is having a lasting effect on teachers and students! I know that our discussion will be among the best thing you will hear today! Anna is offering a special discount for her services for Design Cast listeners so be sure to check it out! Please connect with Anna through social media using the ...
Apr 23, 2022•29 min•Season 6Ep. 16
On this episode of #DesignCast I share my thoughts about the importance of teacher well-being today. I am curious what you think about well-being and how you balance your personal and professional lives? Feel free to leave me a voice note at Anchor (link at the end of the show notes) or Speakpipe (https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/248665/1/cgi74fjo5158jhjy)
Apr 16, 2022•11 min•Season 6Ep. 15
On this episode of #DesignCast I respond to some of the comments from the last episode! After responding I share my thoughts about what skills I think are most important to teach students today. I am curious what skills you think are most important? Feel free to leave me a voice note at Anchor (link at the end of the show notes) or Speakpipe (https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/248665/1/cgi74fjo5158jhjy)
Apr 02, 2022•20 min•Season 6Ep. 14
On this episode of #DesignCast I was able to revisit the season 6 guests! During the initial interviews I asked each guest the same question. That question was ‘if you could travel back in time and speak to your first-year teacher self, what would you say?’ I have put all of their answers into this episode. I am curious as to what you would tell yourself! Feel free to leave me a voice note at Anchor (link at the end of the show notes) or Speakpipe ( https://www.speakpipe.com/msg/s/248665/1/cgi74...
Mar 26, 2022•18 min•Season 6Ep. 13
On this episode of #DesignCast I was so fortunate to connect with OlúCoonlay Issac. He is a brand strategy designer that has a passion for #DesignThinking and promoting the teaching of Design Skills in schools in his native Nigeria. He is such a passionate and authentic person and professional. I know that our discussion will be among the best thing you will hear today! Please connect with OlúCoonlay through social media using the links in the show notes. Now sit back, relax and enjoy this chat ...
Mar 12, 2022•31 min•Season 6Ep. 12
On this episode of #DesignCast I was fortunate enough to chat with Alex Gray. Alex is the Head of Science at Dubai British school. He also has a YouTube channel called DEEP Thinking. We had a great discussion about Expo 2020 in Dubai, the STEAM program at his school, and his recent enjoyment of filmmaking that is evident on his channel! It is certain that you will find value in this episode! Please check out all of the ways to connect with him in the show notes. Now sit back, relax and enjoy thi...
Mar 05, 2022•37 min•Season 6Ep. 11
