ClassCast Podcast Ep.068 features Chris Rader, a former student of host Ryan Tibbens, sharing his experiences and perspectives on education and how to better serve students.  Since graduating from high school in 2012, Chris has found immense success in the fields of chemistry and material science at Virginia Tech and now as a Ph.D. student the Adolphe Merkle Institute in Switzerland. Aside from groundbreaking work with cellulose and creating environmentally friendly packaging, Chris also has some great ideas about how we can improve K12 education in the United States to better prepare young people for college, career, and the independent critical thinking we all aspire to. Chris's experiences in lab sciences have not only shaped his rare and valuable skill set; they've also helped him to better understand what education can -- and can't -- do for young people in the current paradigm. If you are interested in improving STEM in K12, learning more about chemistry and materials science, helping young people achieve more on their own, studying abroad for higher ed, or even the significance of athletics for high school students, this is a discussion you won't want to miss. 

For more information, leave a comment at www.ClassCastPodcast.com or contact Chris Rader directly via email, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.  

Table of Contents (*highlights)

1. 0:00-5:40 -- Intro to Chris Rader & His Unique Education Path
2. 5:40-14:18 -- Depth, Rigor, & Project-Based Learning in HS vs College *
3. 14:18-16:49 -- Why Get a Ph.D.?
4. 16:49-25:52 -- Patents, Saving the World, & Chris's Work in Material Science *
5. 25:52-45:25 -- Improving American High Schools, Career Prep, & Grading ** 
6. 45:25-59:32 -- Chris's Ideal School & Learning by Doing *
7. 59:32-1:07:04 -- The Value of Athletics in Human Development
8. 1:07:04-1:12:30 -- Study Abroad: Make It a Priority
9. 1:12:30-1:21:24 -- Chris's Book & Movie Recs/ Final Wrap-Up

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The ClassCast Podcast streams on all major platforms, including iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Stitcher, and more.  You can also find us on YouTube and at www.ClassCastPodcast.com.  Be sure to like, subscribe, follow, share, and comment wherever you listen.  Leave a comment below to let us know what you think of the discussion and if you have any questions!

Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)! If every listener made a one-time donation of $2-3, the podcast would be funded for the year! 

ClassCast Podcast Ep.065 features Dr. Sam Fecich, an education professor, author, speaker, and podcaster who works with pre-service teachers. She and host Ryan Tibbens discuss teacher preparation, how we can attract and train the best talent, why pedagogy and content both matter, and more. Sam's enthusiasm is infectious, so you're sure to find this episode both engaging and enlightening. Worried about the national teacher shortage? We cover it. Wondering how to help talented young people get into education? We cover that too. 

In addition to authoring two books designed to help pre-service and new teachers, Sam produces the Edumagic Podcast for pre-service teachers. She recently spoke with our host, Ryan Tibbens, on her show about purpose, priorities, and organization. Be sure to check out Edumagic!  You can contact Dr. Fecich on Twitter, Instagram,Facebook, LinkedIn, and via her website. 

Table of Contents (*highlights)

1. 0:00-6:45 -- Intro to Dr. Sam Fecich
2. 6:45-11:04 -- The Purpose of School According to Sam
3. 11:04-16:29 -- Working with Pre-Service Teachers *
4. 16:29-23:26 -- Is Content King? Learning & Professional Development Needs **
5. 23:26-36:13 -- Addressing the National Teacher Shortage & Attracting New Teachers **
6. 36:13-45:15 -- Sam's Ideal School *
7. 45:15-49:43 -- Sam's Book & Movie Recs
8. 49:43-50:33 -- Wrap Up

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The ClassCast Podcast streams on all major platforms, including iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Stitcher, and more.  You can also find us on YouTube and right here at www.ClassCastPodcast.com.  Be sure to like, subscribe, follow, share, and comment wherever you listen.  Leave a comment below to let us know what you think of the discussion and if you have any questions!

Support the show (http://paypal.me/TibbensEST)!

ClassCast Podcast Ep.058 features Iman Ghanizada, aka "The Certs Guy," a young star at Google, newly published author, and former student of host Ryan Tibbens. Iman shares ideas about his new book, Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud Architect: All in One Exam Guide, about how technology can improve education, and how people must maintain strong morals and respect if they truly want to live good lives and serve others. Tibbens taught Iman in 9th grade English during his first year as a teacher, so the episode begins with a little catching up but quickly moves on to focus on Iman's goals of mentorship, representation, and personal development.  If you are interested in how technology is reshaping our world, how young leaders are building networks to support others, or even how to get certified as a Google Cloud Architect, this episode is for you. 

Table of Contents (highlights*) 

1. 0:00-5:13 -- 9th Grade English
2. 5:13-10:55 -- Why Write and Teach?*
3. 10:55-17:47 -- The Purpose of Education
4. 17:47-24:59 -- How the Internet Decentralizes Learning*
5. 24:59-31:25 -- Morality in Tech
6. 31:25-37:34 -- Blockchain: Decentralizing Education
7. 27:34-43:39 -- Certificates vs Degrees
8. 43:39-46:12 -- Communication: The Value of Schooling
9. 46:12-56:42 -- Iman's Ideal School*
10. 56:42-1:08:53 -- The Certs Guy: How to Think, Help Others, Increase Representation, & Advance Careers*
11. 1:08:53-1:15:23 -- Iman's Recommendations & Wrap-Up

The ClassCast Podcast streams on all major platforms, including iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Stitcher, and more.  You can also find us on YouTube and right here at www.ClassCastPodcast.com.  Be sure to like, subscribe, follow, share, and comment wherever you listen.  Leave a comment below to let us know what you think of the discussion and if you have any questions!