Episodes

In this month’s music history spotlight, Ryan explores the 1937 jazz standard “My Funny Valentine,” written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. From its Broadway origins in Babes in Arms to iconic interpretations by Frank Sin...

In episode 222, I look at the history of the 1984 classic movie, The Neverending Story. The history of the movie/book, the song and of course it's pop culture references in Stranger Things. A fun little episode on why stories...

Leah Ellis is a mother of four and the founder of The Society of Child Entrepreneurs (SoCE), a nonprofit dedicated to helping children ages 6–17 build confidence, leadership, and real-world business skills through hands-on le...

Like every year, I reflect on 2025. What the year brought me, and where I'm looking to go next. From leaving Harvard to returning to CTE teaching at DeKalb to my plans for my book, The Pixel Teacher and my old creative series...

I review Tisha Richmond's new book, The Magical CTE Classroom. A book everyone should read in the next year. Doesn't matter if you are at CTE teacher, ELA, Math, SpEd. This book has something for everyone to really bring play...

In end of the year, musical history episode. Happy Holiday wasn’t created as a Christmas song. It debuted in 1942 in the film Holiday Inn, starring BingCrosby and Fred Astaire. It’s the same movie that launched “White Christm...

I am joined by Paul Buckley who is the Founder and Managing Owner of Ratio Staffing, a groundbreaking platform reshaping how preschools connect with substitute teachers, enrichment educators, and speech pathologists. A former...

I am joined by Jeff C. Riley on the 215 episode of the Pixel Classroom Podcast. Jeffrey C. Riley (Jeff) is the former Massachusetts Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, who co-founded and now leads the not-for-...

Dr. Brandi Kelly brings more than 20 years of heart, hustle, and hands-on leadership experience. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Maxwell Certified Coach who has served as a school social worker, principal, and su...

My friend, Mary “Beth” Foose, passed away this past weekend after a courageous two-year battle with cancer. She was the first in-studio teacher guest on The Pixel Classroom Podcast, appearing in Episode 86, which was recorded...

I am joined by Kurtis, Hewson on Pixel Classroom Podcast. Kurtis Hewson is an award-winning former administrator and teacher, as well as teaching faculty at the post-secondary level. He is the co-founder of Jigsaw Learning, a...

In episode 212, I reflect on my journey as I begin work on my book, "As the Pixels Fade" that I'm hoping to have completed in early 2026.

Dana Goodier rejoins me on the Pixel Classroom Podcast. Dr. Dana Goodier has 25 years of experience in education. She has taught World Languages and English and has worked at the middle and elementary school level as an admin...

In episode 210 I dive into the history of the 60 year hit, (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone. Made famous as a B Side to the Monkee's debut album in 1966. But the song has an amazing history to it and even now is still a cultural...

In the 209th episode, I reflect on my first quarter of teaching high school again at D428. I reflect on the past 15 years when I took my first education job in DeKalb and everything I have been through the past two years. I a...

I start my new feature here at the Pixel Classroom Podcast with the history of the song: The House of the Rising Sun (1964) by The Animals. Thisisn’t the story of some songwriter cranking out a hit. The House of the RisingSun...

I am joined by David K Richards from Changemaker EDU for episode 207. David K Richards is the Founder & CEO of Changemaker Education, a national network of affiliate love-based microschools and an incubator for founders who w...

I'm joined by Angie Redmon from Angie Teaches Canvas. Angie has been teaching since 1998 (online since 2000) and have gathered lots of tips, tricks, and what-not-to-dos over the years, especially when it comes to the Canvas L...

In episode 206 I pay tribute to Patrick E. Davis better known as YouTube content creator PATMANQC. I talk about his history and how I first discovered his YouTube channel and how impactful it was to me. You can read his Obitu...

I review the book, The Language of Behavior: A Frame Work to elevate Student Success. By authors, Charle Peck and Joshua Stamper. I go over a few of the points and frameworks that I have successfully used in the classroom in ...

I kick off Season 7 of the Pixel Classroom podcast talking about my return to high school teaching. What I have planned for the upcoming season including new features such as the history of classic songs inspired by my father...