Certified: Certiport Educator Podcast

Hannah Crepeau

CERTIFIED: Certiport Educator Podcast is all about educators. This podcast will crack open the world of education, certification, and technology. At Certiport, we are dedicated to helping people succeed through certification, and we couldn't do what we do without powerful and dedicated educators, like YOU! Whether you've been teaching for one month, one year, or decades, we have episodes for you. Join us as we interview other educators, students, and industry experts. Discover new ways to teach, connect with fellow technology educators, and get inspired. Teaching is a career that demands all that you have to give. So we're here to give back to you. Listen. Learn. Grow. Become a part of the CERTIFIED community.

  1. Preparing students to be great interns with Matt Dombrowski

    MAY 14

    Preparing students to be great interns with Matt Dombrowski

    Your students excel in the classroom—but will they thrive as interns? Work-based learning experiences offer powerful real-world application, yet succeeding in a workplace requires a distinct set of skills. Discover practical strategies to bridge that gap. Meet Professor Matt Dombrowski, an innovator bridging art, technology, and social impact. As a Professor and Art Director for Limbitless Solutions, Matt leads students in designing 3D-printed bionic arms for children with limb differences—work that's earned recognition from Adobe, TEDx, Fast Company, and the Smithsonian. His real-world expertise in mentoring interdisciplinary teams makes him the perfect guide for preparing interns. Learn Matt's actionable strategies for every stage: acing the interview, navigating virtual collaboration, thriving in team environments, and mastering workplace professionalism—so your students walk in confident and prepared. Matt shares more advice for interns here.  Connect with educators like Matt in our CERTIFIED Educator Community here.    Don't miss your chance to register for our annual CERTIFIED Educator's Conference here.

    42 min
  2. Closing the gap between education and the workforce with Matt Dombrowski, Kimberly Forbes, and Cynthia Krebs

    APR 30

    Closing the gap between education and the workforce with Matt Dombrowski, Kimberly Forbes, and Cynthia Krebs

    Recent research from Pearson shows that nearly $165B is lost each year when students can't find work after graduation. The transition from education to the workforce can be challenging to navigate. How can you help close the gap?  We sat down with three powerhouse educators to get their thoughts.  First, Matt Dombrowski. Matt is a Professor, Assistant Director, and Art Director for the nonprofit Limbitless Solutions, whose mission is providing cost free, accessible solutions to underserved communities. He leads an interdisciplinary student team in the creation of 3D printed, visually expressive bionic arms and video game training for children with limb difference. His work has been featured by Adobe, TEDx Youth, Huffington Post, Gamasutra, Fast Company, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, GDC, SXSWEDU, and the Gates Foundation. Matt is an Adobe Education Leader and an Adobe Partner By Design. Second, Dr. Kimberly Forbes. Dr. Forbes is the Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE) for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools and a first-generation high school and college graduate. After a successful tenure in the banking industry managing startup operations, she transitioned to education, eventually earning her Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction in 2024. A recognized leader in workforce readiness, Dr. Forbes has served on the national "Launch" committee and was named the NCDPI Piedmont Triad Region's Administrator of the Year. She is deeply committed to administrative innovation and expanding industry credentialing to ensure all students, including special populations, are prepared for the modern economy. Third, Cynthia Krebs. Cynthia is the Program Director of Business Technologies and Education and a professor in the Information Systems and Technology Department at Utah Valley University. Since joining UVU in 1988, she has held multiple roles including Assistant Dean of the School of Business and Department Chair of the Digital Media Department and the Office Technology/Administration Department.  In this episode, these three experts discuss strategies that prepare your students for real-world success. We hit a little bit of everything:  Challenges students currently face Key skills your students need to prepare them for the workforce How to teach and empower students with AI expertise  The role of certification and work-based learning experiences Creating a feedback loop between K12, higher education, and industry  Ready to help your students confidently bridge the gap between education and the workforce? This episode is for you.  Connect with educators like Matt, Kim, and Cynthia in our CERTIFIED Educator Community here.     Don't miss your chance to register for our annual CERTIFIED Educator's Conference here.

    51 min
  3. Spring clean your teaching with Kylie Kroukamp, Laura Green, Robert Lee, and Steve O'Neill

    APR 8

    Spring clean your teaching with Kylie Kroukamp, Laura Green, Robert Lee, and Steve O'Neill

    Keeping your classroom fresh and engaging can be a challenge. Luckily, you don't need to do it on your own. We're building a community of educators ready to share tools, tips, and inspiration for classroom success. In this episode, we talk with four incredible educators: Kylie Kroukamp, Laura Green, Robert Lee, and Steve O'Neill. Hear their thoughts on classroom engagement: What it looks like, how to use technology to make classrooms more engaging and fun, and some of the mistakes these teachers have made in their teaching careers. Plus, they give us a peek into what they're planning on discussing in their 2026 CERTIFIED Educator Conference breakouts and workshops.  Get ideas for your classroom today and find out what you can learn in Nashville this summer!  Connect with educators like Kylie, Laura, Robert, and Steve in our CERTIFIED Educator Community here.    Don't miss your chance to register for our annual CERTIFIED Educator's Conference  here.

    44 min
  4. Tips and tricks for teaching web development with Brittany Wood

    MAR 11

    Tips and tricks for teaching web development with Brittany Wood

    Are your students looking for a career that pays well, is challenging, and has great growth potential? Why not consider a career in web development? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field is expected to grow 7% (much faster than average) before 2034.  The potential is there. Now we're here to help you effectively teach web development in the classroom. Educator extraordinaire, Brittany Wood, is your guide.  Brittany is a Digital Information Technology and AP Computer Science Principles educator. She loves teaching and isn't afraid to use unconventional techniques to get her students excited about technology.  In this episode, we're sharing new ideas you can use in your technology classroom. Find out how you can customize projects based on your students' learning styles. Plus, discover how rubber ducks can help your students get excited about coding... That's right, rubber ducks. Intrigued? Let's dive in! Interested in certifying your students' web development skills? Learn more here.    Connect with educators like Brittany in our CERTIFIED Educator Community here.   Don't miss your chance to register for our annual CERTIFIED Educator's Conference here.

    17 min
  5. AI in the world of design with Miriam Reza, Sean Price, Kenny Call, and Claudio Zavala

    FEB 26

    AI in the world of design with Miriam Reza, Sean Price, Kenny Call, and Claudio Zavala

    How is AI transforming design? We sat down with four experts to find out—and to bring you clear, current guidance you can use in the classroom. In this episode, freelance graphic designer Miriam Reza, design educator Sean Price, creative technologist Kenny Call, and Adobe Education Evangelist Claudio Zavala share practical perspectives on AI's impact on today's creatives. Together, we explore responsible AI classroom use, how to balance creation and curation, the human skills that make AI effective (like communication, creativity, and iteration), and concrete ways to prepare students for future design careers. If you're looking for practical ideas you can use with creative students, this is a great place to start. Learn more about our Adobe Certified Professional program here.   Connect with educators like Sean in our CERTIFIED Educator Community here.   Don't miss your chance to register for our annual CERTIFIED Educator's Conference here.

    37 min
  6. Why certification with Brittany Nicholson, Kurt Campbell, Raae Wolfram, and Kim Kayser

    JAN 29

    Why certification with Brittany Nicholson, Kurt Campbell, Raae Wolfram, and Kim Kayser

    Today's students are preparing for a competitive future, in both higher education and the workforce. How can you help them stand out and succeed? Certifications.  In this episode, we're bringing you perspective from education and the workforce. We sat down with two educators, Brittany Nicholson and Kim Kayser, and two professionals, Kurt Campbell and Raae Wolfram. Together we discussed why certifications matter. Whether you teach young students or adults, this episode will help you understand how industry-recognized credentials can benefit your community. Discover the value of certification: https://certiport.pearsonvue.com/About/The-value-of-certification.  Interested in hearing more conversations like this? Join us for future CERTIFIED Academy webinars: https://certiport.pearsonvue.com/Blog/2026/January/Join-us-for-CERTIFIED-Academy-2026.  It's time for you to join our community! Meet us in Nashville for the 2026 CERTIFIED Educator Conference: https://www.pearsonvue.com/certified/conference.html. Register now for $100 off!

    41 min
  7. Using data to improve your approach in the classroom with Nicole Rodenfels

    JAN 14

    Using data to improve your approach in the classroom with Nicole Rodenfels

    Happy 2026! A new year means new goals. What goals are you making for your classroom? If you need ideas, this episode is for you. The answer's in the data! Join us as we talk all about data analysis with Nicole Rodenfels.  Nicole is a dedicated educator in the School District of Lee County in Ft. Myers, FL. She holds a master's degree in educational technology from Florida Gulf Coast University and taught Microsoft Office applications at the high school and college levels for seven years. Currently, she works at the district level, providing essential support to teachers utilizing Certiport certifications.  Nicole thrives on helping educators analyze data and navigate the extensive features of the Certiport platform, finding joy in empowering others to enhance their teaching practices. She is a Microsoft Office Specialist Expert (2019), a Microsoft Certified Educator, and has earned certifications in Entrepreneurship and Small Business, as well as Information Technology Specialist in Device Configuration and Management.  In this episode, Nicole shares why data analysis matters in today's classroom. She discusses what data points to track and how to use the data to adjust your teaching. Plus, what data you can capture from industry and where to get information on what matters most in the workforce. If you're nervous about data or don't know where to start, Nicole gives you a great introduction.  Looking to get hands on experience with data analysis? Check out Nicole's CERTIFIED presentation here.  Interested in learning from educators Nicole? Join our CERTIFIED Academy program. Get all the details here.      Connect with other educators in our CERTIFIED Educator Community here.           Don't miss your chance to register for our annual CERTIFIED Educator's Conference here.

    17 min
  8. Let's get social: Teaching marketing and business skills with Jodi Pelini

    12/17/2025

    Let's get social: Teaching marketing and business skills with Jodi Pelini

    As a business educator, you prepare students for demanding and dynamic careers. And marketing is just one area where they can excel. However, with so many trends and apps constantly changing, equipping your students with useful marketing skills and experiences can be difficult.  No one knows that more than Jodi Pelini. Jodi is a former TV reporter and anchor who now brings her love of storytelling and media to the classroom. For the past 22 years, she has taught media production at Alan B. Shepard High School in Palos Heights, Illinois, and is committed to incorporating Adobe and Meta certification opportunities into all three levels of her digital media program. She is the CTSO advisor of her school's chapter of the Business Professionals of America, and she also helps manage the school's social media and marketing campaigns. As if that doesn't keep her busy enough, she is also an adjunct professor, specializing in media production, at South Suburban College in South Holland, Illinois. Jodi earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from Northwestern University, and a master's degree in media arts from Governors State University. She is also the proud mother of four wonderful children. In this episode, Jodi talks us through her marketing and social media teaching. We discuss key marketing skills students need to be successful in their future careers. Jodi also gets real about the role of AI in marketing and business, and how she uses it with her students. And last, but certainly not least, she shares how you can give students opportunities to practice social media skills in the classroom.  Interested in learning more about social media certifications? Check out our Meta Certified Digital Marketing Associate certification.  Interested in learning from educators Jodi? Join our CERTIFIED Academy program. Get all the details here.      Connect with other educators in our CERTIFIED Educator Community here.           Don't miss your chance to register for our annual CERTIFIED Educator's Conference here.

    39 min
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Trailer

5
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About

CERTIFIED: Certiport Educator Podcast is all about educators. This podcast will crack open the world of education, certification, and technology. At Certiport, we are dedicated to helping people succeed through certification, and we couldn't do what we do without powerful and dedicated educators, like YOU! Whether you've been teaching for one month, one year, or decades, we have episodes for you. Join us as we interview other educators, students, and industry experts. Discover new ways to teach, connect with fellow technology educators, and get inspired. Teaching is a career that demands all that you have to give. So we're here to give back to you. Listen. Learn. Grow. Become a part of the CERTIFIED community.

Information

  • Creator
    Hannah Crepeau
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    166
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2021 Certified: Certiport Educator Podcast. All Rights Reserved
  • Show Website
    Certified: Certiport Educator Podcast

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