Kĭnder L.I.G.H.T.S‪.‬ Chris Quinn

Debbie Tannenbaum has served as both a classroom teacher and a technology coach in elementary classrooms. She is a conference presenter and a blogger. From helping students to effectively integrate tech tools into their learning and across social media platforms, to helping teachers overcome possible reluctance and fear of making use of technology so that they can better support the development of agency in their students, Debbie provides professional development opportunities within the very best context...classrooms, alongside teachers. Check out this engaging 20-minute conversation!

Debbie's contact information:

web site: www.tannenbaumtech.com

Twitter handle: @TannenbaumTech

email: debbie@tannenbaumtech.com

From a humorous story of a student learning to print the letter "S", to the importance of finding your voice and believing in yourself, to play-based "teaching", Helen Bartlett shares from her extensive international teaching experience.

Helen has been teaching early childhood for 20 years in New Zealand, England, Thailand, Australia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Oman and she is currently teaching in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

As a play purist, Helen is a passionate believer in play and the vital role it plays in childhood development and learning.

Through her blog learningnplay she has advocated for the valuable role of play in early childhood. Currently, Helen is exploring the role of documentation and how all adults can contribute to a holistic view of students.

Twitter: @bartletth77

Blog: http://learningnplay.blog

Email: hbartlett@tasok.net

Michael speaks of the joys of teaching abroad and talks about the many benefits of honouring students' curiosity and encouraging student-driven learning. He also shares a truly humourous story about one child's willingness to celebrate a particular day of the week in a way that seemed totally 'normal' for her! Michael's passion for teaching and learning is truly infectious!

Michael is an Early Years and Primary teacher who has spend the past 11 years teaching in Japan, Germany, and now Thailand. His educational interests are in Play, Word Inquiry, student agency, and creating an engaging interdisciplinary curriculum in his learning spaces. Michael loves learning through play as his students are self-motivated and they are learning how to use skills in a variety of ways that are beneficial to their own individual needs.

Michael can be reached on Twitter @MichaelPalagi, via his web page at https://sites.google.com/site/michaelpalagi/home .

Stories running the gamut from glue that exploded onto the classroom ceiling, to the completely unexpected as she concluded her first teaching interview, to finding balance in life and finishing with great advice! You won't want to miss this 20-minute episode! Come, explore and enjoy the world of early learning!

My guest, Michelle van Heugten, has a love of the visual arts and anything creative. Michelle graduated from university with a four-year honours degree in Visual Arts, with a major in Painting and a minor in photography. She has spent 26 years teaching Kindergarten joyfully in the company of amazing and inspiring children. Within her own pedagogical reflections and thinking, Michelle continues to explore the interconnected relationships between children, creativity, materials, and the natural world.

Stories running the gamut from a live turkey running loose, to heartbreak, to inspiration and finishing with great advice! You won't want to miss this 20-minute episode! Come, explore and enjoy the world of early learning!

My guest, Lia Gyore (Lee-uh Jerra), is currently a Transitional Kindergarten teacher in Southern California. She has taught preschool, kindergarten and fourth grade. Lia is passionate about creating an emotionally safe classroom where children can learn to recognize and regulate their emotions. She believes that children who can state their needs and get them met are better equipped to take academic risks and share their thinking and learning. You can find Lia on Twitter at @LiaGyore

Kyrstie started her career in education as a key stage 2 teacher twenty years ago but worked across all year groups including Early years. She went on to become head at two schools and in both schools, the development of early years was instrumental in improving the schools. In her last school the Early years provision was graded as outstanding. Kyrstie has just started a new role as Deputy CEO for Inspire Trust.

Kyrstie can be contacted as follows:

Email: Kstubbs@ipmat.co.uk

Twitter: @KyrstieStubbs