GaETC: The Podcast

Lee Green
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  • Technology
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This is the exclusive podcast of Georgia’s premiere educational tech conference! For more than two decades, the Conference has played a key role in helping educators at all levels increase their understanding of the role of technology in education and providing the opportunity to learn about the latest in educational technology. This podcast seeks to continue that mission. Hosts Lee Green and Clint Winter will take you on a tour behind the scenes of the conference AND allow you to get better insights on some of your favorite presenters!  You can learn more about GaETC by going to www.gaetc.org or find us on your social media platform of choice! 

  1. 9h ago

    Tech Competitions, Techpalooza and Canva: Leading Human-Centered Tech with Dr. Natasha Lawyer

    Dr. Natasha Lawyer is Technology Innovation Coordinator for DeKalb County School District, a district of more than 98,000 students. She joins host Lee Green to talk about intentional, human-centered technology in K-12. She holds a doctorate in instructional technology from Kennesaw State University. She is also an ISTE certified instructional leader, a Canva education trainer and a 2026 GaETC Rising Star. In this episode: How she co-directs the district's student tech competition. In past years it has drawn up to 1,000 students, and her nine-person instructional technology team and a volunteer base run it.Techpalooza, where business partners show real products that students and parents can try hands-on.Tech for Littles, a pre-K through second grade competition. This year it's combining with the main competition, so pre-K through 12th graders compete in one building.How she became one of the first nine Canvasadors in the U.S., and how that grew into becoming a certified Canva education trainer.Her recent talk at the Canva World Tour in Austin, Texas, on using Magic Media to help students visualize abstract concepts.Why her name, Dr. Lawyer, always gets the question "so are you a doctor or a lawyer?"

    Tech Competitions, Techpalooza and Canva: Leading Human-Centered Tech with Dr. Natasha Lawyer

  2. 11h ago

    Phones Out, Learning In: Cell Phone Policies and Classroom Tech with Gavin Riepe of Luxor

    Gavin Riepe, national account manager at Luxor Workspaces, joins host Clint Winner to talk about how schools are keeping phones out of students' hands while managing the growing number of classroom devices. Luxor is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year. Its first product was a film strip storage cabinet. In this episode: How state cell phone laws differ, and why districts often have to interpret them and decide how to roll them out.Why some early-adopter states are revisiting simpler "keep it in your backpack" policies.Two approaches to storing phones. One is a classroom locker where students put phones away at the start of class. The other is pouches, which may suit older grades better.A Louisiana case study. A teacher said students were "acting like kids again" once their phones were out of reach.Why homegrown fixes, like a shoe rack on the whiteboard, can leave districts responsible for damaged devices.How flexible classrooms need flexible power. Portable batteries put charging at a desk without cords or tripping hazards, including in testing centers.A new trend. As parents push for less screen time in young grades, schools need places to store Chromebooks and iPads, too.Clint and Gavin also share some film strip memories, and they preview GaETC.

    Phones Out, Learning In: Cell Phone Policies and Classroom Tech with Gavin Riepe of Luxor

  3. 14h ago

    Hands-On Math with Robots: VEX GO in Elementary Classrooms with Jessica Molter

    What happens when you combine robotics with elementary math? In this episode of GaETC: The Podcast, we sit down with Jessica Molter, gifted specialist, robotics coach, and innovation grant winner. Jessica breaks down how she uses VEX GO kits in her fourth-grade specials to make math tactile—from pullback cars transforming line plots into real data, to a spinning, programmable Earth model teaching degrees and fractions. Tune in to hear practical strategies for team building, fostering student resilience through engineering setbacks, and her best advice for teachers diving into edtech for the first time. Shownotes & Episode OutlineMeet Jessica Molter & Her Robotics-to-Math Approach: Introduction to Jessica's fourth-grade specials and how she bridges VEX GO kits with core math standards.Pullback Cars & Line Plots: Using hands-on car builds and distance tracking to turn physical motion into concrete data and graphing practice.The Origin Story: Why Jessica started coaching robotics ten years ago because her daughter wanted a team, leading to her current partnership with Craig McBrayer.Building Resilience Through Setbacks: How competition crashes and redesign challenges teach students valuable lessons in perseverance and the engineering process.Fractions in Motion: Teaching degrees and fractions of a circle with a programmable, spinning Earth-rotation model.Standards & Evidence: Why hands-on robotics must still connect back to classroom standards and produce written proof of math learning.Teamwork & Safe Words: Setting upfront expectations, managing group dynamics, and introducing team "safe words" to pause arguments.Teacher Advice for Non-Tech Experts: Practical tips on charging batteries, leaning on colleagues, embracing troubleshooting, and letting students teach each other.Wrapping Up: Exploring hobbies like crochet and yoga before getting ready for GaETC!

    Hands-On Math with Robots: VEX GO in Elementary Classrooms with Jessica Molter

  4. 16h ago

    Handing Middle Schoolers the Director's Chair with Dr. Greg Walkup

    On this episode of GAETC the Podcast, host Lee Green talks with Dr. Greg Walkup, a 2026 GAETC Rising Star educator from Otwell Middle School in Forsyth County. Greg leads Sikkim Studios, where his students produce the district's first entirely student-led video podcast. They have won more than 28 state, national and international awards. Greg shares: How he built a connected AV, broadcast and podcasting pipeline from elementary school through middle school, and why he gives students real creative control.Why storytelling, empathy and soft skills matter more than the gear, especially in an age of AI shortcuts.What he took from the PBS News Hour Student Reporting Lab Teacher Ambassador Fellowship, where he represents Georgia.How Podjam works. Teams of up to five have five hours to make a podcast, using the same equipment for everyone. The next event is Saturday, May 1, 2027. It's free, open to K–12 students, and you can sign up at thepodjam.com.Why sharing ideas builds a legacy, and why joy shouldn't turn into a job.Along the way, Lee plays a round of "How Well Does Gemini Know You?" Greg also talks about family, fishing and recharging. Connect with Greg on Instagram at Sic'Em Studios, or watch student productions on Otwell Middle School's YouTube playlists.

    Handing Middle Schoolers the Director's Chair with Dr. Greg Walkup

  5. 3d ago

    Meagan Wiethorn, Inside the World of Kami: UDL Scaffolds, Book Creator & Kami Coach

    What began a decade ago as a digital worksheet and PDF annotation favorite has transformed into a dynamic, connected learning suite built to make student thinking visible, accessible, and multimodal. On this episode of GaETC: The Podcast, hosts Dr. Lee Green and Clint Winter sit down with Meagan Wiethorn, Southeast Account Executive at Kami and former middle school educator. Bringing classroom experience from family and consumer sciences, middle school math, and social studies, Meagan shares how Kami has evolved alongside modern classrooms to become a K-12, device-agnostic, and curriculum-agnostic learning staple. Meagan discusses the expansion of the Kami suite, which now brings Book Creator under the Kami family, introduces the browser-wide Kami Companion, and previews their newest AI math tool in beta, Kami Coach. She outlines how teachers can effectively "clone themselves" using built-in screen and audio recordings to deliver individualized feedback, keep progress monitoring manageable, and give students multiple expressive pathways through speech-to-text, audio comments, and visual modeling. Throughout the conversation, Meagan, Lee, and Clint cover: The Evolution of Kami: Moving up the SAMR ladder from simple on-screen annotations to deep universal design for learning (UDL) certified scaffolds and Book Creator digital storytelling.Multimodal Pathways for Every Learner: How voice typing, read-aloud translation, and the "Explain" tool support IEP and 504 accommodations while preserving authentic learning.Teacher-First Feature Controls: Why granular administrative toggles allow educators to disable copy-paste or selectively assign assistive tools to specific groups or individual learners.Seamless LMS Integrations: Embedding Kami directly into Google Classroom, Canvas, Schoology, and Brightspace (D2L) so students have an immediate "Turn In" button without lost links.Data Security and 1EdTech Certification: Navigating Georgia's rigorous data privacy standards with COPPA and FERPA compliance, private enterprise-grade AI agreements, and seamless domain-level deployment.Sneak Peek at Kami Coach: A look at their upcoming math tool that provides real-time, interactive coaching during independent practice.Heading to GaETC 2026? Stop by Booth 412 in the Exhibit Hall to meet Meagan and the Kami team, grab early access details on Kami Coach, and see live demonstrations of their full learning suite!

    Meagan Wiethorn, Inside the World of Kami: UDL Scaffolds, Book Creator & Kami Coach

  6. 3d ago

    Nathalie Ettzevoglou of KSU - Voices Without Borders & Multilingual Podcasting

    How do we move language learners past scripted grammar drills and high-stakes oral exams into authentic, spontaneous global communication? On this episode of GaETC: The Podcast, co-hosts Dr. Lee Green and Clint Winter reunite to sit down with educator, language technologist, and statewide world language leader Nathalie Ettzevoglou. Having taught across every level from kindergarten to high school and now serving in higher education, Nathalie brings rich experience as a former GaDOE French High School PLC Lead, past president of the Southeast Association for Language Learning Technology (SEALLT), and current Partner Recruitment and Training Specialist at Kennesaw State University’s Bagwell College of Education. Drawing from her work directing the Around the Globe podcast at Innovation Academy in Fulton County, Nathalie breaks down her upcoming GaETC 2026 session, Voices Without Borders: Multilingual Podcasting for STEM Learners. She shares how student-led audio production aligns with ACTFL’s 5 C’s (Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities), turning language acquisition into a live, collaborative design challenge where students take full creative ownership. Throughout the conversation, Nathalie, Lee, and Clint explore: The Power of Student Ownership: Stepping out of the way to let high schoolers run every aspect of a show, from composing original theme music and designing Canva graphics to drafting professional guest invitations and conducting live, unedited interviews.Languages Meet STEM: Connecting bilingualism to technical career pathways in healthcare, engineering, and IT, illustrating why world language communication is an essential workforce asset rather than an isolated elective.Authenticity Over Perfection: Shifting the focus from robotic grammatical perfection to spontaneous conversational proficiency, embracing moments of circumlocution and real-time comprehension challenges.Human Connection in an AI World: Why automated translation tools and earbuds cannot replicate empathy, cultural nuance, facial expressions, and genuine relationship-building.Unplugging Outdoors: Why true recharge time means leaving the earbuds at home, taking long walks in nature, and completely disconnecting from screens.Connect with Nathalie live at GaETC 2026! Her session, Voices Without Borders: Multilingual Podcasting for STEM Learners, takes place Thursday, November 5, from 3:15 PM to 4:10 PM in Salon 1-2 at the Georgia International Convention Center.

    Nathalie Ettzevoglou of KSU - Voices Without Borders & Multilingual Podcasting

  7. 3d ago

    Mandy Froehlich, Teq | Protecting Educator Mental Health & OTIS

    What happens when we stop treating teacher burnout like an individual flaw and start looking at the systems that cause it? On this episode of GaETC: The Podcast, host Dr. Lee Green sits down with educator, author, and national thought leader Mandy Froehlich, Director of Professional Learning at Teq. Drawing on her career as a fourth and fifth grade teacher, district director of innovation and technology, and author of books including The Fire Within, Reignite the Flames, and Divergent EDU, Mandy operates at the rare intersection of edtech implementation and educator mental health. Mandy unpacks the critical difference between being burned out, demoralized, and emotionally detached, explaining why asking "How do we stop teacher attrition?" comes far too late once educators are already walking out the door. She challenges the superficial buzzword version of "resilience," making the case that educators cannot heal inside a system that actively creates stress, and outlines how genuine administrative support, community connection, and sustainable tools can protect educator well-being. Throughout the conversation, Mandy and Dr. Green explore: Burnout vs. Demoralization: Why teachers disengage, how moral injury and feeling unsupported wear down compassionate educators, and how leaders can spot the signs early.Systemic Support Over Simple Resilience: Moving beyond bath bombs and quick tips to real institutional care, including accessible mental health support and removing unnecessary burdens.Teq’s Fifty-Year Legacy: How Teq supports schools through a "complete thought" approach, pairing classroom hardware like SMART Boards and STEM tools with deep, ongoing professional development.OTIS for Educators: How Teq's on-demand learning platform delivers bite-sized courses on AI, Google, and the science of reading, while serving as a flexible professional learning hub for district content.Hands-On Tech at GaETC 2026: A sneak peek at Teq's conference presence, featuring custom luggage-tag laser engraving with the xTool and demos of the SMART Mini.Connect with Mandy and explore professional learning opportunities at teq.com. Make sure to stop by the Teq booth in the exhibit hall and visit Dr. Lee Green in the Circuit Lounge at GaETC 2026, November 4 through 6 at the Georgia International Convention Center in Atlanta!

    Mandy Froehlich, Teq | Protecting Educator Mental Health & OTIS

  8. 5d ago

    Active Movement, Woz ED Pathways, and Living Wage STEM with Maggie Phillips (PowerUpEDU)

    What happens when classroom technology moves beyond stationary screens to get students physically moving and building real-world workforce skills? On this episode of GaETC: The Podcast, host Dr. Lee Green sits down with Maggie Phillips, Head of Professional Learning and Teacher Engagement at PowerUpEDU. A former classroom teacher, Maggie breaks down how PowerUpEDU partners with schools across Georgia and the Southeast to ensure expensive hardware never sits on a shelf collecting dust. Dr. Green and Maggie explore: Active Learning & Movement: How tools like Activefloor and the Lü Interactive Playground engage both sides of the brain simultaneously, boosting learning retention, reducing behavior referrals, and turning screen time into purposeful physical activity.Woz ED Workforce Pathways: Why PowerUpEDU brought Steve Wozniak's K–12 STEM pathways to the Southeast, spanning 13 career tracks rooted in Bureau of Labor Statistics data so students can build skills from pre-K through high school graduation.Real-World Student Impact: Inspiring stories of high school students earning their FAA Part 107 drone pilot certifications and conducting storm damage assessments for roofers in South Georgia to earn college tuition.Modernizing Legacy Industries: How STEM in Agriculture pathways take rural students from classroom seed experiments to high school machine learning models, robotics, and precision farming.Vetted Solutions & Ongoing Coaching: Why PowerUpEDU bundles customized professional learning, coaching, and strategic planning with every implementation, and how students are designing custom standards-aligned content for state technology competitions.Plus, Maggie previews what conference attendees can experience live in person at the PowerUpEDU booth at GaETC 2026! Connect with Maggie Phillips & PowerUpEDU: Email: maggie@powerupedu.comWebsite: powerupedu.comJoin Us at GaETC 2026: Experience active learning tools and STEM career pathways live November 4 through 6, 2026, at the Georgia International Convention Center! Register and build your schedule at conference.gaetc.org.

    Active Movement, Woz ED Pathways, and Living Wage STEM with Maggie Phillips (PowerUpEDU)
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About

This is the exclusive podcast of Georgia’s premiere educational tech conference! For more than two decades, the Conference has played a key role in helping educators at all levels increase their understanding of the role of technology in education and providing the opportunity to learn about the latest in educational technology. This podcast seeks to continue that mission. Hosts Lee Green and Clint Winter will take you on a tour behind the scenes of the conference AND allow you to get better insights on some of your favorite presenters!  You can learn more about GaETC by going to www.gaetc.org or find us on your social media platform of choice! 

Information

  • Creator
    Lee Green
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    85
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Lee Green
  • Show Website
    GaETC: The Podcast