Today, Maria talks with Matt Neil, a passionate teacher, mentor and coach. Matt obtained his Bachelor of Science in Social Studies Teacher Education and his Master in Education and Online Teaching. He has taught high school students US and World History, and today, he teaches Civics and Government, Foundations of Citizenship, Leadership and many more online lessons. Matt piloted and successfully launched Google Apps For Education throughout his high school to both teachers and students to improve instruction and learning through effective use of technology. When COVID-19 forced schools in Indiana Pennsylvania to close, Matt, who has been recognized as a District Technology Innovator every year since 2016, quickly started collaborating with and supporting his fellow teachers to move all their lessons online. Together they discuss the new learnings that teachers and educators can build upon when they go back to their classrooms to face a new reality. They also dive into the essential skills that students need to develop to become active citizens and to share their voice with the world. Tune in to listen and learn from an inspiring teacher who is committed to building meaningful relationships in the classroom and online by teaching students and training teachers.
Production team:
Host : Maria Xenidou
Producer: Julie-Roxane Krikorian
Introduction Voice: David Bourne
Contact us:
impactlearningpodcast@gmail.com
Music credits:
Like Lee performed by The Mini Vandals
Transition sounds: Swamp Walks performed by Jingle Punks
Where to find more about Matt Neil:
Matt Neil on LinkedIn
Matt Neil on Twitter
Matt’s’s Podcast: The Good Humans Show
Mentioned in this episode:
Article: Mini-THON organized by the seniors of Leadership Seminar raises $27.000
Podcast Episode by Matt: 5 Soft Skills for Success
Google - Future of the Classroom
Article: Pennsylvania schools prepare students for future success with the 4Cs and Google for Education
Article: To help expand learning for everyone
Article: Distance learning for Educators
Article: Check in on emotional well-being during distance learning
Listen to this episode and explore:
Childhood: reading together as a family and Matt's early exposure to different opinions (3:29)
Getting his Bachelor Degree in Social Studies Education and his Masters in Online Teaching and Education (7:16)
Matt’s experience and attraction to online teaching (8:06)
The importance of mentoring and being mentored (10:28)
Showing up for his students day after day and never doubting them (14:33)
Building relationships and creating a culture to better foster learning in the classroom (16:53)
The 5 essential skills students need to build in a classroom (20:15)
What a Civics and Government class entails (23:10)
The skills students acquire in a Civics and Government class (24:21)
The Leadership Seminar course (25:22)
The Indiana High School Ambassadors program (26:29)
A new kind of assignment: having students write blogs for their history class (30:49)
Piloting and launching Google Apps for Education and teaching his fellow teachers how to leverage technology for online learning (34:54)
The stress teachers experienced as they moved their classes online during COVID-19 (42:38)
How students responded to online lessons and distance learning (44:05)
How the teachers can ensure their students are doing okay during COVID-19 (45:28)
Maria’s thoughts on falling behind and why she doesn’t believe in it (47:03)
How teachers can know that their students may be struggling and need extra support (48:01)
Matt’s reflections and takeaways from teaching online during COVID-19 (51:02)
The one thing Matt wants to leave his mark on during his lifetime (55:15)