Empowering Students to Overcome Obstacles with Stephanie Howell (EP169)

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Stephanie Howell’s mission is to create more personalized and differentiated learning experiences that empower every student to overcome obstacles. As a Teaching and Learning Coordinator and founding member of Global GEG and Gold EDU, Stephanie works to make this vision a reality. A sought-after speaker at conferences worldwide, her recent accomplishments include contributing to an ISTE Distinguished District, becoming a Google Innovator, and being named a 2023 #ISTE 20 to Watch.

Your WHY 

Diagnosed with a learning disability in second grade, I struggled in school and became determined to create a better experience for other students. I thrived on hands-on learning—building, experimenting, and even taking things apart. My passion is to create learning environments where every student can learn in a way that works best for them.

Your Background Growing Up

My parents have always been my biggest advocates, especially during my time in a self-contained special education classroom. They never accepted the limitations the label implied, and constantly pushed for me to have more inclusive experiences.  They understood that being included in the regular education classroom, even for part of the day, was crucial for my growth, academically and socially. They went above and beyond, advocating for me in meetings, working with teachers to create individualized plans, and ensuring I had the support I needed to succeed in a more integrated environment. They were tireless in their efforts, always believing in my potential even when others might have doubted it.

Their support wasn’t just about academics. They instilled in me a strong sense of self-worth and never let me feel defined by my special education label. They celebrated my strengths and encouraged me to pursue my passions.  They taught me to advocate for myself, a skill that has been valuable throughout my life.

Now, years later, I’m living in Ohio, and my parents are incredibly close by.  They live behind me with my husband, Kevin, and our children, AJ and Eli. Having them so close is a blessing.  Their unwavering support continues to be a source of strength for me. AJ is a lot like me. He is so creative, and I do not want school to crush creativity like it did to me. So now I am learning about advocating for him like my parents did for me. 

Your journey as an educator 

Considering my rocky start with school, I struggled, felt different, and hated school. That feeling persisted through college. I didn’t connect with the traditional learning environment, and felt like I was constantly failing. It wasn’t until much later that I understood why. A master’s degree focused on Educational leadership from Western Governors University helped me find who I wanted to be.

My path has taken me through several roles at Pickerington Local School District, each building on the last: from Intervention Specialist, where I worked directly with students who struggled like I did, to Instructional Tech Coordinator, where I helped integrate technology into the classroom, then Instructional Tech Coach, where I supported teachers in using technology effectively. I’m fortunate that Brian Seymore believed in me and that I was able to contribute to our district becoming an ISTE Distinguished District.

How did you become a Google Innovator?

Everything changed when I was accepted into the Google Innovator Academy. That experience was transformative. It was there, surrounded by other passionate educators, that I finally realized I had been carrying this weight of impostor syndrome. I had always felt like I wasn’t “smart enough†or “good enough†in the traditional academic sense. But the Innovator Academy helped me see that my creativity, my unique perspective, and my ability to think outside the box were valuable assets. They weren’t just quirks; they were strengths that could be used to transform education. Google Innovator played a huge part in helping me see that.

That realization ignited a fire within me.  It validated my experiences and gave me the confidence to pursue my passion for education. Since then, I’ve dedicated my career to creating more engaging and inclusive learning environments for all students. 

Each step has been a journey of growth, allowing me to use my own experiences, both positive and negative, to make a difference in the lives of students and educators. I’m passionate about helping others discover their potential, just like the Google Innovator Academy did for me. I want to empower students to embrace their creativity and find joy in learning, something I didn’t experience until much later in my educational journey.

Back in my early teaching days, Google Cardboard was my SECRET WEAPON!  I could take my students ANYWHERE – like, exploring the Great Wall of China while we read about it!  It was the coolest way to build background knowledge and make learning engaging

Book: Control The Chaos

 https://a.co/d/aEJz5qR

The classroom is full of chaos. Technology has completely changed how kids learn, and educators see the effects front and center. The solution is much simpler than you might think. It’s all about combining the teaching of executive functioning skills with a technologically updated blended learning system to meet the needs of all learners. The pages ahead will outline how to control the chaos.

What led you to work with Kami?

My journey from struggling student to passionate educator eventually led me to Kami, where I now work as a Teaching and Learning Coordinator. After years of working in various educational roles – from Intervention Specialist to Instructional Tech Coach – I was drawn to Kami’s mission and its innovative approach to learning. My experiences in the classroom, particularly my focus on leveraging technology to create more engaging and accessible learning environments, aligned perfectly with Kami’s goals.

As a Teaching and Learning Coordinator at Kami, I get to combine my passion for innovative teaching practices with my understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by educators today.  I work to bridge the gap between pedagogy and technology, helping teachers effectively integrate Kami into their classrooms to enhance student learning. This involves developing resources, providing professional development, and collaborating with educators to explore new ways to use Kami’s features to support diverse learning needs. Essentially, I help teachers unlock the full potential of Kami to create dynamic and interactive learning experiences for their students.  It’s a role that allows me to continue advocating for student success and empowering teachers to embrace technology as a tool for positive change in education.

What inspired you to start Gold EDU LLC? Can you share more about what it is?

Gold EDU LLC is dedicated to transforming education by helping educators integrate technology with sound pedagogy effectively.  We focus on empowering teachers to use technology in powerful ways, not just as a flashy add-on, but as a genuine tool to enhance teaching and learning.  Two key aspects of their approach are:  

• Strategies for Enhancing Learning: Gold EDU provides educators with practical strategies and resources to improve teaching and learning outcomes. This might include training on specific technologies, developing effective lesson plans incorporating technology, or exploring new pedagogical approaches that leverage digital tools. The focus is on practical application, giving teachers the skills and knowledge they need to make a real difference in their classrooms.
• Empowering Creative and Critical Thinking: Gold EDU believes that technology should be used to foster higher-order thinking skills. They help educators create learning experiences that encourage students to think creatively, solve problems critically, and collaborate effectively. This goes beyond simply using technology for consumption; it’s about using it to develop essential skills that students need to succeed in the 21st century.  Gold EDU helps teachers move beyond rote memorization and towards a more dynamic and engaging learning environment where students actively participate in their education.
  
• Share Best Practices: Teachers can share their successful lesson plans, innovative use of technology, and effective pedagogical strategies. This peer-to-peer learning is invaluable, as it enables educators to learn from real-world experiences and apply what works in their classrooms. It creates a culture of continuous improvement and shared knowledge. Within the Gold EDU community, educators can:
  
  • Beyond the strategies and empowerment of creative thinking, Gold EDU fosters a vibrant community where educators connect, share, and learn from each other. This community aspect is crucial to their mission of transforming education.  It’s not just about providing resources; it’s about building a network of support and collaboration.
  • Ask Questions and Receive Support: Educators can connect with Gold EDU experts to ask questions, troubleshoot challenges, and receive support.  Whether it’s a technical question about a specific tool or a pedagogical question about integrating technology into a lesson, the community provides a safe and supportive space to seek guidance. This collaborative environment helps educators feel less isolated and empowers them to take risks and try new things. The collective wisdom of the community becomes a powerful resource for everyone involved.

You have so many ideas that you keep learning and sharing.
What’s next for you?

Right now, I’ve got some exciting things brewing! First, I’m working on my second book, collaborating with Mathew X. Joseph over at X Factor, which has been awesome bringing it to life. Plus, I’m giving the Gold EDU website a fresh new look; I’m hoping it’ll make things even better for everyone who uses it.

Stephanie Howell’s Contact Information

Website: mrshowell24.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrshowell24/ 
X: @mrshowell24  
Bluesky: @mrshowell24.com
Email: stephanie@mrshowell24.com
          stephanie.howell@kamiapp.com

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I hope you enjoyed my conversation with Stephanie Howell. I love her story and that she shared her WHY on my virtual porch.  I was fortunate to spend time with Stephanie at the FETC conference, even though we’ve been connected on social media for years. I always knew Stephanie was kind, sweet, and generous, but that time getting to know her was special.  I wanted to learn more, so I made sure we connected online. I enjoyed our conversation and hope you did too. Please share this post and podcast with your friends and make sure you connect with Stephanie.