Learning Experiences Worth Savoring with Kat Crawford (EP184)

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Kat Crawford, an Instructional Designer and Justice and Accessibility Advocate, specializes in designing innovative digital solutions, facilitating professional learning, and supporting the transformation of school systems to enhance student engagement. Kat never really left the stage—she traded the bright lights of theatre class for designing learning experiences that students actually want to eat up as the Lunch Lady. She spent over a decade disrupting the technology divide inside secure schools, fueled by her core belief: every student deserves a seat at the table—and a learning experience worth savoring.

Your WHY 

My work spans various roles, including directing and designing national curriculum initiatives, teaching graduate courses, and leading digital adoption for alternative and secure schools, all driven by my passion for student success and inclusion. All of my work is driven by my core belief that all students deserve a high-quality education.

I run on stories. On second chances. On the sacred mess of being human.

Background as an Educational Technology Leader

As an educational technology leader with over 20 years of experience, I specialize in designing innovative digital solutions, facilitating professional learning, and supporting the transformation of school systems to enhance student engagement. With expertise in curriculum design, technology integration, and instructional coaching, I have worked with school districts in 47 states to promote educational equity and impactful learning experiences. 

Executive Director of Digital Innovation

From 2020 to 2024, I was the Executive Director of Digital Innovation at the Schlechty Center. My responsibilities included:

• Managing school district clients nationwide from the classroom to the boardroom in designing work centered around engagement.
• Customizing district proposals to design innovative work in person and virtually through on-site workshops, meetings, and trainings.
• Driving adoption and implementation of technology in professional learning sessions using educational technology tools aimed at equity, accessibility, and collaboration for all students.
• Leveraging client relations from year to year to maintain proposal renewals and growth opportunities with new and existing districts.
• Working closely with cross-functional teams to support our work nationally.

The Lunch Lady

My alter ego, The Lunch Lady, is an apron-wearing, tray-slinging voice inside every educator, reminding us that meaningful learning isn’t prepackaged—it’s handcrafted, messy, and deliciously authentic. It’s lunchtime, and The Lunch Lady is cooking up something new for

the classroom. The way this came about is when I was asked to dress up like a chef for an ISTE playground. Everyone looked like a chef, but that wasn’t me. I remember Chris Farley as the lunch lady, and that was it.

https://lunchladyedu.com

The Secret Recipe for Student Agency is now Breakfast in Banter

Today’s special? A three-course meal filled with deeper learning, sprinkled with innovation, and stuffed with student agency – served piping hot! Your reservation is ready because every student deserves a seat at the table – and a learning experience worth savoring. Don’t start from scratch! It’s time to reveal the secret recipe for Mystery Meat: Learning experiences worth devouring. Step into the kitchen and start cooking meaningful learning – no more prepackaging or reheating. Let’s transform classrooms into cafeterias of curiosity, choice, and creativity. Come hungry – you’ll want seconds.

Figma and how it is aligned with your WHY

I am the Education Program Manager for Figma. We support K12 educators, schools, and districts in bringing collaboration and creativity to the classroom through FigJam and Figma. The current focus includes in-person training, community building, and scaling impact through virtual programming. 

Your Consulting Company: How Might We

We empower school districts to push beyond traditional boundaries by fostering innovative solutions that address complex challenges. We specialize in designing transformative systems and initiatives for educational institutions, with a strong focus on alternative schools. Our services include individual and team coaching, customized professional development, and dynamic workshops. We don’t just respond to existing needs—we inspire new possibilities, helping schools discover what could be and build toward what will be.

Kat Crawford’s Contact Information

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dramatickat/
X: https://x.com/dramatickat
LL (X): https://x.com/LunchLadyEDU 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dramatickat
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dramatickat/
LL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lunchladyedu/
Lunch Lady Headshots: The Lunch Lady Plain Background

*****

I was looking forward to talking on my virtual porch with Kat Craford, the Lunch Lady. I didn’t know about Kat’s theatre background, but it makes sense. She is Dramatickat on social media and uses humor and her theater experience in her presentations. Her stories had me laughing. Knowing how she came up with the Lunch Lady was perfect. She watched Chris Farley and said, I can do that.  I just loved our conversation and hope you did, too. Please share the podcast and this post with your friends.