Podcast

This page serves as a curated collection of ITI-related podcast content demonstrating our commitment to digital citizenship, computer science education, and the ISTE Standards.

Leading for Impact Podcast

You are invited to listen in on how L.A. Unified is making an impact with instructional technology. In this monthly podcast you will hear directly from educational leaders who are leveraging technology along with sound instructional practices to transform teaching and learning in equitable ways.

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Feedback Form: Share your feedback or nominate a guest speaker for future episode!

Episode 14 - Game Changers: Esports Champions

Episode 14 - Game Changers: Esports Champions

06/04/2024

In Episode 14, varsity champions of Level Up Los Angeles discuss their process and how the team harnessed the power of esports to develop leadership skills, overcome challenges, and make a lasting impact.

Guest Speaker(s):

Pablo Gaeta, Teacher and Esports Coach (Business/Entrepreneurship Virtual Academy)
Felix Contreras, Student
Hayley Ramirez-Marin, Student
Fatema Fazal, Student
Adesola Dauda-Talabi, Student
Polly Kruchinina, Student

Reference Material

Script of the podcast

Episode 13 - Esports in Education

Episode 13 - Esports in Education

03/07/2024

In Episode 13, pioneering esports leaders share what inspires them to offer esports to their students, how engagement supports achievement, and the valuable skills and opportunities students gain by participating in this growing phenomenon.

Guest Speaker(s):

Regina Marquez-Martinez, Principal (Franklin High School) @MarqReg
Gavin Ma, Math Teacher, and Esports Director (Franklin High School)
Keani Romero, Robotics Teacher and Testing Coordinator (Palms Middle School)

Reference Material:

Script of Podcast

Episode 12 - Artificial Intelligence

Episode 12 - Artificial Intelligence

12/04/2023

In Episode 12, inspired leaders from The Science Academy STEM Magnet discuss generative artificial intelligence (AI) for their community and building AI awareness. Their goal is to be the leading institution when it come to the utilization and implementation of AI.

Guest Speakers

Carlos Lauchu, Principal
Joshua Rosenthal, Assistant Principal
Christopher Bradfield, Teacher
Tom Tsao, STEM Advisor and Parent

Reference Material

The Science Academy STEM Magnet

Script of Podcast

Episode 11 - #CS4LAUSD

Episode 11 - #CS4LAUSD

06/01/2023

In Episode 11, an empowered leadership team at James Madison Middle School share the unique experiences as a classroom teacher, Edtech coach and administrator working collaboratively to drive ongoing learning and innovations around the integration of computer science will all learners.

Guest Speaker(s):

James Madison Middle School @/JMMS_Bulldogs
Elizabeth Lester, Assistant Principal
Gohar Hamo, Instructional Technology Facilitator @GoharHamo
Brian Iraheta, Computer Science Teacher @iraheta_brian

Reference Material:

Script of the podcast

Episode 10 - #EquityAndCitizenshipAdvocate

Episode 10 - #EquityAndCitizenshipAdvocate

3/24/2023

In Episode 10, an empowered leadership team at Maywood Center for Enriched Studies share insight to their roles as leaders, advocates, and practitioners of digital citizenship year round and in their daily interactions with students and the community.

Guest Speaker(s):

Maywood Center for Enriched Studies @MACESmagnet
Gabriel Duran, Principal
Lidandra Navarro-Perez, Teacher and Leadership Advisor @Discoveringbio
Alanis Cruz, ASB Digital Citizenship Champion
Kimberly Sanchez, Social Media Manager

Reference Material:

Maywood Center for Enriched Studies

Script of Podcast

Episode 9 - #EmpoweredLeader

Episode 9 - #EmpoweredLeader

11/01/2022

In Episode 9, L.A. Unified Board of Education Member for District 3, Scott Schmerelson, discusses Special Education, Family and Community Engagement, and Student Advisory Council, emphasizing that we are all advocates for students.

Guest Speaker(s):

Scott Schmerelson, L.A. Unified Board of Education Member for District 3 @ScottAtLAUSD

Reference Material:

Script of Podcast

Episode 8 - #EquityAndCitizenshipAdvocate

Episode 8 - #EquityAndCitizenshipAdvocate

6/24/2022

In Episode 8, the Mayor of the City of Maywood, doctoral student, and intervention coordinator at Maywood Center for Enriched Studies is a servant leader who advocates for the infrastructure supporting learning, collaboration, and student voice.

Guest Speaker(s):

Herber Marquez, Intervention Coordinator, MaCES Magnet; Mayor, City of Maywood @4HerberInspired

Reference Material:

Script of Podcast

Episode 7 - #VisionaryPlanner

Episode 7 - #VisionaryPlanner

6/1/2022

In Episode 7, the Administrative Coordinator of Instruction for Black Student Achievement in Local District West shares lessons learned, best practices, challenges and the impact of learning with technology.

Guest Speaker(s):

Dr. Shilby Sims, Administrative Coordinator of Instruction Black Student Achievement Plan @DrSims_Tech

Reference Material:

Black Student Achievement Plan homepage

Script of Podcast

Episode 6 - #ConnectedLearner

Episode 6 - #ConnectedLearner

5/05/2022

In Episode 6, the Assistant Principal at Arleta High School models and promotes continuous professional learning for herself, teachers, families and students.

Guest Speaker(s):

Dr. Ana Saucedo, Assistant Principal, Arleta High School

Reference Material:

Script of Podcast

Episode 5 - #EmpoweredLeader - Vice President of the L.A. Unified Board of Education

Episode 5 - #EmpoweredLeader - Vice President of the L.A. Unified Board of Education

5/1/2022

In Episode 5, L.A. Unified Board of Education Member for District 4 and Vice President, Nick Melvoin, discusses District options and pathways, where all are welcome.

Guest Speaker(s):

Nick Melvion, L.A. Board of Education Member for District 4 and Vice President @NickMelvoinBD4

Reference Material:

100 Day Plan
Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education

Board Member Nick Melvoin
BD District 4 Map

Script of Podcast

Episode 4 - #EmpoweringLeader - Local District Superintendent

Episode 4 - #EmpoweringLeader - Local District Superintendent

3/1/2022

In Episode 4, empowering leader and Local District Superintendent, Frances Baez, emphasizes the theme of transformation, equity and innovation in our campuses. She creates a culture that enriches teaching and learning with a champion mentality and shares her vision for building leadership and mentorship across communities.

Guest Speaker(s):

Frances Baez, Superintendent, LD Central @FrancesBaez10

Reference Material:

Local District Central Website
Local District Central About Us
Follow Local District Central on Twitter @lausd_Idc

Script of Podcast

Episode 3 - #EmpoweredByITI - Practitioners in Action

Episode 3 - #EmpoweredByITI - Practitioners in Action

12/1/2021

In Episode 3, edtech influencers and lifelong learners share their implementation strategies to build capacity at their school site, stay connected as learners, and facilitate 21st century instruction.

Guest Speaker(s):

Yisel Meza, Teacher @YMeza44
Maria Yniquez, Title I, TSP Coordinator @MariaYniguez

Reference Material:

Script of Podcast

Episode 2 - #DigCitLA - How a Showcase School Celebrates Digital Citizenship Week

Episode 2 - #DigCitLA - How a Showcase School Celebrates Digital Citizenship Week

10/29/2021

In Episode 2, the Instructional Leadership Team at Garvanza Elementary Technology & Leadership Magnet (GETLM) shares their Digital Citizenship journey. Together, the principal, magnet coordinator, and instructional technology facilitator describe their school's #DigCit culture and plans for a successful Digital Citizenship Week showcase!

Guest Speaker(s);

Sarah Gilman, Principal @GarvanzaM
Justina Foulke, Magnet Coordinator
Wen-Wen Cheng, Instructional Technology Facilitator @EdTech_WenWen

Reference Material:

Script of Podcast

Episode 1 - Who is ITI?

Episode 1 - Who is ITI?

10/01/2021

In Episode 1, learn about the return to school efforts and examples of how educators are integrating effective learning strategies with our youngest learners in early and secondary education.

Guest Speaker(s):

Sophia Mendoza, Director @smmendoza123

Reference Material:

ITI Professional Learning Offerings
On Twitter: @ITI_LAUSD, #EmpoweredByITI, #DigCitLA, #CS4LAUSD

Script of Podcast

General

Ed Influencer Podcast: Learn from Urban District Leaders & Remote Learning Efforts

Ed Influencer Podcast: Learn from Urban District Leaders & Remote Learning Efforts

ISTE on 5/13/2020

In the latest ISTE Ed Influencer podcast, Chief Learning Officer Joseph South interviews leaders from large urban districts, which includes ITI Director Sophia Mendoza, about how they're navigating this transition during the COVID-19 global pandemic to support thousands of students and educators.

Guest Speaker: Sophia Mendoza, Director, Instructional Technology Initiative

Narrator: Joseph South, ISTE's Chief Learning Officer

Ed Influencer Podcast: How L.A. Unified Successfully Implements Classroom Technology

Ed Influencer Podcast: How L.A. Unified Successfully Implements Classroom Technology

ISTE on 1/20/2020

In June 2019, Sophia Mendoza (2019 ISTE Impact Award Winner) sat down with ISTE's Chief Learning Officer, Joseph South, for the Ed Influencers Podcast to discuss how the ISTE Standards have influenced teaching and learning across the nation's second largest school district. Tune in to learn how the ITI team has supported over 400 schools and is working toward redefining professional learning for leaders.

Guest Speaker: Sophia Mendoza, Director, Instructional Technology Initiative

Narrator: Joseph South, ISTE's Chief Learning Officer

ITS4ED Podcast

Episode 9: AI in the District (Part 2)

Episode 9: AI in the District (Part 2)

Welcome to the second session of the ITS4Ed Podcast on Artificial Intelligence aka AI. Since AI is continuing to expand and is having a major impact on education, we decided to dig a little deeper into AI in LAUSD. We will continue our conversation with Ms. Sophia Mendoza, Director of the Information Technology Initiative (ITI). We will learn about ITI's approach to developing thoughtful and appropriate AI guidelines for the school community. In this session we will share resources from the ITI website: lausd.org/iti. This includes professional learning opportunities for educators, computer science education, cybersecurity, digital citizenship education, and more. Be ready to learn about the latest updates on AI in LAUSD.

Guest Speaker: Sophia Mendoza, Director, Instructional Technology Initiative

Narrator: Youssef Elias, School Systems Manager, LA Unified

Episode 8: AI in the District (Part 1)

Welcome to this session of the ITS4Ed Podcast on Artificial Intelligence aka AI. It's the hot topic in the news today and it impacts many people. In fact, the current writers and actors strike has "AI" as a score issue. AI is having a major impact on education. Whether you are excited or concerned about AI, we in the education industry have the responsibility to ensure AI is approached thoughtfully and appropriately in our school community. As a district, we need to understand the vision for teaching and learning. So, whether you're a teacher, a student, a parent, or simply someone curious about AI and the future of education, this session is your gateway to the world where AI meets academia.

Guest Speaker: Sophia Mendoza, Director, Instructional Technology Initiative

Narrator: Youssef Elias, School Systems Manager, LA Unified