Being the Educational Hype Girl: 4 Steps to Uplifting the Adults in the Room

 Being the Educational Hype Girl: 4 Steps to Uplifting the Adults in the Room

The Sunday scaries are here. As I return to school tomorrow, I’m filled with some worries about transitioning back into a routine, both at school and at home. Still, there is something special about working in education. The work we do is deeply meaningful, unpredictable, and exhausting at times. Sometimes we forget that while we pour ourselves into hyping up our students, lesson after lesson, our burnout often comes from forgetting to hype up the adults around us.

This school year, my goal is to continue to bring that same light to my peers that I bring to my students. We all need a hype person cheering for each other. Uplifting our fellow educators can make transitions and some of the most tiring points in the semester more bearable.

With purpose-driven encouragement and support for each other, we can all become the hype person for each other in our schools.

1. See the Best in People

Teachers often become unseen in their respective buildings. We silo ourselves in our classrooms, move quickly through the office, and forget to take a beat during our planning periods. Instead of rushing through each day, let’s take time to make our colleagues feel seen.

When someone tries a new tech tool, ask them to share the results. Is a colleague starting a new extracurricular activity for kids? Ask how you might show support. When a teacher produces a creative lesson, tell others about it in the staff room. Mention successes to leadership. Write a note or send a text—whatever works. Don’t let other people’s shine go unnoticed.

Note: If your work bestie doesn’t like public shoutouts, handwritten cards can be even more personal and meaningful.

At ISTE, I attended an incredible session about celebrating others. A small and intentional step toward seeing and amplifying the best in the colleagues around us makes the school and environment shine for our students. 

2. Show Up with Energy, Even When You Don’t Have It

Even on days when we are feeling tired, let’s be intentional with the energy we bring into our workspace. Focusing our energy on positivity and enthusiasm makes us feel more vibrant. Our energy is contagious.

A well-timed “You’ve got this” or “I believe in what you’re doing here” can change a person’s perspective or serve as the spark a colleague needs to get through the day. When you’re still feeling like your energy is low, borrow someone else’s energy. Collaborate. Laugh. Take a lap with a coworker between classes. Hype isn’t always loud. Sometimes it is just a consistent and encouraging presence.

This summer, my husband and daughters were in a musical. I had a few colleagues decide to come to see the show together to surprise them (and me). Their presence and the simple act of showing up fueled me. When we show up, we bring our energy with us, and that collective energy is powerful.

3. Name the Wins, Not Just the Work

Educators are champions at doing the work but not always at celebrating it. Being a hype person means creating space to pause, reflect, and celebrate what others have accomplished. Staff shout-out boards can be great for naming the wins. Intentional conversations during a passing period with a friend can be just as powerful. Let’s name the wins we see. Normalize being proud, and normalize being grateful for the amazing people we share a workspace with.

I co-host a podcast in my district. I am so excited to continue to elevate people's stories and name their good work.

4. Be a Mirror

Sometimes people forget to look at how far they’ve come or struggle to see the value they create each day. This year, let’s remind our colleagues of the impact they have. Growth occurs over time, and sometimes we don’t notice when we are making progress in the moment. Being a mirror reminds us to reflect the greatness we see in others.

TED Talks strives to amplify ideas worth spreading, and we can do that as well. Recommend their names in meetings. Celebrate colleagues in rooms they are not in, and celebrate their success.

Through the Google Innovator Academy, I was blessed with a small group of women who have continued to identify and celebrate each other's successes. Supporting and seeking to elevate each other's work is important, but also giving it a name for each other has fueled us all to continue to innovate. Sometimes we can't see our strengths ourselves, but when we can identify them for each other, we can carry forward with the work.

Remember, we all need a hype person in our corner. When we intentionally practice these steps, we help build a culture of celebration. Remember, another person’s shine makes the path brighter for us all. See the best in others, name their wins, and be a mirror that reflects their goodness back to them.

We’re going to make this year amazing.

Innovation Starts with Us, Not the Tech

Last week, I participated in the ENGAGE Conference hosted by WeVideo. I truly love this company and its mission to amplify student voice. The resources they provide and how they’ve adapted over the years continue to inspire and spark creativity in so many educators and students.

I’m still planning on going back and watching sessions I’ve missed. Seriously, this FREE conference that can be played on demand was incredible. I’m so grateful to organizations that put on great professional learning experiences for teachers!

In addition to attending, I was also lucky enough to present at the conference, which… sort of, almost didn’t happen. I was 12 minutes late to my own session, and if you know me well, you know that if I’m not 15 minutes early to something, I am a nervous wreck. I was on the conference Zoom right when it started. I could see that I had the option to unmute and turn on and off my camera. Cool, I was all set as a participant in the conference. Then it was my turn to present. My district is a Chromebooks-only district, and because of a malware attack pre-COVID, we cannot download software onto our devices. While I could present as an attendee, the security features blocked me out when I was in presenter mode. As I was trying to navigate the school security protections (put in place for good reason) and the Zoom conference platform, I stopped myself and embraced the mistake. (Link to my session)

Mistakes happen. All the time, in fact.

After a few bumps and the great support of Ryan from WeVideo, I was back in action. People, to my surprise, actually stayed logged into my session. They waited kindly and then actively participated once the session got started. I laughed it off as a lesson in vulnerability and a tech glitch that we all can relate to on occasion.

This conference and this minor hiccup challenged me to think about innovation. Right now, school districts everywhere are gearing up for back-to-school and want to celebrate and promote how innovative we are. My concern with slapping a sticker of innovation on our teaching practices is that we are missing the mark on what innovation truly is, and we are rushing to choose a tool to innovate for us instead of considering how we ourselves need to shift our thinking.

Tools will always change. Innovation is not about using more technology, especially when working with young people. I know, you’re probably thinking, “But Steph, you love technology. Aren’t you using it all the time?” The answer is yes, I use technology in my classroom daily, but our innovative practices are not about what we are doing but rather the implementation and the critical thinking that occurs because of our actions.

Innovation is the process of creating something new, or more importantly, improving something that already exists in valuable ways. Innovation is not efficiency or using an AI tool to save teachers time on grading or lesson planning. Innovation at its core means rethinking how we teach and learn to better serve all of our students and their diverse needs. Embracing innovation is a mindset shift and involves meaningful conversations about inclusion and the science of learning.

In one of the keynotes, Dr. Rachelle Dene Poth made a comment that when she started to realize how much the tools will continue to change, she started to shift her focus from the tool to the reasoning behind the tool. Yes, we have heard this idea before, but the way she presented her own experience shifted my thinking and made me realize how easy it is to become swept up in the novelty of AI tools right now and how overwhelming the number of tools feels to educators everywhere.

Efficiency does not equal innovation.

Innovation does not happen overnight. Districts aren’t innovative for buying new tech tools or sending one person to a conference and not using the knowledge that was gained. A click of a button won’t make us innovate or revolutionize our curriculum. Reinventing the wheel or substituting tech tools for practices we have already done before is not innovation either.

Innovation is a mindset that takes intent. A question I like to pose in every professional learning experience I lead is, “If you could be a student in your own classroom, would you want to be there?” While this question is simple, it is important. As our students continue to evolve and the circumstances of the world create pressures and challenges that we might not have faced before, we need to rethink and shift our instructional practices to truly spark innovation in our classrooms.

Great ideas spark when we are connected to others.

Our best ideas come when we are community with others. I've learned more about innovation from my edtech friends, the people I've worked with at conferences and through tech tools like Pear Deck and WeVideo, #engsschat people, and other tech-minded educators than I have from using a tool alone.

When we connect with others, we exchange stories, test out ideas, stretch each other's thinking, and grow with one another. Innovation thrives in collaboration. It's not about a flashy tool; it's about sharing and building something better together.

The truth is, a tool on its own is just that—a tool. But a connected network and minds of amazing educators that is where the magic happens. Being in community reminds me that we are not alone. The "What if we tried this" conversations over coffee are priceless. 

If we don’t want our students copying and pasting from AI, we need to make sure we aren’t doing that in our own practices.

Got a recommendation letter to write? Well, use AI. Teaching a new unit? AI will create all of your worksheets for you. Want ACT-style questions? Just hop online and use this tool. Have a staff email to write? Run it through AI first.

Teacher friends, I have to admit that I am a little worried about this. We are practitioners with hundreds of collective years of experience and teaching. Our knowledge of students and the young people who currently sit in our classrooms can never be replaced by an AI tool. That does not mean that all of the aforementioned reasons for using AI aren’t valid and cannot be reasons to use AI.

My concern lies in our thinking. When we move too quickly, we don’t fully think and consider the authentic learning experiences. We don’t tap into our human touch, and we lose sight of how to help students develop their own critical thinking skills. Also, we have to model best practices. If I don’t want my students copying and pasting their essays from Gemini, I cannot fall into a habit that simply relies on a tool to do my thinking for me.

True innovation will occur in our learning spaces when we remember to model and think aloud as we create.

So, will I be using my personal computer for my next speaking engagement (Magic School in August!)? Absolutely. Will I stop using and embracing all things technology? No, of course not. Will I continue to slow down my thinking and model my own learning process aloud? Yes. AI can be an incredible and innovative thought partner, but what and who really matters is the experts in the room—the educators.

Sparking Joy: Lessons from ISTE and Life

Steph, joy is complicated.

A former student recently reached out to share a book of poetry he's been writing. His work, like him, is chock-full of humor. At times, it teeters on the edge and embraces vulnerability. His story and journey in this world are captured in this complicated story stitched together with care. Talking to him about his work was such an honor, and through our conversation, he's reminded me that joy in a world riddled with woes is complicated but perhaps is more important than ever. 

His writing held a quiet reminder of this lesson on joy that I didn’t realize I needed. As I reflect on my experiences this summer -- watching my daughters and husband take on community musical theatre, presenting at a dozen conferences (including ISTE), and eating more ice cream than my stomach can tolerate with my son -- my reflections on what it means to find and hold onto joy have deepened.

At the ISTE & ASCD annual conference in San Antonio, the message was clear: spark joyful learning and inspire bold innovation. Our lives are heavy now, facing the problems of a post-COVID world, and at times, our joy is not as accessible as it once was. People are different, and I unfortunately had to learn in my 30s that people aren't always kind. Still, there are so many people in this world who continue to create, innovate, and want to make the world a better place. Sometimes we just have to look carefully to find them. 

ISTE and other tech spaces have been filled with people and ideas that inspire. In addition to innovative technology platforms and conversations on how to leverage AI for more than just teacher efficiency, I was inspired and reenergized at ISTE by the people, the creativity, and the willingness to share. The share button on Google was one of the first catalysts to make me fall in love with the possibilities of education and innovation, and has made me continue asking: "How might we...?"

How might we continue to innovate despite the social and political challenges we face? How might we find hope and seek out joy, even when our neighbors grow skeptical?  How might we keep the spark of curiosity alive when the systems around us feel designed to extinguish it?

At the conference, I am so grateful for the connections and relationships I've formed through the Google Innovator program and the educational technology platforms and conferences that all seek to elevate, support, and amplify educational practices and people supporting students in spaces around the country and globe. These like-minded and collaborative educators are so willing to discuss, understand, and celebrate others. Experiences remind me that community is a place of hope. 

Here are my takeaways from my time in Texas:

1. Good teaching and learning don't happen in a vacuum.

Collaboration, critical thinking, and communication are the three C's at the heart of powerful education. These aspects of learning happen when we are in community with others, sharing our stories and different perspectives. When we are willing to listen, we grow together. At ISTE, I was reminded that the most impactful practices are born from conversations that push us beyond what we already know. Great teaching is relational and deeply rooted in responding to the needs of the students in front of us. Amazing learning experiences happen when we genuinely invest in the people around us and model lifelong learning through curiosity, empathy, and excitement. 

2. To truly innovate, we need to challenge ourselves outside of our comfort zone.

I was so blessed to listen to incredible speakers, including Dan Heath, Jennie Magiera, Matt Miller, and Jason Reynolds. Their messages all highlighted in different ways that, at times, innovation demands discomfort. Innovation requires us to rethink what we've always done, even if the test scores were "good enough" or the community was seen as successful. Each message talked about embracing failure or uncertainty. It is in those challenging moments when an experience feels unfamiliar that true growth actually happens. We need to act courageously to explore the why behind the what. 

I was so fortunate to be a part of a small group in my Innovator program of women who continue to inspire me in this area all the time. From traveling to other countries to presenting innovative ideas to actively advocating for every learner, these humans make this world better. Emily, Greta, Lydia, Shira, Ashley, and Melissa - thank you for making the whole world shimmer in all that you do and for everyone you impact. 

3. Efficiency and "quick fixes" don't elevate our thinking.

I am concerned. I am concerned that AI is still so novel that many who are teaching the uses and best practices with AI are selling it to teachers as an efficiency tool that will save us all time and create innovative lessons with a few clicks of a button. Learning doesn't happen in shortcuts. Educators are intelligent, experienced, and human. What we offer our students can never be replaced. My hope in these coming months is that we don't become caught up in the speed with which AI can do for us, but rather start thinking of AI as one of the best thought partners that helps us rethink and reimagine what our classroom spaces look like. AI can challenge and stretch our thinking through continued dialogue between teachers and students (with a bot or two on the side fueling our curiosities). Instead of asking, "How fast can AI help me grade my English essays?" I want to ask, "How can we grow through this learning experience together?"

I loved learning from some amazing ladies at School AI. One of my #CHI24 teammates, Tarah Tesmer, presented an incredible session called The AI Eras Tour: Swift-ly Remixing AI Teacher PD. Leveraging pop culture and her own passion for Taylor Swift, Tarah shared so many great ways to utilize AI tools to spark creativity and joy. I loved her presentation and continue to be inspired by how her journey has shifted this past year. 

4. AI will continue to evolve, and we must be ready to rethink and reimagine how we use it.

Generative AI is shifting our learning landscapes faster than we can even chart. Again, my concern lies in how we are using it. If we are only using it to automate feedback or increase "efficiency," we are missing the larger picture. At ISTE, I saw so many colleagues and friends presenting on how to use AI as a creative partner, a feedback enhancer, and a means to personalize the learning experience. Still, we need to remain critical and ethical in how we integrate it. We do not want students to use it to replace our thinking, and we must be careful not to let it do the same for us. Let's ask ourselves how our uses and approaches to AI integration serve our students. How does it support our human connections, and not replace them? 

5. Celebrate others often and as much as possible.

Our educational spaces are better when we celebrate little wins and recognize the great work our colleagues are doing. A kind word, a card left on a desk, or sometimes just showing up at someone's classroom door can transform a person's entire week. At ISTE, I had the honor of watching my Google Mentor, also named Stephanie, amaze and inspire other educators too many times to count. This amazing lady shared her wisdom and experience with an energy that palpably filled every room and space she entered. Her work—and the work of so many colleagues I had the honor of connecting with—reminded me how deeply we need each other to feel seen and valued. The work educators do is hard, and the world continues to make our work even more challenging. When we are generous with our praise and deliberately lift each other up, we create space for innovation and curiosity.

One thing I have found myself saying in multiple spaces these past few months is that there is always room at my table. I find it sad and difficult when adults close doors on others or think there isn’t space for more educators to advocate for and support students. We are only better when we come together to collaborate. When we celebrate and support each other, our students and our community flourish.

6. Seek joy not because it’s easy, but because it’s essential.

Another incredible speaker, Kat Crawford (who goes by the Lunch Lady), approaches life with such joy and whimsy. As a fellow theatre kid, she so joyfully shared great ideas and resources in multiple presentations at ISTE. Her energy and her desire to support others reminded me that being authentically oneself is a wonderful way to spark joy. 

Joy is the fuel we need to sustain us when the weight and worries of the world overwhelm us. Joy is what keeps teachers coming back, students curious, and classrooms safe spaces. Embracing joy can occur alongside hard work and persevering through challenges. At ISTE, I saw joy in laughter, learning, and embracing the belief that what we do matters.

Even as the weight of the world presses down, the spark of joy shared through poetry, technology, and community pushes back. That push is what keeps me going. That spark is what lights the way forward.

Joy may be complicated, but it's also what makes the work worthwhile.

My Journey to Becoming a Google Certified Innovator: Serendipity in Chicago

Years ago, the  Google for Education Certified Innovator Program caught my eye. After completing the Level 1 and 2 training, the Certified Coach and Trainer programs -- I know that becoming an innovator would be the experience of a lifetime. With starting and raising a young family and the COVID-19 pandemic— I knew this program had to wait. I couldn’t leave my kids as infants and then pressing family health issues made me leery of traveling. at least not this year. Life has a way of throwing curveballs, and timing has always been a barrier. But when I discovered, serendipitously, that the 2024 cohort would meet in my hometown of Chicago on the day applications were due, I knew I couldn’t let the opportunity slip by. With furiously typing fingers, I penned my application, sharing what I have always been most passionate about as an educator - amplifying student voice. 

Why I Applied

The Google for Education Certified Innovator Program has always been a goal of mine. It’s more than just a professional development opportunity—it’s a platform for educators to transform classrooms and school communities. As I fervently finished my application, I realized that this program is more than just learning to innovate - it is about exploring challenges in the world of education and using creative problem-solving to advocate for students and the educators who serve them. This program would allow me to continue to research, reflect, and create solutions for a pressing issue in education - the silencing or marginalizing of student voice, especially in a post-COVID world. 

At a time when I felt like I had lost my own voice as an educator, I knew I needed to take this leap of faith and speak up for diverse and often marginalized voices within our school systems. I need to use my voice to amplify and champion the voices of others. With just 30 minutes to spare, I submitted my voice and shared my unwavering belief that our words are power. I could use them to advocate for others. 

I’ve always believed that storytelling is one of the most powerful tools we have as educators. It fosters empathy, empowers individuals, and fosters strong classroom communities. During COVID, when the Google Innovator program was postponed or moved online, I stopped pursuing it. So when I saw that this year’s cohort was meeting right here in Chicago, it felt like a sign.

The Experience of a Lifetime

The Innovator Academy brought together 50 of the most passionate and driven educators I’ve ever met. From the moment we walked into the space, the energy was electric. Every individual there was dedicated to tackling big challenges in education, and the collaboration, tenacity, and support we shared were unlike anything I’ve experienced before.

Throughout the program, we dove deep into our projects. We were also challenged to think bigger. We were guided by some of the best leaders in educational technology, TED, and Future Design School, we were inspired to dream and imagine solutions. 

My Project: Amplifying Student Voice

My Innovator journey is centered around the essential question: How might we amplify and celebrate students' and educators' voices? My answer is what I tell students almost every day: Good speakers are good storytellers. 

My goals with this project are to increase student voice, promote empathy, and foster a strong community within any classroom setting. I will follow up with another blog post about the project. 

The Bigger Picture

Being a Google Certified Innovator isn’t just about launching a single project—it’s about driving transformation in education. My time in the program has shown me that real change happens when educators take risks, think big, and collaborate with others.

I hope this storytelling platform will empower students and educators to celebrate their unique contributions and use their voices to inspire change. I have been so grateful to have amazing mentors and teammates who are also passionate about and exploring this topic. 

Being a part of this program in the summer of 2024 was the reconnection and inspiration I needed in my career. I had a rough year prior personally and professionally that made me doubt myself and feel directionless - feelings that came from years of burnout, unpacking trauma, and diagnosis of complex PTSD caused by the pandemic and being pushed in directions by some well-meaning people that were not right for me. I had lost my sense of self. 

Advice for Aspiring Innovators

Currently, there are only about 3000 Google Innovators worldwide. If you’re considering applying to the Google Innovator Program, do it! Reach out to people online who have gone through the program and can give you advice/input on your project.

1. Just Apply: Don’t let self-doubt or timing hold you back. If I hadn’t applied at the last minute, I would’ve missed this incredible opportunity. I didn’t think I’d be selected among the hundreds (or even thousands) of applicants, but I was. I could not be more grateful for this opportunity and for every amazing person I have met because of it. 

2. Focus on your mission: Choose a problem you care deeply about. Consider where your heart always leads you as an educator. Your enthusiasm will shine and your curiosity will help you create a strong application. 

3. Embrace the Process: The academy is intense, but it’s also one of the most rewarding experiences. When I said that the room was electric, I truly meant it. The creativity, curiosity, and kindness expressed by every person helped me rediscover myself. 

The Google Certified Innovator Program has been a transformative experience, not just for my professional growth but for my journey as an educator. It’s given me the tools, mentorship, and community to bring and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me next. If you’re passionate about solving big problems in education, take the chance on this program. You won’t regret it.