//podcastplus.net/feed/vartek-podcast~4b0bd5f3 A podcast for educators, by educators. With the Vartek Podcast, you’ll hear from experts and doers in the field of technology integration and educational technology. Let's take a byte out of knowledge. Wed, 13 May 2026 18:04:56 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1366468/9928690-episode-18-cybersecurity-for-k-12-school-administrators-what-do-you-need-to-know-now.mp3 On today’s episode, we sat down with Eric Kron,  Cybersecurity Awareness Advocate with KnowBe4 to discuss what K-12 Administrators must know now to protect their school's sensitive information from Cyber Security threats.  Eric has 20 years of extensive background in Cybersecurity serving the military, private companies in Aerospace, Medical, and Manufacturing environments, as well in education with K-12 schools across the country. His expertise gives him a special perspective of the challenges school leaders are faced with on a daily basis in keeping their faculty, staff, and most importantly their students safe.   _______ Don’t forget to subscribe to The Vartek Podcast on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform. If you’ve got feedback or an idea for an episode, send us a note to info@vartek.com .  Visit us on social: Twitter - @VartekPodcast LinkedIn - Vartek Services YouTube - Vartek Services, Inc. _______ This episode is brought to you by Vart... Fri, 21 Jan 2022 21:00:00 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1366468/9928690-episode-18-cybersecurity-for-k-12-school-administrators-what-do-you-need-to-know-now.mp3 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1366468/9842505-season-2-episode-17-cybersecurity-in-the-k-12-education-world.mp3 On today’s episode, we sat down with Kate Swantko, Senior Global Cybersecurity Sales Executive with Techguard to discuss the serious risks K-12 Administrators must pay attention to when it comes to protecting their sensitive information from Cyber Security threats.  Kate's extensive background in serving Techguard in Cybersecurity sales gives her a unique understanding of the challenges school leaders are faced with on a daily basis in keeping their faculty, staff, and most importantly their students safe.   _______ Don’t forget to subscribe to The Vartek Podcast on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform. If you’ve got feedback or an idea for an episode, send us a note to info@vartek.com .  Visit us on social: Twitter - @VartekPodcast LinkedIn - Vartek Services YouTube - Vartek Services, Inc. _______ This episode is brought to you by Vartek Services, a K-12 IT Professional Services helping schools align technology with teaching and learning goals.... Thu, 06 Jan 2022 19:00:00 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1366468/9842505-season-2-episode-17-cybersecurity-in-the-k-12-education-world.mp3 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1366468/9470342-season-2-episode-16-lms-panel-with-the-vartek-iteam-part-2.mp3 On today’s episode, we sat down with Vartek's awesome crew of technology integration specialists - also known as the ‘ iTeam ,” and we’re talking Learning Management Systems, or LMS. This is part two of a two-part series discussing LMS and its role in teaching and learning. Listen to Episode 15 here .  Our panel of experts shares experiences in using LMS during and after Covid, as well as how to ensure successful adoption of an LMS, and examples of data to drive instruction and how the LMS plays a part.   _______ Don’t forget to subscribe to The Vartek Podcast on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform. If you’ve got feedback or an idea for an episode, send us a note to info@vartek.com .  Visit us on social: Twitter - @VartekPodcast LinkedIn - Vartek Services YouTube - Vartek Services, Inc. _______ This episode is brought to you by Vartek Services, a K-12 IT Professional Services helping schools align technology with teaching and learni... Tue, 23 Nov 2021 11:00:00 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1366468/9470342-season-2-episode-16-lms-panel-with-the-vartek-iteam-part-2.mp3 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1366468/9455664-season-2-episode-15-lms-panel-with-the-vartek-iteam-part-1.mp3 On today’s episode, we sat down with Vartek's awesome crew of technology integration specialists - also known as the ‘ iTeam ,” and we’re talking Learning Management Systems, or LMS. This is part one of a two-part series discussing LMS and its role in teaching and learning.  Our panel of experts shares experiences in using LMS during and after Covid, as well as how to ensure successful adoption of an LMS, and examples of data to drive instruction and how the LMS plays a part.   _______ Don’t forget to subscribe to The Vartek Podcast on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform. If you’ve got feedback or an idea for an episode, send us a note to info@vartek.com .  Visit us on social: Twitter - @VartekPodcast LinkedIn - Vartek Services YouTube - Vartek Services, Inc. _______ This episode is brought to you by Vartek Services, a K-12 IT Professional Services helping schools align technology with teaching and learning goals. If interested in lea... Tue, 02 Nov 2021 10:00:00 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1366468/9455664-season-2-episode-15-lms-panel-with-the-vartek-iteam-part-1.mp3 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1366468/9389490-season-2-episode-14-interactive-panels-with-michael-brothers-of-promethean-world.mp3 On today’s episode, we sit down with Michael Brothers, Classroom Technology Specialist of Promethean World. Michael brings over two decades of K12 classroom technology experience to this conversation and gives us a small taste of the work Promethean is doing to untether teachers and learners.  Promethean Resources Promethean Power Hour: Element Series Panel Orientation   Have a new Promethean ActivPanel?  Want to learn more about it? Come and learn the ins and outs of your Element Series ActivPanel in this webinar.  You will learn about the console, unified menu, and the Promethean app suite.  Click here to register!  Ask the Experts: Promethean Office Hours   Take advantage of this opportunity, in which you can sign into the Zoom session and ask specific questions to one of Promethean’s Education Consultants.  Bring your questions regarding your panel, Promethean apps, ActivInspire, and ClassFlow.  _______ Don’t forget to subscribe to The Vartek Podcast on Spotify, ... Tue, 19 Oct 2021 11:00:00 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1366468/9389490-season-2-episode-14-interactive-panels-with-michael-brothers-of-promethean-world.mp3 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1366468/9309420-season-2-episode-13-focusing-on-equity-and-wellness-at-all-levels-with-zandra-jo-galvan.mp3 On today’s episode, we sit down with Zandra Jo Galvan , Superintendent of Greenfield Union School District in Monterrey County, California. Zandra is a champion for equity, wellness, and community, and we get to learn a little about how she is blazing her path as the leader of the school district she once attended.  About Zandra Zandra Jo Galvan has served as Superintendent of the Greenfield Union School District since August 2017 and has worked in public education since 1993. She is passionate about serving communities and breaking students free from the cycle of poverty. She is a design-thinker and successfully implemented a District Strategic Plan with an LCAP-aligned vision, mission, core values, and board of trustee priorities; Professional Learning Community systems of collaboration around essential standards mapping, identified learning targets, common assessments, and frequent data analysis; designed and implemented 21st century classroom spaces and innovative LEGO & Apple engineerin... Tue, 05 Oct 2021 10:00:00 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1366468/9309420-season-2-episode-13-focusing-on-equity-and-wellness-at-all-levels-with-zandra-jo-galvan.mp3 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1366468/9228116-season-2-episode-12-edtech-from-the-classroom-to-administration-with-jon-corippo.mp3 On today’s episode, Misty and I are joined by Jon Corippo , Educator, Consultant, Author, and EdTech enthusiast. Jon shares his experience from the classroom, to administration, to the tech office and everywhere in between.  This is a fun listen - we hope you enjoy!  About Jon Jon Corippo describes himself as a “formerly disgruntled student.” He made it almost all the way through school at a 2.9 GPA. His final three semesters in Advertising changed everything, though: Advertising classes were project based. Jon’s grades shot to nearly 4.0. Also while at Fresno State, Jon served as a graduate assistant football coach, learning about leadership and teaching at the feet of Jim Sweeney. Jon graduated college with no intention of teaching. After about 7 years in non-educational jobs, Jon’s amazing wife persuaded him to try his hand in education: he was hooked after just two days as a long-term sub on an emergency credential.  About 20 years later, Jon had served a decade at the K-8 level,... Tue, 21 Sep 2021 10:00:00 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1366468/9228116-season-2-episode-12-edtech-from-the-classroom-to-administration-with-jon-corippo.mp3 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1366468/9135634-season-2-episode-11-a-leader-s-legacy-with-dr-nick-polyak.mp3 On today’s episode, Misty and I are joined by Dr. Nick Polyak , proud superintendent of Leyden High School District in Illinois, author, and  leader of #SuptChat on Twitter.   Nick shares with us his hopes for his community, what he wants his legacy to be, and advice he has for aspiring school leaders. Hint, you don’t have to have all the answers today.  We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did.  About Nick Dr. Nick Polyak serves as the Superintendent for Leyden Community High School District #212.  The district contains two comprehensive high schools with 3,500 students from Franklin Park, Melrose Park, Northlake, River Grove, Rosemont, Schiller Park, and Unincorporated Leyden Township.  Nick is married with 4 children and they reside in suburban Chicago. Nick earned a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree in Educational Leadership and Supervision from Loyola University Chicago where he received the Phi Delta Kappa Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award.  He holds a Maste... Tue, 07 Sep 2021 10:00:00 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1366468/9135634-season-2-episode-11-a-leader-s-legacy-with-dr-nick-polyak.mp3 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1366468/9086537-season-2-episode-10-leading-with-positivity-with-glenn-robbins.mp3 We’re excited to bring you today’s episode with Glenn Robbins , proud superintendent of Brigantine School District in Brigantine, New Jersey. Glenn shares his approach to leadership with Misty and Jamie - an approach that’s rooted in positivity and empowerment. We packed a lot into this short episode, and we can’t wait to have Glenn back on later this school year.  A quick housekeeping note: we experienced some technical difficulties with the audio late in this episode.  About Glenn Glenn Robbins is the proud Superintendent of the Brigantine Public School District in Brigantine, New Jersey. His passion is harnessing a school culture that thrives on design thinking, futurism, innovative digital spaces, technology integration, Social Emotional Learning Zen Dens, and Maker cultures. In addition, Glenn encourages all students to have a voice, not only in building a school culture, but also in designing student led entrepreneur opportunities.  Glenn is a New Jersey representative for the ... Wed, 25 Aug 2021 19:00:00 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1366468/9086537-season-2-episode-10-leading-with-positivity-with-glenn-robbins.mp3 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1366468/9005101-season-2-episode-9-back-to-school-prep-with-michelle-henry-el-dorado-school-district.mp3 On today’s episode, we’re joined by a very special guest - Michelle Henry, Director of Curriculum and Instruction and Federal Programs from Vartek Partner, El Dorado School District in Arkansas. Michelle is accompanied by Vartek EdTech Leader, Rachelle Crawford, and the two share with Jamie and Misty what a successful back-to-school experience looks like in a Vartek partnership.  Listen in to learn how collaboration is key to a smooth return to learning for teachers and students. _____ About Michelle Michelle Henry is an El Dorado High School grad and began her career in insurance before going back for her BS in Education to become a teacher. As a wife and mom to two working as a math instructional facilitator for K-4, she went back for her Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Arkansas State University.  Now, Michelle serves as the Director of Curriculum/Instruction and Federal Programs for El Dorado, a district she has worked for 22 years. She has a 19 year old daughter startin... Tue, 10 Aug 2021 12:00:00 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1366468/9005101-season-2-episode-9-back-to-school-prep-with-michelle-henry-el-dorado-school-district.mp3