WEP 247: Twenty-Five Ways to Have the Greatest Summer Ever, A Bucket List for Educators & Leaders
Release Date: 07/10/2025
WEP 264: Leading with a Servant Heart and the Power of Career Tech an Interview with Frank Polen hosted by Kelly Croy
The Wired Educator Podcast
Wired Educator Podcast Episode 264: Leading with a Servant Heart and the Power of CareerTech with Frank Polen In this episode of the Wired Educator Podcast, host Kelly Croy sits down with Frank Polen, a seasoned educational leader with nearly three decades of experience in public education. Frank currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent and Director of Postsecondary Adult Education at Buckeye Career Center. Frank shares his deeply moving and powerful personal journey—from growing up the youngest of four in a hardworking family where neither parent graduated high school, to riding...
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WEP 263: Bobby Dodd and Dr. Ben Johnson - Intentional Influence: Harnessing Culture Mapping to Build Commitment
The Wired Educator Podcast
WEP 263: Bobby Dodd and Dr. Ben Johnson - Intentional Influence: Harnessing Culture Mapping to Build Commitment In this episode of The Wired Educator Podcast, Kelly Croy talks with Bobby Dodd and Dr. Ben Johnson, authors of . This conversation is all about how leaders can better understand the real relationships, influence, trust, and momentum inside their schools. Bobby and Ben explain culture mapping and how it helps leaders stop guessing and start leading with greater clarity, purpose, and intentional influence. In this episode, you will learn: • Why the official organizational chart...
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WEP 262: Answering Why an Interview with Mark Perna Hosted by Kelly Croy
The Wired Educator Podcast
The Wired Educator Podcast, Episode 262: "Answering Why" with Mark Perna I first heard Mark Perna speak at Kalahari in Sandusky a few months back, and I'll be honest. I counted him out at first because he didn't come from a traditional educator's background. Five minutes in, I realized I was listening to one of the greatest educators I've ever met. This conversation is a game changer. We dig into the engagement gap, the real role of AI in preparing students for the future, and how to give hope and opportunity to the bottom half of the class, the top half, and everyone in between. You're going...
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WEP 261: Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships in the Age of AI
The Wired Educator Podcast
WEP 261: Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships in the Age of AI Guest: Casey Cuny, 2024 California Teacher of the Year "AI can be an engine for equity, but only if we maintain the heartbeat of the classroom: the relationship." In this high-energy, live-recorded episode, Kelly Croy sits down with Casey Cuny, the 2024 California Teacher of the Year. Recorded live at the 3rd Annual SEL Symposium, Casey shares his moving journey from a 13-year-old bone cancer patient to a leader in educational innovation. Casey and Kelly dive deep into how AI shouldn't just be a tool for "offloading" work, but a...
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WEP 260: Leading with Heart, Hustle, and Pride an Interview with Mark Bagley Hosted by Kelly Croy
The Wired Educator Podcast
Episode 260: Leading with Heart, Hustle, and Pride" with Mark Bagley By Kelly Croy This is the Wired Educator Podcast, Episode 260! I am so excited for you to hear this conversation. I’m sitting down with a good friend, a colleague, and a truly great leader in Ohio: Mark Bagley, the Superintendent of Van Wert City Schools. In this episode, we learn exactly what it takes to lead a district with authenticity and how to make a real difference in the lives of both colleagues and children. Mark is a "servant leader" in the truest sense of the word. Whether it’s picking up trash, helping in a...
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WEP 259: Lifted to Lead: Resilience and Advocacy with Dr. Stefan Bean Hosted by Kelly Croy
The Wired Educator Podcast
WEP 259: Lifted to Lead: Resilience and Advocacy with Dr. Stefan Bean Hosted by Kelly Croy Episode Description: In this episode of the Wired Educator Podcast, Kelly Croy sits down with Dr. Stefan Bean, Superintendent of Orange County, California, to discuss a journey of resilience that is unlike anything you’ve ever heard. Dr. Bean oversees the education of over 450,000 students, but his story begins as a refugee of the Vietnam War. Stricken with polio and brought to the U.S. during Operation Babylift, Dr. Bean shares how a single teacher’s belief in his potential transformed his life....
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WEP 258:The Magic of Customer Service in Education an Interview with Greg Honchel Hosted by Kelly Croy
The Wired Educator Podcast
In this episode of the Wired Educator Podcast, Kelly Croy sits down with Greg Honchel, Educational Sales Consultant with IXL Learning, to explore a powerful idea that often gets overlooked in schools: customer service. Yes… customer service. Greg shares how putting students first, communicating with clarity, and building authentic partnerships can transform not only business relationships but classrooms, districts, and student outcomes. This is a conversation about leadership, intentional technology use, and how small acts of service create lasting impact. You are going to love this episode....
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WEP 257: Lead From Who You Are, an Interview with Joe Sanfelippo
The Wired Educator Podcast
Wired Educator Podcast Episode 257 Lead From Who You Are with Dr. Joe Sanfelippo In Episode 257 of the Wired Educator Podcast, Kelly Croy interviews Dr. Joe Sanfelippo, nationally recognized speaker, former superintendent, and author of the new book . It has been 122 episodes since Joe’s last appearance on the podcast, making this conversation both timely and meaningful. Together, Kelly and Joe explore leadership identity, consistency, self-awareness, and what it truly means to show up for others during challenging seasons in education. This episode blends practical leadership insight with...
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WEP 256: Using AI Effectively in Teaching an Learning, an Interview with William Grube and Host Kelly Croy
The Wired Educator Podcast
Wired Educator Episode 256: Show Notes Summary In this episode of the Wired Educator Podcast, host Kelly Croy interviews William Grubie, an expert in educational artificial intelligence. They discuss the challenges and opportunities that AI presents in the classroom, the importance of training educators to effectively use AI tools, and the impact of AI on teaching and learning. William shares his journey into the world of AI, practical applications for educators, and success stories from schools that have embraced AI. The conversation also touches on the misconceptions...
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WEP 255: Rigor Through Relationships an Interview with Joe Miller
The Wired Educator Podcast
Show Notes: Rigor Through Relationships with Joe Miller Episode Guest: Joe Miller, Port Clinton High School ELA Teacher & Symposium Founder Host: Kelly Croy Episode Overview "We learn for life, not for school." In this episode of The Wired Educator, Kelly Croy sits down with Joe Miller, the driving force behind the 3rd Annual SEL and Mental Wellness Symposium. Joe isn't just a dedicated High School ELA teacher; he is a masterclass in leadership who leads from the classroom. Today, Joe and Kelly discuss the "heart of the work"—the transformative power of prioritizing student well-being...
info_outlineThis is a brand new season of The Wired Educator Podcast. I am excited to kick it off with this episode.
This is the Wired Educator Podcast Episode 247This is a special solo episode, of just me, Kelly Croy, designed to help educators and leaders everywhere maximize their summer, rest with intention, and return to the school year feeling refreshed, focused, and inspired.
In this episode, I share a personal and powerful summer bucket list featuring 29 ideas that will help every educator create meaningful moments, reclaim energy, and do something just for themselves.
Whether you’re looking to rest, write, explore, reflect, or just feel more like yourself again, this list is for you.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode
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Why rest isn’t just about sleep, it’s about soul care
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The power of small adventures and new beginnings
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How starting two books (just starting) can reset your mindset
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My favorite idea on the list and why it had to be number 29
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How to make this summer more intentional and less reactionary
This isn’t your typical “10 things to do over break” list. This is real advice from one educator to another, tested, thoughtful, and ready to make your summer amazing.
I believe great educators live great lives, and this episode is all about helping you live yours to the fullest.
Listen to Episode 247 now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Thank you for tuning in, and remember—it’s always a great week to be a Wired Educator!
You are awesome!
Kelly
I would like to speak at your event!
Order Kelly’s books, Along Came a Leader and Unthink Before Bed: A Children’s Book on Mindfulness for your personal library.
Educator, Author, Keynote Speaker
Instagram: @kcroy
Website: kellycroy.com and wirededucator.com
Podcast: The Wired Educator Podcast Twitter: @kellycroy and of course: Facebook.
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