In this episode of The Wired Educator Podcast , I had the privilege of speaking with two extraordinary Apple Distinguished Educators, Rita Mortenson and Charlene Chausis. Rita and Charlene are both passionate educators who are transforming classrooms through digital creativity, particularly in the realm of digital art . From their innovative use of Procreate and the Keynote app on the iPad to their inspiring journey into creating pet portraits, these two educators share how they bring creativity and artistry into education in impactful ways.
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If you're an educator looking to inspire creativity, incorporate cutting-edge technology, and foster collaboration and critical thinking in your classroom, this episode is a must listen!
About Rita Mortenson
Rita Mortenson is the Educational Technology Coach at Verona Area High School. She is an Apple Distinguished Educator, a Google Innovator, an ISTE Certified Educator, and a National Board Certified Teacher with an MBA. Rita also serves on the Discovery Education Network Leadership Council and the Wisconsin State Technology Advisory Board. She is passionate about integrating technology in innovative and creative ways, making learning accessible and engaging for all.
About Charlene Chausis
Charlene Chausis, who describes herself as "mostly retired," has an impressive history in education. She has dedicated her career to helping educators amplify students' creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking skills. As a 2003 Apple Distinguished Educator, Google Innovator, and Google Certified Teacher, Charlene has presented at numerous national and local conferences. She continues to inspire educators through her volunteer work and passion for digital art.
Insights from My Conversation with Rita and Charlene
During our conversation, Rita and Charlene shared their journey into creating and teaching digital art and how Procreateon the iPad has transformed their creative process. They discussed their passion for pet portraits and how they use this art form to teach and inspire others. Here are some key highlights:
The Journey into Digital Art : Charlene and Rita talk about how their background in education shaped their approach to digital art, incorporating apps like Explain Everything, Keynote, and Procreate. They also shared how Apple's Everyone Can Create series of eBooks inspired their work.
Passion for Pet Portraits : Both Rita and Charlene fell in love with creating pet portraits through Procreate, finding unique ways to express their creativity and give back to their communities. Charlene has drawn over 40 pet portraits for The Anti Cruelty Society fundraiser, while Rita enjoys creating portraits for family, friends, and various projects.
Tips for Beginners : They offer practical advice for educators and individuals looking to start their journey into digital art, emphasizing that everyone is an artist . With the right tools, like Procreate and Apple Pencil, and some inspiration, anyone can create.
Memorable Moments : From challenging projects like drawing a cat blending into a fuzzy rug to creating heartfelt portraits of pets who've passed away, Rita and Charlene share the emotional and artistic impact of their work.
Try Procreate and Apple's Keynote to CreateDigital Art
Rita and Charlene encourage educators to explore tools like Procreate and the Apple Teacher Learning Center's Everyone Can Create eBooks to get started on their own creative journeys. Whether you're tracing your first drawing or creating stunning pet portraits, the possibilities are endless with today's digital tools.
Final Thoughts
This episode is packed with inspiration and practical advice for educators and creators alike. Rita and Charlene exemplify how technology and art can intersect to create meaningful, engaging learning experiences. Their work with Procreate and Keynote to create digital art reminds us all that creativity knows no boundaries.
Thank you, Rita and Charlene, for sharing your passion and journey with us. Educators, this is your chance to discover how digital art can transform your teaching practice and inspire your students.
Mentioned in the Podcast:
Carlene's Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/cchausis/, and also a link to the Anti-Cruelty Society's Pet Portrait fundraiser. https://anticruelty.org/portraits --
Thanks for taking time out of your busy week to listen to The Wired Educator Podcast.
You are awesome!
Kelly
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Educator, Author, Keynote Speaker
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Website: kellycroy.com and wirededucator.com
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In this episode of the Wired Educator Podcast, I had the privilege of speaking with Adeel Khan, the visionary founder of MagicSchool AI. Adeel, a former teacher and principal, has created what I believe to be the most powerful tool currently available to help educators and educational leaders. Adeel's team has shared with me what an amazing leader he is as well. If you’re an educator looking to save time, reduce stress, and focus more on what matters most—your students—this episode is a must-listen.
MagicSchool AI’s mission is simple yet profound: to lighten the load for teachers so they can dedicate their energy to building relationships and delivering impactful instruction. Here are some highlights of what makes MagicSchool AI a game-changer for educators:
Since its launch, MagicSchool AI has seen remarkable success, with over 4 million educators signing up in just 18 months. This rapid growth underscores the platform’s effectiveness and the demand for innovative tools in education.
During our discussion, Adeel shared the inspiring story behind MagicSchool AI, its mission, and its incredible growth. Here are some key takeaways:
If you’re intrigued by the possibilities MagicSchool AI offers, I encourage you to explore it for yourself. Visit MagicSchool.ai to learn more and sign up for a free trial. Experience firsthand how this transformative tool can revolutionize your teaching practice.
This episode is packed with insights, inspiration, and practical advice for educators. Whether you’re a teacher, administrator, or educational leader, MagicSchool AI is a tool you need to know about.
Thank you, Adeel, for sharing your journey and the magic behind MagicSchool AI. Teachers and administrators, now is the time to discover why this platform is reshaping education.
As always, thank you for listening to the Wired Educator Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a colleague, leave a review, and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Let’s make 2025 a transformative year for education.
For more episodes, resources, and tools, visit WiredEducator.com.
Looking for a dynamic speaker to inspire your school or organization? Visit KellyCroy.com and let’s make it happen.
Thanks for taking time out of your busy week to listen to The Wired Educator Podcast.
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.
Sign-up for Kelly’s newsletter here.
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