Certified: Certiport Educator Podcast

Hosted by Hannah Crepeau

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Episodes

169

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

CERTIFIED: Certiport Educator Podcast is all about educators. This podcast will crack open the world of education, certification, and technology. At Certiport, we are dedicated to helping people succeed through certification, and we couldn't do what we do without powerful and dedicated educators, like YOU! Whether you've been teaching for one month, one year, or decades, we have episodes for you. Join us as we interview other educators, students, and industry experts. Discover new ways to teach, connect with fellow technology educators, and get inspired. Teaching is a career that demands all that you have to give. So we're here to give back to you. Listen. Learn. Grow. Become a part of the CERTIFIED community.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 12, 202627 min

Launching an AI program at your school with Cyndi Krebs

Your students are going to enter an automated workforce. Teaching and empowering them with AI skills has never been more crucial. If you and your colleagues are interested in launching an AI program at your school, we're here to help. We were lucky to learn from Cyndi Krebs in this week's episode. Professor Krebs is the Program Director of Business Technologies and Education and a professor in the Information Systems and Technology Department at Utah Valley University. Since joining UVU in 1988, she has held multiple roles including Assistant Dean of the School of Business and Department Chair of the Digital Media Department and the Office Technology/Administration Department. Cyndi shares how Utah Valley University is paving the way in AI education in Utah. They've structured a program that incorporates certification, undergraduate, and graduate degrees. Learn about how they've built their curriculum, where they go for expertise, and how they're giving students hands-on experience with AI. AI isn't going anywhere. Find out how you can create a program at your school that will empower students with these key skills. Learn more about AI certification: https://certiport.pearsonvue.com/Certifications/CCS/Certification/Certify/Generative-AI-Foundations . Connect with your fellow educators, like Cyndi, in our CERTIFIED Educator Community here: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8958289/. Don't miss your chance to learn about our annual CERTIFIED Educator's Conference at https://www.pearsonvue.com/certified.

June 10, 202628 min

Creating a modern classroom with Vladimir Noda

Students want more than lectures. They want engaging, hands-on curriculum and coursework. Modifying your class to fit the needs of Gen Z students can feel overwhelming. Luckily Vladimir Noda is here to help. Vladimir is an enthusiastic educator, instructional coach, and advocate for business education with over a decade of experience enhancing student success. Throughout his career, he has assisted countless students in obtaining industry-recognized certifications in Microsoft Office, Adobe, and the Entrepreneurship and Small Business (ESB) exam. As an instructional coach, he is dedicated to building a top-tier business program and enhancing his school's presence through strategic marketing efforts. With a dynamic approach to curriculum development and certification preparation, Vladimir aims to empower educators with the tools and strategies necessary to boost student achievement, expand their programs, and cultivate future business leaders. In this episode, Vladimir shares what career readiness means to him and how it starts with teachers focusing more on the students they serve. Discover how to make measured, school‑wide adjustments—and quick, tactical tweaks—that fit your school and classroom. Get ideas for how to engage with your students while also ensuring that the changes you're making are having a positive impact. Your students deserve your best. Get ideas for ways to meet their needs. Get other ideas for your classroom on our blog: https://certiport.pearsonvue.com/blog . Connect with your fellow educators, like Vlad, in our CERTIFIED Educator Community here: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8958289/ . Don't miss your chance to register for our annual CERTIFIED Educator's Conference at https://www.pearsonvue.com/certified/conference.html .

May 28, 202625 min

How to use data to close gaps in your classroom with Laura Green

You work hard to identify and close gaps in learning and readiness. In this episode, Career and Technical Education (CTE) specialist Laura Green explores how certification and classroom data can tell the story behind those gaps—and how to act on it. Laura is an accomplished Career and Technical Education (CTE) specialist with over 20 years of experience bridging the gap between industry and the classroom. Currently serving as a CTE Specialist at Round Rock ISD, she leverages a deep background in live media production, having worked on high-profile events such as Super Bowl LVI, the NCAA Final Four, and with professional teams like the Houston Texans. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for excellence in teaching and leadership, notably being named the 2024 Teacher of the Year and the 2023 CTE Teacher of the Year. Beyond her technical instruction, Laura is a dedicated leader in curriculum design and educator mentorship who holds a master's in educational leadership. She maintains multiple industry certifications and is deeply committed to supporting students in earning their own credentials. Her work extends to developing CTE programs and leading professional development to ensure students are prepared for the evolving demands of the modern workforce. In this episode, you'll hear how to turn program results into targeted supports, measure what's working, and build student confidence on the path from classroom to career. What you'll learn How to use certification program data to spot trends, target instruction, and track impact over time. Practical ways to align classroom tasks with the skills industry credentials validate. A simple approach to evaluating your own practice—and knowing when to ask for admin support. Strategies to create growth opportunities for learners at every level. Get a sneak peek of what Laura will be sharing at the CERTIFIED Educator Conference next month in Nashville. Get other ideas for your classroom on our blog: https://certiport.pearsonvue.com/blog . Connect with your fellow educators, like Laura, in our CERTIFIED Educator Community here: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8958289/ . Don't miss your chance to register for our annual CERTIFIED Educator's Conference at https://www.pearsonvue.com/certified/conference.html .

May 14, 202642 min

Preparing students to be great interns with Matt Dombrowski

Your students excel in the classroom—but will they thrive as interns? Work-based learning experiences offer powerful real-world application, yet succeeding in a workplace requires a distinct set of skills. Discover practical strategies to bridge that gap. Meet Professor Matt Dombrowski, an innovator bridging art, technology, and social impact. As a Professor and Art Director for Limbitless Solutions, Matt leads students in designing 3D-printed bionic arms for children with limb differences—work that's earned recognition from Adobe, TEDx, Fast Company, and the Smithsonian. His real-world expertise in mentoring interdisciplinary teams makes him the perfect guide for preparing interns. Learn Matt's actionable strategies for every stage: acing the interview, navigating virtual collaboration, thriving in team environments, and mastering workplace professionalism—so your students walk in confident and prepared. Matt shares more advice for interns here . Connect with educators like Matt in our CERTIFIED Educator Community here . Don't miss your chance to register for our annual CERTIFIED Educator's Conference here .

April 30, 202650 min

Closing the gap between education and the workforce with Matt Dombrowski, Kimberly Forbes, and Cynthia Krebs

Recent research from Pearson shows that nearly $165B is lost each year when students can't find work after graduation. The transition from education to the workforce can be challenging to navigate. How can you help close the gap? We sat down with three powerhouse educators to get their thoughts. First, Matt Dombrowski. Matt is a Professor, Assistant Director, and Art Director for the nonprofit Limbitless Solutions, whose mission is providing cost free, accessible solutions to underserved communities. He leads an interdisciplinary student team in the creation of 3D printed, visually expressive bionic arms and video game training for children with limb difference. His work has been featured by Adobe, TEDx Youth, Huffington Post, Gamasutra, Fast Company, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, GDC, SXSWEDU, and the Gates Foundation. Matt is an Adobe Education Leader and an Adobe Partner By Design. Second, Dr. Kimberly Forbes. Dr. Forbes is the Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE) for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools and a first-generation high school and college graduate. After a successful tenure in the banking industry managing startup operations, she transitioned to education, eventually earning her Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction in 2024. A recognized leader in workforce readiness, Dr. Forbes has served on the national "Launch" committee and was named the NCDPI Piedmont Triad Region's Administrator of the Year. She is deeply committed to administrative innovation and expanding industry credentialing to ensure all students, including special populations, are prepared for the modern economy. Third, Cynthia Krebs. Cynthia is the Program Director of Business Technologies and Education and a professor in the Information Systems and Technology Department at Utah Valley University. Since joining UVU in 1988, she has held multiple roles including Assistant Dean of the School of Business and Department Chair of the Digital Media Department and the Office Technology/Administration Department. In this episode, these three experts discuss strategies that prepare your students for real-world success. We hit a little bit of everything: Challenges students currently face Key skills your students need to prepare them for the workforce How to teach and empower students with AI expertise The role of certification and work-based learning experiences Creating a feedback loop between K12, higher education, and industry Ready to help your students confidently bridge the gap between education and the workforce? This episode is for you. Connect with educators like Matt, Kim, and Cynthia in our CERTIFIED Educator Community here . Don't miss your chance to register for our annual CERTIFIED Educator's Conference here .

April 8, 202644 min

Spring clean your teaching with Kylie Kroukamp, Laura Green, Robert Lee, and Steve O'Neill

Keeping your classroom fresh and engaging can be a challenge. Luckily, you don't need to do it on your own. We're building a community of educators ready to share tools, tips, and inspiration for classroom success. In this episode, we talk with four incredible educators: Kylie Kroukamp, Laura Green, Robert Lee, and Steve O'Neill. Hear their thoughts on classroom engagement: What it looks like, how to use technology to make classrooms more engaging and fun, and some of the mistakes these teachers have made in their teaching careers. Plus, they give us a peek into what they're planning on discussing in their 2026 CERTIFIED Educator Conference breakouts and workshops. Get ideas for your classroom today and find out what you can learn in Nashville this summer! Connect with educators like Kylie, Laura, Robert, and Steve in our CERTIFIED Educator Community here . Don't miss your chance to register for our annual CERTIFIED Educator's Conference here .

March 11, 202616 min

Tips and tricks for teaching web development with Brittany Wood

Are your students looking for a career that pays well, is challenging, and has great growth potential? Why not consider a career in web development? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , the field is expected to grow 7% (much faster than average) before 2034. The potential is there. Now we're here to help you effectively teach web development in the classroom. Educator extraordinaire, Brittany Wood, is your guide. Brittany is a Digital Information Technology and AP Computer Science Principles educator. She loves teaching and isn't afraid to use unconventional techniques to get her students excited about technology. In this episode, we're sharing new ideas you can use in your technology classroom. Find out how you can customize projects based on your students' learning styles. Plus, discover how rubber ducks can help your students get excited about coding... That's right, rubber ducks. Intrigued? Let's dive in! Interested in certifying your students' web development skills? Learn more here . Connect with educators like Brittany in our CERTIFIED Educator Community here . Don't miss your chance to register for our annual CERTIFIED Educator's Conference here .

February 26, 202637 min

AI in the world of design with Miriam Reza, Sean Price, Kenny Call, and Claudio Zavala

How is AI transforming design? We sat down with four experts to find out—and to bring you clear, current guidance you can use in the classroom. In this episode, freelance graphic designer Miriam Reza, design educator Sean Price, creative technologist Kenny Call, and Adobe Education Evangelist Claudio Zavala share practical perspectives on AI's impact on today's creatives. Together, we explore responsible AI classroom use, how to balance creation and curation, the human skills that make AI effective (like communication, creativity, and iteration), and concrete ways to prepare students for future design careers. If you're looking for practical ideas you can use with creative students, this is a great place to start. Learn more about our Adobe Certified Professional program here . Connect with educators like Sean in our CERTIFIED Educator Community here . Don't miss your chance to register for our annual CERTIFIED Educator's Conference here .

January 29, 202641 min

Why certification with Brittany Nicholson, Kurt Campbell, Raae Wolfram, and Kim Kayser

Today's students are preparing for a competitive future, in both higher education and the workforce. How can you help them stand out and succeed? Certifications. In this episode, we're bringing you perspective from education and the workforce. We sat down with two educators, Brittany Nicholson and Kim Kayser, and two professionals, Kurt Campbell and Raae Wolfram. Together we discussed why certifications matter. Whether you teach young students or adults, this episode will help you understand how industry-recognized credentials can benefit your community. Discover the value of certification: https://certiport.pearsonvue.com/About/The-value-of-certification . Interested in hearing more conversations like this? Join us for future CERTIFIED Academy webinars: https://certiport.pearsonvue.com/Blog/2026/January/Join-us-for-CERTIFIED-Academy-2026 . It's time for you to join our community! Meet us in Nashville for the 2026 CERTIFIED Educator Conference: https://www.pearsonvue.com/certified/conference.html . Register now for $100 off!

January 14, 202616 min

Using data to improve your approach in the classroom with Nicole Rodenfels

Happy 2026! A new year means new goals. What goals are you making for your classroom? If you need ideas, this episode is for you. The answer's in the data! Join us as we talk all about data analysis with Nicole Rodenfels. Nicole is a dedicated educator in the School District of Lee County in Ft. Myers, FL. She holds a master's degree in educational technology from Florida Gulf Coast University and taught Microsoft Office applications at the high school and college levels for seven years. Currently, she works at the district level, providing essential support to teachers utilizing Certiport certifications. Nicole thrives on helping educators analyze data and navigate the extensive features of the Certiport platform, finding joy in empowering others to enhance their teaching practices. She is a Microsoft Office Specialist Expert (2019), a Microsoft Certified Educator, and has earned certifications in Entrepreneurship and Small Business, as well as Information Technology Specialist in Device Configuration and Management. In this episode, Nicole shares why data analysis matters in today's classroom. She discusses what data points to track and how to use the data to adjust your teaching. Plus, what data you can capture from industry and where to get information on what matters most in the workforce. If you're nervous about data or don't know where to start, Nicole gives you a great introduction. Looking to get hands on experience with data analysis? Check out Nicole's CERTIFIED presentation here . Interested in learning from educators Nicole? Join our CERTIFIED Academy program. Get all the details here . Connect with other educators in our CERTIFIED Educator Community here . Don't miss your chance to register for our annual CERTIFIED Educator's Conference here .

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