In this episode of the Play Ed 3 podcast, hosts Rick and Tisha welcome Courtney Watson, an educator and tech coach. They discuss Courtney's journey from being a classroom teacher to developing her own educational philosophy, Tech Without Tears. The conversation highlights the importance of humor in education, the challenges of technology integration, and the personal stories that shaped Courtney's career. The episode concludes with light-hearted questions about teaching philosophies and personal preferences. In this engaging conversation, the hosts explore various themes ranging from food preferences, particularly the debate over how to enjoy French fries, to the challenges and philosophies of teaching. They discuss the importance of technology in the classroom and how teachers can better support each other. The conversation also touches on personal anecdotes, including a fun segment about what one would take to a desert island, and culminates in a discussion about community-building through social gatherings like the Watson Kickback. In this engaging conversation, Tisha Poncio and Courtney Watson explore a variety of topics ranging from party planning and personal anthems to nostalgic memories of the 90s. They discuss the significance of walk-up songs, share fun confessional questions, and reminisce about music and technology from their youth. The conversation also touches on gaming preferences, board games, and fashion trends of the 90s, culminating in a reflection on dramatic moments from their school days. Courtney shares her social media handles and upcoming events, inviting listeners to connect with her.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

02:59 Courtney Watson's Background and Education

06:03 Transitioning from Teaching to Tech Coaching

08:57 The Journey to Tech Without Tears

11:54 The Role of Humor in Education and Technology

15:00 Philosophy of Teaching and Technology

17:58 Fun Questions and Closing Thoughts

21:37 The French Fry Debate

25:31 Teaching Philosophy Through Food

30:00 Tech Tools in the Classroom

35:04 Desert Island Choices

39:00 The Watson Kickback

40:43 Party Planning and Social Connections

41:10 Walk-Up Songs and Personal Anthems

43:29 Juice Box Confessional: Fun Questions

44:34 Nostalgic Music and Technology Memories

48:02 Gaming Preferences and Board Games

49:03 90s Fashion Throwback

51:20 Dramatic Moments from the 90s

53:42 Where to Find Courtney Next

About Courtney Watson

Courtney is a Lead Learning Guide at friEdTechnology who is passionate about equipping all learners with the necessary tools to help them become successful and ensuring they have fun while learning. With twenty-plus years of experience, Courtney is a certified educator and trainer for Google, Adobe Express, Newsela, Microsoft, and more, who infuses each professional learning experience with a one-of-a-kind mix of skills, creativity, and a joyful spirit. #TechWithoutTears is her goal when sharing tools and ideas with educators to effectively integrate technology into their classrooms.

Follow Courtney Watson on:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@edtechcourtney

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edtechcourtney

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@msrodgers02

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edtechcourtney/

X: https://x.com/EdTechCourtney

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/edtechcourtney.bsky.social

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