Welcome to "Ask the Tech Coach," a podcast for Instructional Coaches and Technology Integration Specialists. In this episode of “Ask the Tech Coach,” Jeff welcomes Instructional Coach Carmella Berthia to discuss the importance of helping both the classroom AND the special area teachers in your building. If you would like to be a part of future podcasts and share your thoughts, please contact the podcast. We would love to have you join the show.

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Question of the Week

Our favorite part of recording a live podcast each week is participating in the great conversations that happen on our live chat, on social media, and in our comments section. This week’s question is: How much time should Instructional Coaches be spending with special area teachers?

Weekly Topic

What should the goal be for they enter the new school year?
- Always think of using Technology as a tool to support your curricular goals
- Don’t get over whelmed … start the year slowly and work your way up
- Get to know your students … find out what they need and support them
How to get into classrooms to make connections with new and returning teachers?
- Walk the hallways and say hello … get to know everyone as much as possible
- Don’t forget to create meaningful relationships with everyone in the school
The importance of not only working with classroom teachers, but also with special area subject teachers such as art, music, special education, physical education.
- The arts are integrated into all curriculum in one form or another and digital learning skills are important to incorporate into every aspect of the school building.
  - Arts
    - Digital Art – Graphic Design
  - Music
    - Creating beats and building new instruments
    - Music First – App
    - ToneSavvy - App
  - Should special area teachers have digital learning skills in mind when working with students?
  - Why do you think special subject teachers are often overlooked when it comes to purchasing educational apps for the school?
    - How to support special subject area teachers in making choices for classroom projects and application usage?
  - Why might some special area teachers be averse to using technology in their classrooms?
    - Time constraints on their class
    - Scheduling
    - Classroom equipment or location (travel teachers)
  - What are some tips for coaches when selecting technology for their teachers?
    - Advocating for special area teachers with building and district administrators

About our Guest

Carmella Berthia

Carmella Berthia is a nationally certified teacher & instructional coach with years of experience training educators to integrate educational technology into daily instruction for effective differentiated learning. In her time as a teacher, Ms. Berthia has serviced students ranging from Pre-K through 12. Ms. Berthia has taken those experiences into account as she mentors other educators. Ms. Berthia is committed to providing educators with the tools to become successful and culturally aware future leaders. Additionally, she seeks to help teachers instill a love of learning in their students. As an artist, Ms. Berthia has used her talents to form connections within and beyond the arts in performances. Her extensive fine arts background coupled with her educational technology experience give her the ability to tie the arts together in new and unique ways. She demonstrates her love for both in her role as a contributing teacher for an upcoming book, “The Modern Band Handbook.” Ms. Berthia believes that educators must have quality professional development opportunities and coaches to authentically serve their students’ needs. She also believes that helping and serving are key to a worthwhile coaching practice. Carmella Berthia holds a B.S. in Music Education with a K-12 Specialty Certification from Chicago State University and an M.S. Ed. from the University of St. Francis. You can reach her on

Twitter: @carmellaberthia
LinkedIn: Carmella Berthia
Teachers Pay Teachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Musicalme

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The Importance of Supporting Special Area Teachers in your School Buildings 40:19 Share

Ask The Tech Coach

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The Importance of Supporting Special Area Teachers in your School Buildings