Shannon Cunningham shares practical ways to use AI in education, including ChatGPT, STEAM tools, and classroom strategies to support teachers and student engagement.

In this exciting episode, Adam Peterson and Deedee Wills chat with Shannon Cunningham, an instructional coach from North Texas, to explore how AI in education is reshaping the way teachers approach primary education.

Shannon shares her real-world experiences using tools like ChatGPT and Magic School AI to support teacher collaboration, streamline classroom tasks, and improve student engagement. With a focus on educational innovation and empathy, she highlights the importance of combining tech tools with human insight for powerful teaching results.

🤖 In this episode, you’ll discover:

• How to use AI tools like ChatGPT and Magic School AI for lesson planning, parental communication, and behavior intervention

• Tips for customizing AI for personalized classroom needs

• The role of educational technology in supporting teacher support and collaboration

• Creative uses of AI for STEAM activities, social stories, and resource generation

• How to maintain empathy in teaching while integrating new tech tools

• Real classroom examples of how AI can solve everyday classroom challenges

Whether you’re new to AI in education or ready to level up your teaching experience, this episode is full of actionable strategies and educational insights you can start using right away.

About Shannon:

Shannon Cunningham is an award-winning educator, instructional coach, and presenter based in North Texas. With experience in classrooms across Arizona, Nebraska, and Texas, she brings a broad perspective to her work in education. Shannon holds a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Educational Technology. She is certified to teach PreK–6th grade and English as a Second Language. With a passion for teaching both students and teachers, Shannon’s goal is for classrooms to be a place where students can grow and thrive academically and emotionally.

Email:

PrimaryShannonigans@gmail.com

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PrimaryShannonigans/

Tik Tok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@primaryshannonigans

TpT Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Primary-Shannonigans

Blog: www.PrimaryShannonigans.com

LeAnna Wolkis-Goldstein shares playful learning tips, classroom strategies, and relationship-building ideas for early childhood education in this inspiring episode.

In this episode, Deedee Wills and Adam Peterson welcome LeAnna Wolkis-Goldstein—the vibrant educator behind Wolkis Wonderland—to share her best tips for boosting student engagement, building a classroom family, and creating real connections in early childhood education.

LeAnna brings her signature energy and wisdom to this conversation, offering powerful classroom strategies that support playful learning, positive behavior, and strong teacher-student relationships. You’ll also hear how she uses her innovative "solution suitcase" to teach young learners how to solve problems with empathy and creativity.

🪄 What You’ll Learn:

• How to foster deep student connections through relationship-building

• Techniques that make learning exciting and meaningful for early learners

• Practical ideas for behavior management that actually work

• Tips on forming classroom partnerships that encourage collaboration

• Why positivity in education is essential—and how LeAnna shares it through teacher support and community building

This episode is full of educational insights, uplifting stories, and proven tools that can help any teacher bring a little more magic into their classroom.

Learn more about our good friend, LeAnna!

LeAnna Wolkis Goldstein is an energetic and passionate Kindergarten Teacher from Arizona with over 26 years of teaching experience. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University, a Master’s Degree from NAU, an Early Childhood Endorsement and achieved the rigorous advanced credentials of National Board Certification.

While teaching in her award-winning classroom, The “Wolkis Wonderland,” she designs mini hands-on center based stations that are brought to life with novel realia.

As a Nationally Recognized Presenter, LeAnna empowers educators to create cooperative learning environments utilizing music, movement & manipulatives that foster 100% student engagement.

Watch how she promotes exploration and encourages her Classroom Family to develop their imagination by following along inside LeAnna’s magical experiences on:

Instagram: @wolkiswonderland

Twitter: @WolkisWonders

TikTok: @wolkiswonderland

Jake Daggett joins Adam Peterson and Deedee Wills to discuss literacy, Tier 1 instruction, phonics, and teaching strategies to boost engagement and student success

In this powerful episode, Jake Daggett joins Adam Peterson and Deedee Wills to unpack what effective literacy instruction really looks like in today’s classrooms. From foundational skills and phonics to student engagement and classroom environment, Jake shares actionable tips and heartfelt stories from his journey in education.

Jake talks about his move from Ohio to Wisconsin, his experience on the Kelly Clarkson Show, and the importance of supporting and coaching new teachers. He sheds light on what tier one instruction should include and why direct instruction is a game-changer for student success.

🎓 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to strike the balance between engagement and motivation

• Why phoneme awareness is essential for early reading

• Smart classroom strategies for effective teaching

• Ways to support and coach new teachers

• How intentional planning and the right environment boost student success

• What Jake believes every teacher needs to hear right now

Whether you're just starting your teaching journey or mentoring others, this episode is full of insight, encouragement, and real talk about the challenges and triumphs of teaching literacy today.

Learn more about Jake:

Jake is an Ohio native who began his teaching career in Milwaukee, WI in 2015. Having specialized in literacy instruction, Jake built a following on social media for his engaging and rhythmic phonics lessons and evidence-based structured literacy lessons, even landing him on The Kelly Clarkson Show in January 2024. Throughout his career, Jake has taught PreK, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades and has recently stepped into the role of Foundational Literacy Director for a choice school in Milwaukee, WI. In his role, Jake supports a team of elementary teachers in their implementation of the science of reading. In addition, Jake co-teaches an online Science of Reading Course for Elevate Your Classroom. In his spare time, Jake presents nationally for conferences such as Plain Talk, IL ASCD, Elevate Your Classroom, and he consults with schools across the nation that are seeking to amp up their engagement and rigor in elementary literacy instruction. He is thrilled to be a guest on today's podcast!

You can find Jake on:

• https://www.engagewithjake.com/

• https://www.instagram.com/jake_daggett
• https://www.tiktok.com/@jake_daggett