This week on the No Name Paper Podcast, we sit down with George Couros — speaker, consultant, former principal, and author of The Innovator’s Mindset, Innovate Inside the Box, and his upcoming book Forward Together. George is one of the most influential voices in education today, known for his blend of practical innovation, storytelling, humor, and deep belief in what schools can become when we center people, relationships, and possibility.

In this episode, George gets real about change, leadership, student-centered learning, teacher well-being, technology, and the joy of creating new opportunities. He shares personal stories from his time as an educator, insights from his writing, and why sometimes the biggest innovations start with simply rethinking how we show up each day.

We also play a rapid-fire game called “Innovate It!”, where George reimagines classic classroom routines in creative and thoughtful ways. Spoiler: You're going to want to steal at least five of these ideas.

This is a funny, heartfelt, energizing episode filled with wisdom every educator will appreciate.

• George’s unexpected path into education (yes, Billy Madison is involved)

• How innovation is really about people — not tools

• Why it’s essential for educators to rethink their own habits and environments

• Creating student-led, community-centered schools

• The difference a strong leader can make in a teacher’s life

• Why teachers should not stay in places that make them miserable

• The importance of guiding students in digital literacy, social media, and AI

• How portfolios and public-facing work help students grow

• What inspired George’s new book Forward Together

• Using humor and storytelling to talk about heavy topics

• His best advice for teachers navigating change

• A rapid-fire round of “Innovate It!” rethinking:

  • Parent-teacher conferences

  • Seating charts

  • Substitute plans

  • School assemblies

  • Book reports

  • Classroom job charts
    …and more!

George Couros is a leading educator, speaker, and author who challenges schools to foster meaningful innovation rooted in relationships. His work centers on empowering students, honoring teacher expertise, and helping communities navigate change with curiosity and courage. You can learn more about George’s work and writing at:

👉 https://georgecouros.com

Follow the No Name Paper Podcast for more conversations with inspiring educators, leaders, and creators shaping the future of teaching and learning.

🧠 What We Talk About📚 About Our Guest — George Couros🔗 Connect With Us

Welcome back to The No Name Paper! In this episode, Meghan and Candice sit down with Tisha Richmond, a high school culinary arts teacher, former tech integration specialist, and author who specializes in infusing joy and creativity into the classroom.

Tisha shares her journey from feeling teacher burnout to rediscovering her spark through technology and gamification. She discusses her brand new book, The Magical CTE Classroom, which focuses on strategies specifically designed for lab-based and Career and Technical Education environments. We also dive into her heartwarming collaboration with her son on their children's book, Dragon Smart.

Whether you teach Culinary Arts, Science, or any subject where students need to collaborate and create, this episode is packed with "ingredients" to spice up your instruction!

In this episode, we discuss:

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  Overcoming Burnout: How taking risks and being vulnerable with students helped Tisha fall in love with teaching again.

  
  

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  Gamifying the Lab: Using inspiration from reality TV shows like The Great Food Truck Race, Cutthroat Kitchen, and Crime Scene Kitchen to create engaging student challenges.

  
  

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  AI as a Creative Partner: How Tisha uses tools like Canva, Brisk, and Magic School to save time and generate creative clues for escape rooms and games.

  
  

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  The Magical CTE Classroom: Why CTE and lab-based classes needed a book of their own to address their unique learning environments.

  
  

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  Dragon Smart: The story behind the children’s book Tisha wrote with her son, Tommy, to celebrate the hidden brilliance in students who might not fit the traditional school mold.

  
  

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  Rapid Fire Strategies: Using "Plinko" boards for ingredient selection, "Mystery Badges" for classroom management, and letting students choose the classroom playlist.

  
  

Resources Mentioned:

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  Book: The Magical CTE Classroom by Tisha Richmond

  
  

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  Book: Make Learning Magical by Tisha Richmond

  
  

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  Book: Dragon Smart by Tisha Richmond and Tommy Richmond

  
  

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  EdTech Tools: Canva, Brisk, Magic School AI

  
  

Connect with Tisha:

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  Instagram: @tishrichmond

  
  

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  X (Twitter): @tishrich

  
  

Connect with Us:

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  Podcast: The No Name Paper

  
  

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  Hosts: Meghan Wells & Candice Miller

This week, we’re serving up a post-Thanksgiving slice of joy: a dynamic, big-energy conversation with Melissa Summerford — Teaching & Learning Coordinator with Kami, Google Innovator, Google Trainer, fashion icon, wig influencer, and proud Gen X educator who brings eighties mixtape magic into every room she enters. Get ready for humor, heart, real talk about classroom life, and a whole lot of sparkle.

In this lively and laughter-filled episode, Meghan and Candace sit down with Melissa to talk:

• Her incredible journey from paraprofessional → classroom teacher → instructional technologist → PD powerhouse

• How Gen X grit and fashionista confidence fuel her teaching and coaching

• The moment Book Creator + Kami became the “leather jacket” of her edtech toolkit

• Why flexible seating, student ownership, and letting go of control transformed her classroom

• How to build PD that actually feels human, joyful, and responsive

• Why quiet classrooms belong in the past

• The real mic-drop moment she uses to win over “we don’t do tech” teachers

• Why teachers should stop stressing about time — and how digital workflows can save sanity

• Navigating guilt when using tech a lot (and why we shouldn’t feel that way)

• How she blends edtech, fashion, wigs, and confidence into her personal brand

• What’s next for Melissa as she grows community, supports educators, and inspires confidence everywhere she goes

And of course…
🔥 The game: EdTech Tool or 80s Band?
She nails it, laughs through it, and brings full mixtape energy.

• “Go Your Own Way” isn’t just a song — it’s a classroom philosophy.
  Melissa explains how giving students choice, flexible seating, and ownership changed behavior, engagement, and joy.

• PD should feel human.
  Your agenda matters… but the people in the room matter more.

• Tech shouldn’t be punishment — it should be empowerment.
  Using tools like Kami, Canvas, and Book Creator helps teachers save time and kids show deeper thinking.

• Teachers: let go of the guilt.
  Blending digital + hands-on practice is healthy and powerful.

• Everyone has more to them than their job title.
  Melissa shares her alopecia journey, love of wigs, fashion passion, and why showing your whole self is a gift to others.

⭐ Episode Summary💡 Key Takeaways📲 Connect with Melissa Summerford

• X (Twitter): @SummerfordStars

• TikTok: @SummerfordStars

• Instagram: @SummerfordStars

• Facebook: Melissa Gomez Somerford

If you want to learn more about Kami, edtech workflows, or how to save time as a teacher, Melissa is your girl.