Connected and Optimistic: Lee Araoz Shares His P3

Lee Araoz is the District Coordinator of Instructional Technology for Lawrence Public Schools in Nassau County, New York. He has 29 years of experience working with elementary, middle and high school students. As a classroom teacher, he infuses cutting-edge educational technology into the already rigorous curriculum.

Additionally, Mr. Araoz provides job-embedded professional development on a daily basis as an instructional coach, teacher trainer, and assistive technology consultant. He is a Google Certified Educator who has presented extensively in school districts, college campuses and at educational conferences around the country. Mr. Araoz’s dynamic presentations highlight the various ways teachers can integrate technology to facilitate and enhance student-directed, passion-based learning experiences in K-12 classrooms.

Lee and I first met when Peter Cameron brought him to lead one of the ONedChats’s and we did a hangout before that chat, so we all connected as a team before he was our guest. Last year, Lee presented on Genius Hour- a Passion-Based technology infused Learning experience. This year, he wanted to focus on “...other ways that teachers could promote student-centred learning in their classrooms, using AJ Juliani’s term for his title: Guide on the Ride. Lee encourages a responsive approach with learners and supports them by walking around and checking in. “I’m like a GPS assistant.”

In preparing for his guest appearance on The Personal Playlist Podcast and selected the song for his P3 (link to Lee's audio), Lee stayed within a specific timeline. “I chose songs from my teenage years...There were three songs that really stuck out for me.” Lee’s nostalgic song comes from a band who were recently inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. “I was not a model student, but I loved going to school for the social interactions.” The song looks at peaks and valleys of the good times one can experience, and as Lee looked back on a time when he had rock n roll hair to brush, recalling it with great fondness. Lee shared that it was a time that a lot of “good times rolled,” reflecting back on the “happy-go-lucky” experience of being a teen and living in the moment. Here’s the first track from their 1978 debut album, Let the Good Times Roll by The Cars:

Lee’s identity song is a bit of an evolution from his high school self. “I really began to believe in the power that we could make a difference in our own lives, and it’s not really based on outside influences.” Lee believes in self reliance, taking risks and doing what you can’t. Lee finds technology a great tool to for expression and sharing. “Technology can give every student a voice.” He alluded to an unattributed quote saying, “Technology puts every student in the front row.” Technology can empower and be an authentic way to make choices and focus on individuality. “By providing different digital platforms, teachers can also allow students to choose how they produce evidence of their learning.” Lee’s friend, who was a huge fan of this band, gave him the album that contained this song. Lee found it to be life-changing. This song reflects the goal of unchaining ourselves and maintaining that, “We have the power to make things happen.” Here is Freewill by the Canadian band, Rush:

This song is a “total pick-me-up” for our guest. Lee believes, “Each day begins with a clean slate.” Every day can be the day that things fall into place, as the lyrics say. “This song speaks about the changeable nature of life.” From an electronic 80’s duo who, according to their website, have music that is not as much time-less, but time-full their songs are “...packed with an awareness of precious moments, vanishing hopes, urgent social pressures, fervent memories , so that they might better be thought of as melodic time- bombs, primed to go off in any century.” The first time Lee heard this new wave song, he was listening to a radio station while working at a supermarket with kids who were older and into different music than him, as he was into classic rock. “ I never looked back. It was a total transformative experience.” This song gives him this feeling of opportunity to create change in yourself and the world, and he feels as great about the song today as he did 35 years ago. Here is This is the Day by The The:

Mr. Araoz blogs regularly on his website and has had articles published such as this one titled Literature Circles 2.0. He is a frequent moderator on various Twitter #edchats, and is a proponent of the power of social media in education. He often asks people after a presentation if they are on Twitter and reiterates how powerful social media can be in education. When Lee presents, he will survey the group as to who is using social media for professional development, and it often surprises people to hear of this highly personalized and year-long accessible opportunity. “It’s really about relationships,” being built virtually and in person. Social media is a great way to learn and connect. Lee continues to expand his PLN in the belief that a connected educator is a better educator.

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