Mike is a co-host of the OnEducation podcast and Head of Curriculum & Training for Logics Academy in Canada. He has had the opportunity to share his thoughts and approach to education at ISTE (2015, 2018), BIT (2014), Schoology NEXT (2018), as well as in interviews with major newspapers (Toronto Star, 2017). He has been recognized as a thought-leader in Computer Science education. Mike challenges all educators to never stop learning and always be reaching for what’s next. He has an unshakeable resolve to change the world through technology education.
Mike became a podcaster after listening to a lot of non education-related podcasts. Two years or more ago, he started thinking about starting his own podcast. He approached his now co-host, Glen Irvin, who was also a Schoology ambassador. “I had a gut feeling,” and he told him that he wanted them start a podcast together. Mike followed up a little while after, and approached Glen again. They recorded their first episode in March of 2018, and it’s been a wild ride since. The podcast has done a lot for them both, and it has spurred many interesting conversations about potential things to come. Mike’s passion to do “different things” was fuelled by his success with the podcast. “It made me realize that I could do anything I wanted to as long as I put in the work to make it happen.” That propelled Mike to leave the classroom and join Logics Academy. The OnEducation Podcast is a US iTunes chart topping Education podcast.
Mike started preparing for his P3 right away. “I’ve been thinking about this podcast since you invited me on this podcast [a few months ago].” He said that this show was unique because it is so personal. Mike went on to share that music means something different to everyone. Mike grew up with music because his father was and is a professional musician. He took a few years off to help raise his children. To prepare for the show, Mike listened to episodes of people he knows, including that of Dr. Jennifer Williams. “ I have a weird relationship with music in the sense that it’s a big part of my history, my family and my life.” It was a challenge for him to pick one song for each category, and he even picked one and then another in the midst of our recording (I enjoyed being kept on my toes). The recording brought back some wonderful memories for Mike. He has been especially reflective these days and added that this experience has affirmed why he is doing what he’s doing.
Mike’s nostalgic song was almost Tom Petty’s Free Fallin'. He alluded to the movie Jerry McGuire when this song comes on as Tom Cruise changed radio stations in his search of the perfect song for his drive. While this was one of the two songs that Mike had in his mind for his nostalgic song, his gut told him to go with the other one. His father had the greatest hits CD from this artist, and he often played it in the house. Mike made connections to both artists noting that, “It seems to be a trend in terms of when I think about my musical past, childhood and growing up and what I go back to when I want to think back on music that I end up there.” This song just makes Mike happy, and he has seen this folk artist in concert many times. Here is You’ve Got a Friend by James Taylor:
Mike’s identity song has been referred to as the “defining song” of this band. “Switchfoot is my easily my favourite band, ever.” This song has become a ‘call to action’ for our guest, and he feels like he is finally coming into his own. “I feel like, in some respects...I’m just starting to live the life I was meant to live.” Mike has seen this band in concert many times, and there are many versions of this song. Feeling like everything he has done has led him to where is now, this song has taken on a whole new meaning for him. Mike says it’s about, “getting up and carrying on, and doing the things that you're supposed to do even if you’re afraid to do them.” Now, despite complications or the things that make it difficult for him, including imposter syndrome, he is here to work every day and do the job he believes he was meant to do. Here is Switchfoot’s Dare You to Move:
Mike’s pick me up song comes from an artist that he was excited to introduce to the P3 audience. “This guy is entertaining, he’s amazing, he’s supremely talented, he’s got a great voice, and I love his music. I love his videos, and he has a bit of a sense of humour...the video for this [song] is hysterical because it makes fun of his rise in the music industry.” Mike shared that you have to make things happen for yourself and work towards them. He finds that he is having conversations with people just to explore what they are doing or what they’re about in order to find ways to connect and collaborate. (We are so glad that Mike joined our OEMConnect community for that and many other reasons.) This song connects him to his drive and the path that he has put himself on to the place he was always meant to be going. Here is Ben Rector’s Drive:
If you want to find Mike, you can reach out to him through Twitter @misterwashburn. You can go to his website. He also encourages listeners to check out OnEducation Podcast, available at any podcast feed. “We talk to really interesting people and discuss really interesting things, We don’t hold anything back..we talk about it all.”
