Can Community Change Everything? with Claudio, Jeni, Lydia and Manny

Season 2 kicks off with a bang. Rick and Tisha bring together four of EdTech's most connected educators — Claudio Zavala Jr., Jeni Long, Dr. Lydia Croupe, and Manny Curiel — for a conversation about the power of community. From noise violations at conference booths to flying solo to Minnesota for the very first time, the stories in this episode show exactly what happens when educators find their people. The group reflects on how community shaped their careers, what safe spaces really mean in professional life, and what the next generation of teachers needs to know about building connections that actually matter.

Whether you're brand new to education or a veteran who's been around since the Flipgrid karaoke days — this one's for you.

00:00 Welcome to Season Two

02:58 The Importance of Community

05:49 Personal Connections and Community Engagement

09:01 Favourite Community Memories

12:07 Building Relationships in EdTech

15:00 The Power of Shared Experiences

19:56 Building Connections Through Community

26:13 Reflections on 2016: Community and Growth

35:15 The Impact of EdTech Community on Personal and Professional Growth

40:01 Building Confidence Through Community Engagement

43:09 The Importance of Feeling Safe in Professional Spaces

45:56 Advice for the Next Generation of Educators

53:57 Quickfire Confessions: Personal Preferences and Community Connections

Follow Claudio Zavala Jr. on:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@claudiozavalajr

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IAmClaudius

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudiozavalajr/

X: https://x.com/ClaudioZavalaJr

Follow Jeni Long on:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jenallee1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jlo731

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1RgWxPrdfb

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenilong

X: https://x.com/jlo731

Follow Dr. Lydia Croupe on:

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lcroupe/

X: https://x.com/EduCroupe

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/educroupe.bsky.social

Website: cupoftea.education

Follow Manny Curiel on:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mannydiscotech

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mannycuriel/

X: https://x.com/MannyDiscoTech

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📱Follow Play Ed3 Podcast on:

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🙋‍♀️Follow Tisha on:

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

X (Twitter): https://x.com/tishaponcio

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tishaponcio

🙋‍♂️Follow Rick on:

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

X (Twitter): https://x.com/r1ck11

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rickbutterworth

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🧠 Let's learn, grow and play together