The Dark Knight of 5th Grade Ed Tech

The Dark Knight of 5th Grade Ed Tech

Author: Redlands Instructional Tech February 18, 2026 Duration: 44:41

Every hero has an origin story! In this episode, we sit down with Kimberly Elementary’s Adam Johnson, who traded a 20-year career in professional graphic design for the "multiverse" of the 5th-grade classroom. Adam shares how he uses his design superpowers to teach students to master tools like Canva, Google Sites, and Minecraft Education. From building sleek digital portfolios to tackling diabolical coding challenges, tune in to learn how Adam prepares his students for middle school and beyond by emphasizing professional presentation, balance, and real-world digital skills.


Ever wondered how technology is actually being used in classrooms, not just talked about at conferences? Tips and Salsa pulls up a chair to that conversation, offering a genuine look at the tools and strategies making a difference for teachers and students right now. Created by the team at Redlands Instructional Tech, each episode digs into the real-world ed tech happenings within the Redlands Unified School District. You'll hear directly from educators who are trying new things, solving practical problems, and figuring out what works when the classroom door closes. The tone is conversational and grounded, like sharing ideas over a casual snack-hence the name. This isn't about abstract theory or the latest hype cycle; it's a practical resource for anyone interested in the intersection of teaching and technology. Tuning into this podcast feels like getting actionable advice from a colleague down the hall, with all the relatable successes and occasional hiccups that come with integrating tech into learning. Whether you're a teacher looking for a fresh approach, an administrator curious about implementation, or just someone fascinated by modern education, you'll find substance here. The Redlands team shares specific examples, lessons learned, and of course, a bit of that friendly flavor that makes professional development feel a little more human and a lot more useful.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 48

Tips and Salsa
Podcast Episodes
A Year of Change [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:28
Join us as we reminisce about the past year, bid some heartfelt farewells, and explore the exciting possibilities that lie ahead.
Canva for Education [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:29
Today, Canva's our guest, as we dive into the ins and outs of this fantastic tool for teachers and students!
From Radio to the Classroom [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:10
Join us as Tiffany Feduska takes us behind the scenes of her incredible journey – from the airwaves to the classroom. What lessons has she carried from radio to education? Tune in to find out!
AI in the Classroom and at Home [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:38
We're joined in this episode by all-star educator, Alan Aceto to talk about how he uses AI in the classroom and at home with his children. Give it a listen, then join us for our next RUSD AI Forum on January 18th! ChatGP…
A Conversation with Superintendent Cabral [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:19
In this episode, we get a chance to sit down with our new Superintendent, Juan Cabral to talk about what drew him to Redlands, his views on educational technology, and his vision for great teaching and learning.
Looking Back, Looking Forward [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:48
Join us as we wrap up a successful year in Ed Tech and say goodbye to one of our team members.
LEGO Education in Action [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:03
Join us as we visit with very, very special guests Dan Merrill and Victor Saeijs from LEGO Education to hear about their visit to Redlands USD classrooms to see our LEGO Education program IN ACTION!
Chattin' About ChatGPT [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:28
What are the ramifications for education with new natural language chatbots like ChatGPT? Join us for a deep dive into the implications for educators, students, and the shape of lesson design with special guests Paul Mac…
GIS in the Classroom with Charlie Fitzpatrick (Part 1) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:51
Join us for part one of our interview with Esri's Schools Program Manager, Charlie Fitzpatrick as we talk about his background in education, GIS, Esri, and The Science of Where.