Season 2, Episode 9
Exploring Levels of Student Engagement
– Heather Lyon
Episode Transcription
Exploring levels of student engagement with Dr. Heather Lyon
How is creativity connected to engagement in an educational environment?
In this episode of Fueling Creativity, Dr. Cyndi Burnett and Dr. Matthew Worwood speak with Dr. Heather Lyon, author of Engagement is not a Unicorn (It’s a Narwhal) and The BIG Book of Engagement Strategies.
Listen in to learn Heather’s unique formula for engagement, the differences between student engagement and adult engagement, and engagement impacts our ability to be successful learners. She details her 4 Levels of Engagement and what causes someone to shift from one level to another, as well as the manifestations of each of these engagement levels.
Heather’s Tips for Teachers and Parents:
1. Teachers are models for students. Students do what they see, so teachers who are engaged and creative have students that are also engaged and creative. Be willing to celebrate both the progress and the struggle.
2. Compliance is not engagement. Stop being okay with students who are simply doing what they’re told.
3. Creativity is the fuel for engagement. The more a person has choice, voice, input, and control over what they are doing, the more likely they are to be at least interested, if not absorbed, in the learning.
About the Guest
Heather Lyon is author of Engagement is not a Unicorn (It’s a Narwhal) and The BIG Book of Engagement Strategies. Heather is a former English teacher and has a Ph.D. in Educational Administration and an Ed.M. in Reading from the University at Buffalo. She is an Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology for Lewiston-Porter Central School District in Western New York.
Heather has been a staff developer and held various administrative titles, but the professional title she likes best is learner. She is also a proud wife and mother who struggles with but values the importance of boundaries and balance—which are so critical for all of us. Heather lives with her husband and three children, who make her smile and teach her the importance of kindness, respect, and patience.
Visit Heather’s website
Follow her on Twitter
Connect with her on LinkedIn
Episode Debrief
Collection Episodes
Why Creativity Isn’t a Priority in Education Policy
Season 11, Episode 1 Why Creativity Isn’t a Priority in Education Policy"You have got to be creative. We need to think beyond the way we thought about education before. And if it means not doing something, let's try it on the good side." - Dr. Henry SmithCyndi...
Bridging the Gap: Serendipity, Excellence Gaps, and the role of Wonder.
What were the biggest lessons learned during the last five episodes in Season Two of the Fueling Creativity podcast? In this final debrief, Dr. Cyndi Burnett and Dr. Matthew Worwood sit down and reflect on episodes that discussed Serendipity, Student Engagement, Excellence Gaps, and Wonder.
Bridging the Gap: Creativity Tips and Gifts for the Holidays
How do you support your children’s creativity, and make meaning and connections this holiday season? What gifts should you get your children this year that will help nurture their creativity? We have some ideas! In this special holiday episode of the Fueling Creativity podcast, Dr. Cyndi Burnett and Dr. Matthew Worwood share activities and traditions to promote creative thinking as a family during the holidays. Plus, they share lots of affordable gift ideas that promote creative thinking in children of all ages.
Podcast Sponsor
We are thrilled to partner with Curiosity 2 Create as our sponsor, a company that shares our commitment to fostering creativity in education. Curiosity 2 Create empowers educators through professional development and community support, helping them integrate interactive, creative thinking approaches into their classrooms. By moving beyond traditional lecture-based methods, they help teachers create dynamic learning environments that enhance student engagement, improve academic performance, and support teacher retention. With a focus on collaborative learning and exploration, Curiosity 2 Create is transforming classrooms into spaces where students thrive through continuous engagement and growth.
Follow the pod
Subscribe Today
available on your favorite podcasting platform
