This is the Wired Educator Podcast Episode 234, an  interview with West Virginia Educator of the Year and Apple Distinguished Educator, Brian Casto. We focus on making class time and content engaging as well as the opportunities and challenges that arise in being recognized for our work in education. Brian Casto is an amazing educator whom I had the pleasure to meet. He is so humble and kind, but his inspiration and passion for all things education will inspire all of us. you are going to love this episode. Brian has impacted lives for more than fifteen years in education. His dedication to preserving West Virginia's history and culture has earned him accolades, including the Honorary Golden Horseshoe Award. Recently accepted into the Apple Distinguished Educator program, Brian's story is one of passion and impact. I love the animated videos he created to help his students learn about and have respect for their state. Amazing work. Brian Casto has been in the education field for fifteen years and holds a bachelor’s degree in social studies, grades 5-12, from Marshall University.  After teaching in both middle and high school for 14 years, he now serves as a New Teacher Specialist in his district.  Mr. Casto received an Honorary Golden Horseshoe Award June 25, 2021, for his two-minute animated videos that preserve the history and culture of West Virginia.  He created these videos for educators across the state in his spare time because there are only a few videos available for West Virginia Studies. He also works with the West Virginia Department of Tourism through his Where in West Virginia is Mr. Casto video series that explores the history, culture, and sites of the state. He is the 2022 West Virginia Teacher of the Year and presently serves on a council of teachers of the year with his state department of education. In 2023, he was accepted into the Apple Distinguished Educator program for his innovative use of technology in and out of the classroom. From Brian:  "I love thinking of creative ways students and teachers can utilize technology to engage in learning. I especially love using Clips, Keynote, and iMovie in the learning process. I've really enjoyed taking what I have learned from working with these programs on my own and incorporating them into the classroom. As with most things, I was a novice when I first began making animated videos and have worked hard in the past 3 years to learn graphic design, video editing, video producing, animation storyboarding, and script writing to tell the story of West Virginia. I believe it was my use of these videos in and out of class that resonated with Apple's Distinguished Educator Program. When I first started making them, there were very few good media resources available for West Virginia Studies. As an educator, I felt that it was my job to get students excited about topics in class. As I started making and sharing these with my students, covid happened. All of the sudden these engaging videos became a source of engagement for teachers to use across the state. The West Virginia Department of Education began using them in their virtual school program and countless teachers , parents who homeschool, and even students began reaching out to me to express how much they enjoy them. Since then I have worked with the Department of Tourism, Civil War Trails Inc., the Jewish American Military Historical Society, and many others on projects that highlight the importance of preserving history, culture, and sites around my home state."  West Virginia History in 2 Minutes or Less Where in West Virginia is Mr. Casto?  Mentioned in this podcast: • Grow Leaders Course with Pat Adkins and Kelly Croy. We are taking applications for this free course to anyone interested in becoming a school leader in school administration. Pat is an expert who wants to help the shortage of teachers going into administration. I will be assisting Pat, but he is leading this course. This is a free course. You c