Testimonials
What People Are Saying About This Game-Changing PD
Bishop O'Connell High School is proud to host teacher professional development and welcome educators from Catholic, public, and private schools throughout the greater Washington, D.C. area as we connect, collaborate, and brainstorm with authentic and actionable strategies that can ignite any classroom and inspire teachers from all content areas. Bishop O'Connell teacher John Meehan, author of EDrenaline Rush and the coordinator the O'Connell "igKnight" program of teacher professional development, travels to schools throughout the United States offering site-based trainings for educators looking to make an impact in their instruction through the use of playful pedagogy, high-energy student-centered classrooms, and pulse-pounding project based learning.
"I found the day went very quickly (always a good sign) and John was really inspiring."
"I'm a veteran teacher and I've attended lots of conferences where I walked away thinking that I'd wasted my time. Not this time! This was fantastic and I can't wait to try out some ideas in my classroom!"
"This was one of the few conferences that I have attended in my teaching career where I can actually use what was shown to me. So many conferences have great ideas that are impossible to implement where I teach. This conference was different. I do not feel like I wasted a day."
- Full day "Game On! Gamified Instruction for Any Content or Grade Level" training session attendees, Shenandoah University (October 2018)
"So inspiring and exciting to listen too. It made me want to try some gamification in my classes because in the past, I had difficult buy-in and was narrowed minded as to what gaming means."
"I cried all my tears. He is amazing, I want to be him."
"John was phenomenal! I could have listened to him talk all day. He was so genuine and inspiring."
"WOW! JUST WOW! Absolutely amazing! I was so inspired by him to try gamification in my classroom. I've already reached out to someone in my district to work on doing this in my room this year! Can't wait to start."
"The best session I have ever been to! So informative and motivating. Highly recommend."
"His energy was contagious! I just wish my teachers could see him."
"This session blew my mind!! Everything about it was great - amazing ideas that I am 100% going to work to implement in my building. Thank you for sharing your story and your work!"
- “Beyond Kahoot: Fully Gamified Instruction for any Content or Grade Level” session attendees, Virginia ASCD Annual Conference (December 2018)
"Loved the social & technology aspects. Mind-blowing on data / score aspect!"
"Enjoyed. May need to plan for a longer PD time, but otherwise this was great."
"This was fantastic. I loved it! I would come visit another one of your seminars."
- Half day training session attendees, Page County Public Schools (February 2019)
"I gained strategies that I will start using the next day. It was a well thought out agenda and extremely well executed. Lots of useful information that is going to take some reflections and strategy development to optimize the training. The results appear to be extremely valuable and potentially a game changer."
"Mr. Meehan has an extensive knowledge of implementing "gamified" techniques in content areas. I truly believe (as a first year, year zero teacher) this seminar has been THE most beneficial to my classroom and my personal abilities in the classroom thus far."
- Full day training session attendees, Fauquier County Public Schools (March 2019)
What People Are Saying About EDrenaline Rush
“More than any other teacher I know, John Meehan embodies the idea of the teacher as a transformational figure. He is dedicated to making the classroom a place where students’ natural curiosity and love of learning can come alive. We're all so lucky he has slowed down enough to put his ideas between covers. Actually, if I’d had a mentor like John (and a book like his) when I was teaching, I might never have quit.”
—Greg Toppo, former senior editor at Inside Higher Ed, author of The Game Believes in You
“John Meehan has figured out how to come up with a creative activity for almost any kind of content or skill you want your students to acquire, and he has listed them all here [...] You're bound to come away with a great idea or three. It's packed with practical tips and great writing that will have you coming back for more of his dynamic, rigorous approach to classroom teaching.”
—Alexis Wiggins, teacher, and author of The Best Class You Never Taught
"I saw John Meehan's #QRBreakIN activities on Twitter and was hooked. The idea was brilliant: Identify something students would learn. Infuse it with themes from a board game or video game they love. Break it up into several small challenges. Make learning a game! Your students will thank you!"
-- Matt Miller, veteran teacher, blogger, and author of Ditch That Textbook
“EDrenaline Rush is the ultimate surprise and delight! As an educator for students of all ages, this is a must-read book! I was inspired all over again to search for that ‘one little spark.’ Meehan’s enthusiasm is infectious, and if we could bottle John’s energy and determination to eradicate boring learning, I have no doubt we could change the game of education everywhere!”
-- Monica Cornetti, CEO Sententia Gamification, GamiCon Gamemaster
“A lot of people like to talk about ways to get more students engaged in deep learning, but few are willing to offer specific examples of how to make that happen. [John] Meehan is willing to put it all out there so others can use, critique, or remix it as they see fit. When we actively share innovative models of teaching and learning that work, we allow others to refine, validate, and scale those ideas so that they positively impact other schools and students.”
—Ben Owens, former STEM Teacher, Open Way Learning Consultant, and author of Open Up, Education!
“The moment I started reading I knew this was a book I would devour. John beautifully weaves his personal and classroom adventures clearly illustrating how easily we can create our own epic educational experiences. From beginning to end, EDrenaline Rush provides exactly as the title suggests. You will come away energized, inspired, and with a rush of EDrenaline that will launch you into your own epic adventure! This book is for everyone and is one that you will refer to repeatedly for ideas and inspiration. A must-read!”
—Tisha Richmond, tech integrations specialist, author of Make Learning Magical
“EDrenaline Rush walks the reader down a path straight to creative freedom and joy-filled lessons. John has masterfully captured the inspiration in vignettes from life moments that rouse us to action in our classrooms. This is a must-buy and should be a must-implement for anyone who wants to create positive change in their schools.”
—Michael Matera, teacher, and author of eXPlore Like a Pirate
