My Disney Class
"A Place of Innovation-Creativity-Knowledge-Happiness & Disney Magic"
Howie DiBlasi
@hdiblasi
Ryan Boeckman
@squashsmasher
About Ryan Boeckman:
Currently I am a 7th grade Science teacher at Parkway Central Middle school in Chesterfield MO. I have also taught Science to 6th and 8th graders and a few years of Language Arts in 6th grade. I love working along side my students and watching them use a variety of tools to solve problems creatively. I'm married to my beautiful and support wife Kari and we have 2 dogs and 1 cat.
Graduate of Culver-Stockton College ( four year lettermen in football)
Lindenwood University (MA) Educational Leadership Administration
William Woods University (MA) Athletic Leadership Athletic Director
How I Became Hooked on Disney:
I have been a Walt Disney fan since I was assigned the classic biography book report in grade school. I choose to do my report on Walt and I have been fascinated with his story ever since. I truly love the story of Walt overcoming multiple challenges and failures and never losing faith in his abilities. I also believe in another trait of Walt's and that is surrounding myself with best of the best. This is why I'm so excited about My Disney Class! This project will help spotlight incredible educators and people that inspire me to, as Walt would say, "plus it."
Favorite Disney Book:
Walt Disney Imagineering: A Behind the Dreams Look at Making the Magic Real by The Imagineers
Favorite Disney Memory:
My 2nd trip to WDW was when I was in college and I went with my girl friend, now wife, for my first on my own vacation. The whole trip was magical and I have been a Disney customer service fan ever since. One particular memory from the trip was during the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue. I was brought back stage and given a Indian custume to put on. I was then given a few lines to remember and then quickly pushed out on stage. I hit my lines and even jumped on the ground to the audience's laughter! The best part was impressing Kari, my now wife, and seeing her beautiful smile.
Favorite Park: EPCOT
Favorite Attraction: Pirates of the Caribbean
Favorite Themed Queue Attraction: STAR tours
Favorite Resort: Animal Kingdom Resort
Favorite Restaurant: 50's Prime TIme
Favorite Character: "two tiny wings, eyes big and yellow, horns of a steer, but a loveable fellow! From head to tail, he's royal purple pigment, and there, voilà! You've got a Figment!"
About Dr. Howie:
Married to my beautiful bride for 50 years, we have two children, Mark, and Jenny, six Grand Kids, Jonathan, Christian, Brock, Ava, Luca and Ben and one Great Grand Daughter Evelyn. I was a classroom teacher for 20 years, owned and managed a retails computer store for 10 years in Arizona and then a CIO (Chief Information Officer) in Durango, Colorado. Retired in 2007, I now travel the world instructing educators and administrators on how to bring Disney into the classroom. I have a Disney Themed Office, and anyone that enters must take off their shoes and rub "Mickey's" head (LOL)
Graduate of Florida State University (BS) Northern Arizona University (MA)
Western Pacific University (Ph.D.)
About Us
Our vision is to build a celebratory community of educators who are committed to bringing innovation, creativity, storytelling and magic into their learning environments.
How I Became Hooked on Disney:
In 1974, our family took our first trip to Disneyland, California. ( Photo ) At the time, I was an Electronics Teacher at Lake Havasu High School and became fascinated on how Walt Disney created the attractions and park. My first ride at Disneyland was the "Matterhorn." I had to know how they built the attraction and purchased two books-one on Walt Disney and a Disneyland souvenir book. Since then I have purchased over 170 books on Disney, the parks, Imagineers and designers. That trip began a journey of over 72 visits to Walt Disney World and Disneyland for the next 40 years.
We drank ALL the wine and now own two DVC's at Beach Club and Bay Lake towers and have completed 7 Disney cruises including one 14 day cruise from LA to Panama Canal and then to Galveston, TX. We attend the EPCOT, Flower and Garden Festival and the EPCOT, Food and Wine Festival each year.
Favorite Disney Book:
"Roller Coasters, Flumes and Flying Saucers" by Robert R. Reynolds
The story of Ed Morgan and Karl Bacon-Ride Invertors of the Modern Amusement Parks
Favorite Disney Memory:
Taking Christian and Jonathan (Grandkids) to Walt Disney World for their first trip in 1999. Watching a 7 year old and an 11 year old develop a love for all things "Disney". Seeing their eyes light up for the first time on "Pirates." Staring in awe the first time they watched the "Main Street Electrical Parade". Trying on crazy hats in the Disney store.
Favorite Park: Animal Kingdom
Favorite Attraction: Expedition Everest
Favorite Themed Queue Attraction: Tie between Expedition Everest and Cali River Rapids.
Favorite Resort: Animal Kingdom
Favorite Restaurant: California Grill (Disney Contemporary Resort)
Favorite Character: Figment
Mission:
We are inspired by the innovation, creativity, storytelling and magic of Walt Disney - the person and the company. We engage educators with the ideas from the life of Walt Disney and the Disney company in ways that can be applied creatively in the classroom. Learn along with us as we share ways to bring magic into education.
Vision:
We will share a regular podcast with stories and strategies about how to make classrooms magic. We hope to build a celebratory community of educators who are committed to bringing innovation, creativity, storytelling and magic into their learning environments.