The Chromebook Classroom podcast is back with a special episode recorded live from Google’s Chicago offices featuring special guest Liz Voci. This episode dives deep into our experiences at the recent Google Champions Symposium, an exclusive gathering of Google for Education’s top educators.
The Google Champions community comprises educators who have gone beyond Level 1 and 2 certifications, including Google Trainers, Coaches, Innovators, and GEG Leaders. Liz holds the trifecta of certifications: Trainer, Coach, and Innovator, having completed her Innovator project in Chicago in 2024. John, also a Google Champion, shares his experience as an Innovator and Trainer. The symposium occurs every other year, with the next one anticipated in two years, and an Innovator program year in between.
A highlight of the symposium was “Champion Voices,” a series of short, personal talks where educators shared stories that shaped them. Liz, a presenter, shared her experience about being a “doer” and learning to be present when action isn’t possible. The event emphasized the human aspect of educational technology, focusing on connecting educators rather than just tools.
The symposium also featured challenges with new Google products. One challenge involved Google Vids, a video creation tool with AI capabilities. Participants used the Veo AI feature to generate hyper-realistic, eight-second video clips from text prompts, merging them into compilation videos. Another significant focus was Gemini, Google’s AI. Participants in the Gemini challenge used the AI to develop ideas and even write HTML code for interactive tutorials on Google Workspace tools, demonstrating the power of AI in rapid development.
John and Liz also discussed gaining inside looks at upcoming Google products and concepts, even those that don’t yet exist. They participated in UX (User Experience) sessions, providing feedback directly to Google developers and researchers. They highlighted the importance of teacher feedback, encouraging listeners to use the “send feedback” option within Google tools to shape future development, especially for Gemini-related features.
Beyond the intensive learning, the symposium offered fun activities, including exploring the Google office’s unique features like a subway car on the roof, and a dinner cruise on Lake Michigan. Both John and Liz emphasized the value of unstructured conversations and connecting with passionate educators who share their enthusiasm for edtech.
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To become a Google Champion and potentially attend future symposiums, listeners need to achieve Level 1 and Level 2 Google Educator certifications. From there, they can pursue the Trainer, Coach, or Innovator paths. Liz highly recommends connecting with existing Innovators for guidance on the challenging application process. John also mentioned his Certified Trainer Academy for those interested in that path.
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