Join host Cate Tolnai for a heartwarming conversation with Andy Knueven, Minecraft Education Community Program Manager, who shares how his journey from special education teacher to global community leader was never about chasing titles—it was about following love, connection, and impact. Discover how genuine engagement on social media opened unexpected doors, why teaching is an identity that never fades, and how the Flipgrid community created ripples that continue to empower educators worldwide.
🎯 What You'll Discover:
From Special Ed Classroom to Global Community Leader 🌟
• How Andy's dual major in special education and elementary education shaped his passion for accessibility and assistive technology
• Why teaching to one means teaching to all—finding tools that make learning click for every student
• The pilot program mindset: trying new tools, running out of free trials, and discovering what truly makes a difference
When Social Media Opens Doors You Never Expected 🚪
• How sharing classroom moments on social media led to a DM from the Flipgrid team that changed everything
• Working "the night shift"—teaching all day, then managing community engagement at night (yes, really!)
• Why authentically sharing your passion matters more than promoting for a paycheck
The Flipgrid Ripple Effect That Never Stopped 💫
• How a community built on love, belonging, and representation continues to impact educators long after the platform sunset
• Why friendship doesn't stop at a brand—the people you connect with create lasting bonds beyond any product
• The beauty of ripple effects: how each educator carries community values into new spaces and continues making waves
The Secret Sauce of Community Building ❤️
• Andy's answer to "what's the secret sauce?"—Love. Passion. Joy. Appreciation.
• Why you can't measure community in numbers, just like students are more than test scores
• Responding to fan mail, celebrating others, and making connections—how small acts of love create meaningful impact
Teaching Is Who You Are, Not Just What You Do 🎓
• Why Andy still introduces himself as a teacher, even while leading global communities
• The hardware store moment: when former students remember how you made them feel, not just what you taught
• The power of keeping that folder of student notes—tangible reminders that you make a difference
Key Takeaways:
✨ Teaching is an identity rooted in love, connection, and service—it doesn't end when you leave the classroom
✨ The secret sauce of community? Love, passion, joy, and appreciation—metrics can't measure what truly matters
✨ The Flipgrid community created ripples that continue empowering educators in new spaces and roles
✨ Students remember how you made them feel—keep that folder of notes for days when you need the reminder
✨ Don't wait for permission to share your passion—celebrate others, connect authentically, and opportunities will follow
✨ You make a difference wherever you are—every teacher has ripples extending outward, creating impact they may never see
Resources & Mentions:
🎮 Minecraft Teachers Lounge (Facebook Group) - Join 12,000+ global educators
🏆 Minecraft Education Ambassador Program - Additional training and support for educators
📱 Flipgrid Community - Where it all started (the ripple effect continues!)
🎨 Canva Education - Andy's work as a Learning Consultant
🎯 Assistive Technology & Accessibility Features - Built into modern educational tools
📚 Andy's Growth Mindset Philosophy: #YouKnuevenLearn (Knueven = "can even")
Connect With Andy Knueven:
Twitter/X: @ajknueven
Instagram: @andyknueven
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyknueven/
TikTok: @andyknueven
Threads: @andyknueven
Bluesky: @andyknueven
YouTube: Andy Knueven
Website: https://andyknueven.weebly.com/
About Andy Knueven:
Andy Knueven is an educator through and through—a husband, dad, coach, empathizer, optimist, and good deed doer. His journey spans middle school special education, 5th grade math and science, K-12 tech coaching, and global community leadership. He started managing Flipgrid's social media while teaching full-time, which evolved into Community Engagement Manager and Global Training roles for Flipgrid and Microsoft Math Solver.
Now he leads the Minecraft Teachers Lounge (12,000+ educators globally) and Ambassador program, advocating for teachers with engineers and developers. Andy's growth mindset is reflected in his name pronunciation: Knueven = "can even," like "you can even say it"—and his hashtag #YouKnuevenLearn reminds us we're always able to work hard and continue learning, even when it's tough.
This episode is a beautiful reminder that the heart of teaching never fades—it just finds new ways to create ripples. Whether you're in a classroom, leading a global community, or somewhere in between, Andy's story shows us that when we lead with love, celebrate others authentically, and stay true to our passion for empowering educators, the impact extends far beyond what we can measure.