Honoring Women Innovators: How Marisa Redd Is Expanding Childcare Access Through Technology
This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating a leader who is using technology to open doors for families and strengthen her community. In Austin, access to childcare remains one of the biggest challenges facing working parents—and Marisa Redd, Senior Director at the Greater Austin YMCA, is helping reshape what’s possible. Reimagining Early Learning in Austin With Marisa's help, the YMCA introduced Tomorrow Academy, a forward‑thinking early learning model built to increase the availability of high‑quality, affordable childcare across the region. Supported by digital tools like Microsoft Teams, the organization has transformed how staff connect, coordinate, and share expertise. For the first time, teams across multiple centers can collaborate in real time, streamline program delivery, and scale services more efficiently bringing much‑needed childcare options to more families. Leadership That Moves Communities Forward Marisa’s work shows how technology, paired with mission‑driven leadership, can help solve complex community challenges. By modernizing communication and strengthening operational agility, she and her team are expanding opportunity for families who rely on accessible, dependable childcare. This International Women’s Day, we’re proud to recognize women like Marisa—leaders who are driving innovation, empowering communities, and creating lasting impact. To learn more about Marisa's story and the wonderful work of Greater Austin YMCA, please visit: Microsoft for Nonprofit LinkedIn.Beyond the Basics: How to Get More Value from Transcription in Microsoft Teams
This post is a follow‑up to my earlier guide, “How to Enable Transcription in Microsoft Teams: A Quick Guide to Smarter Meetings.” If you’ve already learned how to turn transcription on, this next step will help you get even more value from it. Transcription in Microsoft Teams isn’t just a convenience—it’s a powerful productivity engine hiding in plain sight. If you’ve already mastered how to enable transcription (or read my earlier guide), you’re ready for the next step: turning those transcripts into actionable insights, better collaboration, and smarter workflows. Whether you’re a project manager, educator, team lead, or someone who simply wants cleaner follow‑ups, this guide will help you unlock the full potential of Teams transcription. Why Transcription Matters More Than Ever Meetings move fast. Decisions get made, tasks get assigned, and ideas fly across the screen. Even with the best note‑taking habits, it’s easy to miss something. Transcription solves that by giving you: Searchable meeting history Accurate recall of decisions and action items Accessibility for participants who prefer or require text A single source of truth for follow‑ups But the real magic happens when you start using transcripts strategically. 1. Turn Transcripts Into Actionable Follow‑Ups A transcript isn’t just a record—it’s a roadmap. Here’s how to make it work for you: Use Search to Find What Matters Instead of rewatching an hour‑long recording, search the transcript for keywords like: “deadline” “next steps” “assign” “decision” This instantly surfaces the moments that matter. Extract Action Items Teams Premium or Microsoft 365 Copilot users get AI‑generated action items automatically. But even without premium features, you can: Skim the transcript for verbs (“send,” “review,” “update”) Copy/paste tasks into Planner, To Do, or your project management tool Share a summary with your team to confirm alignment 2. Use Speaker Attribution to Improve Collaboration Teams transcription identifies who said what—unless you choose to anonymize your name. This is incredibly useful for: Tracking ownership of ideas Following up with the right person Clarifying who committed to which task Reviewing feedback from specific stakeholders If your team works cross‑functionally, this feature alone can save hours of back‑and‑forth. 3. Combine Transcripts with Meeting Recordings for Full Context Transcripts are great for scanning, but recordings add tone, nuance, and visual cues. Use them together when: Reviewing complex discussions Revisiting demos or walkthroughs Clarifying tone in sensitive conversations Training new team members Pro tip: Jump directly to a transcript line and Teams will play the recording from that exact moment. 4. Leverage Multi‑Language Support If your team is global, transcription becomes even more valuable. Teams supports multiple spoken languages, and you can confirm the language at the start of transcription. This helps: Multilingual teams collaborate more effectively Non‑native speakers review content at their own pace Organizations maintain accurate documentation across regions 5. Manage Privacy and Compliance Like a Pro Transcription is powerful—but it also comes with responsibility. Here’s how to stay compliant: Know Where Transcripts Are Stored Saved to the meeting organizer’s OneDrive for Business Governed by your organization’s retention and compliance policies Control Who Can Download Admins can restrict transcript downloads to: Organizers only Organizers + co‑organizers Everyone in the meeting Use Anonymization When Needed If you want to participate without your name appearing in captions or transcripts, toggle on “Hide my name in captions and transcripts” in Teams settings (if allowed by your admin). Final Thoughts: Let Your Meetings Work for You Transcription in Microsoft Teams is more than a convenience—it’s a strategic advantage. By going beyond simply turning it on and learning how to use the transcript effectively, you transform your meetings into a powerful source of clarity, accountability, and insight. Every conversation becomes searchable. Every decision becomes traceable. Every meeting becomes more valuable. If you’re ready to take your Teams experience to the next level, start treating transcription as a core part of your workflow—not an optional add‑on. Your future self (and your team) will thank youFrom Chalkboards to Cloud: How the Greater Austin YMCA Is Transforming Child Care Through Technology
How do you launch a first-of-its-kind childcare model in a rapidly growing city? For the Greater Austin YMCA, the answer was bold: a sweeping digital transformation powered by Microsoft tools like Teams, OneNote, and PowerApps. The result? Seamless collaboration across departments and the successful launch of two YMCA Tomorrow Academy TM early education centers—innovative, tech-enabled learning environments designed to meet one of the community’s greatest needs. A New Vision for Early Childhood Education The YMCA Tomorrow Academy is more than just childcare. It’s a nurturing, purpose-built space where children from six weeks to five years old can thrive. The curriculum emphasizes early literacy, STEM, creative arts, and nature play—supported by the YMCA’s holistic Constellation of Care TM model, which includes family wellness, nutrition, hygiene, and parent-teacher engagement. But building these centers require more than vision—it demanded real-time contributions and detailed collaboration from every department across the Greater Austin YMCA. The Digital Pivot That Made It Possible Before 2021, the YMCA’s operations still included many cumbersome analog components. Staff drove to meetings, shared paper documents, and relied on walkie-talkies that often failed. That changed when Kathy Kuras became President and CEO in February 2021 and brought her experience from the YMCA of Greater Boston, where she had helped modernize operations with Microsoft’s support. Kuras and her leadership team partnered with Microsoft to overhaul the Y’s technology footprint, introducing tools like Teams, OneNote, and BizApps to connect staff across locations and streamline workflows. “These tools are central to the hub of the work that gets done,” says Kuras. “They make work more efficient, respectful of people’s time, and intuitive.” From facilities to marketing to classroom staff, everyone became part of a unified digital ecosystem. “Our staff would say, ‘Our CEO uses this, our CMO uses this, and I’m a teacher and I’m using it now,’” says COO Shaq Brown. “That togetherness was a big culture shift.” A Child’s Words That Say It All When 4-year-old Lennon Pool told his mom, “I love it here,” after his first day at the Dove Springs YMCA Tomorrow Academy, it was music to her ears. His mom, Andie Connors-Pool, is also the Director of People at the Greater Austin YMCA—and deeply involved in the Academy’s development. “There have been times my kids don’t want to leave at the end of the day,” Connors-Pool says. “They’re just hugging on their teachers. You don’t get that everywhere.” Thanks to Microsoft tools, teachers can now update curriculum, track enrollment, and communicate instantly. “Gone are the days of broken walkie-talkies,” Connors-Pool adds. “Now, if someone needs a break, they just send a quick Teams message.” A Model for the Nation The success of the YMCA Tomorrow Academy has already sparked interest from other YMCAs across the country. “They’re knocking on our door,” says Brown. “We’re still iterating, but the interest is real.” With plans to launch four to five more academies by 2030, the Greater Austin YMCA is focused on placing them in communities with the greatest need. The challenge now is securing funding and building partnerships to scale the model. “It’s a first-of-its-kind for us in Greater Austin,” says CMO Sarah Inbau, “with the potential to scale across Texas—and nationally.” Technology That Feels Like Home At the heart of this transformation is a simple goal: to make families feel supported, safe, and connected. The YMCA Tomorrow Academy is proof that when technology, teamwork, and heart come together, extraordinary things can happen. From chalkboards to cloud-based collaboration, the Greater Austin YMCA is building a future where every child has a place to thrive—and where a child’s joyful “I love it here” is the ultimate measure of success. To learn more about the YMCA Tomorrow Academy and its impact, visit: How a technology overhaul helped the Greater Austin YMCA fill a childcare gap - SourceHow to Enable Transcription in Microsoft Teams: A Quick Guide to Smarter Meetings
Transcription in Microsoft Teams transforms your meetings into searchable, readable text—making it easier to review conversations, follow up on decisions, and stay organized. Whether you're using it for accessibility, documentation, or productivity, enabling transcription is simple once a few key requirements are met. Requirements Before Enabling Transcription: Scheduled Meetings Only: Transcription is available only in meetings scheduled through the Teams Calendar—not ad-hoc calls. Desktop App Required: You must use the Windows or macOS desktop version of Microsoft Teams. Transcript Storage: Transcripts are automatically saved to the meeting organizer’s OneDrive for Business. Premium Features: If your organization has Teams Premium or Microsoft 365 Copilot, you may also gain access to Intelligent Recap and auto-generated meeting summaries powered by AI. Once these requirements are met, you can enable transcription during your meeting or configure it to start automatically by adjusting settings beforehand. Enable Transcription and Recording Before the Meeting Step 1: Schedule Your Meeting in Teams Go to the Calendar tab in Teams. Click New Meeting. Add title, participants, and time. Click Send to schedule. Step 2: Enabling Transcription and Recording: Open the scheduled meeting in your calendar. Click Meeting Options. Toggle Recording & Transcription toggle to On. This will automatically start recording and transcription when the meeting begins. Step 3: Start the Meeting Join the meeting using the Teams desktop app. Step 4: Access Notes After the Meeting Go to the meeting chat or calendar event. Click the View Recap button and go to the Transcription tab. Enable Transcription and Recording During the Meeting Step 1: Start the meeting Join the meeting with the Teams desktop app. Step 2: Start Live Transcription Only Select More actions *** in your meeting controls. Select Record and transcribe > Start transcription Confirm the language everyone is speaking in the meeting. Select Confirm. All participants will see a notification that the meeting is being transcribed Step 3: Access Notes After the Meeting Go to the meeting chat or calendar event. Click the View Recap button and go to the Transcription tab. Downloading a Transcript After the meeting ends, the transcript is available in the meeting event on the calendar. By default, organizers and co-organizers can download it as a .docx or .vtt file. You may also be able to give others permission to download a transcript, depending on policies set by your IT admin. To download a transcript: Select Chat in Teams Open the past meeting chat. Select View Recap. Go to the Transcript tab and click Download. Choose the file format you prefer. Want to Hide Your Identity in Captions or Transcripts? No problem! Microsoft Teams allows users to anonymize their name in meeting captions and transcripts. This can be configured in your Teams settings or by your IT admin, depending on your organization's policies. In conclusion, make Every Word Count with Teams Transcription! Whether you're leading a project, hosting a training session, or simply trying to stay organized, enabling transcription ensures that every word is captured, searchable, and actionable. From setting it up before your meeting to downloading transcripts and customizing privacy settings, Teams make it easy to turn conversations into lasting insights. So go ahead—start transcribing and let your meetings work smarter for you.Presenter Mode: Share Content Like A Pro in Microsoft Teams
Let’s face it—traditional screen sharing can feel a little...flat. You’ve got great ideas, compelling visuals, and a message that matters. So why settle for a tiny video box in the corner of a static slide? Enter Presenter Mode in Microsoft Teams: the game-changing feature that transforms your presentations from basic to brilliant. Whether you're pitching to clients, leading a workshop, or hosting a team meeting, Presenter Mode gives you the power to control how your video feed and shared content appear together—so your audience stays engaged and your message lands with impact. Choose Your Presentation Style Presenter Mode offers three dynamic layouts, each designed to elevate your delivery: Standout Mode: Think virtual weathercaster. Your video feed is layered in front of your shared content, so you’re literally part of the presentation. It’s perfect for storytelling, product demos, or any moment where your presence adds punch. Side-by-Side Mode: Your video and content appear next to each other, giving your audience a clear view of both. Ideal for walkthroughs, tutorials, or collaborative sessions where you want to maintain eye contact while guiding viewers through your material. Reporter Mode: Channel your inner news anchor. Your content is framed like a broadcast, with your video positioned in a sleek overlay. This mode is great for formal presentations, announcements, or executive briefings. Customize Your Background Want to add a touch of branding or set the tone for your session? Presenter Mode lets you upload a custom background that complements your theme, company identity, or event vibe. Whether it’s a sleek corporate look or a playful design for a creative workshop, your presentation instantly feels more polished and professional. Why It Matters Presenter Mode isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about connection. When your audience can see you clearly and follow your content effortlessly, engagement goes up. You become more than a voice behind the slides—you become the storyteller, the guide, the expert. How to Use Presenter Mode Start or join a meeting in Microsoft Teams using the desktop app. Click Share Content in the meeting controls. Select Presenter Mode and pick your preferred layout. 4. Add a custom background if desired. Choose your screen or window to share. And you are ready to go! Pro Tip: Practice switching between modes before your big presentation. Each layout serves a different purpose and knowing when to use which can make your delivery feel seamless and intentional. In conclusion, with Presenter Mode in Microsoft Teams, you’re not just sharing content—you’re commanding attention. Try it out in your next meeting and see the difference for yourself.Tag, You’re It: Wrangling Communication in Microsoft Teams
In the ever-growing jungle of workplace chats, channels, and notifications, it’s easy to feel like you’re shouting into the void. You need to reach the marketing team—but not all of them. Or maybe just the shift leads. Or the folks who speak Spanish. Enter: Tags in Microsoft Teams. Tags are the underrated heroes of streamlined communication. They let you group people by role, skill, location—whatever makes sense for your team—and then @mention that group in a flash. No more hunting down names or copy-pasting long lists. Just tag and go. What Are Tags, Really? Tags in Teams are custom labels you assign to users within a team. Think of them like nicknames for groups. Once set up, you can use them to: @mention a group in a channel or chat (e.g., @DesignTeam) Start a group chat with everyone under that tag Organize roles like “Shift Supervisor” or “Remote Workers” It’s like having your own mini directory—tailored to how your team actually works. How to Set Up Tags Setting up tags is easy, but you’ll need to be a team owner to do it. Here’s the quick rundown: Go to your team in Microsoft Teams. Click the three dots next to the team’s name and select Manage tags. Choose Create tag, give it a name, and add members. 4. Once your Tag is created it will show accordingly. Done! You can now @mention the tag in any channel within that team. Pro tip: You can create multiple tags for the same person. So, someone can be tagged as both marketing and Hr. Why Tags Matter Tags aren’t just a neat trick—they solve real problems: Faster communication: No more typing out 10 names to notify a group. Better targeting: Reach only the people who need to know. Smarter organization: Customize tags to fit your team’s structure. Whether you're managing a retail staff, coordinating a global project, or just trying to keep your sanity in a busy channel, tags help cut through the clutter. Conclusion In the fast-paced world of digital collaboration, clarity is king—and tags in Microsoft Teams are your secret weapon. They cut through the noise, helping you reach the right people at the right time without endless scrolling or message overload. Think of tags like shortcuts to smarter teamwork. Whether you're rallying a crew for a quick update or looping in specialists for a project sprint, tags keep your conversations focused and your team responsive. So go ahead—tag, you’re it. Your future self (and your inbox) will thank you.
Microsoft Teams Hacks You Didn’t Know You Needed
Microsoft Teams has become the heartbeat of modern collaboration—but are you using it to its full potential? Beyond chats and video calls, Teams is packed with hidden gems and clever shortcuts that can supercharge your workflow. Whether you're a seasoned user or just getting started, these hacks will help you work smarter, not harder. 1. Use Slash Commands in the Search Bar Type / in the search bar at the top of Teams to unlock a powerful list of quick commands that help you get things done faster. Some handy examples include: /busy – Instantly set your status to “Busy” so teammates know you’re heads-down. /Wikipedia Search – Find and share articles from Wikipedia without leaving Teams. /YouTube – Search for videos and even watch them together during meetings. 2. Pin Important Chats and Channels Keep your most-used conversations at the top by right-clicking and selecting “Pin”. No more scrolling through endless lists. 3. Use the “Immersive Reader” for Focused Reading Click the three dots (More actions) next to a message, then select Immersive Reader to view the text in a clean, distraction-free format—perfect for long or complex messages. 4. Integrate Your Favorite Apps Teams isn’t just for Microsoft tools—you can add apps like Trello, Asana, or even YouTube directly into channels. Just click “+” at the top of a channel to explore integrations. 5. Pop Out Chats and Meetings Need to multitask? The Open in new window feature in Microsoft Teams lets you seamlessly manage chats, meetings, apps, and channel conversations—without losing your place. With just a click, you can pop out key elements into separate windows and keep your workflow moving. 6. Search Smarter Use filters in the search bar to find messages, files, or people. You can even search by date, sender, or keyword. Conclusion: Microsoft Teams is more than just a meeting platform—it's a productivity powerhouse hiding in plain sight. By tapping into these lesser-known features and shortcuts, you can transform the way you collaborate, communicate, and manage your day-to-day tasks. From slash commands to immersive reading and app integrations, these hacks are designed to help you reclaim your time and sharpen your focus. So go ahead—pin those chats, pop out those windows, and search like a pro. The more you explore, the more you'll realize that Teams isn’t just a tool—it’s your secret weapon for working smarter.How to Turn Off Teams Notifications During Meetings
How to Turn Off Teams Notifications During Meetings (and Avoid Awkward Pop-Ups While Sharing Your Screen) Introduction: We've all been there—you’re sharing your screen in a Microsoft Teams meeting, and a chat notification pops up from a coworker, your manager, or even worse… your group chat. While Microsoft Teams doesn’t automatically suppress all notifications during meetings or screen sharing, you can take control of what appears and when. In this post, I’ll show you a few easy ways to keep notifications silent and off-screen while you're presenting, focusing, or just trying to stay distraction-free. Do Notifications Automatically Mute During Screen Sharing? Short answer: No. By default, Teams will still show toast (pop-up) notifications during meetings and even while you’re sharing your screen. That includes messages, reactions, and call alerts—unless you proactively change your settings. Option 1: Turn on Focus Assist (Windows Only) If you're on Windows, Focus Assist can automatically suppress notifications system-wide—including Teams. How to Use It: Click the notification icon in the bottom-right of your taskbar. Click Focus Assist until it shows "Alarms only" or "Priority only." OR go to Settings > System > Focus Assist to set rules like: Turn on automatically when duplicating your display During specific hours When using an app in full screen Note: Users can set up a rule to enable Focus Assist during meetings automatically from your calendar. Option 2: Use Teams’ Built-In Do Not Disturb Mode Click your profile picture in Teams. Set your status to Do Not Disturb. While DND is on, Teams suppresses all toast notifications. Want to still get alerts from your boss or a specific team? Go to Settings > Privacy > Manage priority access Add individuals whose messages will bypass DND Option 3: Mute Notifications Per Meeting (Temporary) If you just want to mute notifications for a short time: Go to Settings > Notifications Scroll to Meetings and Calls Set “Mute notifications during meetings and calls” to On ⚠️ This doesn’t always prevent all pop-ups, so DND is more reliable for screen sharing. Option 4: Close the Chat Window When Sharing If you’re only worried about chat pop-ups, consider: Closing the Chat pane before sharing your screen Sharing a specific window, not your entire desktop That way, even if a notification comes in, it won’t be shown to everyone watching. Quick Checklist Before You Present: Task Why It Helps Set Teams to "Do Not Disturb" Blocks all notifications Turn on Focus Assist (Windows) Mutes all pop-ups Share specific window, not full screen Limits what viewers see Close Chat pane in Teams Avoids preview messages showing up Mute notifications in Settings Extra layer of safety Conclusion Whether you’re leading a webinar, pitching a client, or just trying to focus in a meeting, managing Teams notifications is a small tweak that saves a lot of headaches (and awkward moments). Set up your preferences once—and thank yourself later.How to Switch Between Multiple Organizations in Microsoft Teams
Introduction: If you collaborate with multiple companies, clients, or nonprofits, you’ve likely been invited to more than one Microsoft Teams organization (aka “tenant”). While Teams is a powerful tool for collaboration, switching between orgs isn’t always intuitive—and can slow you down if you’re not set up properly. In this blog, I’ll walk you through how to manage and switch between multiple organizations in Microsoft Teams smoothly—on both desktop and mobile. What Is an "Organization" in Teams? Each Microsoft 365 account is tied to a single organization (or tenant). When you're added to another org’s Teams environment, you're technically a guest there. Teams allows you to toggle between these orgs, but the interface isn’t always user-friendly, and you can easily miss notifications or messages if you're not careful. How to Switch Organizations on Teams Desktop App Open Microsoft Teams (desktop or web). In the top-right corner, click on your profile picture. Under your name, you’ll see a list of all the organizations you’re a member of. Click the name of the org you want to switch to. Teams will reload in that environment. Note: Each time you switch, Teams refreshes—so it can take a few seconds. switched organization shown below Switching Orgs on the Teams Mobile App Tap your profile picture in the top-left corner. Under your name, tap the dropdown arrow to view other organizations. Select the org you want to access. Note: On mobile, switching is usually faster than on desktop, and it’s a good backup when you cannot access your computer. Other Tips for Managing Multiple Orgs ✅ Use the Web App in Parallel Open teams.microsoft.com in a browser for one org while using the desktop app for another. This is especially helpful if you're constantly jumping back and forth. 🔔 Don't Miss Notifications Teams doesn’t show notifications from orgs you’re not actively in. Use the Activity Feed in each org to catch up when you switch. On mobile, you can enable notifications for all orgs (Settings > Notifications > Accounts). 💼 Keep Track of Which Org You're In Customize your Teams theme for each org to help visually differentiate them. Add org initials or emojis in team names (if you’re an admin) to make switching less confusing. 🧹 Leave Orgs You No Longer Use If you’re no longer collaborating with a tenant, go to myaccount.microsoft.com/organizations and remove your access. 🧠 Bonus: Using Multiple Desktops or Profiles If you’re more advanced, consider: Creating browser profiles (Chrome/Edge) for each org. Running Teams in multiple desktop user accounts or Microsoft Edge side-by-side mode. Wrapping Up Switching orgs in Teams is a necessary evil for consultants, volunteers, and cross-org collaborators. With the right habits—like using browser tabs, enabling notifications, and customizing views—you can stay productive without missing a beat.📢New in Microsoft Teams: Introducing Storyline – A Fresh Way to Share Updates & Stay Connected
Microsoft Teams has just rolled out a new feature that blends professional updates with a social media twist—meet Storyline. With hybrid work here to stay, staying visible and connected across distributed teams is more important than ever. That’s where Storyline comes in—a space within Teams where you can share posts, articles, and updates just like you would on LinkedIn or Yammer, but directly inside your organization. Here’s what you need to know. What is Storyline in Microsoft Teams? Storyline is a personal feed designed to help users: Share professional updates and experiences Follow leaders and coworkers for insights and news Create content that others in the organization can engage with Unlike chats or Teams channels, Storyline is tied to individuals, giving you a dedicated space to share your work wins, reflections, lessons learned, or even shout-outs to teammates. 🛠️Key Features Follow Updates in Activity You can follow coworkers and leaders in your org, and their Storyline posts will appear in your Activity feed—just like posts on a social platform. Post Articles and Updates Have something to share? Storyline lets you create posts (similar to blog updates or short articles) that reach your audience and followers across the company. Your Storyline = Your Self Chat Your Storyline content is viewable in your chat with self—a neat way to reflect on your personal journey or manage your posts in one place. 💡Why It Matters Storyline brings a new layer of internal visibility to Teams. Whether you’re: A manager sharing leadership updates A teammate highlighting project progress A new hire reflecting on onboarding Storyline helps you build a digital presence and stay connected with your org beyond meetings and team channels. Getting Started Once enabled by your IT admin, you’ll see a prompt like the one above in your Teams app. Just click “Got it” to activate and begin sharing. 🔒Admin Tip: Managing Storyline for Your Org Admins can control Storyline availability in the Microsoft Teams Admin Center. If you're not seeing the option, check with your IT team—it may need to be enabled. Manage and set up storyline in Viva Engage Manage Viva Engage experiences in Microsoft Teams Final Thoughts Storyline brings a lightweight, human-centered way to share knowledge, updates, and personal growth moments across the organization. Think of it as your internal LinkedIn wall—right inside Teams. Try it out, follow a few teammates, and make your first post. Your future self (and your coworkers) will thank you.
