Best Merissa Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 339: Merissa Sadler-Holder 58:39

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3d ago58:39

58:39

Episode 339: Merissa Sadler-Holder | Teaching with Machines In this episode of My EdTech Life, Dr. Fonz Mendoza talks with Merissa Sadler-Holder, founder of Teaching with Machines. Merissa shares her journey from French teacher to AI consultant and shows how educators can embrace AI without losing their voice, creativity, or purpose. They discuss w…

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Building with Educators, Not for Them—Inside ClassDojo’s Evolution with Dr. Chad Stevens 5:54

3d ago5:54

5:54

What if the most powerful edtech tool you use every day... could do even more—and still cost absolutely nothing? In this episode of AmpED to 11, Brett dives into the wildly popular ClassDojo platform with Dr. Chad Stevens, Head of Growth and Partnerships. If you're an educator or parent, odds are you've already tapped into the magic of ClassDojo's …

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Teaching AI Without Bias or BS —Amanda Bickerstaff on Leading with Literacy, Not Hype. 1:02:47

7d ago1:02:47

1:02:47

Can a chatbot help dismantle inequity in schools—or make it worse? In this kickoff to Season 2 of AmpED to 11, we sit down with Amanda Bickerstaff, co-founder and CEO of AI for Education and one of the most fearless, future-focused educators in the generative AI space. From training more real humans on gen AI than anyone else (seriously—she might b…

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Episode 338: Dr. Marc Isseks 50:41

18d ago50:41

50:41

Captivate Your Classroom with Dr. Marc Isseks In this episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Dr. Marc Isseks, author of Captivate, to explore how educators can break free from “cognitive entrenchment” and rediscover what it means to truly engage learners. Marc brings over 30 years of classroom, curriculum, and leadership experience, and his ins…

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Episode 337: Pedro Aparicio 58:09

1M ago58:09

58:09

La IA no reemplaza al maestro con Pedro Aparicio En este episodio de My EdTech Life, converso con Pedro Aparicio sobre un tema que nos toca a todos: el papel real de la IA en el aula y el rol insustituible del docente. Desde la mirada de Latinoamérica, Pedro nos comparte cómo la tecnología puede ser una aliada cuando se usa con intención, verificac…

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Episode 336: Marnie Stockman & Nick Coniglio 1:01:46

1M ago1:01:46

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The Business of You with Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio In this episode of My EdTech Life, Dr. Fonz Mendoza sits down with Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio to explore their book The Business of You. They share how students, educators, and professionals alike can begin running their lives like a well-led company—by becoming the CEO, CMO, HR, and…

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Episode 335: April Braithwaite 41:38

1M ago41:38

41:38

Peel Back Education with April Braithwaite Educators are the backbone of society, yet their stories often go unheard. In this episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with April Braithwaite, founder of Peel Back Education, a new project dedicated to telling the authentic stories of teachers. April shares how a late-night reflection sparked her mission…

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Episode 334: Short Answer 53:46

2M ago53:46

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Research First Approach to AI Tools with Short Answer In this episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Adam and Alexa Sparks, the husband-and-wife founders of Short Answer, a writing platform built to strengthen peer-to-peer learning and classroom dialogue. We dive into their journey from classrooms and Stanford labs to building an edtech startup…

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Episode 333: Kyler Cheatham 49:36

2M ago49:36

49:36

AI in Schools: Strategy Over Shiny Tools with Kyler Cheatham When it comes to AI in school districts, rushing in without a clear why can cost millions, crush teacher buy-in, and derail your entire tech strategy. In this episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Kyler Cheatham, a system architecture expert in AI and predictive analytics, to break d…

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Episode 332: Becky Keene 49:35

2M ago49:35

49:35

AI Optimism with Becky Keene In this episode of My EdTech Life, I sat down with author, educator, and thought leader Becky Keene to unpack her new book AI Optimism. We tackled everything from AI literacy and data privacy to the SAMR model, edtech skepticism, and what it really takes to shift classroom practice forward, not with hype, but with inten…

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Episode 331: Erik Parsons 1:30:45

2M ago1:30:45

1:30:45

Learning, Agency, and EdTech | Erik Parsons In this episode of My EdTech Life, I reconnect with the brilliant Erik Parsons, better known as The PhDad on TikTok, for a bold conversation on what really matters in education. We dig into behaviorism vs. developmentalism, and how too many classrooms are still operating on compliance over collaboration. …

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Episode 330: Tisha Poncio & Rick Butterworth 1:16:19

3M ago1:16:19

1:16:19

Digital Portfolios, Feedback Culture, and Rethinking Readiness with Tisha Poncio and Rick Butterworth In Episode 330 of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Tisha Poncio and Rick Butterworth, authors of Today’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Leaders. This conversation is all about transforming classrooms by prioritizing neurodiversity, digital portfolios, and bui…

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Episode 329: Building with Purpose with Eduaide 1:20:58

3M ago1:20:58

1:20:58

Ep.329 Building with Purpose with Eduaide In this episode, I welcome back two familiar voices: Thomas Thompson and Thomas Hummel, the powerhouse team behind Eduaide.AI. This isn’t just another conversation about AI. It’s a grounded, honest discussion on what it means to build tech for teachers, by teachers. We talk growth, grit, and grounded design…

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Episode 328: Job Christiansen 1:01:49

3M ago1:01:49

1:01:49

AI in Schools: Innovation or Illusion? | Ep. 328 with Job Christiansen Is AI making classrooms smarter—or just noisier? In this episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Job Christiansen, a fellow cautious advocate, educator, and instructional technology specialist, to ask the hard questions about AI’s role in education. From privacy concerns to t…

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What If School Made You Love Yourself? Sonn Sam Rethinks Learning from the Ground Up 1:12:38

3M ago1:12:38

1:12:38

This week on AmpED to 11, Brett shares the mic with Sonn Sam, keynote speaker, equity champion, and national director at Big Picture Learning—for a raw, reflective, and radically human conversation about what happens when we stop asking, “Are you smart?” and start asking, “What are you passionate about?” Sonn’s journey begins as a square peg in a r…

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From Free Lessons to Strategic AI: Matthew Kennard on BetterLesson’s Evolution 10:07

4M ago10:07

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What happens when you mix AI’s cutting-edge potential with a human-centered mission to radically improve teaching and learning? You get BetterLesson—and you get this conversation. In this special episode of AmpED to 11, Brett Roer sits down with Matthew Kennard, CEO of BetterLesson, to unpack how his team is transforming professional learning and i…

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Episode 327: Holly Owens 56:17

4M ago56:17

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Episode 327: Learning & Development, Instructional Design, and AI Talk with Holly Owens In this episode, I had the honor of chatting with Holly Owens, host of EdUp EdTech, Director of Growth Marketing at Yellowdig, and all-around L&D powerhouse. We talk about everything from instructional design to AI in learning, what "proficiency" really means, a…

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Beyond Productivity: Matt Winters on Building Inclusive, Data-First AI Systems in Education 49:55

4M ago49:55

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What if your state had one person responsible for AI in education—and that person asked more questions than they answered? Meet Matthew Winters, the Utah State Board of Education’s first (and only) AI Specialist. In this episode, Brett and Rebecca sit down with the Renaissance Man of AI to explore what it means to be a thoughtful, scrappy, system-l…

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Let AI Do the Boring Stuff: Jeremy Shorr on Amplifying Humanity in Education 58:30

4M ago58:30

58:30

What if the problem with edtech isn’t the tech at all… but the way we use it? This week on AmpED to 11, we dive into the wild, weird, and wonderfully human world of AI in education with the irreverent and insightful Jeremy Shorr—a self-described “dancing monkey” who’s shaping the future of learning through innovation, STEM ecosystem building, and b…

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Episode 326: Teodora Pavkovic 1:01:00

4M ago1:01:00

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What Does It Mean to Be Digitally Well? | with Teodora Pavkovic In this episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Teodora Pavkovic, psychologist, speaker, and digital wellness expert at Linewize, to unpack how technology shapes our emotions, identity, and relationships. From AI companions and algorithmic influence to parenting in the age of chatbo…

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Episode 325: Andy Murphy 55:05

5M ago55:05

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Digital Dangers Facing Our Kids with Andy Murphy In this episode of My EdTech Life, I sat down with Andy Murphy, also known as The Secure Dad, to talk about the uncomfortable truth: kids are being targeted online, and it’s not a fair fight. We unpack how predators use everyday platforms like games and social media to groom and manipulate children, …

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Rethinking AI’s Role in Teaching: Merissa Sadler-Holder on Time, Trust, and Transformation 41:31

5M ago41:31

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What if the most powerful shift AI offers teachers isn’t complex tech—but a single clarifying question? This week on AmpED to 11, we sit down with Merissa Sadler-Holder, a nationally recognized educator turned AI trailblazer working with schools across the U.S. to not just integrate AI tools, but to redesign what’s possible in classrooms. Founder o…

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Episode 324: Charlie Meyer 1:04:21

5M ago1:04:21

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Episode 324 – Charlie Meyer: The AI Hype, EdTech Snake Oil & What Teachers Actually Want In this episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Charlie Meyer, small business owner and creator of Pickcode, to unpack the growing wave of AI solutionism in education. From being shouted at over not using AI to asking hard questions like, “Would you trust a …

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The Teacher in a Suit Taking AI to the Streets: A Conversation with Winston Roberts 51:34

5M ago51:34

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Winston Roberts is raising a toddler and watching ChatGPT grow up—literally at the same time. As “Teacher in a Suit,” he’s bringing AI into classrooms not as a gimmick, but as a real tool for student agency, equity, and future-readiness. In this episode, Brett and Rebecca dig into Winston’s origin story, his viral PD sessions that leave teachers sh…

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Episode 323: Jen Manly 54:33

5M ago54:33

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AI Ethics, Overreliance & Honest Talk with Jen Manly In this episode of My EdTech Life, Fonz sits down with returning guest Jen Manly, a computer science educator, TikTok powerhouse, and advocate for ethical tech use, to unpack the complex relationship between AI, teaching, and critical thinking. From data privacy concerns to AI detectors that fail…

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Building Learner-Centered Futures: A Conversation with Marlon Styles 52:40

6M ago52:40

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In this episode of AmpED to 11, hosts Brett Roer and Rebecca Bultsma turn up the volume with Marlon Styles, nationally recognized education leader and founder of Styles Junior, LLC. Marlon shares how AI isn’t just a tech upgrade—it’s a tool to unlock creativity, center learning around students, and shape future-ready schools. From real-world storie…

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Episode 322: Dr. José R. Ferrer López 1:05:25

6M ago1:05:25

1:05:25

Episode 322: ¿Instrucciones o experiencias? El nuevo rol del educador en tiempos de IA | Dr. José R. Ferrer ¡Bienvenidos a un nuevo episodio de My EdTech Life! Hoy tengo el honor de conversar con el Dr. José R. Ferrer López sobre su libro Cómo Diseñar Experiencias de Aprendizaje en la Era de la Inteligencia Artificial. Hablamos de pensamiento críti…

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Episode 321: Micah Shippee 49:07

6M ago49:07

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Episode 321: 2059 and the Future of Education with Micah Shippee What if we stopped reacting to every new tech tool and started preparing with intention? In this bold conversation, I sit down with educator, futurist, and Samsung’s Director of Education Solutions, Micah Shippee, to explore his new book 2059: The Future of Education. We dive deep int…

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If Education Stays the Same, We’ve Failed: A Conversation with Alana Winnick 54:12

6M ago54:12

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AI isn’t just reshaping education—it’s calling the whole system into question. Are we using it to spark innovation and amplify student voices, or just speeding up the same tired assignments we've been recycling for decades? In this episode of AmpED to 11, hosts Brett Roer and Rebecca Bultsma sit down with Alana Winnick—EdTech Director, podcast host…

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Episode 320: Zachary Stier & Tom Rendon 1:07:38

6M ago1:07:38

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Episode 320: Creativity in Young Children: What Science Tells Us and Our Hearts Know with Dr. Zachary Stier & Tom Rendon In this episode of My EdTech Life, I’m joined by returning guest Dr. Zachary Stier and first-time guest Tom Rendon to explore their new book Creativity in Young Children: What Science Tells Us and Our Hearts Know. We dive deep in…

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Episode 319: Rob Nelson 47:42

6M ago47:42

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Episode 319: AI, Education, and Moving at Human Speed with Rob Nelson In this powerful episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with educator, writer, and higher ed tech veteran Rob Nelson to explore the real story behind AI in education. Rob challenges the “move fast and break things” mentality and calls for a more human-paced, thoughtful approach to…

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AI, Equity, and Why Ethics Matter More Than Ever with Ken Shelton 1:02:40

7M ago1:02:40

1:02:40

AI promises to revolutionize education—but are we ready to face the tough ethical questions it raises? In this unmissable episode of AmpED to 11, Brett Roer and Rebecca Bultsma sit down with international keynote speaker and education visionary Ken Shelton for a real, raw conversation about equity, ethics, and AI in education. Ken pulls back the cu…

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Episode 318: Paul Matthews & Jason Gulya 59:30

7M ago59:30

59:30

Artificial Intelligence, Real Literacy – Evidence-Based Practices in Action Join me on this engaging episode of My EdTech Life as I sit down with Paul Matthews and Jason Gulya to dive into their book titled Artificial Intelligence, Real Literacy: A Practical Guide to Using AI For Evidence-Based Literacy Practices in Education and explore how AI is …

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Episode 317: Amber Ivey 49:10

7M ago49:10

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Episode 317: Why Ethics Must Lead Our AI Conversations with Amber Ivey In this powerful episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Amber Ivey—data expert and host of the AI for Kids podcast—to unpack one of the most urgent topics in the world of AI: ethics. Amber shares how her journey in government data and policy led her to become a passionate ad…

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AI, Education & The Future of Human Connection: A Conversation with Claire Zau 50:33

7M ago50:33

50:33

AI is evolving at breakneck speed. Every week, a new breakthrough drops that makes us rethink everything—how we work, how we learn, and how we interact with the world. But here’s the real question: Are we racing toward a future where AI makes life easier, or are we sleepwalking into a world where human connection becomes a luxury? In this episode o…

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Episode 316: Ken Patterson 53:58

7M ago53:58

53:58

Why Transparency Matters Now More Than Ever with Ken Patterson In this hard-hitting episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Ken Patterson, a former principal turned AI consultant, who pulls no punches on how AI is really being used in schools. Ken saw firsthand how AI transformed a struggling school into a top performer, but the system pushed ba…

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Closing the AI Literacy Gap: A Conversation with Alex Kotran 56:08

8M ago56:08

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In this episode of AmpED to 11, hosts Brett Roer and Rebecca Bultsma sit down with Alex Kotran, CEO & Co-founder of the AI Education Project (AIEDU), to tackle a pressing issue: the AI literacy gap in schools and what it means for the next generation. Most students graduate without a basic understanding of how AI works—even as it influences job mar…

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Episode 315: Katie Fielding 46:18

8M ago46:18

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Unlock Creativity & Accessibility with Book Creator and Katie Fielding In this special episode of My EdTech Life, we celebrate 100,000 downloads with an incredible guest—Katie Fielding! 🎉 Katie, an educator-turned-EdTech leader, joins us to dive into the power of Book Creator, the most inclusive tool for creativity and demonstrating learning in K-1…

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Episode 314: Arturo Guajardo 49:31

8M ago49:31

49:31

Breaking Language Barriers in Education with Pocketalk with Arturo Guajardo 🎧 Welcome to another exciting episode of My EdTech Life! This week, I'm joined by Arturo Guajardo from Pocketalk, where we explore how their groundbreaking translation device is helping break down language barriers in classrooms, school districts, and beyond! 🌍 Pocketalk is…

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Episode 313: Angeline Corvaglia 48:09

8M ago48:09

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AI Safety, Ethics, and the SHIELD Conference with Angeline Corvaglia The future of AI safety is unfolding fast—and we need to be ready. In this episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Angeline Corvaglia, a global leader in online safety, AI ethics, and digital literacy. We dive into some of the most pressing issues in AI today, including: 🛑 AI-p…

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The Future of Education is Now: AI, Innovation, and the 22nd Century Classroom with Dr. Michael Connor 53:55

8M ago53:55

53:55

In this episode of AmpED to 11, hosts Brett Roer and Rebecca Bultsma sit down with Dr. Michael Connor, CEO & Founder of Agile Evolutionary Group, to explore how AI is transforming education, leadership, and strategic change. Dr. Connor isn’t just following AI trends—he’s engineering the future. His Agile Diagnostic and AI Platform is redefining how…

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Episode 312: Robby Cobbs 58:33

8M ago58:33

58:33

Episode 312: I Used My Boat Money to Start Tech My School with Robby Cobbs What would you do if you saw an entire generation of students being left behind? Robby Cobbs saw the need for better technology, teacher training, and modern resources in Puerto Rican schools—and he took action. Instead of buying a boat, he used his savings to launch Tech My…

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Episode 311: Harmony Jiroudek 46:35

8M ago46:35

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Episode 311: Transforming Audio with Adobe Podcast with Harmony Jiroudek What if creating professional-grade audio was just a few clicks away? In this episode, I sit down with Harmony Jiroudek, Customer Education and Success Lead at Adobe Podcast, to explore how this AI-powered platform is transforming the world of audio creation! 🔹 What You’ll Lea…

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Episode 310: Caryn Sever 53:16

8M ago53:16

53:16

Episode 310: AI, Feedback, and Student Success with Caryn Sever In this episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Caryn Sever, a passionate instructional designer with a mission to revolutionize digital learning. Caryn shares her unique journey into instructional design, her experiences in higher education, and how Generative AI is reshaping the w…

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Pushing AI to the Limits: Innovation, Education, and the Future with Special Guest Michael Yates 35:47

9M ago35:47

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Pushing AI to the Limits: Innovation, Education, and the Future with Special Guest Michael Yates In this episode of AmpED to 11, hosts Brett Roer and Rebecca Bultsma are joined by Michael Yates, a leader at Teach for America’s Reinvention Lab, who is redefining what AI can do in education. Mike isn’t just talking about AI—he’s pushing it to its lim…

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Episode 309: Stacy Kratochvil 45:33

9M ago45:33

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Practical Insights on AI, Equity, and Education with Stacy Kratochvil In this episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Stacy Kratochvil to share actionable insights into using AI in education. Stacy discusses her journey from teaching PE and dance to becoming a leader in AI education and how her work is making a direct impact in classrooms. You’l…

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Episode 308: Jim & Maurie Beasley 55:33

9M ago55:33

55:33

Episode 308: Jim & Maurie Beasley AI Insights from an Engineer-Educator Duo In this exciting episode of My EdTech Life, we welcome Maurie and Jim Beasley, an incredible husband-and-wife team blazing trails in AI for K-12 education! Maurie, an experienced educator and counselor, and Jim, a former engineer turned CTO, share their journey of integrati…

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Infinite Possibilities in Education: AI, Strategy, and More with Special Guest Dan Fitzpatrick 1:26:29

9M ago1:26:29

1:26:29

In this episode of AmpED to 11, hosts Brett Roer and Rebecca Bultsma are joined by Dan Fitzpatrick, also known as The AI Educator. Dan is a bestselling author, Forbes contributor, and a leading expert on AI in education. He takes us through his latest book, Infinite Education, which provides a strategic roadmap for schools looking to embrace AI eff…

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AI in the Classroom: Project Cafe and the Future of Teacher Feedback with Special Guest David Adams 58:51

9M ago58:51

58:51

AI in the Classroom: Project Cafe and the Future of Teacher Feedback with Special Guest David Adams In this episode of AmpED to 11, hosts Brett Roer and Rebecca Bultsma are joined by David Adams, CEO of the Urban Assembly. David takes us through his innovative work with Project Cafe, an AI-powered platform transforming the way teachers receive feed…

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Episode 307: Dagan Bernstein 54:16

10M ago54:16

54:16

Episode 307: AI in Education: Disruption, Challenges, and Opportunities In this episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Dagan Berenstein, an innovative educator and digital content expert, to discuss the transformative impact of AI on education and how it’s reshaping the learning landscape. Discover how AI tools like ChatGPT are empowering stude…