Unpacking Education & Tech Talk For Teachers

In today’s episode, we'll explore how AI can fit into the first step of the research process. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

With AI being able to generate an answer in seconds, the challenge for educators is making sure that students still do the thinking that leads to learning. As our guest, Shelly Muñoz, states, “Don’t outsource the thinking you’re trying to develop.” When used as a replacement, AI can remove the productive struggle that builds understanding. However, when used as an amplifier, it can challenge reaso...

In today’s episode, we'll explore ways that AI might be integrated effectively before, during, and after a Socratic Seminar. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

State policy can feel far removed from daily classroom instruction, but it plays a major role in determining which priorities receive funding, time, and long-term support. In this episode, Lindsey Henderson, Senior Policy Director for Math at ExcelinEd , explains how evidence-based math policy can provide educators with the resources, structures, and guidance needed to strengthen student achieveme...

In today’s episode, we'll explore the human skill development and scaffolding necessary in preparing students for an AI world. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

Laura Rounds, Implementation Strategist at AVID Center, joins us to explore how families and schools can work together more intentionally to support student success. Drawing on her experience as a school counselor, district leader, AVID administrator, professor, and parent advocate, Laura emphasizes that strong partnerships matter more than ever, as students navigate academic pressures, emotional...

Explore 11 ways that AI can help make the back-to-school process more manageable for teachers. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

Naomi Fuentes, Odessa High School Teacher of the Year, shares how her 20-year journey in education has been shaped by patience, vulnerability, servant leadership, and a deep commitment to helping students grow. Naomi reflects on how honest self-assessment and student feedback transformed her classroom practice. She discusses the power of asking students what they need, setting healthy boundaries a...

In today’s episode, we'll explore the findings reported in an MIT study released in June 2025, Your Brain on ChatGPT: Accumulation of Cognitive Debt when Using an AI Assistant for Essay Writing Task . Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

In today’s episode, we'll explore seven additional ways that AI can be effectively integrated into the fifth step of AVID's focused note-taking process , as students apply learning to the real world. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

In today’s episode, we'll explore eight ways that AI can be effectively integrated when students are applying learning to new thinking during the fifth step of AVID's focused note-taking process . Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

In this episode, Katie White draws on her more than 30 years of experience in education and frames assessment as a dynamic, ongoing process that drives learning forward. Our conversation with Katie is a powerful one about common misconceptions surrounding assessment, the importance of student agency, and why the way that we respond to assessment evidence matters more than the assessment itself. Ka...

In today’s episode, we'll explore eight ways that AI can be effectively integrated into the fourth step of AVID's focused note-taking process , when students summarize and reflect on their learning. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

In today’s episode, we'll explore ways that AI can be effectively integrated into the third step of AVID's focused note-taking process , which involves connecting thinking. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

In today’s episode, we'll explore ways that artificial intelligence can be effectively integrated into the second step of AVID's focused note-taking process . Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

In this episode of Unpacking Education, our hosts explore literacy, professional learning communities (PLCs), and school improvement with Paula Maeker, an educator and coauthor of Literacy in a PLC at Work® . Drawing from her experience teaching in under-resourced communities and collaborating with highly effective teams, Paula shares how educators can work collectively to ensure that every studen...

In today’s episode, we'll explore ways that AI can be effectively integrated into the first step of AVID's focused note-taking process . Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

In today’s episode, we'll explore 5 guiding questions that can help you determine if technology should be integrated into your lesson. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

In this episode of Unpacking Education , we explore AI in the English classroom with veteran educator Amy Onstad. With more than three decades of experience teaching high school English, Amy shares how artificial intelligence is reshaping both teaching and learning, from helping teachers save time on tasks like writing recommendation letters to supporting students as they prepare presentations, br...