Integrate This! Ed Tech Podcast

In this episode of Integrate This EdTech Podcast , Jeremy and David talk with Hattie Strong from SchoolAI about what it really looks like to bring AI into schools in ways that are safe, practical, and genuinely helpful for teachers and students. Hattie shares her journey from the elementary classroom to supporting schools through SchoolAI, and the conversation digs into what makes an AI platform t...

In this episode of the Integrate This EdTech Podcast, hosts Dave Berner and Jeremy Mikla sit down with Tara Nattrass, Chief Innovation Strategist at Lenovo and former innovation strategy leader at ISTE and ASCD. Tara shares her journey from elementary classroom teacher to education thought leader and makes a compelling case that the AI in education conversation needs to shift — away from tools and...

In this episode of Integrate This! , we sit down with Sabba Quidwai for a thoughtful conversation about what schools are getting right — and wrong — about AI. Sabba shares how her own journey from classroom teacher to innovation leader has shaped the way she thinks about technology, agency, and the future of learning. We dig into why schools need a compelling story for AI before they ever start wi...

In this episode of the Integrate This EdTech Podcast, hosts David Berner and Jeremy Mikla sit down with Vera Cubero, Emerging Technologies Consultant for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Vera shares her journey from middle school teacher to one of the lead architects of North Carolina's statewide AI guidelines — one of the first four states in the nation to publish them. The co...

What does meaningful professional learning look like in an age of AI? In this episode of Integrate This Conversation , Jeremy Mikla and David Berner explore how schools can support educators as AI becomes a bigger part of teaching, learning, and leadership. They discuss what teachers are asking most, the concerns that keep surfacing, and the strategies that make AI-focused professional learning mo...

In this episode of the Integrate This EdTech Podcast, David Berner and Jeremy Mikla talk with Ken Shelton about AI in education, academic integrity, and why artificial intelligence creates such strong reactions in schools. Ken explores how fear, uncertainty, and the SCARF model help explain resistance to AI, why educators must strengthen AI literacy and media literacy, and how schools can create m...

In this episode of the Integrate This EdTech Podcast, David Berner and Jeremy Mikla interview Kunal Dalal about AI parentology, what it means to parent children in the age of artificial intelligence, and why families should not avoid AI. Kunal shares practical ways parents can use AI to deepen human connection at home, reflects on the risks of the attention economy, and explains how schools can be...

In this episode, Jeremy Mikla and David Berner sit down with John Sowash to talk about the real Google for Education moves that help teachers right away—without hype, fluff, or “one more thing” energy. John shares his journey from classroom teacher to Google-for-Edu creator, plus the behind-the-scenes thinking that makes his work so practical: simple systems, clean workflows, and training that res...

In this episode of the Integrate This! EdTech Podcast, we’re joined by Eric Santos, an education leader and consultant with the Learning Technology Center of Illinois and founder of BetterTeaching.org . Eric shares his origin story (from corporate consulting to the classroom), how AI “hit him in the face” through academic integrity challenges in higher ed, and why intentional technology use should...

What does it look like when a former classroom teacher helps build an AI tool specifically for teachers? In this episode of Integrate This! , we talk with Thomas Thompson (CEO & co-founder) about Eduaide.ai / EduAid AI and what it means to design AI around real classroom workflow: lesson planning, instructional materials, differentiation, assessment supports, and the realities of what AI can (...

Engagement isn’t a Chromebook problem. It isn’t an app problem. And AI isn’t a magic wand. In this episode, Jeremy and David sit down with Carl Hooker to talk about what actually moves the needle right now: designing learning experiences students want to be part of, making creativity + risk-taking normal again, and using AI in ways that strengthen thinking instead of replacing it. Carl also shares...

Designing for the Needs of Every Learner. If generative AI is everywhere, what’s the point of school… of teaching… of learning? In this episode, Jeremy and David sit down with Dave Blanchard to talk about what’s real (and what’s messy) when AI hits actual classrooms and institutions. From learning-space design (yes, “podium optional” ) to faculty development , UDL , digital accessibility , and the...

In this episode of the Integrate This! EdTech Podcast , we’re joined by Ruben Puentedura, creator of the SAMR model and founder of Hippasus, for a deep conversation on learning design, professional development, and what generative AI means for education. Ruben shares his origin story, how SAMR emerged from real classroom research, and why the model is more relevant than ever in the age of AI. We e...

Short hook (first lines matter): What does responsible, teacher-first AI actually look like in the classroom? In this episode of Integrate This! , we’re joined by Arman Jaffer , CEO of Brisk Teaching AI , to talk about AI innovation in education—done right. Full description: In this episode of Integrate This! , we sit down with Arman Jaffer , CEO and co-founder of Brisk Teaching AI , to explore ho...

What if assessment felt less like a “final verdict” and more like an ongoing draft —full of feedback, revision, and real learning? In this episode, Jeremy and David sit down with Jen Ivers (Orono Public Schools) to talk about authentic assessment in the age of AI, and why the writer’s room mindset can be a powerful model for classrooms. Jen shares how shifting from “after-the-fact” feedback to pro...

What should AI literacy actually look like for educators—and how do we keep students at the center while AI changes everything around teaching, learning, and assessment? In this episode of the Integrate This! EdTech Podcast, David Berner and Jeremy Mikla sit down with Alana Winnick (EdTech Director, author of The Generative Age , and host of The Generative Age Podcast ) to unpack what it means to...

What actually makes students lean in? In this episode of the Integrate This! EdTech Podcast , we sit down with Dave Burgess —New York Times bestselling author of Teach Like a Pirate —to unpack the mindset (and practical moves) behind outrageously engaging teaching. Dave shares his origin story, why “questions are the key to creativity,” and how engagement isn’t about gimmicks—it’s about how we pre...

Step inside the world of Day of AI with co-founder and CEO Jeff Riley . In this episode, Jeff shares how Day of AI empowers students to think critically, understand emerging technologies, and build the skills they’ll need in an AI-driven future. We dig into: Why AI literacy isn’t optional for today’s learners How Day of AI creates free, accessible curriculum for all schools The importance of equit...

In this episode, we sit down with Amanda Otero , a trusted instructional leader who works at the intersection of AI in education , digital citizenship , and district-level policy . Amanda shares how she helps schools build practical, human-centered guidelines for AI, and why supporting students starts with meeting them along a spectrum of skills, needs, and confidence. We dive into how thought par...

In this lively episode of Integrate This! , Jeremy and David welcome the one and only Brian Buffington —musician, speaker, educator, and “Chief Glitter Officer.” From tech coaching with style to making learning stick with humor and heart, Brian shares his creative approach to professional development, storytelling, and empowering teachers to stay curious and courageous. We talk AI, authenticity, t...

In this episode of Integrate This! , David and Jeremy sit down with Greg Bagby — educator, consultant, and national edtech leader — to explore how failure can be one of the most powerful teaching and leadership tools. From modeling mistakes in front of staff to building psychological safety for innovation, Greg shares how courage, humility, and reflection create stronger school cultures and better...

Are we preparing students for a specific job, or for a life of intentionality? In this episode, we sit down with former high school math teacher-turned-administrator Marnie Stockman and tech-leader-turned-entrepreneur Nick Coniglio. As authors of "The Business of You," they share their powerful framework for helping students and educators move beyond traditional, and sometimes broken, career-readi...

In this inspiring Integrate This! EdTech Podcast episode, David Berner and Jeremy Mikla sit down with Joe Beckman — speaker, author, and co-founder of Till360 — to talk about reclaiming authentic human connection in an age of screens and AI. Joe shares powerful stories from schools across the country, the origin of “I Love Your Face,” and how small acts of empathy can ripple through classrooms and...

What can a missing glue stick cap teach us about the future of learning? In this inspiring conversation, educator and author Rachelle Dene Poth joins Integrate This! to share her journey through education, innovation, and the art of balancing creativity with structure. Rachelle talks about her transition from world language teacher to technology leader, the lessons she’s learned from her students,...

What happens when you think like a learning engineer ? Dr. Alfonzo “Fonz” Mendoza Jr.—Doctorate in Educational Technology, host of My EdTech Life Podcast, EdTech Advisor district assessment coordinator—joins us to break down authentic assessment, the power of feedback, and how AI can support (not replace) great teaching. We dig into storytelling as evidence of learning, building systems that help...