Solve for X

This week on Solve for X, host Dr. Rick Fernandez sits down with Sawyer Altman, Founder of Goblins, to discuss how AI is reshaping personalized learning and why today's technology may finally solve one of education's oldest challenges. Drawing from his experience as a New York City math teacher, Sawyer shares the classroom frustrations that inspired Goblins, an AI-powered math platform designed to...

This week on Solve for X, host Dr. Rick Fernandez is joined by special co-host Ryan Patenaude, Founder of RP Impact Partners, for a conversation with Axel Petochi, Co-Founder of BaboBot, an AI-powered communication platform helping schools simplify information access for students, families, and staff. Axel shares the entrepreneurial journey that began with a simple college problem—figuring out wha...

This week on Solve for X, host Dr. Rick Fernandez sits down with Shaily Baranwal, Founder and CEO of heyC, to explore one of K-12 education’s most persistent challenges: teacher retention. Drawing on her experience as a serial entrepreneur and education innovator, Shaily shares why she believes supporting and developing educators is one of the most important problems schools must solve today. The...

This week on Solve for X, host Dr. Rick Fernandez sits down with Sophie Smith, Founder and CEO, and Leah Guesman, Co-Founder of College Contact. What started as a viral TikTok moment during COVID quickly turned into a fast-growing company helping thousands of students navigate life after high school. Sophie and Leah share how a “happy accident” exposed a massive gap in college and career guidance,...

In this episode of Solve for X, host Dr. Rick Fernandez sits down with Dr. Terry Grier, former superintendent of Houston ISD, San Diego Unified, and Guilford County Schools, and now Co-Founder of Educentric. With decades of experience leading some of the largest and most complex school systems in the country, Dr. Grier shares what it really takes to drive meaningful change in K-12 education. From...

In this episode of Solve for X, host Dr. Rick Fernandez sits down with Dr. Michael Conner, CEO and Founder of Agile Evolutionary Group and former superintendent, for a powerful conversation on leadership, systems thinking, and the future of education. Dr. Conner shares his journey from classroom teacher to superintendent and how a pivotal decision to study business analytics and AI reshaped his pe...

This week on Solve for X, host Dr. Rick Fernandez sits down with Ryan Patenaude, Founder and Managing Director of RP Impact Partners and co-founder of FEV Tutor. Ryan shares the full journey from growing FEV Tutor from $0 to $50M without outside investment to now helping edtech companies scale the right way. Grounded in a family of educators, his work has always centered on equity, access, and del...

This week on Solve for X, host Dr. Rick Fernandez sits down with Susan Miller, Senior Director of K–12 Consulting at Woolpert and a former school board member in Jefferson County, Colorado. With a unique background spanning public finance, school board governance, and long-range facilities planning, Susan brings a multi-dimensional perspective to some of the biggest challenges facing K–12 today. F...

This week on Solve for X, host Dr. Rick Fernandez sits down with Dr. Miranda F. Walichowski, Professor at Texas A and M University and the Principal and Founding Human Architect of Human Architects. Miranda shares her unexpected path from maritime business and a planned law career into education, and eventually into coaching as the missing link she believed schools and organizations needed. Togeth...

This week on Solve for X, host Dr. Rick Fernandez sits down with Matt Schiel, a retired Tomball ISD board member and Texas education advocate known for his steady, no-nonsense approach to governance. From why he first ran for the school board to what changed when COVID turned every decision into a no-win situation, Matt shares what it really looks like to lead through pressure while staying focuse...

This week, our host Rick Fernandez sits down with Dr. Elizabeth Norton, a relentless leader and CTE workforce expert with a remarkable journey through the heart of Tennessee’s education system. From her early days as a reading interventionist to leading statewide literacy initiatives and navigating the complexities of district support, Dr. Norton shares how her passion for impact guided every care...

In this episode of Solve for X, host Dr. Rick Fernandez welcomes Tatiana Ciccarelli, National Solutions Director at Edmentum. A former special education and middle school math teacher from New York City, Tatiana shares how her classroom experience, family conversations about money, and leap into edtech shaped her view of what real college and career readiness should look like for today’s students....

In this episode of Solve for X, host Dr. Rick Fernandez welcomes Max Rombado, Legislative Director at Raise Your Hand Texas. A proud Houstonian and Springwoods High alum, Max brings deep experience navigating the Capitol and advocating for policies that strengthen public education across the state. From landmark teacher pay raises to the controversial expansion of school choice, Max unpacks what t...

In this episode of Solve for X , host Dr. Rick Fernandez welcomes Russ Johnson, CEO of Tessera Technology Group and Trustee at Lorena ISD. With over 30 years in education and leadership, Russ shares how districts can strengthen school safety, sustain superintendents, and prepare students for meaningful careers—while keeping community and care at the center. From balancing technology and trust to s...

In this episode of Solve for X , host Dr. Rick Fernandez welcomes Jonathan Wachtel, Co-Founder of OurCo. With a background spanning journalism, diplomacy, and public affairs, Jonathan shares how OurCo helps districts move beyond one-off surveys to ongoing, moderated community engagement—so leaders can take the pulse before big decisions, not after the backlash. From sentiment tools and push notifi...

In this episode of Solve for X , host Dr. Rick Fernandez welcomes David Sturtz , K12 Program Director at Woolpert. With a career spanning classroom teaching, educational services, and large-scale capital planning, David brings a rare perspective: he’s seen firsthand what students need one-on-one, and how district-level decisions can either expand or limit those opportunities. From tutoring kids in...

In the premiere episode of Solve for X , host Dr. Rick Fernandez welcomes Navy Counselor First Class Petty Officer Brenda Robinson—a dynamic leader, first-generation service member, and career recruiter. From a spontaneous visit to a Navy office during high school to managing critical electrical systems aboard an aircraft carrier, Brenda shares her unconventional path into the military. Her story...