Under the Hat Podcast

In this season Finale, Steve and Sophie reflect on season three, share upcoming plans for season four, and discuss their experiences with conferences, guest highlights, and new initiatives in education and Edtech.

Most teachers feel overwhelmed by integrating AI and project-based learning — but Tara and John reveal simple, bite-sized strategies that make it achievable and impactful. In this episode of Under the Hat , these seasoned PD experts share practical tips from their recent book updates and real-world classroom successes, showing how AI can amplify student creativity without adding to teacher workloa...

In this episode, we sit down with educator and immersive-learning leader Austin Levinson to explore what it really takes to spark student agency in an era of instant gratification and shrinking attention spans. Austin shares how his own path—from early loves of puzzles and games to a career shift into gifted education—shaped a philosophy rooted in “fidelity to student needs,” not just fidelity to...

In this episode of Under the Hat, educator and author Dave Burgess shares his journey from classroom teacher to renowned speaker and author. Discover his innovative 'teach like a pirate' approach, the power of branding in education, and insights on fostering creativity and engagement among teachers and students alike. Want to learn from Dave? Here are the links: Website Podcast X/Twitter I...

In this episode of Under the Hat, high school innovator Anthony Beckett shares his journey from note-taking struggles to creating Markify, a collaborative classroom tool. Discover how student-led solutions can transform education and the future of edtech. Want to learn more? Here are the links: Website Twitter/X Instagram Facebook YouTube LinkedIn BlueSky TikTok

Join the Under the Hat conversation as we explore the importance of developing student agency in the modern classroom with Dr. Desiree Alexander. Discover strategies, challenges, and insights to empower students and transform education. Want to learn more from Dr. Desiree Alexander? Here are here links: Website X/Twitter Instagram Facebook YouTube LinkedIn BlueSky Pinterest TikTok Amazon

Summary In this episode, the Steve and Sophie discuss the upcoming Eduprotocols March Madness event and the importance of shifting from compliance-driven routines to fostering student agency in education. They are joined by Robert Mayfield, who shares insights on the systemic barriers in education, the role of teachers as designers, and the significance of mentorship. The conversation also explore...

In this episode, co-hosts Steve and Sophie engage with Chuck Moss, an experienced educator and assistant principal, discussing his journey in education, the importance of building relationships, and the philosophy of 'Don't Be Afraid to Be Awesome.' Chuck shares insights on leadership, the significance of teacher support, and the impact of social media in connecting with educators. The...

On this episode of Under the Hat, we are thrilled to drip an episode from Modern Classroom Project Podcast that featured the amazing Margie Tiner. To make this even better, we did a short intro interview with Margie to give us updates on her journey, the working she is doing at Kami, and what's coming up next. Be sure to check out all things Kami and the Modern Classroom Project Podcast! Here...

In this episode of Under the Hat, Dan Thomas, a retired STEM educator and certified LEGO Serious Play facilitator, shares his insights on the importance of play in education. With over 30 years of experience, Dan discusses how hands-on learning and project-based activities can enhance student engagement and learning outcomes. He emphasizes the value of making learning relevant and fun, and how edu...

In this special bonus episode, Steve and Sophie take you behind the scenes of their unforgettable in-person adventure at FETC! Tune in as they dive into the vibrant sense of community, share their exhilarating Keynote experiences, and relive all the fun, surprises, and memorable moments from sunny Orlando. You won’t want to miss this lively recap!

In this episode, the Steve and Sophie explore the theme of unlocking growth in education entrepreneurship with guest Ildi Laczko-Kerr. They discuss the challenges and opportunities in the field, focusing on personalized coaching and professional development for educators. Ildi shares her journey from an immigrant to a leader in educational technology, emphasizing the importance of community and re...

🎙️ Episode Title: Navigating Education with Mantha CamachoIn this episode of Under That Hat, we're thrilled to sit down with the dynamic Mantha Camacho! As a passionate educator with years of experience, Mantha infuses her love for teaching with insights from her journey through the evolving world of EdTech. Join us as Mantha candidly shares her experiences supporting struggling students, cham...

In this exciting episode of Under the Hat, we get to hear from Ariella Racco, Co-Founder and CEO of CoLab Education. Listen as she weaves through the nuances of teacher isolationism, professional development, and the need for meaningful collaboration. Ariella Racco is an Ontario-based educator turned EdTech entrepreneur who founded CoLab Education after experiencing firsthand the challenges of tea...

On this episode, we’re chatting with Derek Oldfield about his educational journey and how we developed Sound Pedagogy. This tool is like a magic wand that captures everything in a classroom, giving us a deeper understanding of how teaching happens in real time. Derek Oldfield is an educator, builder, and coach who has spent his career helping teachers create classrooms full of curiosity, thoughtfu...

Welcome back Tisha Richmond to the show as she discusses her new book The Magical CTE Classroom: Bringing Play, Innovation, and Joy! Come learning Tisha's perspective and experiences in the amazing world of CTE. Tisha is an international speaker, educational speaker, Canva Learning Consultant, podcast host, and author from Southern Oregon. She has served as a district Tech Integration Speciali...

On this episode, Steve and Sophie reflect on 2025 and chat about goals for 2026six and 2027.

On this exciting episode of Under the Hat, we have Nick Coniglio and Marnie Stockman to chat about The Business of You: a fresh, human-first framework that reimagines college and career readiness. Listen in as we dig into the conversation about better preparing ourselves to shift the mindset of positioning success in a different light. Check out the website: https://www.thebusinessofyou.ai/

On this episode of Under the Hat, we are chatting School Culture with Brian Kulak. Listen in as we breakdown the importance and implementation of a sustainable school culture....and yes, this includes staff! Brian Kulak is in his 26th year in education. For the first fifteen, he taught English and journalism at his alma mater in New Jersey before joining leadership in 2014. He has been both a Chie...

On this episode, we have the pleasure of hearing from Starr Sackstein. Starr brings a tremendous amount of insight on various topics but one of her passions is changing the mindset around grading and assessing. Starr Sackstein is a recovering perfectionist, assessment reform advocate, and education consultant dedicated to transforming how we do teaching and learning. As the Massachusetts State Coo...

On this episode of Under the Hat, we have the pleasure of having Jon Laven of Snorkl! Jon and Steve chat about AI in the classroom, cognitive overload, and Snork. Jon is a teacher, instructional coach, and co-founder of Snorkl – the classroom AI tool that uses multimodal student input to give students instant feedback on their thinking, writing, problem solving, and explanations. A life-long learn...

On this episode of Under the Hat, we have founder of Short Answer Adam Sparks! Adam unpacks the need for writing solutions in the classroom and the journey he took to get his platform off the ground. Truly, an amazing story! Adam Sparks taught 6-12th grade ELA and SS for 7 years before recently finishing his master's in Learning Design and Technology (LDT) at Stanford. In LDT, Adam built a gam...

On this episode of Under the Hat, we have math expert/author Lisa M Nowakowski to chat all things math, MathReps, Eduprotocols, and number sense! Lisa is passionate about helping people understand how to use technology in the classroom. She is dedicated to helping teachers, students, and administrators become more effective in their use of Ed Tech. She firmly believes that technology should be use...

On this episode of Under the Hat, Steve sits down with AJ Melanson to discuss his experiences as an educator and insight on how we grade with equity in mind. AJ takes pride in his work with Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) work. He has most recently presented on Grading for Equity at MassCUE, RTM Boston, and Medfield’s Design Your Learning Day.

On this episode of Under the Hat, we get to talk about Competency Based Education with Aman Sahota. Aman shares his work in this area with AI learner profiles, and the research he has done Toronto. Aman Sahota is the co-founder of Factors Education, an award-winning edtech startup dedicated to transforming learning. A passionate lifelong learner, Aman has honed his expertise through prestigious ac...