This series shines a spotlight on the innovative edtech companies working to make a difference for students and educators. Through conversations with the founders and CEOs, partner organizations, and the educators who are using their products in schools today, listeners hear about solutions relevant to their chronic challenges and opportunity-expanding ideas to go into uncharted directions.
Today we're thrilled to introduce Class Composer, the newest startup to join the show. We speak with CEO and co-founder Mike Cronley. Class Composer is a software solution designed to create balanced and equitable classroom assignments. Mike shares his journey from being a third-grade teacher to developing a tool that addresses the challenges of inequitable class assignments. The conversation explores the inception of Class Composer, its functionality, customer feedback, and the future of the product as it aims to expand its impact in education.About today's guest:While some big ideas are born in the boardroom, others are born in the lunchroom. In his 12 years teaching third grade near Denver, Colorado, Mike shared the frustrations of many colleagues enduring inequitable classes – for example, classes having an imbalance of low readers or students with challenging behavior. These imbalances weren’t surprising, given the student placement process was done with pink and blue paper cards. Over lunch one day in 2007, the school’s music teacher was venting to Mike about some unruly students who mistakenly ended up in her class together, even though they were supposed to have been separated based on their disruptive behavior the year before. Wouldn’t it be great, they mused, if there were some software to create class lists and avoid these basic errors? As a self-professed technology geek, Mike started dreaming about the possibility of creating his own solution. That dream grew into an obsession, and he found himself spending evenings and weekends consumed by research – driving his wife crazy. The result was Class Composer, software built on Mike’s tech savvy, his teacher’s perspective, and his commitment to creating positive learning environments.Mike, who received his B.S. in Psychology from the Ohio State University and an elementary teaching certificate from the University of Colorado Denver, is no longer in the classroom, but is an educator at heart who loves making a positive impact on the lives of teachers and students. He lives in Boulder, Colorado with his wife and two poodles, and he loves to ski, bike, and camp with his family, including his college-age son and daughter.About today's host:Scott Schuette is a Learning and Development Executive with years of experience driving the creation of innovative, multi-million dollar learning platforms and education programs for major corporate enterprise companies. He is cohost of The Fabulous Learning Nerds, a podcast sharing new ideas, learning tools, approaches and technology that increase learner engagement and impact — All while having FUN! Listen to the show and subscribe here: https://fabulouslearningnerds.transistor.fm
6/13/25 • 34:40
Priten Shah, the founder and CEO of Pedagogy.Cloud and Pedagog.ai, returns as guest. He gets us caught up on the company's latest work, sets the context for ethics and AI, and discusses some of the key questions educators need to be asking about AI. Hear about:Embracing tech for a meaningful purposeFinding new uses for AI and being realistic about some of the persistent challengesPriten's updated outlook for what we can expect from educators, students and AIBroadening our concept of future success to include more than careersOvercoming tech resistanceAbout Pedagog.ai:Pedagog.ai is focused on supporting educators in adapting to the age of artificial intelligence in education. The company offers a variety of professional development options, including books, online courses, webinars, and in-person workshops, to help teachers learn about the latest advancements in AI and education. Their suite of tools is designed with educators in mind, aiming to enhance curriculum development and workflow efficiency through AI technology. They also provide tools tailored for student use, enabling them to engage in assignments that leverage AI capabilities in a classroom setting. Learn more:http://pedagog.ai/https://twitter.com/pedagogycloudhttps://www.instagram.com/pedagogycloud/https://facebook.com/pedagogycloudAbout today's guest:Priten Shah, M. ED and B.A, Harvard, is the CEO of Pedagogy.Cloud, which provides innovative technology solutions to help educators navigate global challenges in a rapidly evolving world. He is also the author of the Wiley’s Jossey-Bass publication, “AI & The Future of Education: Teaching in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.“ Pedagogy.Cloud has worked with over 200 different educational organizations to adapt and innovate during major world events including the Covid-19 Pandemic. He and his team are currently focused on helping educational organizations adapt to the ever growing capabilities of AI. Priten is also the founder of United 4 Social Change, a civics education nonprofit that focuses on helping teachers integrate interdisciplinary education into their curricula through animated videos, lesson plans, and innovative classroom activities. Connect with Priten:http://linkedin.com/in/pritenhshahhttps://twitter.com/pritenhshahAbout today's host:Scott Schuette is a Learning and Development Executive with years of experience driving the creation of innovative, multi-million dollar learning platforms and education programs for major corporate enterprise companies. He is cohost of The Fabulous Learning Nerds, a podcast sharing new ideas, learning tools, approaches and technology that increase learner engagement and impact — All while having FUN! Listen to the show and subscribe here: https://fabulouslearningnerds.transistor.fm
4/16/25 • 35:07
We're excited to have Christel Reaves, founder and CEO of Connected Class, back on the show. Today she shares some of the big developments with Connected Class over the past six months and a lot more:Hear about:Earned insights on scaling a startupKnowing your strengths as a founder and building the right team around yourselfProviding resources that give parents options to support their child's educationLiteracy, math and social-emotional developmentThe resilient mindset required of an edtech entrepreneur in changing timesAbout Connected ClassWe build communication between the classroom and home environment through exciting games, strategies, and activities to help students succeed academically. Learn more:www.connectedclass.com https://twitter.com/connectedclass_https://www.instagram.com/connected_class https://www.linkedin.com/company/connected-class About today’s guestChristel Reaves, founder and CEO of Connected Class, is an enthusiastic educator dedicated to improving learning and equipping educators to succeed. Her passion for ensuring family engagement throughout the learning process is evident and at the core of every product and service provided by Connected Class. She oversees a team of Instructional Specialists to support schools, focusing on helping educators analyze data, develop action plans, implement instructional strategies, and enhance family engagement for improved student achievement. Before Christel was the founder of Connected Class, she was a classroom teacher, county resource educator and district administrator. She worked closely with the state to remove low performing Title I schools from Intervene status. Over the past 25 years, she has helped many schools improve their student performance and engage families. About today’s hostScott Schuette is a Learning and Development Executive with years of experience driving the creation of innovative, multi-million dollar learning platforms and education programs for major corporate enterprise companies. He is cohost of The Fabulous Learning Nerds, a podcast sharing new ideas, learning tools, approaches and technology that increase learner engagement and impact — All while having FUN! Listen to the show and subscribe here: https://fabulouslearningnerds.transistor.fm
3/12/25 • 31:09
In this episode, we welcome back Scholar Education co-founder Marlee Strawn for a deep conversation about developing "good AI" that solves pressing challenges for educators. Marlee and Scott discuss:Going from teacher to administrator to founderStarting Scholar Education and building BaxterBotGenerating meaningful data insightsPutting real education expertise and context behind the dataAn AI tool with a purpose - supporting students with 504s and IEPsProviding actionable steps for parents to support their childWhat Marlee has learned in the first 18 months of entrepreneurshipAbout Scholar EducationScholar Education is an AI-powered classroom enhancement platform that offers a suite of AI tools designed to deliver a personalized learning environment, with a specific focus on implementing and tracking accommodations for ESE, 504, and ELL students. Learn more at https://www.joinscholar.com About today’s guestMarlee Strawn's career started as a high school teacher and reached a significant milestone when she became the founding principal of the top-performing charter high school in the seventh largest district in the nation. Following her successful tenure as principal, Marlee transitioned to a new role in the education technology sector. As the Co-Founder and Head of Education at Scholar Education, Marlee leads the development of an AI-powered classroom enhancement platform designed to eliminate administrative burdens for teachers. She was also recently selected as a 2024 EDSAFE AI Alliance Women in AI Fellow. About today’s hostScott Schuette is a Learning and Development Executive with years of experience driving the creation of innovative, multi-million dollar learning platforms and education programs for major corporate enterprise companies. He is cohost of The Fabulous Learning Nerds, a podcast sharing new ideas, learning tools, approaches and technology that increase learner engagement and impact — All while having FUN! Listen to the show and subscribe here: https://fabulouslearningnerds.transistor.fm
1/29/25 • 33:51
In this episode, Barb Flowers speaks with Dr. Shannon Putman. Shannon is owner of Putman XR Consulting, focusing on immersive technology education, training, and support. She was a special education teacher in Jefferson County Public Schools (KY) for 15 years. Hear their conversation about:Using VR for virtual field trips and job shadowingUnderstanding how virtual reality gives students the real experience of different jobs that are otherwise hard to access (such as working on wind turbines)Connecting with professional mentors through immersive technologyGiving students of various backgrounds exposure to a range of careersGiving kids hope about their options for the futureAdvice for teachers to get familiar with new technologyAbout today’s hostBarb Flowers is a certified Life Coach and former Elementary Principal with a PhD in K-12 leadership from Kent State University. She is host of the following podcasts:The Principal’s Handbook — Lessons on communication, time management, overcoming overwhelm, and more, designed to help school leaders become more confident and well-rounded. The Teacher Burnout Podcast — This show explores the complex issue of teacher burnout and shares practical solutions to support your well-being and reignite your passion for education.About Be More ColorfulBe More Colorful, based in Fargo, North Dakota specializes in immersive technology solutions for solving workforce development problems. Co-founded by husband-and-wife team Matt and Katie Chaussee, the company has been at the forefront of creating immersive media solutions that help people make better decisions about where they choose to live, learn, work and play. Learn more:https://www.bemorecolorful.com https://www.facebook.com/careerviewxr https://www.facebook.com/bemorecolorful https://www.linkedin.com/company/careerviewxr https://www.linkedin.com/company/be-more-colorful https://www.instagram.com/bemorecolorful https://twitter.com/bemorecolorful https://www.tiktok.com/@bemorecolorful
1/15/25 • 23:46
Adrienne Usher, Assistant Superintendent of Bullitt County Public Schools in Kentucky, is today’s guest. She discusses her work to bring engaging project-based learning to her district and more:Profile of a graduate and building key competencies into academicsCreating authentic learning experiences focused on productive collaboration and innovative problem solvingChange management through simple shiftsCollaborative learning and documenting the learning journey with InkwireHow to establish a vision for learning and choose technology that supports it appropriatelyAbout today’s hostBarb Flowers is a certified Life Coach and former Elementary Principal with a PhD in K-12 leadership from Kent State University. She is host of the following podcasts:The Principal’s Handbook — Lessons on communication, time management, overcoming overwhelm, and more, designed to help school leaders become more confident and well-rounded. The Teacher Burnout Podcast — This show explores the complex issue of teacher burnout and shares practical solutions to support your well-being and reignite your passion for education.About today’s guestDr. Adrienne Usher currently serves the students, staff and community as Assistant Superintendent in Bullitt County Public Schools in Kentucky. In her role, she provides direct consultation to the Superintendent and is responsible for overseeing, promoting and implementing curriculum, instruction and assessment programming, PreK-12, alongside district and school leaders while aligning federal, state and local resources to support the instructional vision and mission for the district. Adrienne has experience in both Kentucky and Tennessee, and has served as a teacher, school counselor, instructional coach, principal, and district level administrator prior to her present role.About InkwireIn a world in which generative AI has called into question the value of traditional curriculum and assessments, Inkwire is a platform that engages students in real projects and helps them demonstrate their original thinking & skills through portfolios. Learn more: https://inkwire.co
11/6/24 • 22:11
Welcome to this special episode of the EdTech Startup Showcase, part of our National Literacy Month series of podcasts, presented in partnership between the Be Podcast Network and Reading Is Fundamental (RIF).Our guest today is Kyle Wallgren, a startup coach, investor, and CEO of Edsoma, whose AI-powered app unlocks the science of reading. Hear about:Kyle’s entrepreneurial background and motivation to make an impact in educationHow Edsoma works and the challenges it addresses for students, parents, and educatorsWhat makes Edsoma unique and the latest exciting developments, including investment from Shaquille O’NealInsights for other founders in the edtech spaceAbout today’s hostRoss Romano is a co-founder of the BE Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Twitter @RossBRomano or https://www.linkedin.com/in/rossromano Listen to his other shows:The Authority — deep-dive interviews with the leading minds in leadership, management, education, and personal development.Sideline Sessions — conversations with successful coaches and performance experts from professional, collegiate, and youth sports.
10/2/24 • 41:35
Joel Backon is the editor-in-chief of Educate AI Magazine, a new platform dedicated to supporting those who seek to enhance learning through artificial intelligence. The Be Podcast Network is collaborating with Educate AI to share podcasts and other content advancing educators’ understanding of AI tools and trends. In this bonus episode, you'll hear about:How Joel got involved with Educate AI and the publication’s “why”Topics covered in the magazine: use cases, opportunities and risks, AI’s evolutionHow educators are discussing their experience with AIThe value Educate AI seeks to provideOpportunities to get involvedAbout today’s guestJoel Backon is the editor-in-chief of Educate AI Magazine. Before joining Educate AI, Joel launched and was the founding editor of Intrepid Ed News, an online education publication that grew to almost 100,000 readers. For most of his career, he was an independent school teacher and administrator, teaching history and government while leading the school’s instructional technology effort, running a dormitory, coaching basketball, and chairing several committees. Immediately following college, Joel spent 15 years in the printing and publishing industries.About today’s hostRoss Romano is a co-founder of the BE Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Twitter @RossBRomano or https://www.linkedin.com/in/rossromano Listen to his other shows:The Authority — deep-dive interviews with the leading minds in leadership, management, education, and personal development.Sideline Sessions — conversations with successful coaches and performance experts from professional, collegiate, and youth sports.
9/28/24 • 34:06
Today, we’re discussing the skill-based economy, modern career and technical education, and redefining college and career pathways with CareerViewXR’s Matt Chaussee and Richard Kincaid from the Maryland State Department of Education. Hear about:Career is the goal. College is one of several ways to get there.” Redefining College and Career PathwaysHow career exploration can help define goals and begin with the end in mindMaryland’s apprenticeship efforts Improving the quality of the discourse around “college vs. non-college”Compelling reasons/data to evolve CTE programsSupporting educators and improving partnershipsPredictions for the next decadeAbout today’s guestsMatt Chaussee is co-founder and CEO of award-winning immersive media and virtual reality production studio Be More Colorful, which is revolutionizing career exploration for students with the groundbreaking product, CareerViewXR.Richard Kincaid is the Senior Executive Director for the Office of College and Career Pathways at the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). In December 2023, he was a finalist for ACTE’s National Career and Technical Education Administrator of the Year. Richard serves on the national Board of Directors for SkillsUSA and is actively involved as an appointed Commissioner on the Apprenticeship 2030 Commission and on the Maryland Technology Development Corporation’s Equitech Growth Fund and Commission. Prior to joining MSDE, Richard was the State Director of Career and Technical Education at the District of Columbia’s Office of the State Superintendent of Education and co-led a $65 million initiative to close equity and opportunity gaps through the development of DC’s first Advanced Technical Center, drawing national attention from the US Department of Education, the National Office of Cybersecurity, and the White House. About today’s hostRoss Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Twitter @RossBRomano or LinkedIn. Listen to his other shows:The Authority — deep-dive interviews with the leading minds in leadership, management, education, and personal development.Sideline Sessions — conversations with successful coaches and performance experts from professional, collegiate, and youth sports.
9/25/24 • 60:20
Bonny Lorenzo, an instructional specialist with Connected Class, is today’s guest. Bonny has more than 35 years of teaching and leadership experience at the elementary and high school levels. Integrating classroom technology that doesn’t distract from the learning experienceTailoring instruction to individual student needsUsing technology to give teachers choiceHelping educators balance in-person and virtual learningEducators’ most common professional development needsAbout today’s hostBarb Flowers is a certified Life Coach and an Elementary Principal with a PhD in K-12 leadership from Kent State University. She is host of the following podcasts:The Principal’s Handbook — Lessons on communication, time management, overcoming overwhelm, and more, designed to help school leaders become more confident and well-rounded. The Teacher Burnout Podcast — This show explores the complex issue of teacher burnout and shares practical solutions to support your well-being and reignite your passion for education.About Connected ClassWe build communication between the classroom and home environment through exciting games, strategies, and activities to help students succeed academically. Learn more:www.connectedclass.com https://twitter.com/connectedclass_https://www.instagram.com/connected_classhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/connected-class
9/11/24 • 22:24
In this episode, you’ll hear insights on valuable applications of AI for teachers. Find out how to use AI tools to create better assignments, enhance students’ critical thinking skills, save time on various tasks, differentiate instruction, and more. About today’s guestNina Bamberg is Director of Curriculum and Instruction for Pedagogy.Cloud and Director of Programs at United 4 Social Change. About today’s hostBarb Flowers is a certified Life Coach and an Elementary Principal with a PhD in K-12 leadership from Kent State University. She is host of the following podcasts:The Principal’s Handbook — Lessons on communication, time management, overcoming overwhelm, and more, designed to help school leaders become more confident and well-rounded. The Teacher Burnout Podcast — This show explores the complex issue of teacher burnout and shares practical solutions to support your well-being and reignite your passion for education.About Pedagog.ai:Pedagog.ai is focused on supporting educators in adapting to the age of artificial intelligence in education. The company offers a variety of professional development options, including books, online courses, webinars, and in-person workshops, to help teachers learn about the latest advancements in AI and education. Their suite of tools is designed with educators in mind, aiming to enhance curriculum development and workflow efficiency through AI technology. They also provide tools tailored for student use, enabling them to engage in assignments that leverage AI capabilities in a classroom setting. Learn more: http://pedagog.ai
8/28/24 • 27:13
Today we’re excited to welcome a new company to the Showcase, Scholar Education, in this conversation with Marlee Strawn, the company’s co-founder and Head of Education.Hear about:Vision and goals of Scholar EducationWho Scholar Education’s solutions are designed to support in schoolsThe challenges the company is solvingMarlee’s career in educationWhat educators are sharing about their experience with the toolHow Marlee got involved with AIAbout Scholar EducationScholar Education is an AI-powered classroom enhancement platform that offers a suite of AI tools designed to deliver a personalized learning environment, with a specific focus on implementing and tracking accommodations for ESE, 504, and ELL students. Learn more at https://www.joinscholar.com or join the teacher waitlist: bit.ly/ScholarWaitlist About today’s guestMarlee Strawn's career started as a high school teacher and reached a significant milestone when she became the founding principal of the top-performing charter high school in the seventh largest district in the nation. Following her successful tenure as principal, Marlee transitioned to a new role in the education technology sector. As the Co-Founder and Head of Education at Scholar Education, Marlee leads the development of an AI-powered classroom enhancement platform designed to eliminate administrative burdens for teachers. She was also recently selected as a 2024 EDSAFE AI Alliance Women in AI Fellow. About today’s hostRoss Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Twitter @RossBRomano or LinkedIn. Listen to his other shows:The Authority — deep-dive interviews with the leading minds in leadership, management, education, and personal development.Sideline Sessions — conversations with successful coaches and performance experts from professional, collegiate, and youth sports.
8/14/24 • 36:19
Today, we have a great conversation about career-connected learning and career exploration with Matt Chaussee, founder and CEO of Be More Colorful, and middle school principal Hebat Abdelbaki. Hear about:The future-focused definition of Career & Technical EducationThe in-demand and growing career fields How Hebat engaged her community to find out what careers they wanted to learn aboutDetermining short- and long-term success of CTE programsMaking things relevant to students and educatorsContinuous learning into adulthoodMeaningful uses of technologyAbout today’s guestsMatt Chaussee is co-founder and CEO of award-winning immersive media and virtual reality production studio Be More Colorful, which is revolutionizing career exploration for students with the groundbreaking product, CareerViewXR.Hebat Abdelbaki is the principal of Stout Middle School with the Dearborn Public Schools in Dearborn, Michigan. She is a 2024 Excellence in Equity Award winner through the American Consortium for Equity in Education.About today’s hostRoss Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Twitter @RossBRomano or LinkedIn. Listen to his other shows:The Authority — deep-dive interviews with the leading minds in leadership, management, education, and personal development.Sideline Sessions — conversations with successful coaches and performance experts from professional, collegiate, and youth sports.
7/24/24 • 40:39
In this episode, we hear from Dr. Mat Barnett, Director of TK-12 Programs Beaumont Unified School District (CA). Mat began his career as a teacher in Anaheim, CA, and also held roles including junior high principal and director of education services in the Fullerton School District.Mat describes his interesting journey to the education field, his approach to coaching and professional development, fostering student ownership of learning, and more. Hear about:Professional learning focused on the entire classroom experienceHelping teachers focus on the things that are most valuableHow Classroom Mosaic enables data-driven coaching in the districtClear communication around the purpose of walkthroughsFeedback from administrators and teachers about purposeful shifts in coachingTechniques to improve relationships between coaches and teachers“You have to have that implementation-level data collecting tool.” Why this is critical for districts and how a tool like Classroom Mosaic supports educators. About today’s hostTanya Sheckley is the Founder and President of UP Academy, a progressive elementary lab school in San Mateo, California. UP Academy is reinventing education by customizing learning for each student, integrating project-based learning throughout its curriculum, and supporting students with disabilities to attend alongside able-bodied students in mixed-age classrooms.Tanya hosts the Rebel Educator podcast, speaks across the country on the future of education, and leads professional development programs for school administrators and educators. Listen to Rebel Educator here: https://re.bepodcast.network/ About Classroom Mosaic:We help K-12 leaders support, develop, and retain their teachers. For over a decade, we've worked with educators worldwide from districts large (100k students) and small (150 students) to transform instructional practice, guide professional development, and impact student learning.We believe every student deserves a great education. And a great education starts with great teachers supported by great leaders. Learn more: classroommosaic.comtwitter.com/ClassroomMosaic linkedin.com/company/classroommosaic/
6/26/24 • 31:40
In this exciting and idea-packed episode, we catch up with Priten Shah and Aatash Parikh, two of our edtech founders who are also innovative thinkers on artificial intelligence and its potential for schools. Hear about:How do we understand what technologies are truly “AI?”What we’re still waiting to learn about what AI technologies can and will becomeWhat it means to become “AI literate”Helping to solve persistent problems in educationAppropriately embracing new technologies in schoolsHow are students responding to new AI tools in their classrooms?The most important advances schools should make with their use of AI in the next yearAbout today’s guestsAatash Parikh, founder of Inkwire, is an educator and an engineer. Aatash has worked as a software engineer at companies like Google & Khan Academy and as a middle school teacher in Oakland Unified School District. Connect on Twitter or LinkedIn. Priten Shah is the CEO of Pedagogy.Cloud, which provides innovative technology solutions to help educators navigate global challenges in a rapidly evolving world. He is also the author of Wiley’s Jossey-Bass publication, AI & The Future of Education: Teaching in the Age of Artificial Intelligence. He and his team are currently focused on helping educational organizations adapt to the ever growing capabilities of AI. Connect with Priten on Twitter or LinkedIn. About today’s hostRoss Romano is a co-founder of the BE Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Twitter @RossBRomano or https://www.linkedin.com/in/rossromano Listen to his other shows:The Authority — deep-dive interviews with the leading minds in leadership, management, education, and personal development.Sideline Sessions — conversations with successful coaches and performance experts from professional, collegiate, and youth sports.
6/5/24 • 38:55
Christel Reaves, founder and CEO of Connected Class, returns to the show to talk us through strategies for summer learning success. Hear about:The significant challenges posed by the “Summer Slide”Why math and reading are the most critical subject areas for summer learningHow the opportunity cost of time spent re-learning material holds the whole class backSummer learning resources offered by Connected Class that make learning fun for families (Learn more: https://bit.ly/3QSDbyE) How parents support summer learningWhat schools can do to prioritize better summer learning About today’s guestChristel Reaves, founder and CEO of Connected Class, is an enthusiastic educator dedicated to improving learning and equipping educators to succeed. Her passion for ensuring family engagement throughout the learning process is evident and at the core of every product and service provided by Connected Class. She oversees a team of Instructional Specialists to support schools, focusing on helping educators analyze data, develop action plans, implement instructional strategies, and enhance family engagement for improved student achievement. Before Christel was the founder of Connected Class, she was a classroom teacher, county resource educator and district administrator. She worked closely with the state to remove low-performing Title I schools from Intervene status. Over the past 25 years, she has helped many schools improve their student performance and engage families. Learn more: www.connectedclass.comAbout today’s hostRoss Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Twitter @RossBRomano or https://www.linkedin.com/in/rossromano Listen to his other shows:The Authority — deep-dive interviews with the leading minds in leadership, management, education, and personal development.Sideline Sessions — conversations with successful coaches and performance experts from professional, collegiate, and youth sports.
5/22/24 • 23:34
In this episode, we’re joined by special guest Wayde Sick, State Director of the North Dakota Department of Career and Technical Education. Wayde was previously Director of Workforce Development for the ND Dept. of Commerce and also worked as a school director. Hear about:Using innovative technology to enhance career explorationExploring in-demand occupations in rural areasVirtual reality to provide tangible experiencesHow North Dakota began using CareerView XR statewide. What happens when students are introduced to careers they didn’t know existedGetting employers involvedAbout today’s hostTanya Sheckley is the Founder and President of UP Academy, a progressive elementary lab school in San Mateo, California. UP Academy is reinventing education by customizing learning for each student, integrating project-based learning throughout its curriculum, and supporting students with disabilities to attend alongside able-bodied students in mixed-age classrooms.Tanya hosts the Rebel Educator podcast, speaks across the country on the future of education, and leads professional development programs for school administrators and educators. Listen to Rebel Educator here: https://re.bepodcast.network/ About Be More ColorfulBe More Colorful, based in Fargo, North Dakota specializes in immersive technology solutions for solving workforce development problems. Co-founded by husband-and-wife team Matt and Katie Chaussee, the company has been at the forefront of creating immersive media solutions that help people make better decisions about where they choose to live, learn, work and play. Learn more:https://www.bemorecolorful.com https://www.facebook.com/careerviewxr https://www.facebook.com/bemorecolorful https://www.linkedin.com/company/careerviewxr https://www.linkedin.com/company/be-more-colorful https://www.instagram.com/bemorecolorful https://twitter.com/bemorecolorful https://www.tiktok.com/@bemorecolorful
5/8/24 • 26:18
In this episode, Aidan Kestigian, a visiting fellow in the Department of Philosophy at Harvard University and the Vice President of Operations and Curriculum for ThinkerAnalytix, shares her insights on using AI to help students critically evaluate information and form better arguments. Hear about:Pedagog.ai’s connection to philosophyHow AI can have a role in moderating disagreements and creating productive discussionGiving students targeted practice in making an argumentUsing AI to make content and exercises grade- and skill-appropriateGiving students the tools to critically evaluate what they’re reading and hearingPersuasive arguments in a disagreementAbout today’s hostTanya Sheckley is the Founder and President of UP Academy, a progressive elementary lab school in San Mateo, California. UP Academy is reinventing education by customizing learning for each student, integrating project-based learning throughout its curriculum, and supporting students with disabilities to attend alongside able-bodied students in mixed-age classrooms.Tanya hosts the Rebel Educator podcast, speaks across the country on the future of education, and leads professional development programs for school administrators and educators. Listen to Rebel Educator here: https://re.bepodcast.network/ About Pedagog.aiPedagog.ai is focused on supporting educators in adapting to the age of artificial intelligence in education. The company offers a variety of professional development options, including books, online courses, webinars, and in-person workshops, to help teachers learn about the latest advancements in AI and education. Their suite of tools is designed with educators in mind, aiming to enhance curriculum development and workflow efficiency through AI technology. They also provide tools tailored for student use, enabling them to engage in assignments that leverage AI capabilities in a classroom setting. Learn more:http://pedagog.ai https://twitter.com/pedagogycloud https://www.instagram.com/pedagogycloud https://facebook.com/pedagogycloud
4/24/24 • 27:47
In this episode, Ted Cuevas, a physics and engineering teacher at High Tech High – Chula Vista (California), is our guest. He was the first teacher to start using Inkwire two years ago, pioneering innovative projects with students and contributing significantly to the shaping of Inkwire's platform with his pedagogical vision around learning and assessment.Hear about:Ted’s transition from mechanical engineering to teachingHow Ted, High Tech High, and Inkwire all commit to equity and empowermentCollaborating to design a platform for portfolios and enabling students to communicate about their learningHow the past few years have reignited his passion for teachingThe purpose and process of assessmentCompetency-based learning, project-based learning, AI, design, and moreAbout today’s hostTanya Sheckley is the Founder and President of UP Academy, a progressive elementary lab school in San Mateo, California. UP Academy is reinventing education by customizing learning for each student, integrating project-based learning throughout its curriculum, and supporting students with disabilities to attend alongside able-bodied students in mixed-age classrooms.Tanya hosts the Rebel Educator podcast, speaks across the country on the future of education, and leads professional development programs for school administrators and educators. Listen to Rebel Educator here: https://re.bepodcast.network/ About InkwireIn a world in which generative AI has called into question the value of traditional curriculum and assessments, Inkwire is a platform that engages students in real projects and helps them demonstrate their original thinking & skills through portfolios. Learn more: https://inkwire.co
4/10/24 • 36:35
In this episode, Amanda Anthony, an instructional specialist with Connected Class, discusses her journey in education and shares insights on improving parent engagement, empowering parents to support learning, differentiation, and more. This begins a series of five episodes hosted by Tanya Sheckley, host of Rebel Educator on the BE Podcast Network. Hear about:Amanda’s journey from music to K-8 educationHow Connected Class developed organically to meet teachers’ desire for better trainingCreating a real community between parents and schoolsEffective strategies for differentiated instructionMeeting students’ diverse needsHow to help parents become empowered learning partnersPlay as a tool for learning About today’s guestAmanda Anthony is a Learning Link Instructional Specialist at Connected Class with over 20 years experience as an educator. She is known for providing invaluable feedback and differentiating instruction. Learn more about Connected Class:www.connectedclass.com https://twitter.com/connectedclass _https://www.instagram.com/connected_class https://www.linkedin.com/company/connected-class About today’s hostTanya Sheckley is the Founder and President of UP Academy, a progressive elementary lab school in San Mateo, California. UP Academy is reinventing education by customizing learning for each student, integrating project-based learning throughout its curriculum, and supporting students with disabilities to attend alongside able-bodied students in mixed-age classrooms.Tanya hosts the Rebel Educator podcast, speaks across the country on the future of education, and leads professional development programs for school administrators and educators. Listen to Rebel Educator here: https://re.bepodcast.network/
3/27/24 • 25:40
Ben Gustafson, founder of Classroom Mosaic is our guest on the show today. Classroom Mosaic is a teacher observation platform that powers transformational leadership with effective observations.Hear about:How Classroom Mosaic got startedTheir vision for transforming teaching and learning The importance of feedback in K-12 educationThe story behind the name "Classroom Mosaic"The future of the company Hear more about Classroom Mosaic:We help K-12 leaders support, develop, and retain their teachers. For over a decade, we've worked with educators worldwide from districts large (100k students) and small (150 students) to transform instructional practice, guide professional development, and impact student learning.We believe every student deserves a great education. And a great education starts with great teachers supported by great leaders. Learn more: classroommosaic.comtwitter.com/ClassroomMosaic linkedin.com/company/classroommosaic/twitter.com/Ben__Gustafson linkedin.com/in/bengus28/About today's guests:In 2011, Ben and Tyler founded Classroom Mosaic as seniors at Dutch Fork High. They developed a prototype during a project-based learning class as part of a STEM program. Based on the overwhelmingly positive response they received from the prototype, they took what they learned and started building Classroom Mosaic.They launched the first version of the platform in the fall of 2011 from their dorm rooms as freshmen. Within two weeks, Classroom Mosaic became profitable, with multiple school districts using it to support and develop their teachers.Since then, we've fallen in love with the problem of supporting teachers well, and our passion for building practical tools for K-12 educators has only grown. We've logged thousands of hours with instructional leaders and expanded our platform to support teacher observations, learning walks, instructional rounds, team observations, teacher evaluations, and much more.And we're just getting started. Classroom Mosaic continues to grow and evolve as the needs of instructional leaders, just like you, continue to change. Observations shouldn't feel like a chore. Experience easy & effective observations.About today's host:Scott Schuette is a Learning and Development Executive with years of experience driving the creation of innovative, multi-million dollar learning platforms and education programs for major corporate enterprise companies. He is cohost of The Fabulous Learning Nerds, a podcast sharing new ideas, learning tools, approaches and technology that increase learner engagement and impact — All while having FUN! Listen to the show and subscribe here: https://fabulouslearningnerds.transistor.fm
3/13/24 • 33:28
Katie and Matt Chaussee, founders of Be More Colorful and creators of CareerViewXR, are our guests for this episode. They share the story of their company's founding and how it is changing workplace and education experiences. Hear about:The origin story of Be More Colorful Content accessibility Immersive media in education: video content, simulations, metaverse, and moreThe future of career and technical education (CTE) - industries are changing, CTE needs to keep up, grab the attention of learners and inform themBridging the Gaps: skills gap, opportunity gap, and awareness gapCTE for all - professional development for parents, teachers, counselors, adult career-seekers, and the incarceratedAbout Be More ColorfulBe More Colorful, based in Fargo, North Dakota specializes in immersive technology solutions for solving workforce development problems. Co-founded by husband-and-wife team Matt and Katie Chaussee, the company has been at the forefront of creating immersive media solutions that help people make better decisions about where they choose to live, learn, work and play. Learn more:https://www.bemorecolorful.com/https://www.facebook.com/careerviewxr/ https://www.facebook.com/bemorecolorful/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/careerviewxr/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/be-more-colorful/ https://www.instagram.com/bemorecolorful/ https://twitter.com/bemorecolorful https://www.tiktok.com/@bemorecolorful About today's guests:Katie Chaussee, co-founder and Owner of Be More Colorful alongside her husband Matt, embarked on an entrepreneurial journey that began modestly with a part-time gig providing virtual real estate tours. Over time, their initiative has grown into a prominent EdTech company, employing cutting-edge virtual reality technology to innovate career exploration for students. This transition from a "mom and pop VR shop" to an acclaimed industry player wasn't a walk in the park. With a steadfast commitment to their vision, Katie and Matt navigated through both successes and failures, ultimately reshaping their family life. From a traditional young family with two children and two-incomes to fully embracing the uncertainties of entrepreneurship, Katie and Matt demonstrated the courage to tread an uncharted path. Katie's journey, less about glory and more about grit, embodies the essence of their venture — a determination to improve career guidance for students through innovative technology. Her role in this endeavor underscores the power of belief in a shared vision and the determination to see it through.Matt Chaussee, co-founder and CEO of award-winning immersive media and virtual reality production studio, Be More Colorful, is revolutionizing career exploration for students with the groundbreaking product, CareerViewXR. Together with his wife, Katie, Matthew transitioned from a part-time endeavor creating virtual real estate tours to assembling a skilled team of media professionals who are revolutionizing career exploration with immersive media technology. Motivated by his own career journey, which involved seven years of college, five major changes, and finally a degree in Mathematics, Matthew's professional path was marked by a continuous quest for fulfillment. Despite a successful 15-year-long career, his internal dissatisfaction led him to pivot, co-founding a virtual reality production studio with his wife and co-founder (and majority owner) Katie. Through CareerViewXR, Matt and his team use virtual tours and virtual reality video to bring real-world job environments directly into the classroom, offering a dynamic and practical tool for students considering their future careers. Their ambition is to ease the decision-making process for younger generations, providing them with a firsthand insight into their future career path. About today’s hostScott Schuette is a Learning and Development Executive with years of experience driving the creation of innovative, multi-million dollar learning platforms and education programs for major corporate enterprise companies. He is cohost of The Fabulous Learning Nerds, a podcast sharing new ideas, learning tools, approaches and technology that increase learner engagement and impact — All while having FUN! Listen to the show and subscribe here: https://fabulouslearningnerds.transistor.fm
2/28/24 • 29:48
Priten Shah, the founder and CEO of Pedagogy.Cloud and Pedagog.ai, is our guest for the episode. Discussing the rise of artificial intelligence in education, Priten emphasizes the importance of navigating the digital transformation in the educational landscape. He highlights the startup's mission of transforming education through AI technology, providing tools to help educators in the classroom while also working to bridge the tech literacy gap. Hear about:Priten's journey into edtechThe role of technology in educationExploring Pedagog.aiThe vision for pedagogyLessons learned in the journeyThe impact of AI on societyAbout Pedegog.ai:Pedagog.ai is focused on supporting educators in adapting to the age of artificial intelligence in education. The company offers a variety of professional development options, including books, online courses, webinars, and in-person workshops, to help teachers learn about the latest advancements in AI and education. Their suite of tools is designed with educators in mind, aiming to enhance curriculum development and workflow efficiency through AI technology. They also provide tools tailored for student use, enabling them to engage in assignments that leverage AI capabilities in a classroom setting. Learn more:http://pedagog.ai/https://twitter.com/pedagogycloudhttps://www.instagram.com/pedagogycloud/https://facebook.com/pedagogycloudAbout today's guest:Priten Shah, M. ED and B.A, Harvard, is the CEO of Pedagogy.Cloud, which provides innovative technology solutions to help educators navigate global challenges in a rapidly evolving world. He is also the author of the Wiley’s Jossey-Bass publication, “AI & The Future of Education: Teaching in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.“ Pedagogy.Cloud has worked with over 200 different educational organizations to adapt and innovate during major world events including the Covid-19 Pandemic. He and his team are currently focused on helping educational organizations adapt to the ever growing capabilities of AI. Priten is also the founder of United 4 Social Change, a civics education nonprofit that focuses on helping teachers integrate interdisciplinary education into their curricula through animated videos, lesson plans, and innovative classroom activities. Connect with Priten:http://linkedin.com/in/pritenhshahhttps://twitter.com/pritenhshahAbout today's host:Scott Schuette is a Learning and Development Executive with years of experience driving the creation of innovative, multi-million dollar learning platforms and education programs for major corporate enterprise companies. He is cohost of The Fabulous Learning Nerds, a podcast sharing new ideas, learning tools, approaches and technology that increase learner engagement and impact — All while having FUN! Listen to the show and subscribe here: https://fabulouslearningnerds.transistor.fm
2/13/24 • 25:24
Christel Reaves, founder and CEO of Connected Class, is our guest for this episode. She shares the story of her company’s work to support education teams with engaging, research-based strategies for increasing student achievement. These include hands-on, interactive activities and technology-based resources to supplement language arts and math curriculum for grades K-8.Hear about:Christel's journey from struggling student to EdTech InnovatorThe organic growth story of Connected ClassThe power of video in educationAddressing academic gaps and social-emotional learningThe impact and future of Learning LinkChristel’s upcoming goals and what motivates her workAbout Connected ClassWe build communication between the classroom and home environment through exciting games, strategies, and activities to help students succeed academically. Learn more:www.connectedclass.com https://twitter.com/connectedclass_https://www.instagram.com/connected_class https://www.linkedin.com/company/connected-class About today’s guestChristel Reaves, founder and CEO of Connected Class, is an enthusiastic educator dedicated to improving learning and equipping educators to succeed. Her passion for ensuring family engagement throughout the learning process is evident and at the core of every product and service provided by Connected Class. She oversees a team of Instructional Specialists to support schools, focusing on helping educators analyze data, develop action plans, implement instructional strategies, and enhance family engagement for improved student achievement. Before Christel was the founder of Connected Class, she was a classroom teacher, county resource educator and district administrator. She worked closely with the state to remove low performing Title I schools from Intervene status. Over the past 25 years, she has helped many schools improve their student performance and engage families. About today’s hostScott Schuette is a Learning and Development Executive with years of experience driving the creation of innovative, multi-million dollar learning platforms and education programs for major corporate enterprise companies. He is cohost of The Fabulous Learning Nerds, a podcast sharing new ideas, learning tools, approaches and technology that increase learner engagement and impact — All while having FUN! Listen to the show and subscribe here: https://fabulouslearningnerds.transistor.fm
1/30/24 • 28:38
Welcome to the premiere episode of the EdTech Startup Showcase, an original series produced by the Be Podcast Network. This series is all about spotlighting and amplifying some of the most innovative emerging companies in edtech. Today, Inkwire founder Aatash Parikh joins the show to discuss his company’s efforts to empower students to build and share their body of work. Aatash is an educator and engineer who has worked at companies like Google and Khan Academy, and also as a middle school teacher in the Oakland Unified School District.Hear about:Aatash’s journey from classroom teacher to edtech founderWhat authentic digital portfolios mean for student learningThe results students and teachers get when they engage with the Inkwire platformThe launch process and initial school successesVision for the future of learningAbout InkwireIn a world in which generative AI has called into question the value of traditional curriculum and assessments, Inkwire is a platform that engages students in real projects and helps them demonstrate their original thinking & skills through portfolios. Learn more: https://inkwire.co About today’s guestAatash Parikh is an educator and an engineer. Aatash has worked as a software engineer at companies like Google & Khan Academy and as a middle school teacher in Oakland Unified School District. He holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science from UC Berkeley and an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from the High Tech High Graduate School of Education. Learn more:https://www.linkedin.com/in/aatashparikhhttps://twitter.com/aatashparikh About today’s hostScott Schuette is a Learning and Development Executive with years of experience driving the creation of innovative, multi-million dollar learning platforms and education programs for major corporate enterprise companies. He is cohost of The Fabulous Learning Nerds, a podcast sharing new ideas, learning tools, approaches and technology that increase learner engagement and impact — All while having FUN! Listen to the show and subscribe here: https://fabulouslearningnerds.transistor.fm
1/24/24 • 29:21
This Be Podcast Network original series is all about spotlighting and amplifying some of the innovative and impactful edtech companies who are not yet household names — but soon could be. Over the course of the next year, you’ll hear from our founding cohort of amazing startups:Be More Colorful with their premier product CareerViewXRClassroom MosaicConnected ClassInkwirePedagogy.Cloud and specifically its AI service Pedagog.aiWe’ll have conversations with the companies’ founders, partners, and the educators who are using their products in schools today. You’ll not only become familiar with new solutions relevant to your chronic challenges and opportunity-expanding ideas to go into uncharted directions, but you’ll get a sense of the journey each of these growing organizations is on. EdTech Startup Showcase is now available wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe today to hear these thought-provoking conversations and to join the effort to transform teaching and learning for the better. Follow the Be Podcast Network:https://bepodcast.network https://twitter.com/BePodcastNet https://www.linkedin.com/company/be-podcast-network
1/12/24 • 02:38
