Integrate This! Ed Tech Podcast

por David Berner and Jeremy Mikla

Temporada 1

Portrait of a Graduate & Personalized Learning: Aman Sahota (Factors Education)

Aman Sahota, co-founder of Factors Education, joins David Berner and Jeremy Mikla to talk about building an AI platform that personalizes learning around a district's Portrait of a Graduate. He shares his path from studying sustainability to founding Factors Education, the mentor who pushed him into K-12, and how the platform uses student learner profiles to personalize resources by Lexile level, language, and interests while staying aligned with district priorities. The conversation digs into AI bias in education, why reflection-based data collection beats once-a-year surveys, and how Factors is building an open-source benchmark for equitable AI modeling with the University of Toronto. Aman also talks through the Portrait of a Graduate movement, New York's 2029 legislative mandate, using esports to teach durable skills, and the unglamorous reality of building an ed-tech startup on the road. Stick around for the lightning round, including his walk-up song and go-to vegetarian spots across the country.

T1 · E60

16 jul 2026

49:29

How a Small Minnesota District Built Its AI Guidance Plan | Superintendent Scott Monson

Minneota Public Schools, a small rural district in Minnesota, partnered with SWWC (Southwest West Central Service Cooperative) to build a comprehensive AI guidance plan from the ground up. In this episode, Superintendent Scott Monson shares how the district pulled together a task force of board members, administrators, and teachers to work through the process together, tackling policy gaps, ethical use, and staff rollout as a team. It's a look at how a regional cooperative model helps small districts do work they couldn't tackle alone, and why getting people from every level of the district in the room made the plan stronger. Scott also touches on what it means to lead a small district in 2026, where everyone wears multiple hats to get the job done.

T1 · E59

9 jul 2026

1:09:22

Joyful Rebellion: Leading Schools With Relationships, AI, and Heart | Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket

Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket joins Integrate This! for a conversation about joyful leadership, relational intelligence, and what it means to lead schools with heart. Rachel shares her journey from kindergarten teacher to principal, including the mentorship that helped her see school leadership differently. She talks with Jeremy and David about the relationships new leaders should prioritize, why slowing down matters, and how leaders can respond to today’s challenges with creativity instead of exhaustion. The conversation also explores Rachel’s TEDx message around “The Joyful Rebellion,” her book Relational Intelligence, and the role of AI in school leadership. Rather than replacing human connection, Rachel sees AI as a tool that can give educators time back for students, staff, families, and the relationships that make schools work. Rachel also discusses The Principal’s Journey, Principal Pals, and her podcast Strong Start Sundays. Links: Rachel’s Official Website: https://www.racheledohoeket.com/ Rachel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-rachel-edoho-eket-2b0ab7221/

T1 · E58

2 jul 2026

44:26

Most Teachers Don't Know Their Lessons Are Failing Half the Class | Dr. Katie Novak

What if the reason some students are struggling isn't a student problem — it's a design problem? In this episode of Integrate This EdTech, David Berner and Jeremy Mikla sit down with Dr. Katie Novak, author of 17 books and one of the leading voices on Universal Design for Learning (UDL), to unpack what it really means to design learning that works for ALL students. 📌 In this conversation you'll hear: ✅ What UDL actually is — and the misconceptions that are holding teachers back ✅ The lasagna dinner party analogy that reframes everything about lesson design ✅ How AI tools fit into a UDL framework (and where they fall dangerously short) ✅ The connection between UDL and MTSS — explained in a way that finally makes sense ✅ What learner agency really looks like in a K-12 classroom ✅ Katie's personal writing process — and how she uses AI without letting it write for her 📚 Books mentioned: UDL Shift, Elevating Educational Design with AI (with Dr. Catlin Tucker) 🌐 Learn more about Katie: novakeducation.com 🔔 Subscribe to Integrate This EdTech for weekly conversations with educators and EdTech leaders!

T1 · E57

25 jun 2026

1:06:58

Beyond the Screen: Keith Krueger on What's Next for School Technology

In this episode of Integrate This!, David and Jeremy welcome Keith Krueger, CEO of CoSN, for a thoughtful conversation about what’s next for school technology. Keith shares perspective from decades of work in education technology, from the early days of internet connectivity to today’s rapidly evolving conversations around artificial intelligence. Together, they explore cybersecurity, student data privacy, AI readiness, accessibility, digital equity, screen time concerns, E-rate funding, and the changing role of technology leaders in K–12 schools. The conversation also digs into one of the biggest challenges facing educators and leaders today: how to move beyond broad debates about “screen time” and focus instead on purposeful, well-designed uses of technology that support learning. From AI sandboxes to cybersecurity tabletop exercises, Keith offers practical insight for district leaders trying to navigate complex decisions while keeping students, teachers, and communities at the center. Resources/Links: CoSN website: https://www.cosn.org/ Setting Conditions for Success: https://www.cosn.org/cosn-news/national-education-organizations-release-updated-guidance-on-responsible-use-of-technology-in-schools/?utm_source=chatgpt.com K-12 Gen AI Maturity Tool: https://www.cosn.org/tools-and-resources/resource/k-12-gen-ai-maturity-tool/?utm_source=chatgpt.com Trusted Learning Environment Seal: https://www.cosn.org/edtech-topics/trusted-learning-environment/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

T1 · E56

18 jun 2026

55:17

Dr. Catlin Tucker | Rethinking Modern Teaching through Blended Learning, UDL, & Student Autonomy

In this episode of the Integrate This EdTech Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Catlin Tucker -- teacher turned author, speaker, and professor at Pepperdine University. Catlin shares her rocky start in education, how nearly quitting the profession led to her biggest breakthrough, and why blended learning has been misunderstood long before COVID made it a dirty word. The conversation covers station rotation, UDL, giving students agency through "would you rather" choices, how AI fits into a strong pedagogical framework, screen time audits, the importance of reflection pauses in the classroom, and what both teachers and leaders can do right now to make learning more intentional. One of the most practical and honest conversations we've had on the show. Check out all of Catlin's Work Here: Dr. Catlin Tucker - Transform Your Classroom with Blended Learning Follow Catlin on LinkedIn: Dr. Catlin Tucker | LinkedIn

T1 · E55

11 jun 2026

58:50

Controlling the AI Chaos: Executive Function, Coaching, & Classroom Support | with Stephanie Howell

In this episode of Integrate This!, Jeremy and David are joined by Stephanie Howell for a conversation about AI, instructional coaching, executive functioning, UDL, and classroom support. Stephanie shares her path from struggling student to educator, instructional coach, technology leader, author, and AI advocate. She reflects on how her own school experiences shaped the way she supports teachers and students today, especially when it comes to designing more active, accessible, and engaging learning experiences. The conversation explores how coaches can build trust with teachers who may be hesitant to try new tools, why relationships matter before innovation can take hold, and how AI can support—not replace—the human work of teaching and coaching. Stephanie also discusses her book Controlling the Chaos and explains how executive functioning connects to classroom design, student behavior, UDL, and AI-supported learning. From reframing student needs to helping teachers personalize strategies, this episode offers practical ideas for educators looking to navigate the changing world of AI with purpose. A great listen for teachers, instructional coaches, technology integrationists, and school leaders who want to support students and teachers without getting lost in the AI chaos. Links & Resources: Control the Chaos: https://www.amazon.com/Control-Chaos-classroom-executive-functioning/dp/B0B92V9L2Y SchoolAI Spaces by Stephanie Howell: https://app.schoolai.com/profile/TYYVZtPo13VtRZ8LKJdN44eNsew1 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrshowell24/

T1 · E54

4 jun 2026

56:06

Agency, Hope, and AI: Keeping Human Connection at the Center with AI4MN

In this episode of Integrate This!, Jeremy and David welcome Donna Roper and Jen Hegna from AI4MN for a thoughtful conversation about artificial intelligence, education, and what it means to keep human connection at the center of rapid change. Donna and Jen share the story behind the Minnesota Generative AI Alliance, now known as AI4MN, and how the group’s work has evolved from early conversations about generative AI into a broader statewide effort focused on responsible AI leadership, professional empowerment, human-centered design, and statewide coherence. The conversation explores how Minnesota educators and leaders can prepare learners for a world shaped by AI while still prioritizing relationships, judgment, empathy, collaboration, and human agency. Donna and Jen also discuss why rural and under-resourced districts need to be part of the design process, why professional learning should empower educators rather than simply train them on tools, and why some things — especially relationships and human judgment — should never be outsourced to AI. The episode also previews the upcoming AI Thought Leaders Summit in St. Cloud, an event designed to bring together K–12, higher education, workforce, and policy leaders to build shared language, strengthen collaboration, and help participants leave with agency, hope, and practical next steps. Learn more at AI4MN.org.

T1 · E53

29 may 2026

1:06:27

A Lifelong Love of Learning | Dr. Nneka McGee on AI, Ethics & Teaching with Heart

In this episode of the Integrate This EdTech Podcast sits down with Dr. Nneka McGee -- math teacher turned chief academic officer, doctoral researcher, and one of the few educators who was building AI initiatives in schools before ChatGPT ever arrived on the scene. Nneka shares her journey from lugging around a 27-pound IBM computer as a kid to becoming one of the most thoughtful voices in the AI education space. The conversation covers why AI in education is decades older than most people realize, the ethics and terms of service concerns that slowed her down when others were rushing in, her AI Creative Framework, what schools are missing when it comes to young learners and AI, and why quantum computing might be the next big thing nobody in education is talking about yet. A rich, grounded, and genuinely fun conversation. Learn more from Dr. Nneka McGee Muon Global: https://muonglobal.com/founders-space The Detour Degree: https://muonglobal.com/the-detour-degree Resources at Muon Global: https://muonglobal.com/resources

T1 · E52

28 may 2026

1:06:48

Approaching Life and Education with Purpose | Dr. Jorge Valenzuela

In this episode of the Integrate This EdTech Podcast, hosts David Berner and Jeremy Mikla sit down with Dr. Jorge Valenzuela -- educator, author, PBL Works national faculty member, and founder of his own instructional coaching practice. Jorge shares his journey from the foster care system to computer science, into the classroom, through district leadership, and eventually onto national stages as a keynote speaker and consultant. The conversation covers his "PBL Plus" framework for project-based learning, how AI integration fits into -- not on top of -- strong teaching practice, what authentic professional development actually looks like, and why relationships are the foundation of everything he does. A rich, honest conversation about purpose, alignment, and what it means to keep teaching at the center of educational innovation. Follow Jorge: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jorgedoespbl/ Check out Jorge's Website: https://www.lifelonglearningdefined.com/

T1 · E51

21 may 2026

1:08:07

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