In this episode of Chalk and Code, host Jennilee Bertrand sits down with Jamie Forrest, Co-Founder and CTO of CourseMojo, to explore what it takes to build responsible AI for real classrooms.

Jamie shares how his background in AI engineering at Apple (Siri), his early experience teaching in Harlem, and the realities of COVID learning for his own kids shaped a clear philosophy: technology should support people, not the other way around.

Together, they unpack CourseMojo’s decision to keep AI mostly “behind the scenes,” how the platform helps students who are afraid to raise their hands get the support they need, and the systems CourseMojo uses to protect student privacy at scale — including never sending personally identifiable information to third-party AI models.

Key Moments

04:39 "Discovering Vellum in 2025"

09:27 "Technology Serving People, Not Vice Versa"

11:19 "AI Enhances, Not Replaces Teaching"

16:47 "LLMs in Education: Challenges Persist"

19:36 Interactive Teaching Worksheets Software

22:51 "Empowering 'I Don't Know'"

26:04 Enhancing Real-Time Teacher Insights

30:11 Student Data Privacy Commitment

32:39 "Ensuring AI Compliance with Laws"

36:14 LLMs Enhancing Education Analysis

38:13 "Using AI Intentionally for Good"

Why You’ll Love This Episode

This episode gets specific about what “responsible AI” looks like in practice — not as a slogan, but as product choices teachers can feel.

You’ll hear how CourseMojo:

• Keeps teachers at the center by designing AI to support real classroom routines
• Helps students build confidence without public embarrassment
• Uses AI to surface actionable insights (grouping, discussion prompts, struggle spots)
• Treats privacy as a core engineering principle, not an afterthought
• Stays realistic about hallucinations, misuse, and the need for AI literacy

Connect with Jamie Forrest

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamieforrest/
Website: https://www.coursemojo.com/ 

Connect with Us
Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flexion-inc
Company Website: https://flexion.us/ 

If this conversation sparked a new idea or challenged your assumptions, share this episode with a colleague and subscribe for more thoughtful discussions at the intersection of learning, leadership, and educational technology.

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In this episode of Chalk and Code, host Theron Davis, sits down with Joe Cotter, Founder in Residence at Teaching Channel, to explore what it really takes to support teachers in a changing education landscape. A former middle school social studies teacher, Joe shares how his frustration with traditional continuing education led to the creation of Learners Edge, which grew into the largest direct-to-teacher continuing education company in the United States.

Joe unpacks the early days of building teacher-centered learning experiences before online learning became mainstream, and why practical application, energy, and relevance matter more than tests and papers. He also shares how the organization evolved through acquisitions into a broader ecosystem now known as K12 Coalition, with the Teaching Channel at the center of teacher development, coaching, and video-based learning.

If you're curious about what teachers actually need from professional learning, how education companies can build strong culture while scaling, and how AI will shape teaching without replacing the human connection at its core, this conversation is a must-listen.

Key Moments

03:09 Building an Education Powerhouse

09:28 "Understanding Teachers and Their Needs"

13:57 "Meeting Teachers' Evolving Needs"

18:33 Hiring Challenges and Leadership Lessons

20:28 "Building Trust and Leadership"

24:46 "Pivoting and Supporting Transition"

28:14 "Staffing, Vision, and Responsibility"

29:37 Empathy in Leadership Decisions

35:57 Igniting Passion for Teaching

38:34 Alternative Certification for Teachers

41:48 "AI Instructors: Passion vs. Human Touch"

45:06 "Teaching: From Expert to Facilitator"

Why You’ll Love This Episode

This episode is a grounded, founder-level look at what teacher support should actually mean—especially in a time when teacher retention is one of the biggest challenges in education. You’ll hear how Joe Cotter built professional learning around classroom realities, and why the future of edtech depends on strengthening the human systems that keep great teachers in the profession.

Joe also shares:

• Why professional learning works best when it’s practical, applied, and classroom-ready
• How mission and culture shape hiring, growth, and long-term impact
• Why teachers are facilitators and coaches now, not just “information deliverers”
• How AI can support learning without replacing the human heart of teaching

Connect with Joe Cotter

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-cotter-5b309714/
Website: https://www.teachingchannel.com/ 

Connect with Us

Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flexion-inc
Company Website: https://flexion.us/

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In this episode of Chalk and Code, host Jennilee Bertrand sits down with Leonard Lafrance, President and CEO of NCLab, a Nevada-based company rethinking online vocational education for data analysts, Python programmers, and automation technicians. At a time when most online courses struggle with single-digit completion rates, NCLab stands out with nearly 100% learner completion and graduates who are genuinely job-ready.

Leonard shares how his background in software and entrepreneurship revealed a critical gap between credentials and real skills, and why traditional lecture-based learning often fails learners. At NCLab, he champions a radically different approach grounded in learning by doing real-time feedback, and gamified progression that builds confidence one skill at a time.

If you’re curious about why most online learning doesn’t stick, how vocational education can close the workforce readiness gap, and what it truly means to prepare people for work in a rapidly changing economy, this conversation is a must-listen.

Key Moments

02:51 Principles behind long-term learner motivation

05:33 "Active Learning Over Passive Consumption"

07:36 "Challenges of Online Learning"

12:52 "AI-Assisted Problem-Solving Approach"

14:19 "Scalable Online Training Empowering Women"

19:59 "Gamified Learning and Engagement"

21:10 "Transformative Learning System Petitioned"

24:04 "Employment Readiness Assessment Tool"

Why You’ll Love This Episode

This episode challenges long-held assumptions about online learning and workforce preparation. You’ll hear how Leonard Lafrance has built a model that prioritizes skill mastery over seat time, and why confidence, feedback, and perseverance matter more than lectures or credentials alone.

Leonard also shares:

• Why completion rates skyrocket when learning feels like problem-solving, not studying
• How gamification and real-time feedback change learner mindset
• What employers actually look for beyond resumes and degrees
• Why vocational education is becoming central to the future of work

Connect with Leonard Lafrance

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonard-lafrance-710349b5
Website: https://nclab.com

Connect with Us
Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flexion-inc
Company Website: https://flexion.us/ 

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In this episode of Chalk and Code, host Theron Davis sits down with Christopher Psiaki, Chief Technology Officer of Topia Interactive, to explore how spatial media and real-time communication can make online learning feel more human

Topia is a cloud-based spatial media platform where participants move through persistent, customizable worlds, and connect through proximity-based audio and video. Christopher shares how his background in software development and game-inspired world-building shaped Topia’s technical direction, and why human connection remains central to the platform’s design.

The conversation covers what makes spatial communication different from traditional video calls, how Topia supports virtual classrooms and large-group instruction, and how K–12 safety, moderation, and access controls are built into district and partner implementations. Christopher also discusses the emerging creator economy for educators, the importance of scalable infrastructure, and the real questions edtech teams must solve as AI becomes part of learning environments.

Key Moments

01:10 Christopher’s path into software and startups

05:46 Real-time spatial communication, explained

07:57 Broadcasting, screen sharing, and running large sessions

10:57 Designing for K–12 safety, privacy, and moderation

13:41 What implementation looks like with virtual schooling partners

15:39 SchoolSpace for districts, and how it differs

18:05 LMS integrations, LTI 1.3, and chaperone mode

21:06 Engagement without building an attention economy

24:29 Unexpected student behaviors, and what they reveal

27:59 Belonging, social connection, and student motivation

32:09 Teacher-created worlds and sharing at scale

36:16 Challenges ahead, cost, scale, and AI

41:03 AI-driven historical NPCs, guardrails, and multiplayer context

44:36 What edtech should talk more about, human connection

Why You’ll Love This Episode

This conversation is a grounded look at what it takes to build virtual learning spaces that feel natural, engaging, and safe. If you’re thinking about community, student motivation, synchronous learning, or what AI could look like inside interactive environments, this episode offers a practical view from the technical leadership side.

Connect with Christopher Psiaki

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-psiaki-41275b15

Website: https://topia.io/

Connect with Us
Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flexion-inc
Company Website: https://flexion.us/ 

If this conversation sparked a new idea or challenged your assumptions, share this episode with a colleague and subscribe for more thoughtful discussions at the intersection of learning, leadership, and educational technology.

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In this episode of Chalk and Code, host Jill Foley sits down with Kiera Peltz, Founder and CEO of The Coding School, to explore how happiness economics, equity, and emerging technology education are deeply connected.

Kiera shares her journey from studying happiness at Brown to launching The Coding School from her college dorm room at 19, driven by a belief that access to technical skills is foundational to agency and wellbeing. She reflects on global perspectives gained in China, early validation from school leaders, and the urgency she felt to rethink how and when students are introduced to computer science.

Throughout the conversation, Kiera unpacks what equity looks like in practice, from high-touch retention strategies to designing programs that work for students learning on mobile devices. She also shares how bold experimentation led to scaling quantum computing and AI education, partnerships with IBM, and earning a $3M Department of Defense grant. The episode closes with a forward-looking view of why depth, not just awareness, is essential in preparing students for a rapidly evolving future.

Key Moments

01:08 What happiness economics is and why it matters

04:29 Education, skill-building, and control over one’s future

06:13 Global perspectives and the urgency to act early

09:16 Early validation from a school principal

10:11 The Coding School’s access-focused program model

13:38 Equity at scale, funding, and retention through human connection

19:06 Dropout patterns and shifting from in-person to online learning

24:27 Introducing quantum computing and pushing past skepticism

26:57 Scaling during the pandemic with IBM

30:32 Turning outcomes into a $3M Department of Defense grant

32:17 Designing for mobile learners and listening with humility

37:35 What’s next for The Coding School and emerging tech education

42:58 Why tech literacy matters for every future path

44:57 “It’s not on the students, it’s on us.”

Why You’ll Love This Episode

This episode reframes emerging technology education as a human-centered endeavor. Kiera makes a compelling case that rigorous STEM learning can and should be accessible to every student, and that retention, personalization, and humility are essential parts of equity.

Kiera also shares:

• Why STEM fluency is a pathway to happiness and agency
• How retention can be an equity strategy
• What it takes to teach complex topics like quantum computing at scale
• Why “intro-only” exposure to AI and emerging tech isn’t enough

Connect with Kiera Peltz

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kierapeltz
• The Coding School : https://blog.the-cs.org/

Connect with Us

• Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flexion-inc
• Company Website: https://flexion.us/

If this conversation sparked a new idea or challenged your assumptions, share this episode with a colleague and subscribe for more thoughtful discussions at the intersection of learning, leadership, and educational technology.

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In this episode of Chalk and Code, host Theron Davis sits down with Dr. Nathan Thompson, Chief Executive Officer of Assessment Systems Corporation, to explore how assessment science is evolving in an era shaped by AI, adaptive testing, and increasing demands for integrity and personalization.

Dr. Thompson explains what psychometrics really is, why it underpins high-quality assessment, and how computerized adaptive testing works in practice. The conversation dives into how AI is changing item development, test security, and cheating detection, and why human expertise is still essential even as automation advances.

With more than two decades in the assessment industry, Dr. Thompson shares how Assessment Systems Corporation helps organizations modernize testing, from certification and licensure to large-scale educational and workforce assessments.

Key Moments
01:03 Meet Nathan Thompson and the work of ASC
02:36 What psychometrics is, and why it matters
04:14 Computerized adaptive testing explained
06:17 What score changes really mean, and why “small gains” can mislead
08:10 Assessment literacy, and interpreting results responsibly
11:08 What ASC does, and what “full service” assessment support looks like
32:16 Cheating, new item types, and test forensics
34:37 Detecting disengagement and response-time effort
41:17 Micro-credentials, digital badges, and the future of skills validation
44:26 What’s next for assessment over the next 5–10 years
46:34 Why personalization is coming back in a big way
48:01 How to connect with Nathan

Why You’ll Love This Episode
This conversation offers a clear look at what’s behind modern assessments, and why the future of testing will depend on both smarter technology and stronger guardrails. If you’re building learning products, designing credentials, or relying on test data to make decisions, Nathan’s perspective helps connect psychometrics, adaptive testing, and AI into a practical, real-world view of where assessment is headed.

Connect with Nathan Thompson
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanthompsonasc
Website: https://assess.com/

Connect with Us
Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flexion-inc 
Company Website: https://flexion.us/ 

If this conversation sparked a new idea or challenged your assumptions, share this episode with a colleague and subscribe for more thoughtful discussions at the intersection of learning, leadership, and educational technology.

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In this episode of Chalk and Code, host Theron Davis sits down with Dr. Johannes Ziegler, CEO of Miaplaza, the company behind Miacademy, MiaPrep, and their accredited online high school.

Johannes shares how a small social networking project evolved into a full learner-centered ecosystem for homeschoolers and online high school students. What began as kids’ “edutainment” grew into a mastery-based K–12 model built around motivation, pacing, safety, and authentic engagement.

He also reflects on the entrepreneurial side of building Miaplaza, the role of the right team, and how AI and automation are reshaping the skills students will need next.

Key Moments

00:46 How Miacademy began and why students shaped the pivot

11:02 Mastery-based learning and real starting levels

13:34 Why math gaps matter and how to prevent them

15:43 Personalization through placement, pacing, and remediation

17:00 Fixing foundational gaps, including fractions

18:56 Doubling down on learner strengths

26:59 What students learn from play, shops, and the in-app economy

32:17 Supporting highly engaged and hands-off parents

38:13 Entrepreneurial lessons on team and mission

43:14 Automation, AI, and the future of needed skills

49:49 Where to learn more about Miacademy

Why You’ll Love This Episode
This conversation goes beyond online vs. traditional schooling. You’ll hear a grounded look at how mastery-based learning, playful design, and real-world skills come together in a scalable ecosystem. Johannes shares what it takes to build rigorous yet engaging learning, how to design for strengths instead of gaps alone, and why the future of work demands deeper—not less—education.

Connect with Dr. Johannes Ziegler
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannesziegler
Website: https://careers.miaplaza.com/ 

Connect with Us
Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flexion-inc 
Company Website: https://flexion.us/ 

If this conversation sparked a new idea or challenged your assumptions, share this episode with a colleague and subscribe for more thoughtful discussions at the intersection of learning, leadership, and educational technology.

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In this episode of Chalk and Code, host Theron Davis sits down with Tyler Menezes, CEO of CodeDay, a nonprofit that creates welcoming, project-based experiences for underserved students to explore a future in technology through 24-hour coding events and open source–focused internships.

Tyler shares his journey from Y Combinator–backed startup founder to nonprofit leader, and why CodeDay is obsessed with helping students build real things, not just pass tests. He breaks down how experiential learning, mentorship, and open source contributions can close the gap between “I have a degree” and “I can actually do the work” in an AI-saturated job market.

From rethinking hackathons as creative entry points for beginners, to using open source as a verifiable micro-credential, to confronting how AI is eroding traditional entry-level roles, this conversation looks squarely at what students really need to become workforce-ready in computer science and beyond.

Key Moments

01:09 Tyler’s journey from college dropout and YC-backed founder to nonprofit CEO

02:32 Why CodeDay started with students who had little or no prior interest in coding

03:44 Using creativity, games, art, and music to make coding feel fun and accessible

04:25 Where CodeDay sits on the “systems vs. individual learner” continuum

10:19 How teachers find CodeDay and why there is a learning curve on both sides

26:14 New grads hiring is down, mid/senior hiring is up: what that means for CS programs

27:55 Rethinking the value of a CS degree in an AI-driven labor market

28:32 AI as the new “junior engineer” and the shrinking space for entry-level roles

38:47 The Open Source Fellowship and supporting students over multiple years

40:00 How CodeDay measures engagement, readiness, and long-term impact

41:04 Using application, interview, and offer data as a near-term signal of employability

42:07 Classifying student standups with AI to find who is stuck and intervene early

Why You’ll Love This Episode

If you care about how to actually get students from “I took the class” to “I can get hired and contribute on day one,” this episode is a must-listen. Tyler challenges the assumption that more content or more credentials automatically lead to opportunity, and instead argues for experiences that build independence, curiosity, and real-world problem solving.

Connect with Tyler Menezes

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylermenezes

Website : https://www.codeday.org/e/labs/2uvhp7v7qak11i2tv28sscd6f8

Connect with Us
Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flexion-inc
Company Website: https://flexion.us/

If this conversation sparked a new idea or challenged your assumptions, share this episode with a colleague and subscribe for more thoughtful discussions at the intersection of learning, leadership, and educational technology.

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In this episode of Chalk and Code, host Jennilee Bertrand talks with Nolan Frausto, CTO of AdaptedMind, about what it takes to scale a learning platform for millions of young children. Nolan shares why the team rebuilt their entire engineering system, how the “boring stack” philosophy drives reliability, and why early learning requires a careful balance between fun, pedagogy, and healthy screen time. From adaptive learning and subscription infrastructure to AI-assisted content creation and leadership lessons, this conversation offers a grounded, practical look at building edtech that truly supports young learners.

AdaptedMind’s approach stands out in a crowded early-learning market, and Nolan explains how the team measures engagement through genuine learning, not just entertainment. He shares why limiting screen time is intentional, how thoughtful design builds trust with parents, and what it means to create products that help children grow confident, curious, and ready to explore new ideas.

Key Moments 

00:00 Welcome and episode introduction

00:16 Nolan’s background and path into edtech

01:58 Engineering lessons brought to AdaptedMind

03:07 Why the team chose a full system rebuild

04:50 What the legacy codebase revealed

05:48 Challenges of the 18-month rebuild

06:31 The “boring stack” and benefits of simplicity

08:24 Managing pushback around newer tools

09:49 Switching from PayPal to Stripe and outcomes

12:27 Subscription tools aligned to school-year needs

14:29 How AdaptedMind uses AI internally and for early learners

18:51 Avoiding game-like design and protecting learning quality

24:24 Nolan’s leadership lessons and focus on simplicity

Why You’ll Love This Episode

You’ll hear how AdaptedMind:
- Rebuilt its foundation to support long-term stability, scale, and new product lines
- Uses simplicity and reliability as strategic advantages
- Designs subscription and billing tools around real family needs
- Applies AI to accelerate animation, content, and engineering workflows
- Avoids “game-first” designs to protect learning quality for young children
- Builds a culture where reducing complexity is shared across teams

Connect with Nolan Frausto
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolanfrausto/ 
Website: https://www.adaptedmind.com/ 

Connect with Us
Flexion on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flexion-inc
Flexion Website: https://flexion.us/

If this conversation sparked new ideas or challenged your thinking, share the episode with a colleague and subscribe for more thoughtful discussions at the intersection of learning, leadership, and educational technology.

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In this episode of Chalk and Code, host Theron Davis sits down with Raj Valli, Founder and CEO of Thinkster Math, an AI-driven tutoring company that blends patented AI with human coaches to deliver measurable outcomes in math learning.
Drawing on experience across 12 industries and decades of nonprofit work in education, Raj unpacks why so many students still struggle with foundational math and what it really takes to design systems that reliably close learning gaps instead of just delivering content.

From AI-powered diagnostics that probe “wells of knowledge” to deep analytics that surface patterns like “this student struggles with two-digit multiplication when numbers end in 9,” Raj explains how Thinkster uses data, instructional design, and human tutors together to guarantee outcomes rather than hope for them. He also explores the limits of today’s AI, arguing that most models still rely on crystallized intelligence, while truly transformative learning and innovation depend on human fluid intelligence.

If you care about how AI, behavior science, and human relationships can be combined to help learners “learn better, faster, sooner,” this conversation offers a practical, grounded look at what high-accountability edtech can be

Key Moments

00:00 Welcome to Chalk and Code and introduction to the episode

01:22 Raj’s journey across 12 industries and nonprofit education work in India

02:21 The “airlines” analogy and the shocking reality that 40–50% of students are failing in math basics

04:14 Why “passionately curious” is the mindset behind Thinkster’s constant iteration

07:08 Positioning Thinkster as a learner-centric, “cradle to grave” solution rather than just a K–12 tool

09:55 The five key nodes: AI, data and analytics, curriculum design, human-in-the-loop tutoring, and behavior

13:48 Why behavior, discipline, and intrinsic motivation are as critical as content and technology

16:10 Rethinking diagnostics: using AI “dipsticks” to find where a learner’s true starting point should be

19:12 How probabilistic assessment works and why diagnostics must feel confidence-building, not punitive

23:24 Designing for emotion as well as intelligence so learners feel more confident as they progress

27:08 Giving tutors real insight, not just data: “this student struggles with numbers ending in 9”

29:44 AI as “actual intelligence”: why human judgment is still essential for context and bias

31:49 Crystallized vs. fluid intelligence and why Raj is skeptical of claims that AI will fully replace humans

35:31 Shifting from delivery of knowledge to adaptive use of knowledge as the core goal of education

36:40 Why adaptive knowledge and real-world application matter more than memorization

Why You’ll Love This Episode

This episode challenges the default assumptions behind most learning technology. Instead of starting with “What can AI do?”, Raj starts with “What does the learner need, right now, to move forward?” and builds from there.

You’ll hear how Thinkster:

• Uses AI diagnostics and behavioral data to find each learner’s true starting point and close gaps with precision.
• Combines human tutors, curriculum design, analytics, and behavior science into a single, outcome-focused model. 
• Gives tutors actionable insights instead of dashboards for their own sake, so every session is targeted and high impact.
• Frames AI as a powerful tool for crystallized intelligence while insisting that fluid intelligence, context, and values remain deeply human responsibilities.
• Re-centers education around adaptive knowledge: not just what students can recall, but what they can do with what they know.

Connect with Raj Valli
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajvalli
Thinkster Math: https://hellothinkster.com/

Connect with Us
Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flexion-inc
Company Website: https://flexion.us/

If this conversation sparked a new idea or challenged your assumptions, share this episode with a colleague and subscribe for more thoughtful discussions at the intersection of learning, leadership, and educational technology.

Join us next time on Chalk and Code, where the science of learning meets modern technology.