Chalk and Code

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/ 

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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.

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

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.

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

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.

In this episode of Chalk and Code, Jennifer Huang, Founder and CEO at hihilulu, joins us to explore why so many young learners struggle with Mandarin — and what changes when instruction is redesigned around the true structure of the language.

From character-first literacy to dualism pedagogy, Jennifer shares how hihilulu builds learning experiences that respect how children develop reading, writing, and pronunciation skills. She also reflects on her journey operating an international edtech company across France, China, the U.S., and emerging markets, and what it takes to align pedagogy with technology at scale.

If you care about creating meaningful language learning that reduces cognitive load, supports teachers, and adapts to diverse school environments, this conversation offers practical insight and inspiration for today’s edtech and learning leaders.

Key Moments

01:35 Why traditional Mandarin instruction overwhelms young learners

05:10 How a character-first approach strengthens literacy

09:00 What dualism pedagogy means in practice

12:40 Why tones and characters should be learned separately

18:00 Building hihilulu Academy and training teachers worldwide

20:55 Why teacher readiness determines implementation success

23:40 Challenges of B2B school sales and long adoption cycles

25:45 Expanding an edtech platform across multiple global markets

28:50 Navigating regulatory differences country by country

31:30 Funding the mission through grants, accelerators, and private investors

35:20 Why resilience and passion are essential for edtech founders

38:40 How to connect with Jennifer

Why You’ll Love This Episode

This episode dives into what makes Mandarin learning truly effective — not more complexity, but a clearer entry point.

You’ll hear how Jennifer Huang and hihilulu design a learning model that:
Simplifies literacy through component-based character learning

- Reduces overload by separating tones, characters, and writing

- Supports teachers with training, certification, and blended materials

- Adapts to schools in diverse cultural and regulatory settings

- Helps children build joyful, sustainable Mandarin skills

- Jennifer also offers a transparent look at the realities of building a global language platform driven by research, mission, and long-term commitment.

Connect with Jennifer Huang
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-huang-paris
Email: [email protected] 
Website: https://hihilulu.com/

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

If this conversation sparked new ideas or challenged your thinking, 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.

In this episode of Chalk and Code, Steve Stookey, Vice President and CCO at CypherWorx, joins us to explore how purpose-driven professional development can transform the way organizations learn and lead.

From training design to technology integration, Steve shares how CypherWorx builds learning experiences that adapt to each organization’s unique culture — whether it’s a school district, YMCA, fire department, or cultural institution. He also reflects on his own journey from corporate leadership to social entrepreneurship and what it means to design learning that’s simple, human, and scalable.

If you care about creating meaningful training that drives culture, builds capability, and keeps people at the center of innovation, this conversation offers practical insight and inspiration for today’s edtech and learning leaders.

Key Moments

01:40 From corporate sales to social entrepreneurship — the path to CypherWorx

05:50 Why culture and training must grow together

10:20 “Once you’ve met one institution, you’ve met one institution” — the case for
personalization

15:45 How listening and flexibility drive better learning outcomes

20:50 Building CollabNation — turning instructional design into a learning platform

27:30 Why leadership, not software, determines LMS success

33:15 Creating purposeful professional development that scales

37:34 KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) to track progress, what they really mean for educators and business leaders

38:00 Balancing technology, culture, and human connection in learning

44:20 How CypherWorx is preparing for the future of AI-enabled education

47:45 Connect Steve at “[email protected]” and visit website at “https://cypherworx.com/”

Why You’ll Love This Episode

This episode dives into what makes learning truly effective — not more tools, but more intention.

You’ll hear how Steve Stookey and CypherWorx design training that blends instructional design, culture, and technology to create real impact across sectors.

Steve also shares:
- Why personalization is key to learner engagement
- How leadership defines the success of any LMS
- What “purposeful professional development” looks like in action
- How to stay adaptable while keeping learning human

Connect with Steve Stookey
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevestookey/
Email: [email protected] 
Website: https://cypherworx.com/

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

If this conversation sparked new ideas or challenged your thinking, 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, Dr. Gregory Gage, Neuroscientist, Inventor, TED Fellow, Keynote Speaker and Co-Founder and CEO at Backyard Brains, joins us to explore how neuroscience can move beyond the lab and into classrooms around the world.

From recording real neural activity to building brain-machine interfaces, Dr. Gage shares how Backyard Brains is making complex science accessible, affordable, and exciting for students and educators alike. He also opens up about the company’s unconventional journey — from a $100 spike challenge to global STEM impact — and what it takes to sustain a mission-driven edtech company in today’s shifting landscape.

If you’re passionate about bringing authentic STEM discovery to life, connecting curiosity to curriculum, and inspiring students to think like scientists, this conversation delivers both inspiration and practical insight.

Key Moments

01:30 Discovering the spark that started Backyard Brains

07:13 The $100 neuroscience experiment that became a global movement

15:15 Making brain science tangible through hands-on learning

18:50 From hardware to software — understanding the brain as an analog computer

25:20 Why creativity is essential to scientific discovery

29:10 Lessons from building a mission-driven education company

33:55 The challenge of attention and agency in modern learning

38:35 How real neuroscience fits into K-12 and higher education

44:10 What’s next for Backyard Brains and the future of hands-on science

Why You’ll Love This Episode

This episode reveals how authentic science can be taught through experience, not just explanation.

You’ll hear how Dr. Gage’s curiosity-driven approach to neuroscience is helping students around the world see and hear their own learning in action.

Dr. Gage also shares:

• How to guide students from structured labs to self-driven discovery

• Why the future of neuroscience is about information, not just anatomy

• How creativity and constraint fuel innovation in education

• What edtech founders can learn from blending purpose with practicality

Connect with Dr. Greg Gage
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagegreg/
Website: https://backyardbrains.com/ 

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

If this conversation sparked new ideas or challenged your thinking, 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.

In this episode of Chalk and Code, host Jill Foley speaks with Scott Buell, Founder of Drone Legends, about bringing real-world drone applications into K-12 learning. From Mars exploration and medical delivery to precision agriculture and infrastructure inspection, Scott maps how drones are reshaping work and why early exposure matters.

Scott shares the Drone Legends K-12 aviation pathway—from story-driven experiences in early grades to autonomous flight, coding, drone racing, and FAA Part 107 prep in high school. He also unpacks teacher-first onboarding, unlimited PD and tech support, and practical advice for edtech founders navigating funding cycles and commercialization.

If you’re curious about authentic STEM engagement, building career-connected pathways, and what’s ahead at the intersection of drones, AI, and edutainment, this conversation delivers.

Key Moments

01:06 Drones for Good: Real-world impact from Mars to medicine

02:45 Drones and Data: How STEM meets science and conservation

04:13 Building a K-12 aviation pathway that links missions to careers

05:55 Little Legends: Story-based, screen-light learning for early grades

06:59 Drone racing, esports, and FAA Part 107 classroom prep

08:44 From corporate to classroom: The founder’s turning point

17:49 Designing onboarding that starts with empathy

21:28 Beyond the AI bubble: The Drone Legends edutainment vision

24:35 Funding realities and diversification for edtech founders

28:39 Where to connect: Building community around learning innovation

Why You’ll Love This Episode

This episode shows how to make STEM hands-on and future-ready.
You’ll hear how a classroom moment became a movement, and why teacher experience, scaffolding, and PD are the levers that scale.

Scott also shares:
- How mission-based lessons connect coding to real work
- Why empathy for educators drives product success
- Where esports and certification fit into career pathways
- How to navigate volatile funding with diversified revenue

Connect with Scott Buell
Drone Legends: https://www.dronelegends.com/

Connect with Us
Company 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.

In this episode of Chalk and Code, host Theron Davis speaks with Matthew Baker, CEO of Tovuti LMS, about the past, present, and future of learning management systems. With over two decades in edtech, including leadership roles at Blackboard, Instructure, and CLASS Technologies. Matthew brings a rare perspective on how LMS platforms have evolved from CD-ROM installs to SaaS solutions that now serve learners worldwide.

Matthew shares why he joined Tovuti LMS, how the company’s people-first culture sets it apart, and why LMS vendors must rethink their approach to AI if they want to stay relevant. From balancing configurability with usability to breaking into new markets like FedRAMP, he unpacks both the challenges and opportunities ahead for corporate learning.

If you’re curious about where LMS innovation is headed, what “AI-first” really means, and how culture drives software success, this conversation is a must-listen.

Key Moments

03:46 "Blackboard's Digital Transformation Journey"

09:07 Real-Time Student Engagement Challenges

11:51 People Drive Software Success

13:39 Leveraging People for Success

16:55 "People-First Business Culture"

20:38 Embracing Change Through Empathy

26:26 Education vs. Corporate LMS Needs

30:38 Startup Responsiveness and Client Focus

34:50 "AI Integration Beyond Surface Level"

37:40 Course Building with AI Insights

40:36 Driving Innovation in Education Markets

46:09 "Understanding EdTech Demand Immersion"

48:03 Balancing Business and Learner Needs

Why You’ll Love This Episode

This episode shines a light on what it really takes to innovate in the LMS space.
 You’ll hear how Matthew Baker’s career has mirrored the evolution of learning platforms—and why he believes the next wave of disruption depends on culture, configurability, and AI-first thinking.

Matthew also shares:

• Why software success is 60% people, 30% product, 10% market timing

• How Tovuti LMS balances configurability with client focus

• Why smaller companies can sometimes outmaneuver the giants

• Where AI can (and can’t) create real value in learning

Connect with Matthew Baker

• Tovuti LMS: https://www.tovutilms.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.