This episode is sponsored by Knowt — the AI-powered classroom tool that goes way beyond plug-and-chug. From turning your lessons into notes and practice to creating a custom chatbot based on your lecture, Knowt helps you and your students work smarter and stay privacy-compliant. To get started, visit www.knowt.com

In this episode, we're joined by an AI strategist from Michigan Virtual who shares what it really takes to build an AI task force, plan for student AI use, and adapt to the evolving role of artificial intelligence in education. Whether you're just starting to explore AI integration or you're already drafting district policy, this conversation will help guide your next steps.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why forming an AI task force isn’t just for tech directors
• How to get buy-in across departments
• Tips for responsibly planning student AI use
• What’s changing in education—and what’s staying the same
• Michigan Virtual’s perspective on supporting districts at scale

Karle also shares some great anecdotes from the classroom and these defining moments were birthed from the district having an AI taskforce. Buen provecho!

About Karle Delo

AI Strategist, PD Provider, and Speaker | Empowering Educators to Save Time & Enhance Instruction with Artificial Intelligence. She’s a part of Michigan Virtual and is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to AI literacy.

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

• EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com
• EdTech Bites On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/edtechbites.bsky.social
• EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@edtechbites
• EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites

Connect With Karle And Michigan Virtual

• Karle’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/coachkarle
• Michigan Virtual Website: https://michiganvirtual.org/

This episode is sponsored by Knowt — the AI-powered classroom tool that goes way beyond plug-and-chug. From turning your lessons into notes and practice to creating a custom chatbot based on your lecture, Knowt helps you and your students work smarter and stay privacy-compliant. To get started, visit www.knowt.com

What if creating study guides and student resources took minutes instead of hours? In this episode, I sit down with Abheek Pandoh, CEO and founder of Knowt, the all-in-one platform designed to simplify the lives of teachers and students. Abheek shares the inspiring story behind Knowt’s creation, how the platform has evolved, and why data privacy and customization are top priorities. Learn how Knowt can be tailored to meet your district’s unique needs—helping you spend less time on prep and more time on what matters most: connecting with your students. This conversation is packed with practical insights you won’t want to miss. Buen provecho!

About Abheek Pandoh

Abheek is the CEO and co-founder of Knowt. He started the company as a senior in high school, and handles the financial/business operations as well as the product design.

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

• EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com
• EdTech Bites On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/edtechbites.bsky.social
• EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@edtechbites
• EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites

Connect With Abheek and Knowt

• Knowt Website: https://www.knowt.com
• Abheek On X: https://x.com/AbheekPandoh
• Abheek On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abheek_panda/

This episode is sponsored by Brisk Teaching. To learn more and get started, visit www.briskteaching.com.

What does it take to go from passionate educator to sought-after speaker? At TCEA 2025, I sat down with three incredible presenters to talk about their journey to success, the hustle behind the scenes, and how passion fuels everything we do. Along the way, our paths crossed, and now, we’re officially “The Tech Thrillas”—a powerhouse team with more to come! Tune in for an inspiring conversation about growth, grit, and making an impact in the world of edtech. Buen Provecho!

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

• EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com
• EdTech Bites On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/edtechbites.bsky.social
• EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@edtechbites
• EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites

About Jorge Valenzuela

Jorge Valenzuela is a respected performance and education coach, author, and speaker at Lifelong Learning Defined. His mission is to empower educators to lead confidently and teach with greater effectiveness. Specializing in instructional innovation and action research, Jorge provides expert training in team building, core instruction, project-based learning (PBL), STEM pathways, entrepreneurship, and life skills integration. Partnering with Corwin, he helps schools systematically enhance instructional practices and adopt innovative teaching strategies, including PBL. He is a published researcher and author who also hosts the Lifelong Learning Defined podcast, sharing insights and strategies to inspire and support educators.

Connect With Jorge Valenzuela

• Life Long Learning Defined Website: https://www.lifelonglearningdefined.com/
• Jorge On X: https://x.com/JorgeDoesPBL?lang=en
• Jorge On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jorgedoespbl/
• Jorge On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LifelongLearningDefined/
• Life Long Learning Defined On Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lifelong-learning-defined-podcast-for-self-improvement/id1647222488

About Jean Darnell

Jean is the Library Director for the School District of Philadelphia, an AI expert, phenomenal storyteller, the best awakened librarian the world has to offer and the curator of the instructional website: https://awakenlibrarian.com. She's a born and raised Texan educator with almost 25 years experience. Giving voice to the voiceless, Jean is a natural born advocate. Her heroes are Barbara Jordan, Nina Simone, Eartha Kitt, authors Tomi Adeyemi and Angie Thomas. One of her first love is music, as she's a classically trained cellist.

Connect With Jean Darnell

• Jean’s Website: https://awakenlibrarian.com
• Jean On X: https://x.com/awakenlibrarian
• Jean On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awaken.librarian/
• Jean On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eboni.darnell/
• Jean On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/awakenlibrarian.bsky.social

About Andre Daughty

Andre Daughty is a highly acclaimed keynote speaker known for his expertise in transforming education and inspiring positive change. With over two decades of experience, he has made a significant impact on tens of thousands of educators and students and well over 400 schools as an educator, facilitator, speaker, and workshop presenter. He is recognized for his ability to captivate audiences with his dynamic speaking style and thought-provoking insights.

Connect With Andre Daughty

• Andre’s Website: https://www.andredaughty.org/
• Andre On X: https://twitter.com/andredaughty
• Andre On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andredaughty/
• Andre On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andre-daughty-8878b297
• Andre On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AndreDaughty/featured
• Andre On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andre.daughty

This episode is sponsored by Brisk Teaching. To learn more and get started, visit www.briskteaching.com.

Is creativity vanishing from our classrooms? With the pressure to cover content, many teachers feel like there's no time for creative exploration. But what if creativity and content didn’t have to compete? In this episode, I sit down with Monica Roach, an expert in innovative teaching, to debunk the myth that creativity is fading. She shares practical, easy-to-implement strategies that infuse creativity into daily lessons—without sacrificing content. Tune in and bring creativity back where it belongs! Buen provecho!

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

• EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com
• EdTech Bites On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/edtechbites.bsky.social
• EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@edtechbites
• EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites

About Monica Roach

Monica Roach is an Instructional Technology Specialist in Virginia, recognized for her innovative approach to integrating technology in education. She is dedicated to empowering teachers and students with meaningful, intentional tech use. Monica loves leading professional development workshops at local, state, and national levels, fostering digital citizenship and culturally responsive teaching. Passionate about collaboration, she co-teaches lessons, models best practices, and designs engaging learning experiences that enhance student success. In her free time she loves to read, travel, and crochet!

Connect With Monica Roach

• Monica On X: https://x.com/MonicaRoach15
• Monica On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/monicaroach15.bsky.social

This episode is sponsored by Brisk Teaching. To learn more and get started, visit www.briskteaching.com.     After a whirlwind of edtech, learning strategies, and the hustle of the expo hall at TCEA 2025, we decided to mix things up with a fun, lighthearted challenge—EdTech & Food Trivia! 🎉 Join us as we test our knowledge on everything from groundbreaking tech trends to delicious culinary facts. Can you guess which AI-powered tool pairs best with your favorite snack? Or which historical invention shaped both classrooms and kitchens? Play along and see how well you do!   🔹 What You’ll Learn:   ✔️ Surprising connections between food and edtech   ✔️ Fun facts you can share at your next staff meeting   ✔️ A behind-the-scenes look at TCEA 2025   Get ready to laugh, learn, and maybe even get a little hungry. Hit play and let’s dive in! Buen provecho!   Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

• EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com
• EdTech Bites On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/edtechbites.bsky.social
• EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@edtechbites
• EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites

    About Frankie Baker   Frankie considers herself “the unofficial hype girl of all the things” and “irreparable yes girl”, but officially, she’s a digital learning coach for Frisco ISD and community coordinator for Robolink. Regardless of her role, her main goal is to empower teachers to be confident technology users and to promote student choice, voice, and agency. She loves to learn, so being a part of various communities allows her to learn from her peers and from the tools/programs themselves. Through these programs and events, Frankie is able to grow her network and her learning. Her love for edtech, especially AI in Education, knows no bounds, and is thrilled at the opportunity to share it.   Connect With Frankie Baker

• Frankie On X: https://x.com/baconedtech
• Frankie On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/baconedtech.bsky.social
• Frankie On Wakelet: https://wakelet.com/@baconedtech

This episode is sponsored by Brisk Teaching. To learn more and get started, visit www.briskteaching.com.

 

Live from TCEA 2025, we’re bringing you an electrifying discussion on "The Price We Pay for AI" with special guests Brianna Hodges and Carl Hooker. This is TCEA’s first EVER live podcast as a concurrent session so we had a live audience in front of us. We tackle AI literacy, the dangers of over-reliance, and whether AI is making us less creative. And because we like to keep things spicy—literally—we threw in a hot sauce challenge and some food trivia! Tune in for a mix of deep insights, audience engagement, and a little bit of heat. Because of the live audience, the energy in the room was unmatched and Brianna and Carl made this episode much more special and spicy. You’ll hear the energy while listening to this episode. Buen provecho!

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

• EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com
• EdTech Bites On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/edtechbites.bsky.social
• EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@edtechbites
• EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites

About Brianna Hodges

Learner. Listener. Leader. Storyteller. Texas EdTech of the Year (2017). K12 Administrator to Watch (2018). National Advisor and Spokesperson for Future Ready Instructional Coaches. An experienced school and district leader with a superpower for storytelling (Bri spent 10+ years as a PR exec) and developing capacity, Brianna works with school districts across the country to transform learning for all ages and stages. Let's rewrite the story of what school has been and provide purpose to practice, and institute innovative change together.

Connect With Brianna Hodges

• Brianna’s Website: https://www.briannahodges.com
• Brianna On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/bhodgesedu.bsky.social
• Brianna On X: https://www.x.com/bhodgesEDU
• Brianna On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bhodgesedu/

About Carl Hooker

Carl Hooker is a 25-year educator from Austin, TX. He's an 8-time author, 5-time podcast host, 2-time bar owner, 3-time father, and 1-time husband. His latest book, Learning Evolution tackles the challenges of AI-enhanced learning and empowers teachers to leverage this new technology in creative ways for learning. He identifies as a pizza-lover, with a regular household debate between Detroit-style and New York-style.

Connect With Carl Hooker

• Carl’s Website: https://CarlHooker.com
• Carl’s Blog: https://hookedoninnovation.com/
• Carl On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hookertech.bsky.social
• Carl On X: https://twitter.com/mrhooker
• Carl On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hookertech/

This episode is sponsored by Brisk Teaching. To learn more and get started, visit www.briskteaching.com

 

In this episode, we’re joined by Brenda Gutierrez, Student Services Coordinator at Ysleta de Sur Pueblo Department Of Tribal Empowerment in El Paso, Texas. She shares her first experience attending TCEA 2025. We dive into her mission to bring engaging STEM ideas back to her organization and discuss her newfound excitement for integrating podcasting into professional development. From key conference takeaways to actionable steps for starting a podcasting initiative, this conversation will inspire you to innovate and experiment in your own teaching or leadership role.

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo - EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com/ - EdTech Bites On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/edtechbites.bsky.social - EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites - EdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbites - EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites - EdTech Bites On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@edtechbites - EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites

This episode is sponsored by Brisk Teaching. To learn more and get started, visit www.briskteaching.com.

Ever feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day to plan lessons, grade assignments, and still have time to breathe? In today’s episode, I chat with Suvi Gluskin, Head of Marketing and Community for Brisk Teaching. We dive into Brisk Teaching—the AI-powered Chrome extension that’s here to change the game for educators. Suvi shares how Brisk streamlines your teaching tasks, make differentiation a breeze, and frees up your time for what truly matters: connecting with students. Buen Provecho!

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

• EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com
• EdTech Bites On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/edtechbites.bsky.social
• EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@edtechbites
• EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites

About Suvi Gluskin

Suvi Gluskin is the Head of Marketing at Brisk Teaching, the most popular AI-powered Chrome Extension for educators, helping over 1 million teachers save 10-20 hours per week. Brisk seamlessly integrates with educators' existing tools to support differentiation, content creation, feedback, and writing authentication. Prior to Brisk, Suvi spent seven years leading Community at Seesaw Learning and previously worked at PBS KIDS. She holds degrees in Music and Child Development from Carnegie Mellon University.

Connect With Suvi and Brisk Teaching

• Suvi On X: https://x.com/suviatbrisk
• Brisk Teaching Website: https://www.briskteaching.com
• Brisk Teaching Chrome Webstore: https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/brisk-teaching-–-ai-assis/pcblbflgdkdfdjpjifeppkljdnaekohj?hl=en&pli=1
• Brisk Teaching On X: https://www.x.com/briskteaching
• Brisk Teaching On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briskteaching
• Brisk Teaching On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/briskteaching.bsky.social
• Brisk Teaching On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brisk-teaching/
• Brisk Teaching On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/briskteaching/
• Brisk Teaching Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/briskeducators/

*This episode is sponsored by Class Companion. To learn more and get started, Click Here!

What happens when a group of passionate educators comes together to spark change? In this episode, I sit down with Larisa Black, Heather Brown, Farmer Faubs, and Christie Cloud, the four of the founding members of the EduGuardians. We discuss how their movement started, why they’re so dedicated to supporting educators, and the driving force behind their mission. From inspiration to action, this conversation will leave you feeling empowered and ready to make an impact in your own educational community.

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

• EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com
• EdTech Bites On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/edtechbites.bsky.social
• EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@edtechbites
• EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites

About The EduGuardians

EduGuardians strive to lead in educational technology, empowering educators to connect, share ideas, and build community. Our mission is to utilize edtech for impactful and engaging student learning experiences. We foster a dynamic, collaborative network for educators to innovate, grow, and inspire, enhancing education for all students.

Connect With The EduGuardians

• EduGuardian Website: https://www.eduguardian5.com
• EduGuardians On X: https://x.com/EduGuardian5
• EduGuardians On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/eduguardian5.bsky.social
• EduGuardians On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eduguardian5/

*This episode is sponsored by Class Companion. To learn more and get started, Click Here!

How do we blend tried-and-true teaching strategies with cutting-edge AI? In this episode, I chat with the dynamic husband-and-wife duo, Kristin and Joe Merrill AKA Kroe, about their latest book The InterACTIVE Class: Creation in a World of AI: Empowering Educators to Inspire Creativity and Innovation in an AI-Driven Classroom. They share timeless teaching strategies while incorporating AI—all through their signature interACTIVE approach. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or a teaching purist, this episode will show you how to strike the perfect balance between innovation and effective instruction.

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

• EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com
• EdTech Bites On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/edtechbites.bsky.social
• EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites
• EdTech Bites On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@edtechbites
• EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites

About The Merrill’s

Kristin and Joe are teachers and authors of the InterACTIVE Class series. Together, they put a spin on traditional strategies by infusing EdTech with learning that meets the needs of all students.

Connect With The Merrill’s

• The Merrill’s Website: www.themerrillsedu.com
• The Merrill’s On X: www.x.com/TheMerrillsEDU
• The Merrill’s On Instagram: www.instagram.com/TheMerrillsEDU
• The Merrill’s On Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheMerrillsEDU
• “The InterACTIVE Class: Creation in a World of AI: Empowering Educators to Inspire Creativity and Innovation in an AI-Driven Classroom” On Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/InterACTIVE-Class-Empowering-Creativity-Innovation/dp/B0DR9J6VKZ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=28FB0YCSWBPM1&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Mr4ZmPa2ddIveLZ91XKcdNedXJqACQE9asdmrv7nDIPt3ogXUH4wfHkcILkGOC8gR2rgiQiVniSzj-kAQ9bRRlZ3XMqygwcrxuGgP4Lk4dozTMohBwgBZMu_3FL7WrH_77NtfZJG29DRmS5K3Aq0broXPrDLLYshBUcHKHNXz-Lz75WxDtyQ8_35dCmZdwpNpPCpGhavqosWgQXPQ3-vaPwphWd2FwWQYNAFgSQkkQQ.J0cPLu-_z-cAz5gpwO8ka6E43zND4RLhuspDjKSloIM&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+interactive+classroom&qid=1737436934&sprefix=the+interactive%2Caps%2C130&sr=8-1