EdTech Startup Showcase

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 philosophy
• How AI can have a role in moderating disagreements and creating productive discussion
• Giving students targeted practice in making an argument
• Using AI to make content and exercises grade- and skill-appropriate
• Giving students the tools to critically evaluate what they’re reading and hearing
• Persuasive arguments in a disagreement

About today’s host

Tanya 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.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/pedagogycloud 
• https://www.instagram.com/pedagogycloud 
• https://facebook.com/pedagogycloud 

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 teaching
• How Ted, High Tech High, and Inkwire all commit to equity and empowerment
• Collaborating to design a platform for portfolios and enabling students to communicate about their learning
• How the past few years have reignited his passion for teaching
• The purpose and process of assessment
• Competency-based learning, project-based learning, AI, design, and more

About today’s host

Tanya 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 Inkwire

In 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 

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 education
• How Connected Class developed organically to meet teachers’ desire for better training
• Creating a real community between parents and schools
• Effective strategies for differentiated instruction
• Meeting students’ diverse needs
• How to help parents become empowered learning partners
• Play as a tool for learning 

About today’s guest

Amanda 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 host

Tanya 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/ 

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 started
• Their vision for transforming teaching and learning 
• The importance of feedback in K-12 education
• The 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.com
• twitter.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 

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 more
• The future of career and technical education (CTE) - industries are changing, CTE needs to keep up, grab the attention of learners and inform them
• Bridging the Gaps: skills gap, opportunity gap, and awareness gap
• CTE for all - professional development for parents, teachers, counselors, adult career-seekers, and the incarcerated

About Be More Colorful
Be 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 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 

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 edtech
• The role of technology in education
• Exploring Pedagog.ai
• The vision for pedagogy
• Lessons learned in the journey
• The impact of AI on society

About 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/pedagogycloud
• https://www.instagram.com/pedagogycloud/
• https://facebook.com/pedagogycloud

About 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/pritenhshah
• https://twitter.com/pritenhshah

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 

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 Innovator
• The organic growth story of Connected Class
• The power of video in education
• Addressing academic gaps and social-emotional learning
• The impact and future of Learning Link
• Christel’s upcoming goals and what motivates her work

About Connected Class

We 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 guest

Christel 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 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 

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 founder
• What authentic digital portfolios mean for student learning
• The results students and teachers get when they engage with the Inkwire platform
• The launch process and initial school successes
• Vision for the future of learning

About Inkwire

In 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 guest

Aatash 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/aatashparikh
• https://twitter.com/aatashparikh 

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 

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 CareerViewXR
• Classroom Mosaic
• Connected Class
• Inkwire
• Pedagogy.Cloud and specifically its AI service Pedagog.ai

We’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