What if AI could give you more of the one thing every teacher needs—time?

In this episode, AI Summit presenter Christy Hoots shares how she’s using Microsoft Copilot to streamline lesson planning, allowing her to spend less time creating materials and more time where it matters most: working one-on-one with students. Hear how AI is helping make teaching more efficient while strengthening meaningful classroom connections.

If you’re looking for practical ways to save time without sacrificing student engagement, you won’t want to miss this conversation.

Can Canva do that? According to AI Summit presenter Breanna Adams, absolutely.

In this episode, Breanna gives a preview of her AI Summit session, “You Can Do That in Canva?” and shares how she’s using Canva’s growing collection of AI tools to create more engaging, interactive classroom experiences. From saving time on lesson planning to designing activities that capture students’ attention, you’ll discover practical ways educators can put Canva’s newest features to work right away.

If you’ve ever thought Canva was just for making graphics, this conversation might change your mind.

A group of educators want you to think about how we traditionally teach math.

A student memorizes that 3 + 4 = 7. They can get the answer right on a worksheet, but do they actually understand what 7 means?

Perceptual learning is about helping students see the relationships behind the numbers.

Instead of memorizing facts, students begin to recognize patterns:

• 3 + 4 = 7
• 4 + 3 = 7
• 5 + 2 = 7
• 10 - 3 = 7

Now they’re not just calculating. They’re seeing how numbers relate to one another.

Take multiplication. A traditional approach might teach that:

6 × 8 = 48

A perceptual learning approach helps students recognize that:

• 6 groups of 8 is the same as 8 groups of 6
• 6 × 8 is double 3 × 8
• 6 × 8 is 6 × (4 + 4)

Students begin to notice patterns and structures that mathematicians naturally see.

The goal isn’t for students to memorize hundreds of facts. The goal is for them to develop “mathematical vision.”

When a mathematician looks at a problem, they don’t just see numbers. They see relationships, patterns, shortcuts, and connections.

Perceptual learning helps students build that same ability.

That’s why the graphic says “Teach the cognitive skills of seeing and hearing so that math is understood.”

In other words:

Don’t just teach students the answer. Teach them to see why the answer makes sense.

Brian Buffington brings the kind of energy that makes people want to be in the room. In our conversation, he talked about using AI not to replace the human side of education, but to bring more of it back. His focus is on helping teachers create experiences students cannot just Google, copy, or click through.

He also made a powerful point about students needing connection now more than ever. AI can help teachers save time, brainstorm ideas, and create more engaging lessons, but the real magic still comes from educators building relationships, creating memorable moments, and helping students feel like they belong. That is exactly the kind of conversation we want at the KEDC AI Summit.

Dr. Jordyne Carmack is a dynamic communication strategist, educator, andthought leader who empowers individuals and organizations to thrive throughtransformative learning experiences. As the Founder and CEO of AuthentiLEAD,Dr. Carmack delivers coaching and workshops on authentic leadership,communication skills, and personal branding, specializing in fostering genuineconnections in an increasingly automated world. She is the creator of FutureReady Teams, an applied AI development program that helps mission-drivenorganizations move from change fatigue and resistance to confident technologyadoption through practical, skills-based training.An popular speaker and recognized expert in authentic leadership, Dr. Carmack’sinsights have been featured at conferences, including her TEDx talk, “EmbracingAuthenticity in an Artificial World.” Her research and practical applications ofauthenticity focus on helping leaders embrace self-awareness and transparentdecision-making as a competitive edge. She is an expert in using assessmentbased solutions to connect and empower teams to communicate with excellence.Dr. Carmack taught Communication Arts full-time for seven years at theundergraduate level early in her career, cultivating future leaders andcommunicators. She now shares her expertise at the doctoral level, teachingCurrent Trends and Issues in Leadership, where she guides emerging scholars andprofessionals in navigating the complexities of modern leadership challenges.Dr. Carmack brings a rich academic background to her work, holding a Ph.D. inLeadership from the University of the Cumberlands and an M.S. in IntegratedMarketing Communication from West Virginia University. Her academic andprofessional journey reflects her passion for cultivating human-centered, valuedriven leadership across industries and communities.Beyond her professional endeavors, Dr. Carmack is a dedicated community leaderand advocate. She serves as the Executive Director of Leadership Tri-County andsits on the Strategic Advisory Board for the Women’s Business Center of Kentucky.A recipient of accolades such as Central Kentucky’s Remarkable Woman Awardand the Young Professionals of Lake Cumberland’s 40 under 40, Dr. Carmackexemplifies excellence in leadership, service, and innovation.

We are all so proud of students from across the region and we will try to honor as many as I can. It just so happens that I, Jim Caldwell, was in Elliott County on Thursday. 
Noah and Braxton just earned 3rd place in Knowledge Bowl at the JAG Kentucky State Career Development Conference… and now they’re headed to the JAG National Career Development Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah.
They invited me to join them on their podcast, and I was genuinely honored to say yes. It’s always inspiring to sit down with students who are confident, thoughtful, and willing to step up behind the mic. They asked great questions, led a sharp conversation, and represented themselves incredibly well. As soons as their version is available, I'll share it.
Until then, here is my version! LOL.

In this episode, Sam Adkins and Mark Ryles join Brandy Breeze to discuss the role of PurchasePros in supporting educational districts with their facility needs. The conversation covers the importance of effective procurement processes, the impact of facilities on student learning, and the significance of long-range planning. Our guests emphasize the need for collaboration with local vendors and the benefits of a transparent procurement model. They also explore future trends in educational facilities, including the integration of technology and the potential impact of AI.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to PurchasePros and Its Impact

03:04 The Role of Facilities in Education

05:58 Understanding Long-Range Facility Planning

08:57 Financial Mechanisms and Compliance in Facilities

12:07 The Importance of the Kentucky Education Reform Act

15:05 The Vision Behind PurchasePros

17:53 Best Value Proposition in Procurement

20:52 Streamlined Procurement Process for Districts

24:01 The Importance of Local Vendors

27:03 Partnerships and Collaboration in Facilities

29:46 Future of Facilities and Technology in Education

Resources discussed in this episode: 

https://purchasepros.net/

https://www.ovec.org/facilitiesservices

Keywords:

PurchasePros, education, facilities management, procurement, Kentucky Education Reform Act, long-range planning, best value, local vendors, school construction, educational facilities

In this episode of the KEDC podcast, Bryan Quillen discusses his journey from teaching English to cybersecurity, emphasizing the importance of vibrant learning and student engagement. He shares insights on creating an engaging classroom environment, the role of trust in education, and the significance of community involvement in real-world applications of learning. Bryan highlights the need for innovative teaching methods that foster student agency and prepare them for future careers in cybersecurity and beyond.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Cybersecurity and Education

02:34 The Shift from English to Cybersecurity

04:30 Classroom Dynamics and Student Engagement

07:11 Innovative Teaching Methods in Cybersecurity

09:42 Student Agency and Creativity in Learning

12:07 Rigor in Project-Based Learning

14:49 Building Confidence Through Real-World Applications

17:24 Partnerships and Community Involvement

19:44 The Role of Trust in Education

22:29 Future of Education in Kentucky

24:53 Conclusion and Hope for the Future

29:26 Outro for KEDC Podcast Empowering EdTalks.

Don't forget to follow!

References:

The Hub for Innovative Learning & Leadership https://hill.fcps.net/

KC7 Cyber Website: https://kc7cyber.com/about 

My portfolio: https://sites.google.com/jefferson.kyschools.us/bryanquillen/home

In this conversation, Craig discusses the transformative approach of Trust-Based Observations, emphasizing the importance of psychological safety and strength-based feedback in educational settings. He highlights how traditional observation methods can hinder teacher performance and self-efficacy, advocating for a model that fosters trust and encourages risk-taking. Through personal anecdotes and research, Craig illustrates the positive impact of this approach on both teachers and students, ultimately leading to improved educational outcomes and collective teacher efficacy.

00:00 Introduction to Trust-Based Observations

01:58 The Importance of Psychological Safety

06:59 Strength-Based Observations and Their Impact

11:57 The Process of Trust-Based Observations

16:09 Transformative Stories from Trust-Based Observations

20:05 Building Collective Teacher Efficacy

23:33 Training for Trust-Based Observations

28:10 Conclusion and Future Directions

29:41 Outro for KEDC Podcast Empowering EdTalks. 

Don't forget to follow the show! 

Resources referenced in this episode: 

Trust based observations webpage: https://trustbased.com/

20 minutes of teaching brilliance on the road with trust based observations PODCAST

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/20-minutes-of-teaching-brilliance-on-the-road/id1734223727

Welcome to Season 4 episodes. We are happy that you are here to listen.

In this conversation KDE's Dr. Sean Jackson discusses the importance of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and computer science into content. He emphasizes the need for educators to adapt to new technologies while ensuring that students are equipped with the necessary skills to navigate the evolving landscape of AI. The discussion covers the significance of AI literacy, the challenges of implementation, and the ethical considerations surrounding the use of AI in educational settings. Dr. Jackson advocates for a collaborative approach to AI integration, highlighting the role of educators and technology leaders in shaping the future of learning.

Key Takeaways

The journey in education is never finished.

AI is a tool that enhances efficiency, not a replacement for human intelligence.

Students need to learn how to use AI responsibly.

AI literacy should be embedded in educational standards.

Educators must adapt to new technologies to empower students.

Collaboration among educators is key to successful AI integration.

Legal and ethical considerations are crucial when using AI in education.

AI can help streamline administrative tasks for teachers.

Professional development is essential for effective AI implementation.

Kentucky is a leader in educational technology and AI guidance.

Titles

Empowering Kentucky's Educators with AI

Navigating the Future of AI in Education

Chapters

00:00 Empowering Educators in Kentucky

03:04 The Importance of AI in Education

06:03 Understanding AI: Definitions and Misconceptions

08:45 Integrating AI Literacy into Standards

11:35 Navigating AI in the Classroom

14:52 Legal and Ethical Considerations of AI

17:28 Collaborative Approaches to AI Implementation

20:21 Empowering Educators with AI Tools

KDE Guidance Brief

Keywords

AI in education, computer science, Kentucky education, AI literacy, technology standards, digital learning, ethical AI, teacher training, student engagement, educational technology