In this episode of All Things Marketing and Education, Elana Leoni sits down with Amos Fodchuk, the President and Founder of Advanced Learning Partnerships (ALP). Amos isn’t just an expert in EdTech—he’s a true partner to school districts, working side by side with educators and leaders to create real, meaningful change.

Amos shares ALP’s unique “year of learning” model, a collaborative, year-long process designed to build literacy and establish policies around emerging technologies like Generative AI. Throughout the conversation, he dives deep into how a systems-level approach can create lasting educational transformation by connecting all stakeholders, ensuring technology isn’t just used but used effectively.

The discussion also explores the importance of workplace wellness, emphasizing the need to support educators in the midst of rapid change and competing demands. Whether you’re in EdTech, work in a school district, or are curious about the future of education, this episode offers actionable strategies, inspiring insights, and a refreshing systems-level perspective on how to navigate today’s complex education landscape.

View the rest of the show notes.

In this episode of All Things Marketing and Education, Elana Leoni welcomes Hall Davidson, a legend in the EdTech world with a career spanning decades of innovation. Hall shares his fascinating journey from teaching math live on TV to shaping the Discovery Educator Network (DEN), one of the most vibrant and impactful teacher communities ever created.

Hall reflects on the early days of integrating technology into classrooms, highlighting key lessons for EdTech companies and educators looking to navigate today’s rapidly evolving landscape. He dives into the importance of empowering teachers as storytellers and advocates, offering practical tips on how to build authentic communities that foster collaboration and growth.

As the conversation unfolds, Hall shares his insights on AI in education—why it’s not just a trend but a tool that can revolutionize teaching and learning. Whether you’re an EdTech marketer, educator, or industry professional, this episode is packed with actionable strategies, inspiring stories, and thought-provoking ideas that you won’t want to miss.

Questions asked:

1. Can you share a bit about your journey in the education space and how your experiences have shaped your perspective on EdTech?
2. What are you most excited about in EdTech? What do you think has the most potential impact on student learning?
3. What do you wish teachers and districts would use more or of use in a different way? What’s overhyped? 
4. How have you seen the role of teachers evolve over the past few years, especially with the integration of technology? What should edtech companies keep in mind to better support teachers during these shifts?
5. Why do you view school libraries as a natural hub for AI in schools, and how can they become central to integrating new technologies into the learning process?
6. What’s something you’ve read or watched recently that inspired you?

Read the episode show notes.

In this episode of All Things Marketing and Education, we dive into the vital role that professional development and implementation play in EdTech success—two often overlooked aspects that can make or break the adoption of new technologies in K-12 education.

Elana sits down with Shelby Danks, founder and principal advisor of ARKEN RESEARCH, who has spent decades researching the efficacy of EdTech solutions in education. Shelby brings a wealth of knowledge about the importance of strategic implementation and the critical role professional development plays in ensuring that new tools truly benefit educators and students.

Together, they unpack the differences between implementation and professional development, discuss the common pitfalls that EdTech companies face, and explore best practices for rolling out new tools in a way that supports meaningful adoption in schools. Shelby also shares her insights on the “refrigerator vs. washer-dryer” metaphor, which helps companies understand the different levels of support their products require, and how they can partner with schools for long-term success.

If you’re an EdTech provider, education leader, or educator interested in understanding how to effectively implement new technology and provide professional development that truly supports teachers, this episode is for you. Tune in for practical takeaways and expert insights that will help you make thoughtful decisions when it comes to the adoption and integration of EdTech tools.

Full episode show notes here.

In this episode of All Things Marketing and Education, we’re tackling one of the hottest topics in the world right now—AI, specifically generative AI, and its impact on education.

Elana sits down with EdTech expert and long-time friend, Mary Beth Hertz, who has spent decades thinking critically about the role of technology in education. Known for her thoughtful approach, Mary Beth isn’t swayed by the latest trends or flashy innovations. She asks the tough questions that keep us all grounded—ensuring that technology is always used with the ultimate goal of improving learning outcomes for students.

Together, they dive deep into the current state of AI in education, discussing how it can be leveraged effectively without losing sight of what truly matters: the students. Beyond AI, they explore the broader landscape of EdTech and what the industry must do to better support both educators and learners during these rapidly changing times.

If you're navigating the complex world of EdTech and wondering how AI can play a role in enhancing education, this conversation is for you. Tune in for an insightful discussion that will leave you with practical takeaways and a fresh perspective on the future of technology in education.

Here's the full episode show notes.

In this episode of All Things Marketing and Education, Elana sat down with Thor Prichard, President & CEO at Clarity Innovations—a mission-driven, K-12 education-focused professional services and consulting firm. Clarity Innovations specializes in everything from education strategy and content creation to engineering and design solutions.

You may remember Thor from our last conversation about the challenges of creating effective EdTech products and the importance of designing with learning outcomes in mind.

Thor shares his insights on some of the most fascinating trends and innovations in education technology. Elana and Thor discuss the impact of generative AI, the importance of integrating EdTech products into the everyday practices of educators and students, and the different business models shaping the industry. They also explore the evolving role of family-school partnerships and future trends in product development.

Thor concludes the conversation with thoughts on what he believes are the keys to creating lasting and impactful products in education. This episode is packed with valuable insights and is not to be missed. Enjoy!

Questions Asked:

• What types of products and services have you and your team developed in the EdTech space, and at what stages of product development do you typically focus?
• From your experience, what are the most critical elements that a product needs to have during the design and development process?
• How do you ensure that a product achieves product/market fit, effectively meeting the needs of buyers, users, and the business?
• How do you approach prioritizing feature development, and how do you determine when a product might have too many features?
• Is it better to develop a product that excels at one or two key functions or one that offers a broader range of features? How do you balance depth versus breadth?
• How do you continuously evolve your product to stay aligned with the changing needs of users and buyers, while also meeting your firm's and clients' objectives? Can you share any examples where things didn’t go as planned and any warning signs to watch for?
• What’s something you’ve read or watched recently that has inspired you?

In this week’s episode of All Things Marketing and Education, Elana got to chat with Lawrence Korchnak, a Founding Partner of BLOQQ, a consulting firm that specializes in helping organizations scale in the education market.

As EdTech marketing execs, Elana and Lawrence have years of experience selling in the EdTech space. In this conversation, they get into busting some common EdTech marketing myths, such as, “starting with a freemium model is a sure way to guarantee B2B sales,” or “once I sell to a school, they’ll probably always use my product.” They also explain some of the nuances to marketing to an education audience, including some of the pitfalls that marketers without an education background might not catch.

You might remember Lawrence from our last episode with him, where we covered the challenges of EdTech go-to-market strategies.

Lawrence doesn’t sugar coat things or hold back — we appreciated his candid tone backed by years of executive experience. Enjoy this episode!

Myths Busted:

• Education marketers can sell to one decision maker.
• Freemium models guarantee B2B sales down the road.
• You can sell or market your EdTech product at any time of the year.
• Once you are adopted by a school or district, churn is low.

Here's the full transcript of Lawrence’s podcast episode.

In this episode of All Things Marketing and Education, Elana sits down with Kristina Ishmael, now an education Strategic Advisor of her own shop, Ishmael Consulting, but has a long journey through so many perspectives within education, at a classroom, district, state, and national level. We speak a lot about her recent experience as Deputy Director of the Office of EdTech, where she spent two years working on EdTech policy at the national level.

You might remember Kristina from our last episode, in which we covered the challenges and priorities of the updated National EdTech Plan. 

In this episode, Kristina reflects on her unique journey within education and EdTech. She opens up about the one thing that’s helped guide her through it all. At the end, Kristina also gives some feedback on what EdTech vendors should and should not do when partnering with school districts and what EdTech excites her the most. 

We hope you enjoy this episode of what we’re calling “the EdTech version of chicken noodle soup for the soul.” ❤️

n this week’s episode of All Things Marketing and Education, our host Elana Leoni sat down with Ian McCullough, a consultant specializing in marketing, go-to-market strategies, and business development for the EdTech industry.

You might remember Ian from our last episode with him, Academic Integrity in the AI Era, took us on a journey into the fascinating intersection of ChatGPT, AI writing, and academic integrity.

Here, we delve into the intricacies of the EdTech buying cycle, exploring its metaphors and nuances that help make sense of the process. Ian’s insights are invaluable for anyone involved in EdTech sales, whether B2B or, as Ian suggests, B2G (business to government).

Before diving in, a bit about Ian: with over 20 years in education and creative technology, he has experience spanning consumer, corporate training, and institutional markets. He previously led the North American K-12 marketing team at Turnitin and now offers his expertise as a consultant.

Enjoy this engaging episode that makes the complex K-12 buying cycle both understandable and exciting!

In this episode of All Things Marketing and Education, Elana sits down with Dr. Robert Dillon, School Designer, Author, Speaker, and Learner. Bob, as she likes to call him, has earned a doctorate in educational leadership and administration, and brings over 20 years of experience as a teacher, school principal, and director of innovation at multiple school districts; he is the author of five books, including the ones we dive into today: The Space: A Guide for Leaders.

In this episode, Bob and Elana discuss the crucial role of redesigning learning spaces in education, emphasizing that it's far more than just updating bulletin boards. They delve into the significant impact of classroom design on student engagement, sense of belonging, and overall well-being.

Make sure to listen until the end, as Bob shares practical tips for educators to create flexible, inclusive, and technology-integrated learning environments. They also explore the relationship between physical learning spaces and EdTech products, highlighting the importance of considering equity and the needs of marginalized students in the design process.

Whether you're already back in school or preparing for the upcoming year, this episode is packed with valuable tips and ideas to help you optimize your classroom space.

Here's the link to the episode show notes.

For even more planning resources, check out our EdTech Marketer's Planner.

Mentioned in this episode:

The EdTech Marketer's Planner - Extended Edition

Want a comprehensive list of timely education events to inform your 2024 marketing plans?

In this episode of All Things Marketing and Education, we sit down with Shawn McCusker, Senior Director of Professional Learning at EdTechTeacher, to discuss his passion, civic engagement. We ask him about some of his favorite tips and takeaways from the book Becoming Active Citizens, which he co-wrote with Tom Driscoll. He provides practical ways to encourage active citizens in the classroom by creating authentic, engaging learning experiences, emphasizing the need for students to actively participate in government meetings and simulations to truly understand how government works.

Shawn highlights the positive impact of quality civic engagement on communities, such as increased voter turnout and improved quality of life. He encourages educators to prioritize citic education and suggests ways for school leaders to support its integration into all subjects.

Here's the link to the episode show notes.

For even more planning resources, check out our EdTech Marketer's Planner.