Episode 339: Merissa Sadler-Holder | Teaching with Machines 

In this episode of My EdTech Life, Dr. Fonz Mendoza talks with Merissa Sadler-Holder, founder of Teaching with Machines. Merissa shares her journey from French teacher to AI consultant and shows how educators can embrace AI without losing their voice, creativity, or purpose.

They discuss what human-centered AI really means in the classroom, how to build meaningful professional development, and ways to keep teaching focused on people instead of platforms.

Merissa also breaks down her AI Coherence Cycle, explains why teachers should stop chasing every new tool, and highlights the power of authenticity in a world full of automation.

This episode will help you rethink AI in education and remind you that the real value is you.

Timestamps

00:00 — Intro & Sponsors
 01:00 — Meet Merissa Sadler-Holder
 03:00 — From French Teacher to Teaching with Machines
 06:00 — The Aha Moment: Seeing AI’s Potential
 10:00 — What Human-Centered AI Really Means
 14:00 — Helping Students Find Their Authentic Voice
 20:00 — The AI Coherence Cycle Explained
 24:00 — Making PD Meaningful and Ongoing
 28:00 — Avoiding the “Shiny Tool” Trap
 33:00 — Ethics, Data Privacy & District Challenges
 36:00 — Involving Parents and Communities
 38:00 — Teaching is Messy—And That’s Good
 41:00 — Preview: Speaking at EdTech Week NYC
 44:00 — The Future of Teacher-Built Tools
 49:00 — The Value is YOU
 55:00 — Closing Thoughts + Stay Techie

Connect with Merissa

Website: teachingwithmachines.com

Facebook Group

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors

Huge thanks to Book Creator, Eduaide.AI, and Yellowdig for supporting our mission to amplify educator voices and spark meaningful conversations about the future of learning.

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Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator.

Yellowdig is transforming higher education by building online communities that drive engagement and collaboration. My EdTech Life is proud to partner with Yellowdig to amplify its mission.

See how Yellowdig can revolutionize your campus—visit Yellowdig.co today!

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Captivate Your Classroom with Dr. Marc Isseks

In this episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Dr. Marc Isseks, author of Captivate, to explore how educators can break free from “cognitive entrenchment” and rediscover what it means to truly engage learners. Marc brings over 30 years of classroom, curriculum, and leadership experience, and his insights will challenge the way you think about teaching, technology, and student voice.

We dig into why success can sometimes stop us from growing, how teachers can overcome rigidity and the dreaded phrase “this is the way we’ve always done it,” and why technology should be treated as a microphone, not an encyclopedia. Marc shares stories that will resonate with every educator—from rethinking assessment to giving students choice and voice in their learning.

Whether you’re a classroom teacher, administrator, or EdTech leader, this conversation will spark reflection and give you fresh ideas to amplify student engagement and your own growth as an educator.

Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome to My EdTech Life + Sponsor shoutout
01:00 – Introducing Dr. Marc Isseks and his 31 years in education
04:00 – The story behind Captivate and why he wrote it
08:00 – Breaking cognitive entrenchment in schools
12:00 – Test #3 story: why success can stall innovation
16:00 – Technology shifts: from Tic-Tac-Toe to TikTok
21:00 – Engagement vs. learning: choosing the right apps
25:00 – Tech as a microphone, not an encyclopedia
30:00 – Process over product: lessons from Pixar
35:00 – The three new R’s: remixing, recording, researching
40:00 – Reframing screen time, dopamine, and classrooms
44:00 – Marc’s biggest takeaways for educators
47:00 – Rapid-fire closing questions
48:30 – How to connect with Marc + final thoughts 

Big thanks to our amazing sponsors for supporting this mission:
Book Creator – where student stories come to life
Eduaide.ai – empowering teachers with smarter tools
Yellowdig – building communities that thrive

Stay inspired. Stay innovative. Stay Techie!

Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator.

Yellowdig is transforming higher education by building online communities that drive engagement and collaboration. My EdTech Life is proud to partner with Yellowdig to amplify its mission.

See how Yellowdig can revolutionize your campus—visit Yellowdig.co today!

Support the show

 La IA no reemplaza al maestro con Pedro Aparicio

En este episodio de My EdTech Life, converso con Pedro Aparicio sobre un tema que nos toca a todos: el papel real de la IA en el aula y el rol insustituible del docente. Desde la mirada de Latinoamérica, Pedro nos comparte cómo la tecnología puede ser una aliada cuando se usa con intención, verificación y presencia humana.

Hablamos del retroceso post-COVID, las falsas promesas de “2 horas al día”, el riesgo de caer en el hype y por qué el mejor recurso en el aula siempre será el docente. Este episodio es una invitación a reflexionar, cuestionar y seguir creciendo como educadores.

Capítulos:
 00:00 Bienvenida y agradecimiento a patrocinadores
 02:00 Reencuentro con Pedro y el contexto en LatAm
 07:00 ¿Cómo se percibe la IA en México y la región?
 12:00 Dos bandos: entusiasmo vs. preocupación informada
 19:00 Post-COVID: el riesgo de volver al “así se ha hecho siempre”
 23:00 Las falsas promesas de “2 horas al día”
 31:00 Uso responsable: intención, verificación y profundidad
 35:00 NotebookLM y la creación de recursos útiles
 41:00 “Cada viaje inicia con un pequeño paso”
 54:00 Mensaje final y reflexiones

Un agradecimiento especial a nuestros patrocinadores Book Creator, Eduaide.AI y Yellowdig por hacer posibles estas conversaciones que importan.

Until next time, don't forget, Stay Techie!

Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator.

Yellowdig is transforming higher education by building online communities that drive engagement and collaboration. My EdTech Life is proud to partner with Yellowdig to amplify its mission.

See how Yellowdig can revolutionize your campus—visit Yellowdig.co today!

Support the show

The Business of You with Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio

In this episode of My EdTech Life, Dr. Fonz Mendoza sits down with Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio to explore their book The Business of You. They share how students, educators, and professionals alike can begin running their lives like a well-led company—by becoming the CEO, CMO, HR, and CFO of their own story. We also talk about adaptability, time as capital, the importance of asking better questions, and their upcoming project Blue, a gamified app designed to help students lead themselves first.

Whether you’re a teacher guiding students, a counselor preparing learners for college and career, or someone seeking personal growth, this conversation is packed with insights on why the most important project you’ll ever work on is yourself.

Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome & sponsor thanks
 03:00 – Nick’s journey into EdTech and authorship
 04:15 – Marni’s path from math teacher to author
 05:05 – What it means to be the CEO of you
 06:30 – Running your life like a business: vision, skills, and story
 10:45 – Sydney’s story and why it matters to students
 16:00 – Branding as story: controlling your narrative
 22:20 – The power of asking better questions
 28:15 – Time and energy as your real capital
 35:10 – Adaptability and designing your personal path
 42:25 – Introducing Blue: gamifying personal growth for students
 48:30 – Waitlist and book links
 50:00 – Lead yourself first: final takeaways
 52:00 – Fun wrap-up: kryptonite, reflections, and closing thoughts

Learn More

📘 The Business of You – thebusinessofyou.ai

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors

Book Creator | Eduaide.AI | Yellowdig

Stay Techie!

Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator.

Yellowdig is transforming higher education by building online communities that drive engagement and collaboration. My EdTech Life is proud to partner with Yellowdig to amplify its mission.

See how Yellowdig can revolutionize your campus—visit Yellowdig.co today!

Support the show

Peel Back Education with April Braithwaite  

Educators are the backbone of society, yet their stories often go unheard. In this episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with April Braithwaite, founder of Peel Back Education, a new project dedicated to telling the authentic stories of teachers. April shares how a late-night reflection sparked her mission to capture educator journeys in writing, giving teachers a platform that isn’t about products or checklists, it’s about dignity, recognition, and impact.

We talk about the ripple effect of great teachers, the importance of narrative in sustaining educators, and how storytelling can bring healing, validation, and even systemic change. April opens up about the teachers who shaped her life, why she believes “you’re here for a reason,” and how she’s building a space where every educator can feel seen.

If you’ve ever doubted whether your work matters, this episode is a reminder that your story could change lives.

Timestamps

• 0:00 Welcome and sponsor shout-outs
• 2:00 How April and I first connected at TCEA
• 3:20 The toothbrush epiphany that sparked Peel Back Education
• 6:00 Moving beyond products: Why teacher stories matter
• 8:30 The mentors who shaped my own journey in education
• 11:20 April’s inspiration from her own teachers who believed in her
• 14:30 How storytelling gives educators recognition and dignity
• 19:00 The ripple effect of teachers and the seeds they plant
• 24:00 Education as the backbone of society
• 25:30 How educators can share their stories with Peel Back Education
• 28:45 The overwhelming response after launch
• 34:00 Future plans: from blog to clips to podcast
• 36:00 Lightning round: EduKryptonite, billboards, and role swaps
• 39:00 Closing reflections and ways to connect with April

Big Thank You to Our Sponsors

This episode is made possible thanks to the support of Book Creator, Eduaide.AI, and Yellowdig. Your belief in these conversations helps keep My EdTech Life thriving and accessible to educators everywhere.

Stay Techie!

Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator.

Yellowdig is transforming higher education by building online communities that drive engagement and collaboration. My EdTech Life is proud to partner with Yellowdig to amplify its mission.

See how Yellowdig can revolutionize your campus—visit Yellowdig.co today!

Support the show

 Research First Approach to AI Tools with Short Answer

In this episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Adam and Alexa Sparks, the husband-and-wife founders of Short Answer, a writing platform built to strengthen peer-to-peer learning and classroom dialogue.

We dive into their journey from classrooms and Stanford labs to building an edtech startup that puts pedagogy first. Adam shares how a tough reception at a ResearchED conference burst the EdTech bubble and reshaped their vision for AI in schools. Alexa explains why her research left her more skeptical of AI than when she started, and how that skepticism helps keep Short Answer grounded in solid pedagogy.

Together, they open up about:

• Why EdTech needs more dialectical thinking
• How Short Answer blends AI feedback with student discourse
• Their new partnership with EduProtocols and what it means for teachers
• The tension between tool-driven conferences and pedagogy-first practices
• What’s next on the roadmap for Short Answer

This conversation is for every educator, leader, or EdTech enthusiast who wants to see technology serve teachers and students—not replace them.

⏱️ Time Stamps

0:00 – Welcome and sponsor shoutouts
2:00 – Adam and Alexa’s journey into EdTech
7:00 – Why EdTech needs dialectical thinking
10:00 – ResearchED pushback and bursting the EdTech bubble
15:00 – From hype to caution: AI in writing feedback
20:00 – Short Answer’s approach to peer-to-peer learning
27:00 – Tool-first vs pedagogy-first conferences
31:00 – Partnering with EduProtocols
37:00 – New features: Quick Write and Pen Pals
43:00 – What’s next for Short Answer
45:00 – Edu Kryptonite: time and the EdTech bubble
49:00 – Billboard messages and who they’d trade places with
50:00 – Closing thoughts and final shoutouts

 🔗 Adam's Substack Article: EdTech Needs More Dialectical Thinking

🎧 Listen to more episodes: https://www.myedtech.life

Big thanks to our amazing sponsors Book Creator, Eduaide.AI, and Yellowdig for powering these conversations that matter. 

 As always, my friends… Stay Techie!

Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator.

Yellowdig is transforming higher education by building online communities that drive engagement and collaboration. My EdTech Life is proud to partner with Yellowdig to amplify its mission.

See how Yellowdig can revolutionize your campus—visit Yellowdig.co today!

Support the show

 AI in Schools: Strategy Over Shiny Tools with Kyler Cheatham

When it comes to AI in school districts, rushing in without a clear why can cost millions, crush teacher buy-in, and derail your entire tech strategy.

In this episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Kyler Cheatham, a system architecture expert in AI and predictive analytics, to break down what districts are getting wrong and how to get it right.

Kyler shares hard truths about AI adoption in K-12 and higher ed:

• Why CTOs must own their “I don’t knows”
• How to avoid the “move fast and break things” trap
• The real cost of chasing buzzwords without solving actual problems
• Why 50% of your implementation team should be end users
• How to keep vendors honest and ensure they meet your district’s needs

Whether you’re a district leader, tech director, or educator navigating AI, this conversation will give you the questions, strategies, and fail-safes you need before signing that next contract.

 00:00 – Welcome and introduction
 02:17 – Kyler’s background in AI and education technology
04:26 – The toughest challenges districts face with AI adoption
07:00 – Teachers as “speedboats, tugboats, and anchors”
09:14 – Advice for CTOs feeling overwhelmed
12:32 – The dangers of rushing into AI for the sake of hype
15:43 – Why vendor partnerships can make or break implementation
20:00 – Building a core team with 50% end users
22:58 – “Phase Zero” and defining your why before selecting tools
32:21 – The AI sticker joke—and why labels aren’t strategy
35:15 – Two wins and two losses Kyler sees in AI adoption
40:42 – Final advice for districts, CTOs, and vendors
46:25 – Closing thoughts and how to connect with Kyler 

Big thanks to our sponsors for supporting these important conversations:
 📚 Book Creator
🧠 Eduaide.ai
🗣️ Yellowdig

Listen in, take notes, and as always…Stay Techie!

Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator.

Yellowdig is transforming higher education by building online communities that drive engagement and collaboration. My EdTech Life is proud to partner with Yellowdig to amplify its mission.

See how Yellowdig can revolutionize your campus—visit Yellowdig.co today!

Support the show

AI Optimism with Becky Keene

In this episode of My EdTech Life, I sat down with author, educator, and thought leader Becky Keene to unpack her new book AI Optimism. We tackled everything from AI literacy and data privacy to the SAMR model, edtech skepticism, and what it really takes to shift classroom practice forward, not with hype, but with intention.

Becky shares her “AI Optimism” framework, talks candidly about the realities of edtech implementation, and reminds us all that if AI can do your job, maybe it’s time to teach differently.

Whether you're a classroom teacher, district leader, or edtech developer, this conversation is for you. Dive in and walk away with clarity, strategy, and a renewed sense of agency.

Timestamps
00:00 – Intro & Becky’s background
03:10 – Why she wrote AI Optimism
07:00 – The SAMR model & AI’s role
11:30 – From substitution to redefinition
15:00 – Empowering student agency with AI
17:30 – Rethinking PD for meaningful AI use
23:30 – Higher ed vs. K–12 AI needs
28:30 – Data privacy concerns
31:30 – Equity, access & the freemium problem
35:45 – Can AI replace teachers?
40:00 – Encouraging teacher reflection
42:00 – Final questions & takeaways 

📚 Grab Becky’s book AI Optimism + free study guide:
🌐 https://beckykeene.com

🎉 Shoutout to our amazing sponsors:
📘 Book Creator – Create, read, and publish student work with ease
🤖 Eduaide – AI tools designed to empower teachers, not replace them
🟠 Yellowdig – Social learning built for real engagement

Visit our site for more great episodes!

🔗 Website: https://www.myedtech.life
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👇 Like, comment, and share this episode with your network. Let's keep growing together.

 🎤 And as always... Stay Techie!

Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator.

Yellowdig is transforming higher education by building online communities that drive engagement and collaboration. My EdTech Life is proud to partner with Yellowdig to amplify its mission.

See how Yellowdig can revolutionize your campus—visit Yellowdig.co today!

Support the show

 Learning, Agency, and EdTech | Erik Parsons

In this episode of My EdTech Life, I reconnect with the brilliant Erik Parsons, better known as The PhDad on TikTok, for a bold conversation on what really matters in education. We dig into behaviorism vs. developmentalism, and how too many classrooms are still operating on compliance over collaboration.

From Chromebooks as babysitters to the over-promise of AI-powered personalized learning, we question the transactional mindset that keeps students locked out of agency. Erik shares how improvisational theatre, playground culture, and student discourse can reshape how we think about learning and how the classroom should feel more like a community than a factory.

We also break down the risks of cognitive offload when students rely on AI to do the thinking for them. Are these tools helping or harming? What does it really mean to teach with students, not to them?

Whether you’re a K-12 teacher, higher ed faculty, or policy maker, this episode challenges you to stop, think, and ask yourself: Are we preparing learners or performers?

 00:00 – Welcome Back, Erik Parsons: The PhDad Returns
 02:45 – The Story Behind "The PhDad" and TikTok Content
 06:00 – Behaviorism vs. Developmentalism Explained
 12:30 – The Power of Play, Agency, and Classroom Discourse
 18:00 – What Developmentalism Looks Like in a Tech-Rich Classroom
 24:00 – Are We Managing Students or Empowering Them?
 30:00 – When Tech Becomes a Distraction Instead of a Tool
 35:15 – Rethinking the Teacher's Role in EdTech
 38:30 – Improvisation in Learning: From Theater to Classroom
 43:00 – Personalized Learning or Programmed Learning?
 48:20 – What Happens When Students Only Care About the Grade
 51:00 – The “Banking Model” of Education and Why It Fails
 55:00 – The Real Dangers of AI: Cognitive Offload and Student Dependency
 01:01:00 – Supporting Neurodivergent Students with Ethical AI
 01:05:00 – Final Thoughts: From Performers to Learners 

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if this sparks your thinking.

A huge shoutout to our sponsors who make this work possible:
 📚 Book Creator
🎓 Eduaide.ai
🗣️ Yellowdig

Stay Techie!

Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator.

Yellowdig is transforming higher education by building online communities that drive engagement and collaboration. My EdTech Life is proud to partner with Yellowdig to amplify its mission.

See how Yellowdig can revolutionize your campus—visit Yellowdig.co today!

Support the show

Digital Portfolios, Feedback Culture, and Rethinking Readiness with Tisha Poncio and Rick Butterworth

In Episode 330 of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Tisha Poncio and Rick Butterworth, authors of Today’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Leaders. This conversation is all about transforming classrooms by prioritizing neurodiversity, digital portfolios, and building real-world readiness through entrepreneurial thinking.

We dig into what it really means to shift from compliance-based learning to authentic student voice, how educators can reframe feedback, and why every learner deserves space to reflect, create, and grow.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome and intros
 03:10 – Tisha and Rick’s origin story
 06:35 – The real message behind Today’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Leaders
10:45 – What digital portfolios can unlock in the classroom
14:20 – Why feedback culture needs to change
19:00 – Classroom examples of student voice in action
25:10 – Rick’s take on workplace readiness and how schools miss the mark
29:40 – Branding, identity, and giving students ownership
35:15 – Practical steps to empower neurodivergent learners
42:50 – Why educators should embrace their inner entrepreneur
50:00 – The question: “What’s your EduKryptonite?”
58:00 – Closing thoughts and reflection

🛠️ Learn more about Today’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Leaders: Inspire Your Students to Succeed in School and Beyond. 

🙏 Big thanks to our sponsors for supporting meaningful conversations in education:
 Book Creator, Eduaide.ai, and Yellowdig

🎧 Listen to more episodes at: https://www.myedtech.life/

Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator.

Yellowdig is transforming higher education by building online communities that drive engagement and collaboration. My EdTech Life is proud to partner with Yellowdig to amplify its mission.

See how Yellowdig can revolutionize your campus—visit Yellowdig.co today!

Support the show