Join Don and Stefanie as they welcome high school English teacher Marcus Luther for a lively conversation about what student-centered learning actually looks like in real classrooms. Marcus reflects on the fifth grade teacher who helped shape his path, shares why community is the secret sauce behind meaningful reflection, and offers practical ways to help students build reflective muscles even when they do not know where to start. They also explore thoughtful decision making around technology, including how to stay grounded in core classroom values while everything around us keeps changing. Expect big ideas, usable strategies, a little sports talk, and the kind of educator joy that reminds you why this work still matters.

Join Don and Stefanie as they sit down with Ted Neitzke, a former social studies teacher turned superintendent and mayor, who brings big energy and a clear message about making improvement actually stick. Ted shares why mindset matters, how every educator leads with influence regardless of job titles, and why reflection can be a daily habit that fuels stronger teams and stronger classrooms. They’ll explore practical ways to build trust, boost engagement, and charge into the storms that show up in education every day.

Join Don and Stefanie as they sit down with Kunal Dalal, Monday’s IDEAcon keynote speaker. Kunal is a former teacher and principal turned AI thinker and builder. Kunal shares how his work with AI began through parenting, grew through student and district partnerships, and continues to challenge how we think about learning, creativity, and responsibility in a rapidly changing world. This conversation is reflective, practical, and future-focused, and like always, there is curiosity, honesty, and plenty of laughter along the way.

In this episode of That’s the Idea, Don and Stefanie sit down with Wunneanatsu Lamb-Cason, the first Indigenous educator named Gilder Lehrman National History Teacher of the Year. Wunneanatsu shares her journey from the high school history classroom to Brown University, reflects on the power of local and inclusive history, and challenges us to rethink whose stories get told and how. This conversation is thoughtful, honest, and energizing, with practical ideas for teaching complex history in ways that help every student feel seen, heard, and curious, and like always, there’s no shortage of laughter.

Join Don and Stefanie as they sit down with Matt Farber, associate professor at the University of Northern Colorado and longtime voice in game-based learning. Matt shares how his path from middle school social studies teacher to researcher led him deeper into play, games, and social emotional learning; explores connections between films, podcasts, books, and student literacy; and gives listeners a preview of what IDEAcon 2026 attendees can expect to learn with him in February.

Join us as we sit down with educator, author, and edtech whisperer Marcus Stein to explore what it really means to make professional learning human. From keeping PD short and authentic to building classrooms that reflect who we are, Marcus shares how to bridge industry and instruction, use AI with intention, and center relationships so teachers and students actually thrive.

Join us as we sit down with educator and creative powerhouse Lisa Mo to explore what it really means to keep people at the center of innovation. From rethinking how we use STEAM and AI to amplifying student voice and teacher agency, Lisa shares how to make learning human again. She reminds us that educators drive the tools, not the other way around, and that every student deserves to feel capable, confident, and seen.

Join us as we sit down with Illinois Teacher of the Year Dr. Rachael Mahmood to explore what it really means to build belonging in schools today. From harnessing student talk and honoring identity to rethinking data meetings and community voice, Rachel shares how educators can spark deep learning while keeping people at the heart of it all.

Join us as we sit down with educator and tech leader David Chan to explore what it really means to be a technology director in 2025. From bridging IT and instruction to navigating AI and ever-changing tools, David shares how schools can stay innovative while keeping people at the heart of it all.

Join us as we sit down with veteran and Do Better creator Anthony Carlyle for a conversation about growth, intention, and resilience. Anthony is not a teacher, yet his story of sobriety, mental health, and simple daily practices offers powerful lessons for educators. From journaling that actually sticks to small actions that spark positivity in schools, this is a candid and hopeful look at how we can all do better, one step at a time.