In this episode, I talk with Dr. Brandee Ramirez about what it takes to lead AI implementation across a school district. She shares how her work focuses on supporting all stakeholders—teachers, students, families, and staff—in building confidence with AI tools and understanding their practical value. Dr. Ramirez unpacks the difference between an edtech rollout and an AI rollout, highlights why scaffolding is key, and explains how her district’s emerging technologies task force is integrating AI into the fabric of education through existing policies and real-world connections.

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Resources mentioned in the podcast

In this episode, I unpack three guiding principles for using technology to personalize and improve learning. From designing tech-enhanced instructional models to using tools to remove barriers and collect better data, this conversation will help you shift from simply using tech to using it well. If you've ever felt frustrated or overwhelmed by technology in the classroom, this one’s for you.

Related Blog: 3 Principles for Using Technology in the Classroom to Personalize and Improve Learning

Learn more about my Summer Learning Kickoff Series from June 2-6, 2025!

End-of-Year Engagement Made Easy

Sign up now for my Summer Learning Series, running June 2–6.

In this episode of The Balance, I sit down with Ruba Abi Saab, Instructional Coach and Teaching and Learning Coordinator at Al Rayan International School in Accra, Ghana. Ruba shares how concept-based inquiry shapes her work with teachers and students, encouraging deeper thinking, empathy, and purposeful action. We talk about her passion for integrating service learning, graphic organizers, and play-based strategies in early years classrooms to foster both academic and emotional growth. Ruba also reflects on our work together implementing Universal Design for Learning and blended learning models, and the impact these approaches have had on teacher practice and student engagement. If you’re looking to make learning more meaningful and inclusive, this conversation is full of insight and inspiration.

Feedback and rubrics are powerful tools. In this episode, I explore how shifting from deficit-based to asset-based language can transform both your feedback and your rubrics. Drawing from my recent blog, I share why this shift matters, how it aligns with UDL, and how small changes in language can have a big impact on student motivation and self-efficacy. Plus, I offer practical strategies and AI tips to help you start revising your rubrics today.

Related Blog: From Deficit to Growth: A Guide to Asset-Based Feedback and Rubric Design

We revisit an earlier episode when Dr. Catlin Tucker spoke with Kareem Farah about maximizing teacher time, boosting student engagement, and reimagining workflows through his Modern Classrooms Project.

What do we mean when we say Universal Design for Learning (UDL)?

How can UDL support an antiracist learning environment? In this episode of Dr. Catlin Tucker’s podcast, The Balance, she invites Andratesha Fritzgerald, an inclusive practices implementation consultant and life-long educator, to offer clarity around these themes and questions. 

Learn More about Andratesha Fritzgerald

Catlin talks with Dr. Shaun Woodly about his personal experience teaching in urban schools with culturally diverse students. Catlin and Shaun discuss the need to consider, “What learning really looks like?” and whether teachers are creating spaces to foster authentic learning experiences for kids. 

Listen to Shaun and Catlin as they discuss the four elements of urban education-–awareness, achievement, alliance, and artistry–and encourage teachers to consider which areas they can develop in their work with students to achieve balance.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Tony Frontier, author of AI with Intention: Principles and Action Steps for School Leaders and Teachers, to explore how educators and school leaders can navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of AI with purpose.

We discuss intentional leadership, the risks and opportunities of AI in education, the role of academic integrity, and how to design learning experiences that prioritize deep understanding over compliance. Dr. Frontier shares actionable strategies for leveraging AI as a tool for teaching and learning—without sacrificing the human side of education.

Whether you're an administrator, instructional coach, or classroom teacher, this conversation offers insights into using AI to enhance, rather than replace, meaningful learning.

Related Articles:

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In this episode, I explore how teachers can use what they learn about students during Tier 1 instruction to make informed decisions about what comes next. I discuss how to identify who needs targeted support and who’s ready for enrichment or extension. You'll hear practical strategies for collecting and using informal data to guide these decisions. If you're committed to creating a more responsive, inclusive, and dynamic classroom—but struggling to bridge the gap between Tier 1 instruction and Tier 2 intervention—this episode is for you!

Related Blog: MTSS: Using Tier 1 Insights to Guide Intervention and Enrichment