In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Andrew Easton is joined by Tony Frontier, author of AI With Intention and director of the AI Center for Effective Teaching and Learning.

Rather than approaching artificial intelligence as a technical problem to solve, this conversation grounds AI in what educators already know to be true about effective teaching and learning. Tony shares why AI represents an inflection point for the profession—and why this moment demands greater intentionality, not abandonment of core instructional practices.

Together, Andrew and Tony explore how AI can either undermine or strengthen learning depending on how it’s used, the importance of productive struggle, and what it means to prepare students to use AI as a thinking partner rather than a shortcut. The episode also digs into practical guidance for schools and districts around transparency, explainability, integrity, and creating shared expectations for both teachers and students.

Referenced Links & Resources

• Access Tony's book, AI With Intention: https://www.amazon.com/AI-Intention-Principles-Teachers-Leaders/dp/1416633626
• Contact Tony Frontier: [email protected]
• Access the AI Center for Effective Teaching and Learning https://firsteducation-us.com/ai-center

In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, we welcome back Dr. Nick Ziegler for a conversation on the current state of language education in Nebraska and the power of intentional collaboration across the state.

Dr. Ziegler shares updates on the Seal of Biliteracy, competency-based credit, and how districts can leverage Title III funds to expand opportunities for English learners and world language students. We also explore the evolving role of the Nebraska Languages Association (NEBLA), upcoming World Language Week activities, and a preview of a statewide, hybrid language education conference planned for October 2026.

The episode highlights how high-quality, live distance learning is helping address teacher shortages while increasing access to world language instruction, and why language learning remains essential even as AI-powered translation tools continue to advance.

To learn more about the ESU 5 World Languages Program, visit https://www.esu5.org/about/news/esu-5s-world-language-department-best-nebraska

To learn more about the Nebraska Languages Association and related events and opportunities, visit https://www.nebla.org/

To access the new Distance Learning Teacher Support Series as a YouTube playlist, visit https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJpETmv954jNB7fLD5G-V-gQYiCP28-ko

Inclusive education doesn’t happen by accident—it takes intentional systems, shared mindsets, and sustained collaboration.

In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, host Andrew Easton is joined by Allison Kelberlau (Assistant Director of Student Services, ESU 3), Eileen Heller (Education Consultant, Professional Learning, ESU 3), and Jill Guenther (Nebraska MTSS Regional Support Lead, Region 2) to unpack the story and impact of ESU 3’s Inclusive Practices Academy (IPA).

The conversation traces the origins of the IPA from statewide coherence efforts led by the Nebraska Department of Education’s Office of Special Education, through its design and implementation, and into what the work looks like now in year two. Together, the group explores how mindset, systems and structures, and instructional practices intersect to support meaningful inclusion for students with disabilities—and how ESUs can model the very collaboration they hope to see in schools.

Listeners will hear how the academy brings general education teachers, special educators, related service providers, and building leaders together around:

• Universal Design for Learning (UDL) as a foundational framework
• Co-planning and co-teaching as levers for inclusive practice
• Data-informed decision-making tied directly to classroom instruction
• Action planning that bridges professional learning and daily practice
• The critical role of building leadership in sustaining inclusive systems

The episode also highlights what the ESU 3 team learned themselves through cross-department collaboration—and why inclusive professional learning must be designed with the same care and flexibility we expect in classrooms.

Whether you work in a service agency, district leadership role, or classroom, this conversation offers both inspiration and practical entry points for advancing inclusive education—starting wherever you are.

• Nebraska Department of Education – Journey to Inclusion
• Statewide initiative focused on inclusive practices, coherence, and systems of support for students with disabilities.
• https://www.education.ne.gov/sped/journey-to-inclusion/
• Novak Education
• Professional learning and resources led by Katie Novak, supporting the practical application of Universal Design for Learning (UDL).
• https://www.novakeducation.com/
• CAST – Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Guidelines
• Foundational framework and guidelines for designing instruction that meets the needs of all learners.
• https://www.cast.org/what-we-do/universal-design-for-learning/
• Educational Service Unit 3 (ESU 3)
• Learn more about ESU 3 and the systems-level support they provide to districts across eastern Nebraska.
• https://www.esu3.org/
• Nebraska MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports)
• Statewide MTSS framework and resources supporting academic, behavioral, and social-emotional learning.
• https://nemtss.unl.edu/

In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, we explore Nebraska 250—the state’s effort to commemorate the nation’s upcoming semi-quincentennial through learning, creativity, and community connection.We're joined by Bre Wilton, Social Studies Content Specialist at the Nebraska Department of Education; Cody Talarico, Arts Education Specialist at NDE; and Anne Alston, Arts Education Program Specialist at the Nebraska Arts Council. Together, they unpack how a cross-agency collaboration led to the My Nebraska, Our America Public Art Design Challenge, a statewide opportunity for students to explore history, civic identity, and sense of place through public art.

The conversation highlights how educators—across grade levels, content areas, and learning environments—can use a flexible, standards-aligned toolkit to help students design public art that reflects both local stories and national ideals. Listeners will also learn how student artwork can be submitted for a statewide exhibition, including a traveling display at the Nebraska State Capitol, the Museum of Nebraska Art, and the Nebraska Department of Education.

Referenced Links & Resources

Nebraska 250 Art Challenge website:

• www.ne250artchallenege.com

Contact email:

• [email protected]

Nebraska is exploring a new approach to addressing teacher shortages—one that invites experienced professionals to bring their real-world expertise directly into the classroom.

In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, we’re joined by State Senator Kathleen Kauth, who shares the story behind Nebraska’s new Pathway to Educator (P2E) program. Senator Kauth unpacks how this initiative came to life, why the timing and collaboration were right for this effort, and how school districts and ESUs across the state may choose to implement flexible, locally designed pathways into teaching.

From workforce development to mentorship models—and from policy nuance to practical classroom realities—this conversation offers valuable insight for school leaders, educators, and anyone interested in innovative solutions that strengthen Nebraska’s education system without relying on new legislation.

For more information, please reach out to Dr. Larianne Polk with the ESU Coordinating Council via ESUCC.org.

In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Andrew Easton is joined by Kris Hagel, Chief Information Officer of Peninsula School District. Peninsula has been thoughtfully implementing artificial intelligence in K–12 education since early 2023.

Now in their fourth year of AI work, Peninsula offers an honest look at what it takes to move beyond one-off trainings and instead build a sustainable, values-driven approach to AI adoption. Chris shares how early collaboration between instructional leaders and technology teams shaped the district’s direction, why universal design for learning (UDL) remained non-negotiable, and how teachers—especially in English and social studies—have reimagined assessment by focusing on student process rather than just final products.

The conversation also explores practical system-level considerations, including data privacy, vetted tools, local AI models, and the realities districts face when balancing innovation with responsibility. As the episode closes, Andrew and Chris wrestle with one of the most pressing and unresolved questions in education today: students’ growing use of AI for companionship, mental health support, and social connection.

Whether your district is just beginning its AI journey or refining systems already in place, this episode offers grounded insight, cautionary wisdom, and a reminder that meaningful change takes time, trust, and intentional leadership.

To learn more about the tremendous work being done with AI in Peninsula Schools, visit https://psd401.ai/ to access all the resources discussed in this episode.

In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, we are joined by Becky Keene, CEO of Phygital Labs and author of AI Optimism: A Guide to Redefining Artificial Intelligence in Education. Drawing from 25 years in public education and a decade of global consulting work, Becky shares why she chooses to lead with possibility over fear in the age of generative AI.

Together, Andrew and Becky explore what AI optimism really means for K–12 systems, how educators can move beyond simple substitution toward meaningful redefinition and transformation, and why human-centered practices like creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking matter more than ever. Becky introduces her AI Optimism Framework, unpacks the role of praxis, privacy, and prompting, and offers practical examples of how AI can elevate—not replace—great teaching.

This conversation challenges leaders and educators to rethink not just how they use AI, but why they use it, and how small, intentional shifts can shape powerful learning experiences for students.

• Website: https://beckykeene.com/
• Social Media: @beckykeeneedu
• Daily AI reflections and practical examples via TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook

How can AI truly transform teaching without adding another fragmented tool to an educator's already overflowing plate?

In this thought-provoking episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, we welcome Arman Jaffer, CEO and Founder of Brisk Teaching, to share his journey with working to solve the problem of ever-increasing teacher workload and EdTech fragmentation.

Arman explains how Brisk is fundamentally different from other AI tools. Instead of a separate dashboard, it functions as a Chrome extension/Edge add-on, delivering AI capabilities directly where the teacher is working, whether it's drafting feedback in Google comments or instantly changing a text's reading level.

Key Takeaways You'll Explore:

• The Three Phases of AI in Education: The shift from initial fears over academic integrity to a focus on educator productivity, and finally to the emerging era of student-facing AI.

• The Power of AI for Formative Data: Why student-facing AI tutors provide richer, more targeted instructional data than traditional exit tickets, helping teachers identify and address student misconceptions.

• Defining "Teacher In The Loop": Arman clarifies this buzzword, emphasizing the importance of the teacher initiating and setting up AI activities intentionally to ensure equitable use and hold students accountable for the learning objective.

• The Spectrum of AI Exposure: A discussion on what intentional AI integration looks like across grade levels, from K-5 (focusing on voice and prescriptive tasks) to high school (preparing students for ubiquitous AI use in college and career).

• Action-Oriented Design: How Brisk simplifies the teacher's process into just five core buttons, ensuring the technology supports high-quality instructional actions without becoming overwhelming.

Whether you're a classroom teacher looking for genuine time savings, an administrator seeking a strategic approach to AI, or a leader focused on driving student outcomes, this conversation offers an essential roadmap for leveraging the next generation of EdTech.

Learn more about Brisk Teaching at https://www.briskteaching.com/

In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, welcomes Adam Spark, Nebraska native and co-founder of Short Answer, to discuss his journey from teaching at Louisville and Milford Public Schools to studying learning design and technology at Stanford University, where his idea for Short Answer was born.

Adam shares how formative assessment research—particularly from Dr. Dylan Wiliam’s Embedded Formative Assessment—inspired the creation of Short Answer, a digital platform designed to make peer feedback, writing practice, and student engagement more meaningful and fun. The two explore:

• The Nebraska roots that shaped Adam’s journey—from the ESU 6 EdTech Leadership Cadre led by Dr. Lynn Herr to presenting at NETA.
• How Short Answer uses peer feedback, gamification, and comparative judgment to build literacy and critical thinking across all subjects.
• The role of AI in education, including both its risks and opportunities for literacy, writing, and teacher workload.
• Adam’s concept of being a “radical centrist” on AI—recognizing both the benefits of AI efficiency and the challenges it poses to authentic literacy development.
• New features in Short Answer like “Pen Pals,” which use AI characters to help students debate and reflect on their writing.
• Practical AI policy, communication, and enforcement strategies for educators—featuring resources like:
• AI Trust You (from Laguna Beach USD)
• Brisk Teaching for revision-tracking in Google Docs
• SchoolAI for safe, monitored AI interactions
• The Red-Yellow-Green AI Policy Framework by Australian educator Adrian Cotterall
• The Washington OSPI AI Guidance Matrix, inspired by the work of Leon Furze and Mike Perkins

Adam also shares his balanced take on how educators can help students develop AI literacy, writing fluency, and critical analysis skills—ensuring that technology amplifies learning rather than replacing it.

• Short Answer
• Embedded Formative Assessment – Dr. Dylan Wiliam
• AI Trust You
• Brisk Teaching
• SchoolAI
• NETA Conference
• Washington OSPI AI Guidance
• Leon Furze and Mike Perkins
• Adrian Cotterall’s AI Traffic Light Framework

In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, we sit down with Jane Davis, Superintendent of Hershey Public Schools, and Anna Weber, Owner of A-Plum Creative, to explore how Hershey Public Schools turned a community concern into a model initiative for digital citizenship education.

After recognizing the growing challenges of student cell phone use, social media, and online behavior, Hershey launched a campaign that has brought students, parents, and staff together around a shared goal: helping kids become thoughtful, kind, and safe digital citizens. With creative support from A-Plum Creative and in partnership with the Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association (NRCSA), Hershey has developed a visually branded, age-appropriate, and interactive social media initiative grounded in six core principles for digital citizenship.

Jane and Anna share how the campaign evolved from early board discussions to data-driven outcomes, and how it’s expanding to include AI literacy and guidance for ethical and responsible use of emerging technologies. Listeners will learn how Hershey’s approach supports both local needs and broader statewide efforts to equip students for the digital age.

???? Contact Information:

• Jane Davis: [email protected]
• Anna Weber: [email protected]
• NRCSA: https://www.nrcsa.net/

Follow Hershey Public Schools on social media to see the campaign in action!