Today we're thrilled to introduce Class Composer, the newest startup to join the show. We speak with CEO and co-founder Mike Cronley. Class Composer is a software solution designed to create balanced and equitable classroom assignments. Mike shares his journey from being a third-grade teacher to developing a tool that addresses the challenges of inequitable class assignments. The conversation explores the inception of Class Composer, its functionality, customer feedback, and the future of the pr...
Jun 13, 2025•35 min•Ep. 23
Priten Shah, the founder and CEO of Pedagogy.Cloud and Pedagog.ai, returns as guest. He gets us caught up on the company's latest work, sets the context for ethics and AI, and discusses some of the key questions educators need to be asking about AI. Hear about: Embracing tech for a meaningful purpose Finding new uses for AI and being realistic about some of the persistent challenges Priten's updated outlook for what we can expect from educators, students and AI Broadening our concept of future s...
Apr 16, 2025•35 min•Ep. 22
We're excited to have Christel Reaves, founder and CEO of Connected Class, back on the show. Today she shares some of the big developments with Connected Class over the past six months and a lot more: Hear about: Earned insights on scaling a startup Knowing your strengths as a founder and building the right team around yourself Providing resources that give parents options to support their child's education Literacy, math and social-emotional development The resilient mindset required of an edte...
Mar 12, 2025•31 min•Ep. 21
In this episode, we welcome back Scholar Education co-founder Marlee Strawn for a deep conversation about developing "good AI" that solves pressing challenges for educators. Marlee and Scott discuss: Going from teacher to administrator to founder Starting Scholar Education and building BaxterBot Generating meaningful data insights Putting real education expertise and context behind the data An AI tool with a purpose - supporting students with 504s and IEPs Providing actionable steps for parents ...
Jan 29, 2025•34 min•Ep. 20
In this episode, Barb Flowers speaks with Dr. Shannon Putman. Shannon is owner of Putman XR Consulting, focusing on immersive technology education, training, and support. She was a special education teacher in Jefferson County Public Schools (KY) for 15 years. Hear their conversation about: Using VR for virtual field trips and job shadowing Understanding how virtual reality gives students the real experience of different jobs that are otherwise hard to access (such as working on wind turbines) C...
Jan 15, 2025•24 min•Ep. 19
Adrienne Usher, Assistant Superintendent of Bullitt County Public Schools in Kentucky, is today’s guest. She discusses her work to bring engaging project-based learning to her district and more: Profile of a graduate and building key competencies into academics Creating authentic learning experiences focused on productive collaboration and innovative problem solving Change management through simple shifts Collaborative learning and documenting the learning journey with Inkwire How to establish a...
Nov 06, 2024•22 min•Ep. 18
Welcome to this special episode of the EdTech Startup Showcase, part of our National Literacy Month series of podcasts , presented in partnership between the Be Podcast Network and Reading Is Fundamental (RIF). Our guest today is Kyle Wallgren, a startup coach, investor, and CEO of Edsoma , whose AI-powered app unlocks the science of reading. Hear about: Kyle’s entrepreneurial background and motivation to make an impact in education How Edsoma works and the challenges it addresses for students, ...
Oct 02, 2024•42 min
Joel Backon is the editor-in-chief of Educate AI Magazine , a new platform dedicated to supporting those who seek to enhance learning through artificial intelligence. The Be Podcast Network is collaborating with Educate AI to share podcasts and other content advancing educators’ understanding of AI tools and trends. In this bonus episode, you'll hear about: How Joel got involved with Educate AI and the publication’s “why” Topics covered in the magazine: use cases, opportunities and risks, AI’s e...
Sep 28, 2024•34 min
Today, we’re discussing the skill-based economy, modern career and technical education, and redefining college and career pathways with CareerViewXR’s Matt Chaussee and Richard Kincaid from the Maryland State Department of Education. Hear about: Career is the goal. College is one of several ways to get there.” Redefining College and Career Pathways How career exploration can help define goals and begin with the end in mind Maryland’s apprenticeship efforts Improving the quality of the discourse ...
Sep 25, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 17
Bonny Lorenzo, an instructional specialist with Connected Class, is today’s guest. Bonny has more than 35 years of teaching and leadership experience at the elementary and high school levels. Integrating classroom technology that doesn’t distract from the learning experience Tailoring instruction to individual student needs Using technology to give teachers choice Helping educators balance in-person and virtual learning Educators’ most common professional development needs About today’s host Bar...
Sep 11, 2024•22 min•Ep. 16
In this episode, you’ll hear insights on valuable applications of AI for teachers. Find out how to use AI tools to create better assignments, enhance students’ critical thinking skills, save time on various tasks, differentiate instruction, and more. About today’s guest Nina Bamberg is Director of Curriculum and Instruction for Pedagogy.Cloud and Director of Programs at United 4 Social Change. About today’s host Barb Flowers is a certified Life Coach and an Elementary Principal with a PhD in K-1...
Aug 28, 2024•27 min•Ep. 15
Today we’re excited to welcome a new company to the Showcase, Scholar Education, in this conversation with Marlee Strawn, the company’s co-founder and Head of Education. Hear about: Vision and goals of Scholar Education Who Scholar Education’s solutions are designed to support in schools The challenges the company is solving Marlee’s career in education What educators are sharing about their experience with the tool How Marlee got involved with AI About Scholar Education Scholar Education is an ...
Aug 14, 2024•36 min•Ep. 14
Today, we have a great conversation about career-connected learning and career exploration with Matt Chaussee, founder and CEO of Be More Colorful, and middle school principal Hebat Abdelbaki. Hear about: The future-focused definition of Career & Technical Education The in-demand and growing career fields How Hebat engaged her community to find out what careers they wanted to learn about Determining short- and long-term success of CTE programs Making things relevant to students and educators...
Jul 24, 2024•41 min•Ep. 13
In this episode, we hear from Dr. Mat Barnett, Director of TK-12 Programs Beaumont Unified School District (CA). Mat began his career as a teacher in Anaheim, CA, and also held roles including junior high principal and director of education services in the Fullerton School District. Mat describes his interesting journey to the education field, his approach to coaching and professional development, fostering student ownership of learning, and more. Hear about: Professional learning focused on the...
Jun 26, 2024•32 min•Ep. 12
In this exciting and idea-packed episode, we catch up with Priten Shah and Aatash Parikh, two of our edtech founders who are also innovative thinkers on artificial intelligence and its potential for schools. Hear about: How do we understand what technologies are truly “AI?” What we’re still waiting to learn about what AI technologies can and will become What it means to become “AI literate” Helping to solve persistent problems in education Appropriately embracing new technologies in schools How ...
Jun 05, 2024•39 min•Ep. 11
Christel Reaves, founder and CEO of Connected Class, returns to the show to talk us through strategies for summer learning success. Hear about: The significant challenges posed by the “Summer Slide” Why math and reading are the most critical subject areas for summer learning How the opportunity cost of time spent re-learning material holds the whole class back Summer learning resources offered by Connected Class that make learning fun for families (Learn more: https://bit.ly/3QSDbyE ) How parent...
May 22, 2024•24 min•Ep. 10
In this episode, we’re joined by special guest Wayde Sick, State Director of the North Dakota Department of Career and Technical Education. Wayde was previously Director of Workforce Development for the ND Dept. of Commerce and also worked as a school director. Hear about: Using innovative technology to enhance career exploration Exploring in-demand occupations in rural areas Virtual reality to provide tangible experiences How North Dakota began using CareerView XR statewide. What happens when s...
May 08, 2024•26 min•Ep. 9
In this episode, Aidan Kestigian, a visiting fellow in the Department of Philosophy at Harvard University and the Vice President of Operations and Curriculum for ThinkerAnalytix, shares her insights on using AI to help students critically evaluate information and form better arguments. Hear about: Pedagog.ai’s connection to philosophy How AI can have a role in moderating disagreements and creating productive discussion Giving students targeted practice in making an argument Using AI to make cont...
Apr 24, 2024•28 min•Ep. 8
In this episode, Ted Cuevas, a physics and engineering teacher at High Tech High – Chula Vista (California), is our guest. He was the first teacher to start using Inkwire two years ago, pioneering innovative projects with students and contributing significantly to the shaping of Inkwire's platform with his pedagogical vision around learning and assessment. Hear about: Ted’s transition from mechanical engineering to teaching How Ted, High Tech High, and Inkwire all commit to equity and empowermen...
Apr 10, 2024•37 min•Ep. 7
In this episode, Amanda Anthony, an instructional specialist with Connected Class, discusses her journey in education and shares insights on improving parent engagement, empowering parents to support learning, differentiation, and more. This begins a series of five episodes hosted by Tanya Sheckley, host of Rebel Educator on the BE Podcast Network. Hear about: Amanda’s journey from music to K-8 education How Connected Class developed organically to meet teachers’ desire for better training Creat...
Mar 27, 2024•26 min•Ep. 6
Ben Gustafson, founder of Classroom Mosaic is our guest on the show today. Classroom Mosaic is a teacher observation platform that powers transformational leadership with effective observations. Hear about: How Classroom Mosaic got started Their vision for transforming teaching and learning The importance of feedback in K-12 education The story behind the name "Classroom Mosaic" The future of the company Hear more about Classroom Mosaic: We help K-12 leaders support, develop, and retain their te...
Mar 13, 2024•33 min•Ep. 5
Katie and Matt Chaussee, founders of Be More Colorful and creators of CareerViewXR, are our guests for this episode. They share the story of their company's founding and how it is changing workplace and education experiences. Hear about: The origin story of Be More Colorful Content accessibility Immersive media in education: video content, simulations, metaverse, and more The future of career and technical education (CTE) - industries are changing, CTE needs to keep up, grab the attention of lea...
Feb 28, 2024•30 min•Ep. 4
Priten Shah, the founder and CEO of Pedagogy.Cloud and Pedagog.ai, is our guest for the episode. Discussing the rise of artificial intelligence in education, Priten emphasizes the importance of navigating the digital transformation in the educational landscape. He highlights the startup's mission of transforming education through AI technology, providing tools to help educators in the classroom while also working to bridge the tech literacy gap. Hear about: Priten's journey into edtech The role ...
Feb 13, 2024•25 min•Ep. 3
Christel Reaves, founder and CEO of Connected Class, is our guest for this episode. She shares the story of her company’s work to support education teams with engaging, research-based strategies for increasing student achievement. These include hands-on, interactive activities and technology-based resources to supplement language arts and math curriculum for grades K-8. Hear about: Christel's journey from struggling student to EdTech Innovator The organic growth story of Connected Class The powe...
Jan 30, 2024•29 min•Ep. 2
Welcome to the premiere episode of the EdTech Startup Showcase, an original series produced by the Be Podcast Network. This series is all about spotlighting and amplifying some of the most innovative emerging companies in edtech. Today, Inkwire founder Aatash Parikh joins the show to discuss his company’s efforts to empower students to build and share their body of work. Aatash is an educator and engineer who has worked at companies like Google and Khan Academy, and also as a middle school teach...
Jan 24, 2024•29 min•Ep. 1
This Be Podcast Network original series is all about spotlighting and amplifying some of the innovative and impactful edtech companies who are not yet household names — but soon could be. Over the course of the next year, you’ll hear from our founding cohort of amazing startups: Be More Colorful with their premier product CareerViewXR Classroom Mosaic Connected Class Inkwire Pedagogy.Cloud and specifically its AI service Pedagog.ai We’ll have conversations with the companies’ founders, partners,...
Jan 12, 2024•3 min
