Pedagogy Chat Episodes

What’s hiding inside a “simple” assignment—and what happens after we collect student data? Steve and Sophie explore Stephanie Howell’s ideas on UDL and executive function, then reflect on Tina Nunez’s Forms-to-Gemini data workflow in Episode 89: Shadow Quest Part III.

Students aren’t the only ones who need flexible, meaningful learning—teachers do, too. In Episode 88, Steve Martinez and Sophie Youngs continue their Shadow Quest conversation by exploring how choice, accessibility, and purposeful support can improve learning at every age. They begin with a big question: when should accommodations and modifications stop? Rather than focusing on age or setting, they consider the barriers learners face and how support can evolve alongside their needs.

Through reflections on Mantha’s SEL check-in session, Steve and Sophie discuss giving students different ways to express how they’re doing—and taking time to understand what their responses mean. A hands-on Snorkl bat-cave activity brings the learning process to life: explain your thinking, receive targeted feedback, revise, and try again.

The conversation then turns to Christy and Dave’s Night at the PD Museum, prompting a rethink of one-size-fits-all professional development. Relevance, hands-on pr…

Season 4 kicks off with Steve Sherman, Chief Imagination Officer at Living Maths, for a wide-ranging conversation about creativity, technology, and restoring the joy of learning.Steve joins us from Cape Town to share his unconventional journey into education and his work inspiring students around the world through mathematics, problem-solving, space education, and playful learning. Together, we explore declining literacy and attention spans, the opportunities and risks of AI, and why technology ...

Unlocking the Future of PBL with AI: Insights from Tara & John
In this episode, educators Tara and John revisit their pioneering work on project-based learning (PBL), emphasizing how AI tools are transforming classroom dynamics, community engagement, and teacher capacity. They share practical strategies, recent book updates, and insights on fostering meaningful human-AI collaboration to elevate student thinking and skills.
Key Topics:
The evolution and re-release of "The Tapas Approach" with new chapters on community partnerships and authentic real-world products
Introducing "Beyond the Algorithm," a new book exploring AI’s role in PBL and human decision-making
The significance of focusing on "bite-sized" projects for manageable implementation
Leveraging AI as a co-designer to enhance planning, community connections, and student creativity
Strategies for critical evaluation of AI outputs—truthfulness, hallucinations, and relevance
The importance of prompts in role-specific AI …

Austin Levinson joins the podcast to discuss the ongoing engagement crisis in education and why the solution isn’t simply “less technology,” but more intentional, student-centered learning. Drawing on design thinking and project-based pedagogy, Austin argues that real engagement involves active participation and that educators should prioritize empathy for student needs over rigid adherence to curriculum.

The conversation also explores healthier approaches to assessment—emphasizing feedback over constant grading—and more meaningful reflection by capturing learning moments as they happen. Finally, Austin introduces immersive simulation-based learning through Megaminds, where students practice communication, critical decision-making, and career exploration in low-stakes, AI-driven scenarios, helping them build confidence, persistence, and agency.

Keywords

education, teaching strategies, teach like a pirate, teacher branding, student engagement, professional development, educational technology, AI literacy, teacher empowerment.

Key Topics

The origin of 'Teach Like a Pirate'
Branding and marketing in education
Fostering creativity and engagement
International education insights
The role of AI literacy in teaching

Keywords

student agency, education, teaching strategies, educational leadership, classroom management, AI in education, teacher empowerment, educational reform

Key Topics

Understanding student agency and its importance
Barriers to implementing student agency in classrooms
Strategies to meet students where they are
The impact of buzzwords like AI and equity in education
The importance of teacher authenticity and passion

Sound Bites

"Meet people where they are in understanding"
"Pushback is a sign of success in education"
"Find your niche and teach what you love"

In this episode, the Steve and Sophie discuss the upcoming Eduprotocols March Madness event and the importance of shifting from compliance-driven routines to fostering student agency in education. They are joined by Robert Mayfield, who shares insights on the systemic barriers in education, the role of teachers as designers, and the significance of mentorship. The conversation also explores the integration of technology and AI in the classroom, emphasizing the need for teacher equity and retention. The episode concludes with reflections on Cal Newport's work and its relevance to educators.

In this episode, co-hosts Steve and Sophie engage with Chuck Moss, an experienced educator and assistant principal, discussing his journey in education, the importance of building relationships, and the philosophy of 'Don't Be Afraid to Be Awesome.' Chuck shares insights on leadership, the significance of teacher support, and the impact of social media in connecting with educators. The conversation emphasizes the need for visibility, vulnerability, and intentionality in leadership roles, ultimately highlighting the importance of empowering teachers and fostering a positive school culture.

On this episode of Under the Hat, we are thrilled to drip an episode from Modern Classroom Project Podcast that featured the amazing Margie Tiner. To make this even better, we did a short intro interview with Margie to give us updates on her journey, the working she is doing at Kami, and what's coming up next.

Be sure to check out all things Kami and the Modern Classroom Project Podcast!

Here at the links:

Modern Classroom Project Podcast
Kami
Book Creator

Play is a powerful tool. Hands-on projects develop skills. Make learning relevant to students. Focus on durable skills, not content. Encourage collaboration and perseverance. Create an environment for discovery. Engagement is active participation. Adapt to meet students' needs. Build connections with students. Share successful teaching practices.

In this episode, the Steve and Sophie explore the theme of unlocking growth in education entrepreneurship with guest Ildi Laczko-Kerr. They discuss the challenges and opportunities in the field, focusing on personalized coaching and professional development for educators. Ildi shares her journey from an immigrant to a leader in educational technology, emphasizing the importance of community and relationships in entrepreneurship.




Want to learn more from Ildi? Here are her links:



Ribbitl...

In this exciting episode of Under the Hat, we get to hear from Ariella Racco, Co-Founder and CEO of CoLab Education. Listen as she weaves through the nuances of teacher isolationism, professional development, and the need for meaningful collaboration.




Ariella Racco is an Ontario-based educator turned EdTech entrepreneur who founded CoLab Education after experiencing firsthand the challenges of teacher isolation and collaboration barriers. With several years of classroom experience and a de...

On this episode, we’re chatting with Derek Oldfield about his educational journey and how we developed Sound Pedagogy. This tool is like a magic wand that captures everything in a classroom, giving us a deeper understanding of how teaching happens in real time. Derek Oldfield is an educator, builder, and coach who has spent his career helping teachers create classrooms full of curiosity, thoughtful work, and deep thinking. He’s the founder of Sound Pedagogy, an emerging platform that uses AI to ...

Welcome back Tisha Richmond to the show as she discusses her new book The Magical CTE Classroom: Bringing Play, Innovation, and Joy! Come learning Tisha's perspective and experiences in the amazing world of CTE.




Tisha is an international speaker, educational speaker, Canva Learning Consultant, podcast host, and author from Southern Oregon. She has served as a district Tech Integration Specialist and Student Engagement & Professional Development Specialist and taught Family & Consumer Scien...

On this exciting episode of Under the Hat, we have Nick Coniglio and Marnie Stockman to chat about The Business of You: a fresh, human-first framework that reimagines college and career readiness. Listen in as we dig into the conversation about better preparing ourselves to shift the mindset of positioning success in a different light.




Check out the website: https://www.thebusinessofyou.ai/

On this episode, we have the pleasure of hearing from Starr Sackstein. Starr brings a tremendous amount of insight on various topics but one of her passions is changing the mindset around grading and assessing. Starr Sackstein is a recovering perfectionist, assessment reform advocate, and education consultant dedicated to transforming how we do teaching and learning. As the Massachusetts State Coordinator for Educators Rising, she advocates for bringing young people into education, as it is the ...

On this episode of Under the Hat, we have math expert/author Lisa M Nowakowski to chat all things math, MathReps, Eduprotocols, and number sense! Lisa is passionate about helping people understand how to use technology in the classroom. She is dedicated to helping teachers, students, and administrators become more effective in their use of Ed Tech. She firmly believes that technology should be used to promote creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking. She has also developed...

On this episode of Under the Hat, Steve sits down with AJ Melanson to discuss his experiences as an educator and insight on how we grade with equity in mind. AJ takes pride in his work with Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) work. He has most recently presented on Grading for Equity at MassCUE, RTM Boston, and Medfield’s Design Your Learning Day.

On this episode of Under the Hat, we get to talk about Competency Based Education with Aman Sahota. Aman shares his work in this area with AI learner profiles, and the research he has done Toronto. Aman Sahota is the co-founder of Factors Education, an award-winning edtech startup dedicated to transforming learning. A passionate lifelong learner, Aman has honed his expertise through prestigious accelerator programs like Next AI. His commitment to education extends beyond entrepreneurship; a pivo...

On this episode of Under the Hat, we have the AMAZING Katie Novak chatting about UDL, cooking, and what students really need right now. Katie Novak, Ed.D., is a force of nature - part educational powerhouse, part motivational coach, part witty storyteller. With nearly 25 years of experience in education, a doctorate degree, and real-world experience as a former teacher, curriculum coordinator, and assistant superintendent of schools, she brings unmatched credibility and passion to everything she...

On this episode of Under the Hat, we have the pleasure of having Stephen Chiger back on the show to chat about ALL things education and literacy. Listen in as Stephen talks about his first book Love and Literacy, the importance of this work for all grade levels and subjects, and the need to close learning gaps.




Check out Stephen's website to learn more:




https://stevechiger.com/love-literacy/

We have the pleasure of having the AMAZING TR Deanon on the show this week! TR has 10 years of experience in education as an ELA teacher, Adult ESL, mentor, instructional coach for technology. TR is going to help us break down the need to be a disruptor in the traditional mindset of education to create a more active and relevant learning experience rather than a passive one. The shift in the teacher mindset when it comes to innovation.




Want to learn more from TR? Here are the links:



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On this episode of Under the Hat, we are joined by Andy Osborn who is discussing the critical topic of aligning PD to the reality of the fast pace of the AI advancements. Andy is in his 8th year as an EdTech Instructional Coach/TOSA and 25th year in education. Over the years he has filled many roles but currently the President of the Orange County CUE Affiliate.




Want to lear more from Andy, here are the links:



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