Edtech Insiders

David Bleicher, Co-Founder and CEO of Jotit, is on a mission to revive handwriting in classrooms through innovative technology. He shares how his personal experiences inspired Jotit's creation and the essential cognitive benefits of handwriting in education. The discussion covers Jotit's unique multimodal learning approach, combining handwriting, typing, and voice. Bleicher also highlights the importance of simple design for tech adoption by teachers and his strategic partnerships with Google and Owl Ventures to enhance classroom learning experiences.

Sam Chaudhary, Co-founder & CEO of ClassDojo, discusses the transformative role of AI in education, emphasizing personalized tutoring and gamified learning. He touches on the growing concerns over academic integrity and the effectiveness of AI tools like Google’s Gemini for students. Chaudhary also highlights Utah as an emerging edtech hub and addresses the challenges posed by rising youth unemployment linked to AI advancements. His insights underscore the importance of community building and adapting education to thrive in an AI-driven future.

Justin Wenig, Founder and CEO of Starbridge, discusses how outdated procurement processes hinder EdTech innovation. He highlights the 'illusion of competition' in RFPs and shares tactics for startups to navigate these hurdles. Discover how AI is reshaping sales strategies and fostering transparency in public sector purchasing. Wenig offers insights on building relationships while integrating tech for effective outreach, ultimately envisioning a fairer procurement landscape that empowers new players in the education market.

MacKenzie Price, a Stanford grad and co-founder of 2 Hour Learning, discusses the critical role of motivation in education. She explains how AI can enhance personalized learning but emphasizes that technology alone isn't enough without human connection. MacKenzie describes how teachers are evolving into motivational guides, helping students build life skills alongside academics. She also unveils the exciting future of AI in education, focusing on immediate feedback and the alignment of learning with students' passions.

Send us a textJoin hosts Ben Kornell and Alex Sarlin as they explore the latest developments in education technology, from AI breakthroughs and policy shakeups to new funding rounds and workforce shifts shaping the future of learning.✨ Episode Highlights:[00:00:00] Silicon Valley debates the rise of “AI Slop” and the impact of vibe coding.[00:03:36] Columbia student suspended for AI cheating tool raises $5.3M to commercialize it.[00:04:56] Anthropic’s Drew Bent explains why code literacy now means editing AI-generated code.[00:08:09] 200 CEOs and Code.org push for mandatory AI classes in high school.[00:11:13] Federal government’s role in AI education policy under debate.[00:14:04] Duolingo plans to replace contract workers with AI, triggering backlash.[00:20:42] Higher ed faces political attacks; Harvard and Columbia push back.[00:23:32] K-12 faces teacher shortages and $4.5B in proposed federal funding cuts.[00:35:21] Google’s AI Overviews cut search click-through rates by 34.5%.Plus, special guests:[00:36:08] Brian Malkin, Co-Founder & CEO of Rang, on rewards programs to improve K-12 attendance.[00:50:29] John Marshall, CEO of BrainFreeze, on AI safety and transparency in schools.[01:12:31] Scott Nadzan, Vice President of Product Marketing and Strategic Communications at Panopto, on AI-generated video and the Elai acquisition.😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! Follow our Podcast on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicSign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com. Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead. Tuck Advisors is the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Send us a textMike Yates is a Senior Designer at Teach for America's Reinvention Lab, with over a decade of experience at the intersection of technology and learning. A former classroom teacher and founding member of Alpha School, he now leads the Lab’s AI initiatives, creating workshops, coaching educators, and prototyping innovative AI solutions. Mike has built partnerships with organizations like Playlab AI, Google, and Snapchat, and remains dedicated to helping educators navigate the future of learning through practical, human-centered approaches.💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why teachers don’t need to “speak Silicon Valley” to embrace AI.How AI hackathons and poetry slams are making AI learning more human and fun.The concept of “AI Dexterity” and why it’s critical for future-ready educators.How rebel educators are building their own AI tools to solve real classroom problems.Why sometimes the best AI training happens on a plane or at a coffee shop!✨ Episode Highlights:[00:01:08] Mike Yates’ journey from TFA rejection to leading its AI initiatives[00:04:45] What teachers really want from AI—and why most solutions miss the mark[00:07:28] AI at the human level: “You don’t have to speak Tech Bro to get on this train"[00:14:05] From poetry slams to fashion design—creative ways educators are learning AI[00:18:30] How rebel teachers are building their own EdTech tools after budget cuts[00:23:37] Why AI as a trickster and debate partner makes learning more fun[00:26:59] A sneak peek at the Reinvention Lab’s new initiative: Arcade AI😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! Follow our Podcast on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicSign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!🎉 Presenting Sponsor:Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com. Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead. Tuck Advisors is the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Send us a textJoin host Alex Sarlin alongside special guest co-hosts Ben Wallerstein and Anna Kimsey Edwards, Co-Founders of Whiteboard Advisors, as they break down:[00:03:00] Trump’s AI Executive Order launches cross-agency education task force[00:05:00] 27 states already advancing AI education policy[00:07:00] Workforce EO targets 1M AI-related apprenticeships[00:10:00] Accreditation EO pushes competition and student outcomes[00:14:00] “Beyond Degrees” report urges non-degree pathways[00:21:00] Edtech funding hits record low in Q1 and Q2, says HolonIQ[00:23:00] ESSER cliff and political uncertainty stall school spending[00:28:00] Falling enrollment squeezes K-12 budgets nationwide[00:30:00] Duolingo adds 150 AI-generated cross-language courses[00:30:45] Google Audio Overview now available in 50 languages[00:31:00] Panorama acquires AI writing tool Class Companion, Kollegio raises seed round for AI college advising[00:32:30] Anthropic forecasts AI-only employees within a year[00:36:00] Israel announces national rollout of AI tutors in schoolsPlus, special guests:[00:36:45] Anna Iarotska, CEO & Co-founder of Robo Wunderkind, unveils the first K–5 AI Literacy Curriculum[00:50:55] Julia Dixon, Founder & CEO of ESAI, reflects on her Shark Tank debut and democratizing admissions advising[01:02:00] Tigran Sloyan, Co-Founder & CEO of CodeSignal, shares how TED Talks are becoming interactive learning journeys😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! Follow our Podcast on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyInnovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com. Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead. Tuck Advisors is the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Send us a textBetsy Corcoran and Dr. Jeremy Roschelle co-host the Future Fluent podcast, where they explore how learning is changing in the age of AI. Betsy is the cofounder of EdSurge and now leads Lede Labs, advising education leaders. Jeremy is a leading learning scientist and Executive Director of Learning Science Research at Digital Promise. Together, they bring decades of journalism and research experience to their shared mission: redefining literacy and learning in a world transformed by AI.💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:What “future fluency” means in the age of AIWhy social connection is central to learning with AIHow AI can empower generalist educators and studentsThe importance of co-designing tools with teachersWhat deep knowledge—not just critical thinking—requires today✨ Episode Highlights:[00:04:00] Launching Future Fluent: a podcast to ask better questions about AI and learning[00:07:00] Literacy redefined: engaging with the world through many channels[00:09:00] Mike Yates' AI poetry experiment builds confidence in creativity[00:13:00] Using AI to support comprehension for young readers[00:19:00] Post-COVID lesson: data proves teachers’ impact[00:25:00] AI can’t replace deep knowledge or human insight[00:30:00] Playlab AI helps generalist teachers act like specialists[00:33:00] Colorado students use AI to create a voter guide chatbot[00:36:00] Re-centering AI on human flourishing, not machine potential[00:42:00] Real co-design starts with real educator problems😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! Follow our Podcast on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicSign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!🎉 Presenting Sponsor:Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com. Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead. Tuck Advisors is the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Send us a textIn this special episode, we go behind the scenes of the Edtech Insiders GenAI K-12 Education Market Map, a first-of-its-kind framework connecting real classroom needs to AI-powered tools. Co-created by Alex Sarlin, Laurence Holt, Jacob Klein, and the Edtech Insiders team, this evolving resource helps educators, entrepreneurs, and researchers make sense of a fast-changing landscape. 💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why the GenAI Education Map focuses on pedagogy and learning needs over toolsHow to identify "white space" opportunities for AI in educationWhat makes AI feedback and teacher coaching some of the most promising use cases todayHow to move beyond the 5% of students typically served by EdTechWhy "team teaching with AI" might be the next big frontier✨ Episode Highlights: [00:02:36] Holt & Klein introduce the origin story of the Generative AI Use Case Map[00:03:29] Starting with teaching and learning needs, not tech capabilities[00:06:03] Why learning science and research-backed practices still aren't reaching scale[00:11:11] How and why the GenAI Map was built as a living, evolving framework[00:15:20] Imagining “team teaching” between human educators and AI assistants[00:20:16] The 5–10% problem: Why most EdTech tools miss the broader population[00:23:18] Personalization, motivation, and redefining what success in school can look like[00:30:05] From tool overload to comprehensive suites: the shifting EdTech landscape[00:34:12] AI-enabled feedback loops that support both teachers and learners[00:39:00] What’s ready for scale now—and what still needs real breakthroughs[00:44:55] Risks and red flags: from dopamine loops to student dependence on AI[00:48:35] Will GenAI in education be incremental or transformative?😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! Follow our Podcast on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusiInnovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com. Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead. Tuck Advisors is the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Levi Belnap, CEO of Merlyn Mind, shares insights on how AI is revolutionizing classrooms. He explains how voice AI helps teachers regain control and improves student engagement. The conversation highlights the transformation in teachers' perceptions of AI, emphasizing that it should be an invisible support, not a burden. Levi discusses the system's multi-language capabilities and its positive impact on classroom dynamics, allowing educators to focus on individual instruction and fostering an inclusive learning environment.