Harl Roehm, a 28-year veteran CTE teacher from Collierville, Tennessee, has spent his career proving that the answer is no. Raised on a fifth-generation farm in Mississippi, Harl's journey into education started with a $25 yard-sale computer, a Saturday afternoon, and enough courage to tear it apart and put it back together. That moment sparked a 28-year love affair with technology, teaching, and pushing back against systems that aren't serving students well enough.

In this episode, Brett and Rebecca sit down with Harl to explore what happens when you bring moonshot thinking to a brick-and-mortar classroom. Harl teaches AP Computer Science, Python, JavaScript, and dual enrollment Cybersecurity—but his real curriculum is agency. He's teaching students that AI isn't a substitute for thinking, it's a tool that should expand what's possible when humans stay in charge. From his Taco Bell Hot Sauce AI agent (yes, really) that generates dad-joke math problems to his daily Suno song challenges, Harl's classroom is a lab for what education could look like when we stop micromanaging innovation to death.

What You'll Learn:

1. Why the $25 computer matters — How one yard-sale find launched a 28-year career in CTE
2. Moonshot thinking vs. incremental tweaks — Why going from 30 to 300 miles per gallon means throwing the car away and starting over
3. The Taco Bell agent story — How Harl built a custom AI that generates math problems as dad jokes, ranked by hot sauce difficulty levels
4. AI as specialization, not replacement — The Henry Ford assembly line analogy that reframes teacher fears about automation
5. The social media debate — Harl and Rebecca go head-to-head on banning platforms, digital literacy, and whether kids can defend themselves against algorithms
6. "If you love something, it's your duty to make it better" — Why complacency isn't an option

This episode also features Harl's Ocean's 11 shout-outs to Shannon Kirkland-Butts, Wanda Carter, Dr. Monique Chism, Dr. Sasha Luccioni, and TikTok educators Matty McTech, Andrew Davies, Sophie AI Education, and Brittany Teacher Burnout Tips.

Harl showed up to the AI summit in Nashville wearing a cowboy hat and overalls—and walked away proving that some of the most important voices in education don't look like what people expect. Brett and Rebecca don't just listen—they learn. And so will you.

Tune in, subscribe, and share if you're ready to turn up the volume on what's possible in education.

Find Harl at redneckEdTech.com.

In this episode of AmpED to 11, Brett Roer and Rebecca Bultsma sit down with Joseph South (Chief Innovation Officer) and Jessica Garner (Managing Director of Innovative Learning) at ISTE ASCD to talk about what it looks like to do AI properly in K-12 without turning it into a culture war.

They get into:

1. Why most “tech problems” in schools are actually pedagogy problems
2. The ISTE ASCD merger and why the pedagogy conversation and the tech conversation must become the same conversation
3. What teachers are already doing with AI that’s genuinely useful (and actually saves time)
4. The real reasons some educators resist AI (and why those concerns are not naive)
5. How to vet AI tools beyond shiny marketing, including transparency, privacy, and red-teaming
6. Why engaging parents and families early matters, and how to do it without panic
7. 
   

This is the grounded, no-drama version of AI in education: clear, human, and practical.

Listen now and join the conversation.

In this AmpED to 11 episode, we're joined by the bold and visionary superintendent of Del Mar Union School District, Marisa Janicek, whose leadership journey rewrites what’s possible in public education. From building student-designed AI rubrics and leading student-run conferences to redefining space, time, and trust in elementary learning, Marisa isn’t just adapting to the new era—she’s inviting it in with a megaphone and a blueprint.

After 20 years driving innovation in El Segundo Unified, including co-leading an AI strategy that directly led to students out-innovating adult audiences at major national conferences, Marisa now leads Del Mar: an award-winning district where decentralized libraries, outdoor classrooms, and future-ready pedagogy meet real-world wellness and connection. Her approach isn’t about trends—it’s about transformation.

This episode dives deep into how student agency, ethical AI, and durable human skills (not worksheets) are becoming the benchmark for success—and what higher ed and lagging systems need to do to keep up.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

1. Bold child-first change starts with belief—not budget
2. How El Segundo students out-designed adults with an AI use rubric
3. What happens when 6th graders lead PD for teachers…and win
4. How Marisa uses AI in real life—as a thought partner, not a dictator
5. Designing trust into spaces: why decentralized libraries matter
6. What universities should learn from kindergarteners already living the future

Tune in, subscribe, and share if you’re ready to turn up the volume on what’s possible in education.

In this episode of AmpED to 11, we sit down with Jessica Paulsen, President of Innovation and Impact at LEAP Innovations, and Roberto Vargas, Managing Director of IT and Data Systems at Distinctive Schools, to unpack a provocative question: If AI can already do many of the tasks we’ve traditionally assigned in school, what new kinds of learning should we be designing—learning that only humans can shape, feel, and experience?

Jessica and Roberto are at the forefront of human-centered, AI-integrated education. From personalized learner profiles powered by NotebookLM to co-created AI handbooks designed with students, their work isn’t just about adopting technology—it’s about redesigning systems that truly serve kids. We dive deep into how educators can thoughtfully integrate AI while preserving authenticity, amplifying agency, and centering students’ stories.

And we don’t shy away from the hard stuff. We question whether “personalized learning” has gone too far. We push past easy efficiency wins to examine real transformation. And we explore how teacher prep, policy, and mindsets must evolve—fast—if we want equity and humanity to remain at the heart of schools.

What you’ll learn:

1. Bold strategies for integrating AI without losing your humanity
2. Why student co-design and voice is the missing piece in most AI policies
3. How Distinctive Schools is using NotebookLM to build living learner profiles
4. Why data transparency and digital trace ethics must be part of AI rollouts
5. Tangible ways to redesign PD around mindset shifts, not one-off tools
6. How dialogue, storytelling, and even “vibe planning” are the future of learning

Hosted by Brett Roer and Rebecca Bultsma, this episode will shift how you think about AI—not as a replacement for teachers, but as a power tool for unleashing what makes us most human in the first place.

Tune in, subscribe, and share if you’re ready to turn up the volume on what’s possible in education.

In this bold, boundary-pushing episode of AmpED to 11, Rebecca and Brett dive deep into the tangled intersection of AI and human connection with three trailblazers from the Rithm Project—a visionary effort aiming to preserve humanity in the age of artificial intelligence.

Michelle Culver (Rithm Project founder and former Reinvention Lab lead at Teach For America) is joined by Rithm Fellows Bomi Akarakiri and Cyra Alesha, both powerhouse youth advocates working at the sharp edge of policy, mental health, and emerging tech. Together, they bring passion, clarity, and a whole lot of nuance to one of the most urgent questions in education right now: If AI is becoming a co-author of our relationships, what does that mean for how we connect, collaborate, and care?

The crew doesn’t just talk about this—they play The AI Effect: a provocative card-based game that sparks unflinchingly honest discussion around AI use cases—from romantic chatbots and AI grief companions to whether students should use AI to write friendship speeches. Every round stirs disagreement, vulnerability, and even some unexpected revelations. And that’s the point.

You’ll learn:

1. Bold ways to explore AI's impact on relationships and student well-being
2. How educators and students can use tools like The AI Effect to build critical AI judgment, together
3. Why pretending to be more “human” with AI might actually cost us authenticity
4. What real trust and transparency look like in a world of synthetic friends and smart lenses
5. How to support young people in developing emotional regulation and empathy in an AI era
6. Why “it depends” is the most radical answer in education today

This isn’t your average policy talk or tool review—this is a deep, decidedly human conversation that leaves you feeling more connected, more curious, and honestly, a little more hopeful.

Tune in, subscribe, and share if you’re ready to turn up the volume on what’s possible in education.

In this festive, future-forward “11 Days of Xmas” special episode of AmpED to 11, hosts Brett Roer and Rebecca Bultsma are joined by Amplify & Elevate Innovation insiders Serena Reynolds and Versha Munshi-South for an unfiltered round of rapid-fire AI questions—plus some unexpected hot takes, tech confessions, and painfully relatable truths from parents, former principals, and teenage kids alike.

It’s part AI year-in-review, part prediction party, and part support group for educators on the front lines of the AI evolution. Buckle up.

From Versha’s candid insights on leading innovation while parenting “AI-resistant” teens, to Serena’s Notion automations that would make any productivity nerd weak in the knees, to Rebecca’s bold new use of Gmail agents that literally email her strategic summaries while she’s sleeping—this episode is for anyone thinking: How do I even keep up anymore?

(Wondering what to ditch in 2025? Rebecca serves up the ultimate poetic rant on why AI detectors must die.)

They dive into:

1. Bold visions for AI in 2026—staffing models, literacy requirements, and teen-built study agents
2. Why “the Christmas tree effect” of edtech overload has to stop
3. Rebecca’s mind-blowing automations using Google Workspace agents
4. Equity warning: How kids with access are using AI to personalize learning—and who’s being left behind
5. Why “horizontal” AI learning won’t cut it—and how to teach for vertical transformation instead
6. “When is enough enough?”—The AI spiral we’re all trapped in (and how to get out)

Plus, get the inside scoop on the game that sparked 40,000+ students to weigh in on AI—and why every school leader should be playing it in 2026.

Brett, Rebecca, Serena, and Versha bring the insight, humor, and raw honesty that make AmpED to 11 more than just a podcast. It’s a lifeline for bold educators navigating this messy, magical age of AI.

Tune in, subscribe, and share if you’re ready to turn up the volume on what’s possible in education.

In this off-the-rails, laugh-out-loud, surprisingly profound episode, Brett and Rebecca sit down with the inimitable Jenn Womble—Chair of the Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC) and District Administration—and within minutes, they’re talking creatine, hormone-balancing AI spreadsheets, dicey TSA interactions involving supplement Ziplocs, and how to build community in the age of synthetic reality.

Jenn’s energy is unmatched, but so is her perspective on where education needs to go. She dives into why immersive learning, clear AI policy, and student voice aren’t “nice to haves”—they’re the ticket to redesigning schools that actually work for this moment. The crew explores everything from ethical leadership in an era of deepfakes to the dangerous gaps between tech adoption and teacher training. But it’s not all policy and pedagogy. At its heart, this talk is about curiosity, creativity, and audacious optimism.

1. What does student-centered AI implementation really look like?
2. Why do teachers need to know brain science, not just tech tools?
3. How are CTE programs becoming the sleeper stars of future-ready learning?
4. What’s the ethics conversation schools must have now, or risk getting left behind?
5. Which iconic voice would Jen choose to narrate her life, and why it’s not Morgan Freeman

🦾 And yeah, we talk personalized blood work AIs and individually packaged creatine (hint: somebody patent this, please)

This episode also features Rebecca’s AI Tip of the Week on using AI to identify supplement stacks (yes, really), and a live brainstorm on reimagining leadership, learning, and literacy when machines write… but humans still think.

If you’re questioning what’s real, what’s next, or even what’s in your carry-on, this conversation is for you.

Tune in, subscribe, and share if you’re ready to turn up the volume on what’s possible in education.

In this episode of AmpED to 11, we turn up the volume on one of the most practical and pressing questions in the AI-in-education space: How can AI actually empower teachers—in real classrooms, under real pressure—to reclaim their time, elevate their craft, and bring the joy of learning back?

Meet our dynamic duo of guests: Thomas Thompson IV, CEO of Eduaide AI, and Thomas Hummel, Chief Product Officer... and a current middle school science teacher on paternity leave. Yep, Hummel took time away from newborn duties (and sleepless nights) to join this conversation, and we are so glad he did.

Together, these two educators-turned-founders are building AI tools from the inside out—designed in loud, messy, beautiful classrooms by people who actually teach. They’re not chasing shiny gimmicks. They’re fixing real pain points for real teachers… while refusing to compromise on ethics, transparency, or student wellbeing.

This conversation gets real—fast. From hallucinations and hype cycles to facial hair and feedback loops, here’s what you’ll learn:

1. Bold Insight: AI can lower the cost of experimentation—making room for pedagogical creativity, not just administrative efficiency.
2. Hidden Tension: Many districts are adopting AI tools without clear policy, data protections, or purpose—just because they feel they “have to.”
3. Unexpected Truth: AI can lighten the load, but cognitive offloading by novice learners (and novice teachers) is a growing, underexamined risk.
4. Back to Basics: Effective teaching still boils down to timeless practices like retrieval, spacing, and interleaving—and AI can help scale those with care.
5. Guardrails That Matter: From rigorous content moderation to co-designing evaluation tools with Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Eduaide isn’t playing fast and loose with teacher trust.
6. A Glimmer of Hope: AI might just give teachers back the one thing they’re always robbed of—time to focus on relationships, differentiation, and joy.

Brett and Rebecca also share stories from the field, challenge hype-driven narratives, and go deep with the Thomases on what happens when we let pedagogical values—not profit-seeking ventures—drive innovation.

Tune in, subscribe, and share if you’re ready to turn up the volume on what’s possible in education.

In this episode of AmpED to 11, Brett and Rebecca sit down with Sabba Quidwai—futurist, researcher, and founder of Designing Schools—for a conversation that’s equal parts AI-infused optimism and bold truth-telling. Sabba doesn’t hold back. From calling out the systemic failures that led to widespread teacher burnout, to critiquing the bandaid tech culture that treats symptoms rather than root causes, she’s here to shake up the status quo with humanity and clarity.

Sabba’s journey from a disconnected student in 2007 to one of today’s most influential voices in AI and education is both deeply personal and powerfully relevant. With stories of leaders transforming entire districts, insights from global travels, and a gut-check on America’s distraction problem, she challenges educators and decision-makers to stop tolerating broken systems—and start designing the future we actually want.

You’ll also hear about Desert Sands’ visionary approach to AI guidance for students, learn why Canva and Google might just be the AI Dream Team for schools, and get a front-row seat to the spark that ignites real change.

Here’s what you’ll learn:  

• Why imagination—not just information—is your most powerful asset 
• How to shift from AI tools to AI teammates**  
• What teachers and leaders are missing about student AI use (and how to fix it) 
• A powerful mindset framework that reframes burnout and empowers agency
• What the U.S. education system can learn from schools abroad
• The AI literacy that truly matters (hint: it’s not just prompt engineering)

🎧 Tune in, subscribe, and share if you’re ready to turn up the volume on what’s possible in education.

On this episode of AmpED to 11, we sit down with Aaron Cuny, co-founder of AI for Equity and former school leader, who's working at the front lines of this very question. From his 18 years inside classrooms and school systems to founding a nonprofit helping districts navigate AI with vision and ethics, Aaron brings grounded urgency to a conversation many are still only tiptoeing around.

What’s at stake? Everything from how we train our teachers and select edtech tools, to how we redefine curriculum, equity, and leadership in the age of acceleration. Aaron doesn’t just talk trends—he builds roadmaps. He shares how AI for Equity is helping C-suite education leaders tackle both tactical realities and strategy, and why sustained relationships (not one-off AI 101 workshops) are the key. You'll hear stories from districts like DREAM Charter and Ednovate—one that went all in early, the other that quietly built a culture of innovation from the inside out.

And maybe most provocatively: Aaron argues that without intentional leadership, AI might not close the opportunity gap but widen it. Cue the skeptics? He hears you—and offers practical, human-centered change management strategies for leaders navigating resistant staff.

What you’ll learn:

• Bold leadership starts with ethical clarity—not buzzwords or hype.
• Why tactical know-how is mission critical for AI strategy.
•  How top districts are piloting AI with purpose and accountability.
• The real investment gap: Not tools, but capacity building.
• Change management is 3x more important than any AI tech stack.
• Why Aaron is done with the word “transform”… and what he’s replacing it with.

With hosts Brett Roer and Rebecca Bultsma guiding the conversation, this episode is both a compass and a call to action.

Tune in, subscribe, and share if you’re ready to turn up the volume on what’s possible in education.

In this episode of AmpED to 11, we go deep with two bold trailblazers reshaping what it means to lead in education right now: Tia Morris, Executive Director of Teach for America New York, and Eldridge Gilbert III, SVP at SEO Scholars + Co-Founder of Legit Leader. Grounded in decades of experience and driven by fierce urgency, both are asking the right questions—and refusing to accept systems that leave kids behind.

Tia’s a self-proclaimed “Gen X-er afraid of AI” who realized fear wasn’t an option when equity was on the line. Elle’s a former principal firing on all cylinders to make leadership more sustainable and radically human. Together, they challenge the status quo: Is AI cheating—or is it exactly the kind of tool we need to differentiate learning, expand access, and lighten the cognitive load on exhausted educators?

This episode doesn't just graze the buzzwords. We press into deep tensions—like student agency in the age of chatbots, ethical guardrails for AI, and why leadership needs to walk the talk before teachers ever will. You’ll walk away feeling informed, fired up, and ready to ask better questions.

What you’ll learn:

• Bold truth: Is fear of AI standing in the way of justice in education?
• Revolutionizing rigor: How AI can sharpen—not replace—critical thinking
• Beyond writing emails: The untapped potential of agentic AI in schools
• The ethical minefield: Privacy, bias & protecting the hearts of our kids
• Leadership first: Why the AI shift succeeds or fails at the top of the org chart
• Pedagogy meets innovation: How teachers can model AI literacy through metacognition

Hosted by Brett Roer and Rebecca Bultsma, this episode brings curiosity, human-centered tech, and a not-so-subtle invitation: If you're still sitting on the sidelines of AI in education... why?

Tune in, subscribe, and share if you’re ready to turn up the volume on what’s possible in education.

In this episode of AmpED to 11, we don’t just flirt with that question—we blast it wide open with Pat Yongpradit, Chief Academic Officer at Code.org and a driving force behind TeachAI, a global initiative that’s redefining how policymakers, educators, and students alike engage with artificial intelligence. From the global stage in Paris to your classroom down the hall, Pat is reshaping what it means to be literate—and ethical—in the age of AI.

This isn't just another "AI in schools" convo. Pat takes us on a bold, deeply personal journey—from learning to code on an Apple IIe to building a snowboarding club for high schoolers, and eventually becoming a national leader in computer science education. We unpack the powerful coalition-building happening across 44 U.S. states and 30 countries, get real about what’s missing from federal and provincial guidance, and dive into the sticky ethics of AI companions and manipulation in the classroom. And yes, we unpack why your AI-powered lesson plan might just need a reality check.

We also give some serious behind-the-back kudos to unexpected heroes—from AP Physics teachers named Rick, to bold thought leaders like Dr. Philippa Hardman and Stephane Bouchard.

What you’ll learn:

• Bold rethinking of AI literacy—from ethics to explainability to student agency  
• The real story behind U.S. federal initiatives (spoiler: it's not all doom)  
• How TeachAI is rallying global education systems to get serious about AI  
• Why developers—not just educators—must be held accountable for ethical design  
• Concrete, no-BS advice for teachers, teacher prep programs, and 11-year-olds alike  
• How a white suit and a walk-up in a high school hallway shaped Pat’s leadership story  

This episode is a masterclass in nuance, calling on all of us—teachers, policymakers, developers, and students—to step up and co-create an AI-powered future that’s deeply human, radically inclusive, and unapologetically smart.

Tune in, subscribe, and share if you’re ready to turn up the volume on what’s possible in education.

In this episode of AmpED to 11, Brett sits down with Jeremy Bhatia, founder and CEO of Eddi, a groundbreaking AI platform that’s helping mission-driven organizations unlock and optimize every dollar they’re entitled to. Whether you’re a rural district administrator juggling five roles or a nonprofit scrambling for grant deadlines, this conversation gets real about the financial chaos simmering beneath the surface—and how AI can be your unexpected lifeline.

Jeremy reveals the radical vision behind Eddi: a tool that doesn’t just match you with obscure funding sources in record time, but also transforms how you manage the money you already have. From decoding the bureaucracy of federal reporting to democratizing financial insights across teams, Eddi is less a tool and more a quiet revolution.

School districts in the US, across all contexts and complexity levels, are recovering dollars, reducing workloads, and finally seeing meaningful data visualized without lifting a finger.

What you’ll learn:  

💰 Why unlocking existing budgets may be more powerful than chasing new grants  

💰 How AI is transforming complex financial reporting into click-and-done workflows  

💰 The ‘needle in the haystack’ problem—and how AI cuts through the noise  

💰 The surprising role of equity and access in financial data transparency  

💰 Why fall 2024 is Eddi’s ‘AI Agent Fall’ and what that actually means  

💰 The power of typing one sentence... and getting a full data visualization back

This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the post-ESSER funding desert or just trying to do more with less (sound familiar?).

Hosted by Brett Roer — Brett helps education leaders use AI to give time back to what matters most—people. As CEO and founder of Amplify & Elevate Innovation, he partners with schools and districts to integrate AI responsibly and design future-ready systems. A former NYC teacher and principal, Brett is now a national voice on AI in education and co-host of the AmpED to 11 podcast, where he spotlights innovation and human-centered leadership in action.

🎧 Tune in, subscribe, and share if you’re ready to turn up the volume on what’s possible in education.

In this bold, fast-paced episode of AmpED to 11, we sit down with Jacob Kantor, known across LinkedIn and edtech circles as “The Chief DODO”—aka, the District Office Door Opener. Jacob moves at warp speed, connecting solution providers with education leaders, but underneath the rapid-fire meetings and relentless networking is a deeply human mission: making sure powerful tools get into the hands of the people who need them most.

A former edtech sales exec turned strategic consultant (at companies like McGraw Hill, C2, and Varsity Tutors), Jacob peels back the curtain on what it really takes to move education forward. He talks shop with Brett and Rebecca about ethical vetting, what makes a product not only good but necessary, and how he gauges success—hint: it’s not about the money. From working with top-tier ed leaders to obsessing over efficacy, Jacob’s all in on building relationships and driving real impact.

We also get personal. How does a parent—and edtech insider—think about their own kid’s education? What could school look like for his sons when they turn 11? And how do we build that vision for every learner?

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why “efficacy” matters more than ever—and how Jacob filters gold from garbage in edtech pitches
• The canceled-meeting effect—and how AI tools like TidyCal, NotebookLM, and Google Workspace are becoming his secret weapons
• How to build trust in an overcrowded, fast-moving AI market
• What “success” looks like in the work of matching districts to solutions—and how Jacob engineers it weekly
• A vision for personalized, interest-driven learning—through a parent’s eyes
• A shoutout-fueled journey to assemble education’s Avengers (get your LinkedIn app ready)

This episode hits hard, laughs loud, and pulls back the layers on what it really takes to unlock innovation in education.

Hosted by Brett Roer and Rebecca Bultsma.

🎧 Tune in, subscribe, and share if you’re ready to turn up the volume on what’s possible in education.

In this episode of AmpED to 11, Brett dives into the wildly popular ClassDojo platform with Dr. Chad Stevens, Head of Growth and Partnerships. If you're an educator or parent, odds are you've already tapped into the magic of ClassDojo's classroom connection tools. But what if we told you Dojo is no longer just for teachers?

Now, it's leveling up—big time. Chad gives us an inside look at how ClassDojo is evolving into a game-changing districtwide solution without losing its roots in teacher and family empowerment. With 45 million families across 180 countries using the platform and 90% of U.S. schools already plugged in, Dojo is doubling down on what works—by listening to educators and community leaders first.

Forget clunky rollouts, expensive licenses, and top-down mandates. ClassDojo for districts is built on what teachers and principals already love, then expands that ecosystem with free tools like district announcements, attendance-based alerts, voice calls, and even a whole new high school experience. And yes—it’s still 100% free.

It's not just about messaging. It’s about shifting power, unifying community, and giving every child an education they love.

What you’ll learn:  

• Bold Vision → How Dojo’s mission to bring joy to education guides every product decision  
• Communication Reimagined → The surprising ways districts can now use Dojo for free, scalable engagement  
• Beyond Elementary → Why Dojo is investing big in transforming the high school experience  
• Listening as a Superpower → How advisory boards and real-time feedback shape the roadmap  
• Call to Action for Edtech → What other companies should learn from how ClassDojo builds with (not for) educators  

This is a blueprint for what happens when you lead with trust, humility, and an unapologetic belief in kids. Join Brett in this feel-good yet future-focused conversation with one of education’s most listened-to leaders.

🎧 Tune in, subscribe, and share if you’re ready to turn up the volume on what’s possible in education.

In this kickoff to Season 2 of AmpED to 11, we sit down with Amanda Bickerstaff, co-founder and CEO of AI for Education and one of the most fearless, future-focused educators in the generative AI space. From training more real humans on gen AI than anyone else (seriously—she might be the most prolific AI educator on the planet), Amanda drops a masterclass on what AI literacy truly means and why it goes far beyond “Top 10 Tools for Teachers.”

She dives deep into the ethics conversation—wading through climate impacts, model bias, training data transparency, and why she refuses to train on paid tools—while still radiating relentless optimism about what’s possible when humans lead with curiosity and intention. You’ll also hear surprising insights from real students, like the eighth grader who tried to prompt an “unsexist CEO”… and what that image generator did next.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

📚 Bold reframe: Why AI literacy isn’t something you “get”—it’s something you build.

📚 Systemic tension: How AI can narrow or widen opportunity gaps—and who’s really responsible. 

📚 Tools that matter: Why Amanda’s team sticks to foundation models (and their favorite application layer for students and teachers).

📚 Failure is a feature: How the “messy middle” of experimentation creates the most transformative adult learning.

🌎 Ethics, decoded: Amanda’s 2-part definition of true AI ethics—and what most people get wrong.

🤖 Student obsession: What kids are doing, questioning, and loving when we give them space to explore AI critically and creatively.

Rebecca also spills her AI Tip of the Week on why models hallucinate—and what OpenAI’s scoring system has to do with it. Brett shares stories from the field on districts innovating in real time.

With Amanda, Brett, and Rebecca in the room, this one doesn’t pull any punches—and you’ll leave smarter, braver, and way more AmpED than when you started.

🎧 Tune in, subscribe, and share if you’re ready to turn up the volume on what’s possible in education.

Sonn’s journey begins as a square peg in a round-hole system, a track that nearly derailed his sense of self-worth until a breakdancing crew (yes, breakdancing!) in a community theater changed everything. That real-world learning experience taught him the power of passion, purpose, and self-love, and fuels his mission today to co-create transformative, learner-centered systems across the country.

From the scars of failed systems to the promise of AI as a lever for justice and personalization, Sonn gets real about the work Big Picture Learning is doing to help every young person feel brilliant. But don’t mistake his authenticity for naivety—he wrestles openly with AI’s ethical tensions while building tools like ImBlaze that actually rehumanize education by streamlining the noise to make space for deeper mentoring and learning.

What you’ll learn:

❤️ Bold vision: How Big Picture Learning rebuilds school around one student at a time—interests first, paperwork second.

❤️ Hard truths: Why “college and career readiness” is incomplete without personal purpose and self-worth.

❤️ Real-world learning: What happens when breakdancing becomes curriculum—and how to scale that experience.

❤️ AI with soul: How tools like ImBlaze use AI to repurpose educator time, not replace it, so students can go deeper.

❤️ Executive function decoded: How AI can help chunk big dreams into manageable milestones—for kids and adults alike.

❤️ Self-love as curriculum: Why Sonn tells every 11-year-old to start with this: “You are loved. You are brilliant. That matters.”

Hosted by Brett Roer (while Rebecca recovers, with love and seat-saving), this episode is a love letter to possibility, identity, and designing schools that don’t just work—but work for every learner.

🎧 Tune in, subscribe, and share if you’re ready to turn up the volume on what’s possible in education.

In this special episode of AmpED to 11, Brett Roer sits down with Matthew Kennard, CEO of BetterLesson, to unpack how his team is transforming professional learning and instructional leadership at scale. As one of the major sponsors of the upcoming AI in Education Symposium in Albany, Matt joins Brett for a high-impact conversation on how AI can be leveraged not to replace educators, but to empower them.

You’ll hear the evolution of BetterLesson from its early days as a free lesson-sharing platform to its current role as a strategic partner for school systems seeking higher ROI, improved student outcomes, and smarter resource allocation. Matt breaks down how AI-powered tools can now provide real-time instructional insights—from teacher wait time to student talk ratios—helping educators shift from time-heavy data collection to action-ready support. And through it all? Keeping humanity, and postsecondary student readiness at the center.

You’ll learn:  

🧠 The future of professional development is strategic coaching powered by AI. Learn how BetterLesson builds personalized PD that scales across districts and states.  

🧠 AI won’t replace teachers, it’ll free them. Discover how machine learning is enhancing classroom observation and instructional feedback.  

🧠 Postsecondary readiness must be flexible and human. Enlisted, enrolled, employed—every student deserves a pathway.  

🧠 Data should drive action, not just reflection. How real-time dashboards and AI insights are pushing decision-making into high gear.  

🧠 Operational efficiency is the new equity. How BetterLesson now helps districts optimize instructional minutes and resource spend.

At its core, this episode is a call to lead boldly and plan wisely, without losing our humanity in the process. Join Brett and Matt as they lay down the blueprint for a smarter, more equitable future in education.

🎧 Tune in, subscribe, and share if you’re ready to turn up the volume on what’s possible in education.

Utah’s AI education strategy is quietly becoming a national model, with lesson plan repositories, statewide professional development for 3,000+ teachers, and bold new frameworks like the Portrait of an AI-Infused Student. But don’t confuse progress with hype. Matt pulls back the curtain on real challenges—from teacher skepticism to mounting ethical tensions.

Get ready for a deeply human conversation that blends skepticism and joy, poetry and policy, vision and vulnerability—as we ask: What if we actually got AI right in schools?

What you’ll learn in this episode:

📚 Bold honesty: Why Matt Winters, Utah’s AI lead, doesn’t actually use AI as much as you'd think—and what that says about where we are.

📚 Creative caution: How being a photographer and former English teacher shapes Matt’s nuanced approach to AI-generated content and student expression.

📚 Systems in motion: How Utah is building the world’s first AI-infused student and teacher portraits—and what they mean for AI literacy and student development.

📚 The hidden trap: Why productivity can actually limit adoption—and how moving from productivity → creativity → inclusivity is the real journey.

📚 Data first, not last: Why Utah's AI summits center student data privacy and how districts everywhere can steal the playbook.

Bonus: Which iconic voice would Matt choose to read his emails? A little Dylan, a little Walken, come for the AI ethics, stay for the unexpected karaoke.

Matt doesn’t just lead systems. He listens to teachers, students, and skeptics—and turns their worries into action. He’s asking the questions that keep us honest, and the answers that keep us moving.

🎧 Tune in, subscribe, and share if you’re ready to turn up the volume on what’s possible in education.

This week on AmpED to 11, we dive into the wild, weird, and wonderfully human world of AI in education with the irreverent and insightful Jeremy Shorr—a self-described “dancing monkey” who’s shaping the future of learning through innovation, STEM ecosystem building, and brutal honesty about what AI can and can’t fix.

Jeremy has spent decades navigating both the frontlines and the big stages of education—from designing STEM schools in Ohio to advising global education systems and keynoting in Beijing. And yet, his most compelling insights don’t come from Silicon Valley playbooks—but from IEP meetings, teacher frustrations, and a nun who cracked open a room full of school leaders with one simple truth: AI could finally let us return to what school was always supposed to be about—making good humans.

This episode goes way beyond tool talk (don’t worry—we do that too) to explore the cultural, ethical, and emotional gears that need turning if we want a future worth aiming for.

You'll learn:

🎙  Bold is beautiful—if we let AI solve what we hate, we can amplify what we love

🎙  Why the most powerful moment in Jeremy’s career came from a 70-year-old nun

🎙  How AI can finally make hackathons useful and IEP support scalable

🎙  Why your 3-year-old’s prompts should still include “please” and “thank you”

🎙  The danger of detectors, the broken promise of STEM, and the CEOs who don’t get it

🎙  What Sesame’s voice model Miles can teach us about crossing the uncanny valley

Rebecca drops a thoughtful take on AI literacy for kids, Brett guesses how many states there are (again), and Jeremy builds a bridge between fear, function, and future human flourishing.

Brought to you by Brett Roer and Rebecca Bultsma, AmpED to 11 isn’t about chasing the next shiny tool—it’s about rethinking school, society, and purpose in a world where AI is already here.

🎧 Tune in, subscribe, and share if you’re ready to turn up the volume on what’s possible in education.

This week on AmpED to 11, we sit down with Merissa Sadler-Holder, a nationally recognized educator turned AI trailblazer working with schools across the U.S. to not just integrate AI tools, but to redesign what’s possible in classrooms. Founder of Teaching With Machines and a two-time ASU+GSV “Leading Woman in AI” honoree, Marissa knows firsthand how a simple tool—like rewriting a fiery parent email with AI—can unlock a radical mindset shift.

How do we go from time-starved, overworked educators to empowered architects of learning experiences? How do we use AI to shift from personalization to truly personal connections, where the classroom becomes a space teachers and students actually want to be?

From classroom wins to systemic blind spots, Marissa shares real-world stories of what works, what gets in the way, and what she wishes every school leader would ask before hitting “deploy” on any AI initiative.

What you’ll learn:

🧠 Bold mindset shift → Why AI won’t save teachers—unless we first redefine what they’re meant to save

🎨 Creativity 2.0 → How teachers are reclaiming the time to design projects they’ve only dreamed of

📤 Emails to empowerment → The mundane task that triggered Marissa’s transformative “second lightbulb” moment

🛠️ Toolstack worth trusting → Why large language models are ground zero, and how tools like Google NotebookLM and Gamma step up

🌍 From differentiation to dignity → Why real personalization isn’t just logistical—it’s deeply human

🧭 The future students deserve → Marissa’s 11:11 wish to tear down the grade factory and return to the joy of learning

Hosted by Brett Roer (solo this round—after the internet betrayed Rebecca Bultsma), this conversation doesn’t shy away from nuance, pushes past the shiny tool hype, and centers the one thing AI can’t replicate: our authenticity.

🎧 Tune in, subscribe, and share if you’re ready to turn up the volume on what’s possible in education.

In this episode, Brett and Rebecca dig into Winston’s origin story, his viral PD sessions that leave teachers shook in the best way, and his unflinching take on what happens if schools play it safe while the rest of the world races ahead.

He’s not here for performative tech use or AI panic. He’s here for project-based learning, powerful prompts, and students who can actually speak in public.

What You’ll Learn:

📘 Why banning AI is a waste of time: (and how Winston builds AI into the lesson—without losing control)

📘 The assignment that changed skeptical teachers’ minds: It starts with heartbreak and ends in songwriting

📘 Which tools Winston swears by—and why: (Hint: ChatGPT isn’t even his favorite for research)

📘 How AI is helping students conquer public speaking fears: Spoiler—it's more effective than flashcards

📘 What happens when you don’t see the tech trends coming: A story from 1970s Flint, MI that hits hard today

📘 The one thing AI still can’t do well: And why spreadsheets might be the final boss

🎧 Tune in and hear why Winston believes learner-centered AI could be education’s most exciting frontier.

Marlon shares how AI isn’t just a tech upgrade—it’s a tool to unlock creativity, center learning around students, and shape future-ready schools. From real-world stories of AI-powered student art to building custom AI tools rooted in learner-centered practices, Marlon lays out a bold, practical vision for the future of education.

Key Takeaways:

🚀 Why AI should be a creative amplifier—not a replacement—for student voice and expression.

🚀 How student-driven design can push districts to rethink AI strategies.

🚀 Why district leaders need to "live in the question" before rushing to solutions.

🚀 How PlayLab and Learner-Centered Collaborative are building custom AI tools for real-world impact.

Rebecca’s AI Tip of the Week:

Learn how ElevenLabs can turn any document into realistic audio—perfect for staying productive without staring at a screen.

This conversation is a call to action: when we center students in how we use AI, the possibilities are limitless.

🎧 Tune in and hear why Marlon believes learner-centered AI could be education’s most exciting frontier.

Are we using it to spark innovation and amplify student voices, or just speeding up the same tired assignments we've been recycling for decades?

In this episode of AmpED to 11, hosts Brett Roer and Rebecca Bultsma sit down with Alana Winnick—EdTech Director, podcast host, author of The Generative Age, and low-key superhero—to talk about what real transformation in education looks like when AI is in the hands of students, not just staff.

Alana’s doing the kind of work that makes you stop and say, “Wait... third graders are doing what now?” From kids building custom chatbots to students running PD for teachers, this episode is a wake-up call for anyone still clinging to the old playbook.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

📚 Why “If it’s AI-able, it’s not a good assignment” should be every teacher’s new mantra

📚 How eight-year-olds are giving TED-style talks using AI as their co-pilot

📚 The jaw-dropping AI moment that stopped Alana in her tracks—and what it says about bias in machine learning

📚 What it really looks like to put students in the driver’s seat of innovation

📚 How ignoring AI access in schools is creating a brand new digital divide—and why it matters more than you think

📚 Alana’s game-changing advice for schools: stop making AI a separate initiative

Rebecca’s AI Tip of the Week:

Turn your student-facing chatbot into your teaching assistant.

Whether it’s writing prompts, research questions, or guiding feedback—it’s time to think beyond teacher tools and start building AI experiences for students.

Alana doesn’t hold back—and honestly, neither do we.

🎧 Tune in and get inspired. This one hits all the right nerves.

In this unmissable episode of AmpED to 11, Brett Roer and Rebecca Bultsma sit down with international keynote speaker and education visionary Ken Shelton for a real, raw conversation about equity, ethics, and AI in education.

Ken pulls back the curtain on hidden biases in AI systems, explains why culturally responsive teaching isn't optional, and shows how AI can amplify student empowerment—if we use it wisely.

Buckle up as Ken reveals uncomfortable truths and transformative strategies to ensure AI serves everyone, not just a privileged few.

In this episode of AmpED to 11, hosts Brett Roer and Rebecca Bultsma sit down with Claire Zau, AI Lead and Partner at GSV Ventures, to pull back the curtain on where AI is really taking us. From AI agents that can use your computer for you (yeah, that’s happening) to the education system’s desperate struggle to keep up, this conversation is packed with insights, tough questions, and a few “oh, sh*t” moments about the future of AI and learning.

Claire isn’t just an AI expert—she’s at the epicenter of where AI and education collide. She’s got a front-row seat to the biggest trends, the hidden dangers, and the uncomfortable truths about what happens when AI gets smarter than we are at, well… everything.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

🤖 AI agents are here—can they really replace human work? Spoiler: They’re already booking flights, sending emails, and making decisions for us.

🤖 The AI divide is real. Will only the privileged get human tutors, real teachers, and live customer service, while the rest of us are stuck with chatbots?

🤖 AI-powered tutoring is missing something HUGE. Why most AI education tools aren’t even close to replicating what great teachers do.

🤖 AI literacy isn’t just about knowing how to use ChatGPT. It’s about understanding who’s programming our kids—and what that means for the next generation.

🤖 Are we losing the ability to be bored? Claire breaks down why constant AI-driven stimulation might be rewiring our brains—and not in a good way.

🤖 What’s next for AI in education? The crazy tech shifts Claire is watching—and why they might change everything.

Rebecca’s AI Tip of the Week:

Want to make ChatGPT actually useful? Stop starting from scratch every time. Learn how to customize its memory so it remembers your preferences, adapts to your style, and stops recommending things you don’t care about. Because AI should work for you, not the other way around.

This is not just another “AI is cool” conversation. This is where the future of AI and education is heading—whether we’re ready for it or not.

🎧 Buckle up and tune in—this one’s a wild ride!

Most students graduate without a basic understanding of how AI works—even as it influences job markets, decision-making, and daily life. Meanwhile, many teachers feel unprepared to integrate AI into the classroom, and underserved communities risk being left even further behind.

Alex shares how his journey—starting in political organizing and later transitioning into AI policy and governance—led him to an alarming realization: schools weren’t teaching students about AI at all. His solution? AIEDU, an initiative focused on making AI literacy accessible to all students—not just the privileged few.

Key Takeaways:

🚨 Why AI literacy isn’t just about coding—it’s about critical thinking, ethics, and understanding AI’s role in society.

🚨 The dangers of leaving AI education out of the curriculum—especially for underserved communities.

🚨 How schools can start integrating AI without massive budgets or advanced tech resources.

🚨 The real-world skills students actually need to succeed in an AI-driven world.

Rebecca’s AI Tip of the Week:

Looking to streamline your event planning? Apple Invites is a new AI-powered tool that helps iPhone users create and manage custom event invitations, track RSVPs, and even build collaborative music playlists. Plus, attendees can share photos and videos in a shared album—making event coordination smoother than ever.

This conversation is a wake-up call for educators, policymakers, and business leaders—if AI is shaping the future, we need to ensure every student has the tools to navigate it.

🎧 Tune in for an eye-opening discussion on the future of AI education—and what we need to do before it’s too late.

Dr. Connor isn’t just following AI trends—he’s engineering the future. His Agile Diagnostic and AI Platform is redefining how school leaders approach data-driven decision-making, inclusion, and student empowerment. He breaks down the 22nd Century Education Model, explains how AI can close achievement gaps, and shares what superintendents and education leaders need to do now to stay ahead.

Michael also takes us inside his biggest AI 'aha' moments, from recommender systems to how AI helped an entire district redefine literacy benchmarks. Plus, he shares his AI wish list—what’s missing, what’s next, and how we can push AI further in education.

Rebecca’s AI Tip of the Week

AI isn’t just about hype—it’s about how you use it. This week, Rebecca shares why AI needs to be treated like a strategic partner rather than a gimmick. She breaks down:

✅ How to use AI as a project manager to streamline workflows

✅ Why clarity in AI prompts matters—and how to get better results

✅ How AI research tools like Google Deep Research can revolutionize the way we work

🎧 Tune in for a bold, no-nonsense conversation on how AI can truly revolutionize learning—if we use it the right way.

In this episode of AmpED to 11, hosts Brett Roer and Rebecca Bultsma are joined by Michael Yates, a leader at Teach for America’s Reinvention Lab, who is redefining what AI can do in education. Mike isn’t just talking about AI—he’s pushing it to its limits, experimenting beyond traditional classrooms, and challenging the way we think about its role in learning.

Mike shares how AI is being used in unexpected ways, from university sports teams to creative industries, and why the real power of AI isn’t in maintaining the status quo but in breaking it. He discusses the AI tools he swears by, including PlayLab AI, School AI, and Canva’s AI Suite, and why Microsoft Copilot went from a tool he dismissed to an essential part of his workflow. He also reflects on his "Apollo 11 moment", when AI helped a struggling student jump three reading levels in a single year, completely changing his view on its potential. Throughout the episode, Mike calls out what’s wrong with today’s AI conversations and shares his vision for how education can move forward by focusing on real solutions rather than hype.

Rebecca’s AI Tip of the Week

AI can be a game-changer, but only if you use it the right way. Rebecca shares why you should stop treating AI like a gimmick and start using it like a project manager. By giving AI clear direction, letting it help prioritize tasks, and integrating it into daily workflows, you can turn it into a powerful assistant that actually improves productivity and effectiveness.

Tune in for an eye-opening discussion on where AI is headed and how we can ensure it drives real change in education.

In true AmpED to 11 style, we put Dan through our signature 11 questions—exploring everything from his journey into AI to the practical ways teachers can integrate these tools into their daily workflows. Dan offers invaluable insights into how AI can act as a partner in the learning process, providing support without replacing the human touch.

Dan’s approach is both strategic and practical, offering a clear vision of how AI can transform education for the better.

AI News of the Week

Brett and Rebecca dive into the latest developments in AI, including Google's Deep Research tool and its potential to revolutionize how educators and students approach research. They also explore OpenAI’s new "Tasks" feature, which brings automated reminders and planning assistance into everyday workflows.

Top AI Tool of the Week

This week's AI tool is ChatGPT Tasks, a new feature that allows users to schedule automated reminders and recurring actions directly within ChatGPT. Whether it’s setting daily task lists, organizing lesson plans, or sending gentle reminders, ChatGPT Tasks is an exciting step towards AI-powered personal assistants in education.

Tune in for valuable insights on the evolving role of AI in education and actionable strategies you can start using today to stay ahead of the curve.

In this episode of AmpED to 11, hosts Brett Roer and Rebecca Bultsma are joined by David Adams, CEO of the Urban Assembly. David takes us through his innovative work with Project Cafe, an AI-powered platform transforming the way teachers receive feedback. This tool provides real-time insights into classroom dynamics, helping educators refine their teaching strategies, improve student engagement, and create a more impactful learning environment.

In true AmpED to 11 style, we put David through our signature 11 questions—exploring everything from his experience in education innovation to his thoughts on the future of AI in the classroom. David shares how AI is not just a tool, but a catalyst for more meaningful teacher-student interactions, and how Project Cafe is empowering educators to make data-driven decisions without losing the human touch.

David's perspective is both practical and visionary, offering actionable insights into how AI will continue to shape the future of education.

AI News of the Week

Brett and Rebecca dive into some intriguing AI news this week! First up, OpenAI's latest developments, including their ChatGPT Pro plan and the Sora text-to-video model, both of which are causing a stir in the AI world. They also talk about how AI is becoming more interactive, like the ChatGPT voice feature, and how it’s being used to bring some fun and practical applications into our everyday lives, such as voice-driven experiences for kids.

Top AI Tool of the Week

This week's AI tool is Google NotebookLM – a fantastic tool for educators and researchers. It allows users to integrate multiple sources into a notebook and interact with them through AI-generated conversations. It’s a powerful way to quickly synthesize information and make sense of complex documents.

Tune in for valuable insights on the future of AI in education, along with tips and tools you can use right now to stay ahead of the curve.

Welcome to the very first episode of AmpED to 11, the podcast that’s here to turn up the volume on the world of education and edtech! Hosted by Brett Roer, CEO and founder of Amplify and Elevate Innovation, and Rebecca Bultsma, an edtech expert with a passion for transforming how we learn, AmpED to 11 is your backstage pass to the exciting intersection of education, technology, and innovation.

In this inaugural episode, Brett and Rebecca explore how the best and brightest ideas in education technology are reshaping the future of learning, both in and out of the classroom. From AI-driven education to virtual learning environments, personalized learning experiences, and adaptive learning tech, they dive deep into the tools, platforms, and trends that are making waves across K-12, higher ed, and corporate learning. Whether you’re a teacher, a learner, or a leader in the education sector, you’ll want to tune in as they break down how edtech is transforming the way we learn, teach, and thrive.

But don’t worry, this isn’t just another tech talk. Brett and Rebecca bring their unique perspectives, seasoned expertise, and a dash of humor to every conversation, ensuring that every episode is packed with insights and ideas you can actually use. They’re here to challenge the status quo and make sure you stay ahead of the curve.

In this episode, they discuss everything from AI and machine learning making education more personalized than ever, to the importance of learning management systems (LMS) and how education startups are the unsung heroes of innovation. It’s all about making education more accessible, inclusive, and transformative for everyone involved.

Are you curious about how student-centered learning is changing the game or wondering what’s next for digital tools for teachers? Brett and Rebecca are here to guide you through the maze of possibilities and equip you with the knowledge you need to make a real impact. And if you’re an edtech entrepreneur or an education leader, this podcast is your ticket to staying in the loop and hearing from some of the biggest names and boldest thinkers in the industry.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The latest edtech trends and the tech transforming education today
• How AI and machine learning are revolutionizing personalized learning
• Why online learning and learning management systems (LMS) are more essential than ever
• How education startups and tech innovators are disrupting traditional learning systems
• The growing need for inclusive education and digital equity
• How personalized learning and student-centered education can lead to better outcomes for all learners

So, whether you’re passionate about digital transformation, exploring a career in edtech, or simply trying to understand how technology is reshaping education, this episode is packed with the kind of actionable insights and inspiring ideas you won’t want to miss. Ready to turn the volume up on education? Press play on this episode of AmpED to 11 and get the inside scoop on how edtech innovations are taking education to the next level.