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After seeing some of Meg's thought provoking Instagram posts I felt compelled to reach out for a chat. Meg is a dynamic young teacher who has an understanding of education far beyond her years. In this interview I ask her about her thoughts on education and her updated career paths.A little about Meg in her own words: "Hi, I'm Meg! I'm a former U.S. history teacher whose career has taken a few unexpected turns. After earning my bachelor's degree in Secondary Education/ History, I taught 11th-grade U.S. History for two years while also serving as an assistant volleyball coach. During that time, I earned my master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction, but as I continued to grow personally and professionally, I realized it was time to leave the classroom and explore a new direction.Since then, I've worked in property management and higher education while building creative side hustles creating educational resources, sharing on social media, and babysitting. At 27, I don't have every step of my career figured out and I'm okay with that. What has stayed consistent is my love of learning, my passion for education, my commitment to my health and the people I care about, and my confidence that I can and will adapt to whatever challenge or change comes next. I'm still navigating my path, and I've learned to embrace the discomfort that comes with growth because that's often where the best learning happens."How to connect with Meg:Instagram: @megengagedlearning

Great edtech interviews and commentary over a good cup of coffee... Coffee optional.This week I interview Joie Laykoff from Fusion Academy. A little bit about Joie in her own words: Passionate about revolutionizing education, Joie is the Senior Director of Teaching and Learning at Fusion Education Group (FEG), which provides highly personalized education across 80 campuses and an online program. With her background in Special Education and her goal to create accessible learning environments, she leads a team dedicated to advancing Fusion’s approach to personalization and the holistic instructional model. Joie holds a B.A. in Psychology, M.A. in Special Education, and a mild-to-moderate disabilities credential. She is committed to fostering meaningful student engagement and educator development through a comprehensive, whole-student approach.How to Connect with Joie: Laykoff LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joie-laykoff-a059bb97/https://www.fusionacademy.com/

Tola has an extensive background in both private and public sector financial institutions. He has decided to bring this financial knowledge into education where he can guide students to make future focused financial decisions to empower their future. A little about Tola in his own words: "Tola Atewologun is an educator who has taught in a wide range of high school settings, including independent, public, Title I, urban, and suburban schools. His teaching focuses on social studies, economics, government, and financial literacy, with an emphasis on helping students connect classroom ideas to real-world decisions. Before becoming an educator, Tola worked as a public-sector financial analyst for organizations including the Social Security Administration, the Department of Defense, and the Federal Reserve Bank. His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Seattle Times, and other media outlets."

Great edtech interviews and commentary over a good cup of coffee... Coffee optional.Like many guests I came across Dr. Dickenson's work through Youtube and Instagram. She has a wide body of work within the edtech community. She's an author, content creator, and college lel educator. Her thoughts on education and the explosion of A.I. are forward thinking and innovative.A little about Patricia in her own words: Dr. Patricia Dickenson is a professor of teacher education, curriculum author, and instructional design expert with over two decades of experience in K–12 education. Her work focuses on math instruction, professional learning design, and using technology and AI to create engaging, equitable learning experiences for teachers and students. She’s the author of multiple books, a frequent national speaker, and the creator of professional learning content used across the country.How to connect with her: @teachwithDrD  Instagram https://www.youtube.com/@TeachwithDrD https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricia-dickenson/

I'm old enough to remember the joy of having a full set of encyclopedias to enjoy and look up information. Of course those types of resources are a thing of the past and were replaced by online Encyclopedias, search engines, and now A.I.Within this new landscape, Jan van der Crabben has created a valuable Web Encyclopedia. that has the trusted information you would expect in a new easy to navigate platform. I wanted to learn about this tool and Jan's ideas for the future.A little about Jan in his own words: "Jan is the Founder & CEO of World History Encyclopedia. After having studied Journalism and War Studies in London, he became a Game Designer working on historical strategy games. During his research, he found that the internet was missing a history website that was free to use, reliable and reviewed, and suitable for the general public. Ancient History Encyclopedia was born from this idea in 2009, which later becameWorld History Encyclopedia, the world’s most-read history publication.Ways to connect with Jan: worldhistory.org@whencyclopedia

I've come across Rae's ideas and work primarily through Instagram. She offers teachers great ideas to improve their teaching, .learning and mindset. A little about Rae in her own words: Rae Hughart is an educator, author, TEDx speaker, and the founder of Teachers Deserve It (TDI), a platform dedicated to empowering teachers with efficient, effective, and sustainable teaching practices. With a background in education and leadership, Rae is passionate about supporting educators in reclaiming their time, fostering creativity, and stepping into leadership roles. She is also a speaker, podcast host, and advocate for teacher wellness and retention, working to create a future where educators thrive personally and professionally.How to connect with Rae:https://www.linkedin.com/in/rae-hughart/Social Media:  @RaeHughart How to follow Rae's Work:https://teachersdeserveit.com/

I recently had a wonderful conversation with musician and innovator Patrick Boylan.  Patrick is developing a new music learning app called, MuseFlow.  Our conversation steered into a variety of themes from the importance of music education and learning engagement. A little about Patrick in his own words:  Patrick Boylan is a skilled multi-instrumentalist with a deep passion for self-education. Despite eight years of traditional piano lessons, Patrick found the repetitive nature of practicing the same pieces uninspiring. Like many music students, he struggled with the conventional approach. However, when his teacher retired, Patrick began exploring his parents' sheet music on his own, selecting phrases he enjoyed and improvising around them. This self-directed experimentation not only reignited his interest in music but also led him to uncover the foundational elements of musical theater.Today, Patrick can sight-read virtually any musical theater composition. His experience with traditional music education, combined with his innovative spirit, inspired him to co-found MuseFlow, a cutting-edge music edtech startup often referred to as "The Duolingo of Music Education." MuseFlow revolutionizes music learning by emphasizing the development of bite-sized skills through sight-reading—enabling students to read and play music at first sight—rather than relying on repetitive practice. This approach makes learning more engaging, effective, and rewarding compared to traditional methods. The platform adapts to each student's progress by adjusting the tempo and complexity of the music, ensuring that they remain challenged but not overwhelmed. MuseFlow’s unique method involves students playing levels designed to teach specific skills, such as new notes, rhythms, or time signatures. The system generates novel music pieces tailored to the student's ability, focusing initially on the new concept in isolation, and gradually integrating it with their existing knowledge. Students continue practicing until they achieve a 95% accuracy rate over four consecutive phrases, at which point they have mastered the new skill. Patrick has been featured on podcasts such as Mystery Team Inc.'s "The Biggest Thing In The Universe," where he shares his insights on the future of learning, edtech, and underappreciated Sondheim musicals. He is passionate about educating audiences on self-teaching sight-reading and guiding parents and teachers on how to leverage MuseFlow to help students achieve a flow state, enabling them to master a new instrument with greater accuracy and enjoyment."

Great edtech interviews and commentary over a good cup of coffee... Coffee optional.For the first interview of 2025 I invited Mary Beth Hertz to discuss her teaching, her book, and her latest projects.A little about Mary Beth in her own words: Mary Beth Hertz has taught young people in Philadelphia since 2003 and has been at the forefront of educational technology. She is the author of Digital and Media Literacy in the Classroom: Practical Classroom Applications, and the Executive Director of Walkabout Education, an organization dedicated to building experiential learning schools.To connect with Mary Beth:http://marybethhertz.meBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mbteach.bsky.social LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marybethhertz/

In this important interview I wanted to touch base with Dr. Weiner to get his research based observations regarding Marijuana in specifically when it comes to teenagers. A little bit about Aaron in his own words. "Dr. Aaron Weiner is a board-certified Psychologist and addiction specialist, and speaks nationally on the topics of addiction, behavioral health, and the impact of drug policy on public health. His perspective is informed by his years of experience growing and directing addiction service lines for hospitals and healthcare systems, the current state of medical and psychological research, and his own observations in private practice. Dr. Weiner is a past president of the Society of Addiction Psychology, and his opinions have been featured in numerous outlets including Newsweek, USA Today, The Chicago Tribune, The Guardian, Psychology Today, and The New York Times. He is currently on the Public Policy Committee for the American Society of Addiction Medicine and a member of the Science Advisory Board for the Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions." To Connect with Dr. Weiner go to: LinkedIn:   / aaronweinerphd   Psychology Today Blog: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/a-change-in-mentality

I had a great opportunity to interview the dynamic Priten Shah.  Priten's new book, AI and the Future of Education is timely and fascinating.  I really enjoyed learning about Priten's background, insights, and thoughts on education.  A little about Priten in his own words:  "Priten Shah is an education entrepreneur and the author of *AI & The Future of Education: Teaching in the Age of Artificial Intelligence* (Jossey-Bass, 2023). He is the founder of Pedagogy.Cloud, an educational consulting firm that supports educators in K-12 schools, higher education, and the nonprofit sector adapt to the increasing capabilities of AI. Priten is also the founder of the civic-focused nonprofit United 4 Social Change. He has a B.A. in philosophy and an M.Ed. in education policy from Harvard University.

Wakelet is my favorite curating site for education links and materials. It's easy to use and dynamic. Also it allows for connecting with educators from across the world to share resources and ideas. Anna Dyagpleva has been a great teacher to follow on Wakelet because she is well organized and provides up to date and relevant resources. I've also started following her on X. She is always providing great ideas and posts.About Anna in her own words:  "Anna Dyagileva-Tkachuk is a Language Teacher in Kirov (Russia) and has been teaching for over 13 years. She's been teaching students online for over 12 years and also provides online PD courses for schools. She's a founder of #teachersloveEDU and a YouTuber.Anna is a Microsoft Expert in Education (MIE), an MIE Master Trainer, and an MIE Fellow, and Certified Trainer on Flipgrid and Wakelet.Anna loves integrating new educational technologies in her virtual classroom. Her main goal in teaching is to create a safe space where every learner is included and empowered. She is super passionate about inclusivity and accessibility in the classroom.In 2021 she was a presenter at Microsoft CEE Accessibility Workshop: Engaging with Content Using Microsoft Tools.On 15th Feb. 2022 - she was a host of Microsoft TweetMeet on Hybrid Learning.On 15th March 2022 - she was a presenter on “Creating an equitable and accessible learning environment with help from Windows, Microsoft Teams, and Office 365.” for Microsoft Education Exchange global annual event #E2.Anna loves Project-Based Learning (PBL) and Global collaborations.Her favorite quote is: "Every child has the right to quality education and learning.".

After some time to focus on a new job, the Coffee with a Geek show makes a comeback with special guest Alana Winnick. I've gotten to know Alana over the years through NYSCATE. Alana has a wide breadth of experience and knowledge that make her an ideal candidate to talk Edtech in 2024. Alana's new book explores Generative A.I. which is a fabulous guide to learn about A.I. specially for educators. A little about Alana in her own words: Alana lives in New York City and currently holds key leadership positions as the Educational Technology Director and Data Protection Officer for Pocantico Hills Central School District and the Hudson Valley Director for NYSCATE"Alana is the author of The Generative Age: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Education and host of The Generative Age Podcast, powered by NYSCATE, which explores the rapidly evolving world of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on education. She has been at the forefront of innovation in the industry and has supported both her region and NYS during several disruptive transformations, including the migration to cloud computing, navigating the challenges brought on by the pandemic, and the emergence of generative AI.  Recognized for her contributions, Alana has received the Innovative Tech Director award from both Tech & Learning and LHRIC, as well as being named (a finalist for) Magic School AI Educator of the Year and EDSAFE Women in AI Fellow." Follow Alana: @AlanaWinnick

Episode Website: HERE My first interview with an Educator from the great state of Wisconsin. Tony has had a variety to roles in education and discusses his ideas for Edtech from a variety of perspectives. A little about Tony in his own words: Tony Spence joined the Waterford Graded School District as the Superintendent in July 2022. Waterford Graded is a K-8 district in Wisconsin with more than 1,500 students, the 3rd largest K-8 in the state. He was previously the Chief Information Officer at the Muskego-Norway School District in Muskego, Wisconsin. In his role, he supervised and coordinated the district's technology operations and staff, as well as oversaw library media, instructional technology, personalized learning, information technology, data analytics and development, and marketing and communications. How to connect with Tony Twitter @twspence [email protected]

I had a really great conversation with Texas powerhouse educator and administrator Sylvia Escobar.  A little about Sylvia in her own words. Sylvia Escobar was born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas. She has a BS in Biology, MS in Computer Science, MEd in Educational Leadership, and is currently working on a Doctorate in Educational Leadership with a focus on STEM. Serving twenty-three years in education, Sylvia has taught math, technology and engineering and been a campus Director and Assistant Principal focusing on STEM and early college initiatives. She is currently a STEM Specialist at the Region One ESC. Sylvia is a champion for equity in STEM education and Computer Science. Outside of the workplace, she is an animal lover and animal rights advocate, a gamer, and an avid movie and music buff. You can find her on X (Twitter) at @hngrstrike

Mary is an innovative and creative teacher. She will share her teaching insights as well as discuss her new book. Artificial Intelligence to Streamline Your Teacher Life HERE https://www.coffeewithageek.org