Chalk and Code

Connecting Classroom and Workforce: Allie Fuchs’ Journey in Edtech and Career Development

In this episode of Chalk and Code, host Jill Foley speaks with Allie Fuchs, Vice President of Product at Pathful, about how technology can bridge the gap between classroom learning and the real world of work. Drawing on her experience as a former physics and algebra teacher and special education administrator in New Orleans, and later as a product leader at companies like Nearpod and Clever. Allie shares how Pathful is building tools that help students explore careers, develop relevant skills, and prepare for life after graduation. Together, they discuss the growing urgency around career readiness, why exposure to real professionals is critical for students, and how Pathful’s platform connects career exploration, work-based learning, and workforce preparation into a single ecosystem for districts. If you’re interested in how schools can help students make more informed career decisions and how edtech can support authentic learning experiences, this episode offers valuable insights into what it takes to prepare students for the future of work. Key Moments 3:25 "Comprehensive Career Readiness Plan" 07:44 "Pathful: Bridging Industry and Education" 10:26 Realistic Career Insights and Tools 14:34 Thriving Wage Research for Students 16:45 "Career Skills Through Real Experience" 21:56 "Pathful Reporting and Insights" 26:08 AI Enhancing Career Readiness 31:00 Career Readiness Product Strategy 32:22 Early Career Readiness Matters 36:36 AI Career Platform for Houston Why You’ll Love This Episode This episode explores how career readiness technology can help students move beyond abstract career ideas toward practical, informed decision-making. You’ll hear how Pathful is combining career exploration, financial literacy, work-based learning, and real industry connections to give students a clearer view of their future. Allie also shares: * Why students need exposure to careers long before graduation * How the Lifestyle Calculator helps students understand real financial outcomes * The importance of authentic career simulations before internships * How schools can use career data to better plan programs and pathways * Why equity in career readiness starts with access to real experiences Connect with Allie Fuchs * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-fuchs-5a773b65 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-fuchs-5a773b65]  * Pathful: https://www.pathful.com/ [https://www.pathful.com/]  Connect with Us * Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flexion-inc [https://www.linkedin.com/company/flexion-inc] * Company Website: https://flexion.us/ [https://flexion.us/] If this conversation sparked a new idea or challenged your assumptions, share this episode with a colleague and subscribe for more thoughtful discussions at the intersection of learning, leadership, and educational technology. Join us next time on Chalk and Code, where the science of learning meets modern technology.

Meaningful life, balance, and wisdom: Gilberto Pinzon on building “thinking schools” with Edu1st

In this episode of Chalk and Code, host Theron Davis sits down with Gilberto Pinzon, CEO and co-founder of Edu1st, to explore what it really means to transform a classroom into a thinking culture. A former surgeon turned education leader, Gilberto shares the story behind the VESS model (Vida, Equilibrio, Sentido, y Sabiduria) and why he and his co-founder, Ana Maria Fernandez, set out to redesign schooling around curiosity, metacognition, character, and purposeful learning. Together, they unpack the shift from memorizing content to building understanding, how teachers evolve from lecturers to learning facilitators, and why cultural transformation in schools requires a multi-year commitment, not a one-time workshop. From the promise and risks of AI in education to the real-world challenges schools face today (teacher shortages, shifting demographics, and rising competition), this conversation offers a grounded look at where learning is headed, and what we must protect as technology accelerates. Key Moments 03:30 Rethinking Education for Balance 08:44 "Curiosity: The Essence of Learning" 10:08 "Fostering Curiosity for Lifelong Learning" 14:11 "Fostering Curiosity-Driven Learning" 18:05 "Understanding Success as a Process" 21:08 "Assessing Progress Through Cultural Forces" 24:23 "Personalized Learning Through Technology" 28:55 "Human Development vs. Technology" 31:34 "Concerns About Rapid Technology Impact" 34:48 Cognitive Decline and Technology Concerns 40:31 Preschool Industry Challenges in Florida 43:39 "AI's Impact and Challenges" 44:57 "Proactive Tech for Civilization's Future" Why You’ll Love This Episode This episode challenges a familiar assumption: that education improves simply by adding more content, more testing, or more tools. You will hear how Edu1st is helping schools build cultures of thinking where students ask better questions, learn how they learn, and develop the character needed to navigate real-life complexity. Gilberto also shares: * How VESS reframes education around purpose and balance * Why curiosity is the engine of lifelong learning * What “documentation” reveals about student thinking and growth * How AI can support learning and what risks we cannot ignore * Why the future demands we become “more human,” not less Connect with Gilberto Pinzon * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gilbertopinzonedu1st/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gilbertopinzonedu1st/]  * Edu1st: https://edu1stvess.com/ [https://edu1stvess.com/]  Connect with Us * Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flexion-inc [https://www.linkedin.com/company/flexion-inc] * Company Website: https://flexion.us/ [https://flexion.us/] If this conversation sparked a new idea or challenged your assumptions, share this episode with a colleague and subscribe for more thoughtful discussions at the intersection of learning, leadership, and educational technology. Join us next time on Chalk and Code, where the science of learning meets modern technology.

Human-Centered AI in Education: How Coursemojo Empowers Teachers and Students

In this episode of Chalk and Code, host Jennilee Bertrand sits down with Jamie Forrest, Co-Founder and CTO of CourseMojo, to explore what it takes to build responsible AI for real classrooms. Jamie shares how his background in AI engineering at Apple (Siri), his early experience teaching in Harlem, and the realities of COVID learning for his own kids shaped a clear philosophy: technology should support people, not the other way around. Together, they unpack CourseMojo’s decision to keep AI mostly “behind the scenes,” how the platform helps students who are afraid to raise their hands get the support they need, and the systems CourseMojo uses to protect student privacy at scale — including never sending personally identifiable information to third-party AI models. Key Moments 04:39 "Discovering Vellum in 2025" 09:27 "Technology Serving People, Not Vice Versa" 11:19 "AI Enhances, Not Replaces Teaching" 16:47 "LLMs in Education: Challenges Persist" 19:36 Interactive Teaching Worksheets Software 22:51 "Empowering 'I Don't Know'" 26:04 Enhancing Real-Time Teacher Insights 30:11 Student Data Privacy Commitment 32:39 "Ensuring AI Compliance with Laws" 36:14 LLMs Enhancing Education Analysis 38:13 "Using AI Intentionally for Good" Why You’ll Love This Episode This episode gets specific about what “responsible AI” looks like in practice — not as a slogan, but as product choices teachers can feel. You’ll hear how CourseMojo: * Keeps teachers at the center by designing AI to support real classroom routines * Helps students build confidence without public embarrassment * Uses AI to surface actionable insights (grouping, discussion prompts, struggle spots) * Treats privacy as a core engineering principle, not an afterthought * Stays realistic about hallucinations, misuse, and the need for AI literacy Connect with Jamie Forrest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamieforrest/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamieforrest/] Website: https://www.coursemojo.com/ [https://www.coursemojo.com/]  Connect with Us Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flexion-inc [https://www.linkedin.com/company/flexion-inc] Company Website: https://flexion.us/ [https://flexion.us/]  If this conversation sparked a new idea or challenged your assumptions, share this episode with a colleague and subscribe for more thoughtful discussions at the intersection of learning, leadership, and educational technology. Join us next time on Chalk & Code, where the science of learning meets modern technology.

Supporting teachers first: Joe Cotter to build Teaching Channel & rethinking professional learning

In this episode of Chalk and Code, host Theron Davis, sits down with Joe Cotter, Founder in Residence at Teaching Channel, to explore what it really takes to support teachers in a changing education landscape. A former middle school social studies teacher, Joe shares how his frustration with traditional continuing education led to the creation of Learners Edge, which grew into the largest direct-to-teacher continuing education company in the United States. Joe unpacks the early days of building teacher-centered learning experiences before online learning became mainstream, and why practical application, energy, and relevance matter more than tests and papers. He also shares how the organization evolved through acquisitions into a broader ecosystem now known as K12 Coalition, with the Teaching Channel at the center of teacher development, coaching, and video-based learning. If you're curious about what teachers actually need from professional learning, how education companies can build strong culture while scaling, and how AI will shape teaching without replacing the human connection at its core, this conversation is a must-listen. Key Moments 03:09 Building an Education Powerhouse 09:28 "Understanding Teachers and Their Needs" 13:57 "Meeting Teachers' Evolving Needs" 18:33 Hiring Challenges and Leadership Lessons 20:28 "Building Trust and Leadership" 24:46 "Pivoting and Supporting Transition" 28:14 "Staffing, Vision, and Responsibility" 29:37 Empathy in Leadership Decisions 35:57 Igniting Passion for Teaching 38:34 Alternative Certification for Teachers 41:48 "AI Instructors: Passion vs. Human Touch" 45:06 "Teaching: From Expert to Facilitator" Why You’ll Love This Episode This episode is a grounded, founder-level look at what teacher support should actually mean—especially in a time when teacher retention is one of the biggest challenges in education. You’ll hear how Joe Cotter built professional learning around classroom realities, and why the future of edtech depends on strengthening the human systems that keep great teachers in the profession. Joe also shares: * Why professional learning works best when it’s practical, applied, and classroom-ready * How mission and culture shape hiring, growth, and long-term impact * Why teachers are facilitators and coaches now, not just “information deliverers” * How AI can support learning without replacing the human heart of teaching Connect with Joe Cotter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-cotter-5b309714/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-cotter-5b309714/]Website: https://www.teachingchannel.com/ [https://www.teachingchannel.com/]  Connect with Us Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flexion-inc [https://www.linkedin.com/company/flexion-inc]Company Website: https://flexion.us/ [https://flexion.us/] If this conversation sparked a new idea or challenged your assumptions, share this episode with a colleague and subscribe for more thoughtful discussions at the intersection of learning, leadership, and educational technology. Join us next time on Chalk and Code, where the science of learning meets modern technology.

How Hands-On Learning at NCLab Achieves Nearly 100 Percent Program Completion

In this episode of Chalk and Code, host Jennilee Bertrand sits down with Leonard Lafrance, President and CEO of NCLab, a Nevada-based company rethinking online vocational education for data analysts, Python programmers, and automation technicians. At a time when most online courses struggle with single-digit completion rates, NCLab stands out with nearly 100% learner completion and graduates who are genuinely job-ready. Leonard shares how his background in software and entrepreneurship revealed a critical gap between credentials and real skills, and why traditional lecture-based learning often fails learners. At NCLab, he champions a radically different approach grounded in learning by doing real-time feedback, and gamified progression that builds confidence one skill at a time. If you’re curious about why most online learning doesn’t stick, how vocational education can close the workforce readiness gap, and what it truly means to prepare people for work in a rapidly changing economy, this conversation is a must-listen. Key Moments 02:51 Principles behind long-term learner motivation 05:33 "Active Learning Over Passive Consumption" 07:36 "Challenges of Online Learning" 12:52 "AI-Assisted Problem-Solving Approach" 14:19 "Scalable Online Training Empowering Women" 19:59 "Gamified Learning and Engagement" 21:10 "Transformative Learning System Petitioned" 24:04 "Employment Readiness Assessment Tool" Why You’ll Love This Episode This episode challenges long-held assumptions about online learning and workforce preparation. You’ll hear how Leonard Lafrance has built a model that prioritizes skill mastery over seat time, and why confidence, feedback, and perseverance matter more than lectures or credentials alone. Leonard also shares: * Why completion rates skyrocket when learning feels like problem-solving, not studying * How gamification and real-time feedback change learner mindset * What employers actually look for beyond resumes and degrees * Why vocational education is becoming central to the future of work Connect with Leonard Lafrance LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonard-lafrance-710349b5 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonard-lafrance-710349b5] Website: https://nclab.com [https://nclab.com] Connect with Us Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flexion-inc [https://www.linkedin.com/company/flexion-inc] Company Website: https://flexion.us/ [https://flexion.us/]  If this conversation sparked a new idea or challenged your assumptions, share this episode with a colleague and subscribe for more thoughtful discussions at the intersection of learning, leadership, and educational technology. Join us next time on Chalk and Code, where the science of learning meets modern technology.