Agency, Hope, and AI: Keeping Human Connection at the Center with AI4MN

Agency, Hope, and AI: Keeping Human Connection at the Center with AI4MN

In this episode of Integrate This!, Jeremy and David welcome Donna Roper and Jen Hegna from AI4MN for a thoughtful conversation about artificial intelligence, education, and what it means to keep human connection at the center of rapid change. Donna and Jen share the story behind the Minnesota Generative AI Alliance, now known as AI4MN, and how the group’s work has evolved from early conversations about generative AI into a broader statewide effort focused on responsible AI leadership, professional empowerment, human-centered design, and statewide coherence. The conversation explores how Minnesota educators and leaders can prepare learners for a world shaped by AI while still prioritizing relationships, judgment, empathy, collaboration, and human agency. Donna and Jen also discuss why rural and under-resourced districts need to be part of the design process, why professional learning should empower educators rather than simply train them on tools, and why some things — especially relationships and human judgment — should never be outsourced to AI. The episode also previews the upcoming AI Thought Leaders Summit in St. Cloud, an event designed to bring together K–12, higher education, workforce, and policy leaders to build shared language, strengthen collaboration, and help participants leave with agency, hope, and practical next steps. Learn more at AI4MN.org [http://AI4MN.org].

A Lifelong Love of Learning | Dr. Nneka McGee on AI, Ethics & Teaching with Heart

In this episode of the Integrate This EdTech Podcast sits down with Dr. Nneka McGee -- math teacher turned chief academic officer, doctoral researcher, and one of the few educators who was building AI initiatives in schools before ChatGPT ever arrived on the scene. Nneka shares her journey from lugging around a 27-pound IBM computer as a kid to becoming one of the most thoughtful voices in the AI education space. The conversation covers why AI in education is decades older than most people realize, the ethics and terms of service concerns that slowed her down when others were rushing in, her AI Creative Framework, what schools are missing when it comes to young learners and AI, and why quantum computing might be the next big thing nobody in education is talking about yet. A rich, grounded, and genuinely fun conversation. Learn more from Dr. Nneka McGee Muon Global: https://muonglobal.com/founders-space [https://muonglobal.com/founders-space] The Detour Degree: https://muonglobal.com/the-detour-degree [https://muonglobal.com/the-detour-degree] Resources at Muon Global: https://muonglobal.com/resources [https://muonglobal.com/resources]

Approaching Life and Education with Purpose | Dr. Jorge Valenzuela

In this episode of the Integrate This EdTech Podcast, hosts David Berner and Jeremy Mikla sit down with Dr. Jorge Valenzuela -- educator, author, PBL Works national faculty member, and founder of his own instructional coaching practice. Jorge shares his journey from the foster care system to computer science, into the classroom, through district leadership, and eventually onto national stages as a keynote speaker and consultant. The conversation covers his "PBL Plus" framework for project-based learning, how AI integration fits into -- not on top of -- strong teaching practice, what authentic professional development actually looks like, and why relationships are the foundation of everything he does. A rich, honest conversation about purpose, alignment, and what it means to keep teaching at the center of educational innovation. Follow Jorge: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jorgedoespbl/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jorgedoespbl/] Check out Jorge's Website: https://www.lifelonglearningdefined.com/ [https://www.lifelonglearningdefined.com/]

The Force of Storytelling: How Indiana Jones & Star Wars Shaped Thomas Riddle's Mission

In this episode of the Integrate This EdTech Podcast, hosts David Berner and Jeremy Mikla sit down with Thomas Riddle — award-winning educator, author of Imagineering Education, assistant director at Roper Mountain Science Center, and a man who once got a letter read by George Lucas. Thomas shares his 35-year journey through classroom teaching, school leadership, district curriculum coordination, and college instruction, and makes a compelling case that the principles Disney Imagineers use to design theme parks can — and should — be applied to schools. The conversation covers the power of storytelling in the classroom, designing learning spaces around curriculum (not the other way around), immersive student experiences, and what it looks like to run what some call "the educational Disneyland." Plus, the Indiana Jones connection you didn't see coming. Watch the YouTube Interview Here: https://youtu.be/2VH5jJcc2vk [https://youtu.be/2VH5jJcc2vk] Check out the Timeless Heroes Documentary featuring Thomas on Disney+ Follow Thomas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasriddle21/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasriddle21/] Check out the Website: https://www.imagineeringedu.com/ [https://www.imagineeringedu.com/] Order the book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FP43S9WZ?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_YBY07DSYF8KZAMHDFRT9&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_YBY07DSYF8KZAMHDFRT9&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_YBY07DSYF8KZAMHDFRT9&bestFormat=true [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FP43S9WZ?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_YBY07DSYF8KZAMHDFRT9&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_YBY07DSYF8KZAMHDFRT9&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_YBY07DSYF8KZAMHDFRT9&bestFormat=true]

Any Class, Any Teacher: Matt Miller on AI Literacy

In this episode of Integrate This, Jeremy and David welcome back Matt Miller, creator of Ditch That Textbook and author of the new book AI Literacy in Any Class. Matt shares what he’s seeing from inside the classroom as he teaches high school Spanish while continuing his work as an author, speaker, blogger, and edtech leader. The conversation explores how teachers can build AI literacy without adding “one more thing” to an already full plate. Matt discusses the value of “by-the-way” AI literacy moments, why students need to practice critiquing AI outputs, and how teacher-led AI activities can help students understand AI’s role, usefulness, and limits. The group also digs into responsible use, the tension between preparing students for an AI-shaped future and maintaining academic integrity, and why human thinking should come before AI assistance. They also discuss practical classroom ideas from Matt’s book, including the “Be the Bot” activity, the “Always Be Critiquing” mindset, and the Prompt & Ponder sections that help teachers personalize AI literacy for their own classrooms. Resources mentioned in this episode: Matt’s book, AI Literacy in Any Class: https://ditchthattextbook.com/alac/ [https://ditchthattextbook.com/alac/] Ditch That Textbook newsletter: https://ditchthattextbook.com/join/ [https://ditchthattextbook.com/join/] Ditch That Textbook: https://ditchthattextbook.com/ [https://ditchthattextbook.com/] Matt Miller on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ditchthattextbook/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ditchthattextbook/]