Approaching Life and Education with Purpose | Dr. Jorge Valenzuela

Controlling the AI Chaos: Executive Function, Coaching, & Classroom Support | with Stephanie Howell

In this episode of Integrate This!, Jeremy and David are joined by Stephanie Howell for a conversation about AI, instructional coaching, executive functioning, UDL, and classroom support. Stephanie shares her path from struggling student to educator, instructional coach, technology leader, author, and AI advocate. She reflects on how her own school experiences shaped the way she supports teachers and students today, especially when it comes to designing more active, accessible, and engaging learning experiences. The conversation explores how coaches can build trust with teachers who may be hesitant to try new tools, why relationships matter before innovation can take hold, and how AI can support—not replace—the human work of teaching and coaching. Stephanie also discusses her book Controlling the Chaos and explains how executive functioning connects to classroom design, student behavior, UDL, and AI-supported learning. From reframing student needs to helping teachers personalize strategies, this episode offers practical ideas for educators looking to navigate the changing world of AI with purpose. A great listen for teachers, instructional coaches, technology integrationists, and school leaders who want to support students and teachers without getting lost in the AI chaos. Links & Resources: Control the Chaos: https://www.amazon.com/Control-Chaos-classroom-executive-functioning/dp/B0B92V9L2Y [https://www.amazon.com/Control-Chaos-classroom-executive-functioning/dp/B0B92V9L2Y] SchoolAI Spaces by Stephanie Howell: https://app.schoolai.com/profile/TYYVZtPo13VtRZ8LKJdN44eNsew1 [https://app.schoolai.com/profile/TYYVZtPo13VtRZ8LKJdN44eNsew1] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrshowell24/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrshowell24/]

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]