This inspiring keynote blends AI tips, back-to-school strategies, and sourdough metaphors to help educators build culture, save time, and vibe high all year long.
Welcome to a brand-new school year—where carbs, culture, and classroom tech collide in the best way possible.
In this special keynote episode of The EdTech Bites Podcast, we explore what it really means to prepare for the year ahead. Spoiler alert: it starts with a good breakfast, a solid vibe, and an understanding that AI is your assistant, not your replacement.
From integrating tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Google Gemini into your teaching practice, to building classroom routines that rise like a well-fed sourdough starter, this episode blends humor, heart, and helpful tips you can use right away.
🎧 In This Episode:
💡 Pro strategies for using AI to draft emails, create rubrics, and brainstorm lessons (without losing your teacher voice)
📚 Updates on Google Classroom, Notebook LM, and Wayground (formerly Quizizz)
🧠 Mindset tips for creating calm, connected, and engaged learning environments
🍞 Why your classroom culture is a lot like making sourdough (and what to do when things flop)
This episode offers a fresh perspective on what’s possible when you bring intention, strategy, and maybe a little bread. Buen provecho!
Chad Stevens unveils how ClassDojo is scaling district-wide—bringing free tools, better communication, and continuity from elementary to middle school for teachers, leaders, and families.
Want to bring your whole district together with one simple tool? ClassDojo for Districts makes it easy to engage families and strengthen school communities—at every level. It’s the number one communication app trusted by millions of K-12 teachers, now with district-wide oversight and controls. From Pre-K to high school, ClassDojo connects your schools and families in one seamless place. Learn more at classdojo.com/districts.
What if your favorite classroom behavior tool scaled across an entire district—for free? In this episode, Chad Stevens, Head of Product at ClassDojo, reveals how the platform is evolving beyond K–5. Discover new features that boost district-wide communication, integrate seamlessly with student information systems, and help bridge the middle school gap. This conversation is packed with practical insights and future-ready strategies to engage students and families at scale.
Chad A. Stevens, Ph.D. has established a distinguished career in education technology, most recently serving as Head of K12 Engagement at ClassDojo. In 2024 he was inducted into the CoSN (the Consortium for School Networking) Volunteer Hall of Fame. In 2023 Dr. Stevens was recognized as EdTech Chronicle’s Best C-Level Officer in Education/EdTech, and he was named a Top 100 Influencer in EdTech by EdTech Digest. His strategies have left a significant mark on educational technology and students.
Struggling with differentiation? These two teachers share how station rotations transformed their classrooms—and their sanity. Real talk, tech tips, and spicy nuggets you won’t want to miss!
This episode is sponsored by MagicSchool AI. With over 6 million users worldwide, MagicSchool offers more than 80 educator-friendly tools that support everything from AI literacy instruction to smarter lesson planning. To learn more and get started, visit www.magicschool.ai.
Differentiation doesn’t have to feel like chaos! In this episode recorded live at the TCEA Elementary Technology Conference, I chat with Melanie Rhode and Bernadette Zamora, two incredible educators, who break down how they use station rotations to meet the needs of every learner. We unpack what differentiation really means, how they plan rotations, manage tech tools, and handle off-task behavior. You’ll also hear practical tips on grading, station setup, and how to kick off your school year with strong routines. If you’re looking to spice up your instruction and streamline your workflow, this one’s for you!
Melanie is a third grade teacher at an independent school in Houston. She’s taught for 28 years. She’s taught 1,2,3,4,and 5th grade and loves anything ELA.
About Bernadette Zamora
Bernadette has been in education for almost 16 years. She has taught 3rd grade, 4th grade and 5th grade and was an instructional specialist for two years. She is currently teaching 2nd grade and teaches all subject areas.
Running a makerspace? Learn what it takes, what to skip, and how to thrive in this hands-on educator role—straight from Cari Ots who manages two makerspaces.
This episode is sponsored by MagicSchool AI. With over 6 million users worldwide, MagicSchool offers more than 80 educator-friendly tools that support everything from AI literacy instruction to smarter lesson planning. To learn more and get started, visit www.magicschool.ai.
What does it really mean to run a makerspace? In this episode, recorded live at the TCEA Elementary Technology Conference, I chat with Cari Orts who runs two school makerspaces. She shares the must-haves (and nice-to-haves), what a makerspace is not, and how to thrive if you’re suddenly handed the makerspace keys. Whether you’re a tech coach, a teacher, or an administrator, this episode is packed with practical tips and inspiration to bring creativity, collaboration, and curiosity to life in your school.
Think gaming is a waste and coding’s just for tech geeks? Discover why these STEM tools actually boost real-world skills and why your classroom might be missing out!
This episode is sponsored by MagicSchool AI. With over 6 million users worldwide, MagicSchool offers more than 80 educator-friendly tools that support everything from AI literacy instruction to smarter lesson planning. To learn more and get started, visit www.magicschool.ai.
Are coding and gaming just educational fads—or powerful tools for learning? For many educators, these digital practices are still misunderstood, often dismissed as distractions or tech for “other” classrooms. In this episode, I sat down with a Kathryn Hofman, a dynamic STEM educator, who’s challenging that narrative. This conversation was recorded at the TCEA Elementary Technology Conference in Galveston, Texas.
Here’s what we uncovered—and why it matters for your students today.
🎮 Myth #1: Gaming Is Just Play
Spoiler alert: It’s not. Gaming, especially when designed with purpose (think Minecraft Education or Roblox Studio), offers students opportunities to collaborate, solve complex problems, and engage in creative thinking—all while having fun. It taps into intrinsic motivation and builds soft skills like perseverance and adaptability.
💻 Myth #2: Coding Is Only for Future Programmers
Coding isn’t about turning every student into a software engineer. It’s about teaching them how to think logically, analyze problems, and communicate ideas clearly. These are life skills—whether they pursue tech careers or not. Plus, platforms like Scratch, Tynker, and Code.org make it easier than ever to introduce coding in any subject area.
🧠 The 4 Cs: More Than Just Buzzwords
We all talk about the “4 Cs”—Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, and Creativity. What if coding and gaming are actually the best tools we have to develop them? Our guest breaks down real classroom examples where students lead, iterate, and problem-solve in ways that traditional lessons just can’t replicate.
🛠️ Practical Takeaways for Educators
Start small. You don’t need to be a tech guru. Try one game-based lesson or a basic coding platform.
Focus on process, not perfection. STEM encourages iteration and learning from failure—something students (and teachers) benefit from.
Integrate across subjects. STEM isn’t just for science or math. Storytelling, history, and even art can be enhanced with code and interactivity.
📌 Final Thoughts
STEM isn’t a trend—it’s a toolkit. And when we use coding and gaming thoughtfully, we equip students with the skills they’ll need no matter what future they choose.
Discover how MagicSchool’s 80+ AI tools are saving teachers time, boosting engagement, and making AI literacy safe and fun for classrooms across the globe.
This episode is sponsored by MagicSchool AI. With over 6 million users worldwide, MagicSchool offers more than 80 educator-friendly tools that support everything from AI literacy instruction to smarter lesson planning. To learn more and get started, visit www.magicschool.ai.
Are you an educator juggling lesson plans, grading, differentiation, and trying to keep up with the latest in AI? You’re not alone—and luckily, there’s a little magic available.
In this episode, I catch up with my good friend Jeni Long from MagicSchool at the Elementary Technology Conference in Galveston, Texas, to talk about how this powerful platform is helping over 6 million users worldwide teach smarter, not harder.
What Is MagicSchool?
MagicSchool is an AI-powered platform designed specifically for educators and students. With over 80 customizable tools, it supports tasks like lesson planning, feedback generation, differentiation, and AI literacy—all while maintaining student safety and data privacy.
Why Educators Love It
Here’s why MagicSchool is quickly becoming the go-to resource for teachers:
Time-saving automation: Instantly generate lesson plans, rubrics, parent emails, and more.
Student-friendly AI: Safe, structured AI literacy tools help students learn responsibly.
Customizable for every classroom: Whether you teach kindergarten or 8th grade, there’s a tool that fits.
Teacher-first design: Built by educators for educators—with real classroom needs in mind.
Safe and Smart AI Literacy
MagicSchool isn’t just about saving time—it’s also about preparing students for the future. The platform offers AI literacy tools that are age-appropriate, secure, and aligned with classroom standards, helping students understand how AI works and how to use it ethically.
Real Classroom Impact
Teachers are reporting saved hours each week, increased student engagement, and more time to focus on what really matters—teaching. From creating differentiated reading passages to organizing project rubrics, MagicSchool is making a real difference.
Final Thoughts
In a world where technology is moving fast, MagicSchool offers something rare: a simple, effective way to bring AI into the classroom without the overwhelm. Whether you’re AI-curious or already diving deep, this platform is worth exploring.
Check Out The Full Conversation From The TCEA Elementary Technology Conference
Recorded while sipping a chocolate, peanut butter, and banana smoothie, this episode gives you three teacher-tested actions to wrap up the school year with clarity. Reflect, brain-dump, and write a note to August you because your future self deserves less chaos and more calm.
I recorded this episode while sipping a chocolate, peanut butter, and banana protein smoothie — because let’s be real, it’s the end of the school year and we’re all just doing our best to stay vertical. So before you fully crash into summer mode, let me offer you three small but mighty things you can do right now that will seriously help you next school year.
I promise this won’t feel like work. In fact, it’s the opposite. It’s a moment to release the year, take stock, and set future-you up for a smoother start come August.
✅ 1. Reflect on One Memorable Lesson
Pick a lesson — not a unit, not a week, just one lesson — that stuck with you this year. It could’ve gone sideways, sparked magic, or just been oddly memorable.
Ask yourself:
What was the plan?
What actually happened?
What would you do differently or exactly the same next time?
Even jotting a few notes on a napkin or in your notes app is enough.
✅ 2. Brain-Dump Your Teacher Brain
Before you leave all your thoughts on a whiteboard or in a disappearing pile of sticky notes, do a quick brain-dump.
Ask yourself:
What worked this year?
What didn’t?
What ideas are bouncing around in your head for next time?
This isn’t planning. This is saving the good stuff while it’s still in your brain.
✅ 3. Write a Note to August You
Open your email and write a short message to your future teacher-self. Include:
One idea you loved this year
One routine or tool worth repeating
A kind, human reminder to breathe and take it one day at a time
Pro tip: use FutureMe.org to have it show up in your inbox later this summer.
That’s it. Three simple things. Done in less time than it takes to finish your favorite smoothie.
Discover why the Elementary Technology Conference in Galveston, Texas is the ultimate blend of PD and paradise as Jeannine Freeman from TCEA shares what makes this event a must-attend.
What do flip-flops, beachfront views, and cutting-edge edtech have in common? They’re all part of the Elementary Technology Conference in Galveston, Texas! In this episode, Jeannine Freeman from TCEA joins us to dish on why this event is a must for educators looking to blend sunshine with professional growth. In this special episode, you’ll find out what makes this conference unlike any other—and why it might just become your favorite PD getaway.
As TCEA’s partnerships and events manager, Jeannine Freeman plays a vital role in planning many of the events the organization’s 85,000 members know and love. Each year, Jeannine manages speakers and their content for the System and Network Administrators Conference, the TCEA Convention and Exposition, and the Elementary Technology Conference (ETC). As a previous elementary educator, her heart beats for this niche population, which makes ETC one of her favorite events to plan and attend.
Discover how ASL teacher Melanie Cockrell blends humor, heart, and edtech while teaching sign language — including the hilarious truth behind “I have the runs” in ASL!
This episode is sponsored by Knowt — the AI-powered classroom tool that goes way beyond plug-and-chug. From turning your lessons into notes and practice to creating a custom chatbot based on your lecture, Knowt helps you and your students work smarter and stay privacy-compliant. To get started, visit www.knowt.com
What happens when a sign language teacher drops deep wisdom, witty moments, and some poop jokes all in one conversation? You get this episode! Join us as we sit down with Melanie Cockrell — high school ASL and computer science teacher from New Haven, Michigan — to explore what it really means to teach American Sign Language in today’s tech-savvy classrooms. From the misconceptions of ASL to how tech tools like Flipgrid (RIP) and ASLdeafined help students express themselves without the stage fright, Melanie brings clarity and passion to a language often misunderstood. Bonus: you’ll find out how body language is basically punctuation in ASL and why Melanie signs at graduation… even when no one asks her to.
If you’ve ever wondered how educational technology meets a visual language — or just want to hear a teacher talk about “having the runs” with a straight face — this episode is for you. Buen Provecho!
About Melanie Cochrill
Melanie is finishing her 20th year of teaching. She has taught at every level from kindergarten through college, and charter, parochial, and public schools. She currently teaches ASL and Computer Science classes in person at New Haven High School, in New Haven, Michigan, and online for Michigan Virtual. Melanie and her husband of over 20 years have 4 children ranging from tenth grade down to second grade, and three little kittens they adopted.
First-time MACUL attendee, Courtney Deadman, shares her solo adventure, conference survival tips, and how even introverts can make meaningful connections. Bonus: she even tells us her favorite food from the food tour!
This episode is sponsored by Knowt — the AI-powered classroom tool that goes way beyond plug-and-chug. From turning your lessons into notes and practice to creating a custom chatbot based on your lecture, Knowt helps you and your students work smarter and stay privacy-compliant. To get started, visit www.knowt.com
What happens when an introverted educator steps out solo into her first massive edtech conference? Magic. In this episode, I chat with Courney Deadman, a special education teacher who took on MACUL for the very first time—and didn’t just survive, she thrived. From productivity tips for students with special needs to bold moves like joining The EdTech Bites Food Tour full of strangers, she shares strategies for note-taking, daily planning, and making meaningful connections (without burning out). If you’re nervous about navigating a big conference, this episode has your back.
About Courtney Deadman
Courtney is a Special Education Teacher currently teaching K-5 Resource room. She has been teaching for 20 years and has taught all grades K-12. Courtney currently teaches in Traverse City, Michigan at Cherry Knoll Elementary.
