EdTech Bites Podcast
EdTech Bites is a Podcast about all things EdTech and Food hosted by Gabriel Carrillo. He interviews teachers, leaders, and innovators to discuss the latest trends in educational technology. Many times, while sharing a meal together. So subscribe, tell a friend or colleague, and remember that great conversations happen when we break bread with great people. Buen Provecho!
Ep. 308 | When EdTech Goes Wrong Witth Betzabé Orenos
This episode is sponsored by TWT Audio, creators of durable classroom headsets designed by educators to survive real student use. Stop wasting your school budget replacing cheap headphones every year and head to TWTAudio.com to hear the difference.
Ever watched a video link break right as you hit play during a presentation? Join me for a lighthearted episode with Betzabé Orenos, a 25-year classroom veteran as we break down real-world classroom bloopers, live presentation disasters, and how to stay adaptable when technology collapses. We cover practical recovery tips, student-led learning, a...
Ep. 307 | How To Podcast Without The Burnout w/ Steve Martinez and Sophie Youngs
Today’s episode is sponsored by WeVideo, the interactive video platform for educators. With WeVideo, you can easily assign projects, collaborate in real-time, and embed interactive questions into your videos to boost classroom engagement. Meet students where they are and develop crucial 21st-century skills. Try WeVideo today at wevideo.com/education.
Running a podcast while working full-time in a school sounds like an incredible project until the reality of a weekly grind kicks in and leaves you exhausted. In this episode, I chat with Steve Martinez and Sophie Youngs from Under Th...
Ep. 306 | How One Microphone Can Improve Student Public Speaking w/ Tambra Clark
Today’s episode is sponsored by WeVideo, the interactive video platform for educators. With WeVideo, you can easily assign projects, collaborate in real-time, and embed interactive questions into your videos to boost classroom engagement. Meet students where they are and develop crucial 21st-century skills. Try WeVideo today at wevideo.com/education.
Why do traditional speech assignments make middle schoolers freeze up and read off slides like robots? In this episode I’m joined by Tambra Clark, District Technology Innovation Facilitator. She reveals how swapping oral presentations for student-led podcasting fixes public spea...
Ep. 305 | How To Fix Student Disengagement In One Day w/ Jon Arguello
This episode is sponsored by TWT Audio, creators of durable classroom headsets designed by educators to survive real student use. Stop wasting your school budget replacing cheap headphones every year and head to TWTAudio.com to hear the difference.
In this episode, I’m joined by former school board member Jon Arguello to break down how sensory disconnects impact student engagement and academic outcomes. We dive into the reality of competing with smartphones, navigating district-level policies, and using TWT’s dynamic audio gear to create focus in noisy learning envi...
Ep. 304 | Why Your Strict Reading Rules Are Backfiring With Dr. Sawsan Jaber
Today’s episode is sponsored by WeVideo, the interactive video platform for educators. With WeVideo, you can easily assign projects, collaborate in real-time, and embed interactive questions into your videos to boost classroom engagement. Meet students where they are and develop crucial 21st-century skills. Try WeVideo today at wevideo.com/education.
Remember being told comic books did not count as real reading? That same rigid mindset is still shutting down student engagement in classrooms today. In this episode, Dr. Sawsan Jaber walks us through her revolutionary human centered framework de...
Ep. 303 | Stop Dictating Answers and Start Building AI Agents w/ Sharo Dickerson
This episode is sponsored by TWT Audio, creators of durable classroom headsets designed by educators to survive real student use. Stop wasting your school budget replacing cheap headphones every year and head to TWTAudio.com to hear the difference.
In this episode recorded at ISTE 2026, Sharo Dickerson breaks down how district leaders can use custom AI agents to automate support, save time, and coach teachers effectively.
Learn how to go beyond basic chatbots and use tools to build targeted, pedagogically grounded AI agents. Sharo shares her exact framework for...
Ep. 302 | Beginning Of The Year Keynote: Stop October Burnout With This 3-Step Check
Are you setting yourself up for October burnout before the school year even begins? In this annual Beginning of the Year Keynote, I’m breaking down the three massive traps holding educators back and how to fix them with a practical reality check.
In this episode, you will learn:
Why chasing a perfectionist classroom layout leads straight to early burnout (and what to focus on instead)How to manage an endless teacher to-do list without sacrificing your homelife and personal boundariesSimple strategies to select 2 to 3 educational technology tools with true instructional intentionalityKey takeaways from my 20-plus ye...Ep. 301 | 3 Steps to Hook Distracted Students w/ Tara Martin
Engagement isn't about flashy tools, it is about the hook. When students feel connected to a topic, they retain more and take ownership of their learning. In this episode, I sit down with Tara Martin to explore how commercial modeling agency secrets can revolutionize literacy and content delivery across any grade level. And you thought Derek Zoolander was the only one who was able to teach you anything about modeling agencies…
What you will learn in this episode:
The 3-step "Feel It, See It, Want It" engagement frameworkHow short-form video trailers drive library checkouts an...Ep. 300 | The 3 Big Mistakes I Made Over 300 Episodes And The Future
This is it! Episode 300!
Hitting episode 300 meant looking in the mirror, literally and figuratively. After nine years, 100 pounds down, and hundreds of conversations, I am opening up about the biggest mistakes I made along the way. From fighting imposter syndrome to dumping the illusion of perfectionism, this episode breaks down three hard truths every content creator and educator needs to hear. Plus, I am sharing why I am cutting the fluff, ditching the endless AI hype, and pivoting back to raw, human centered connection and in person conversations. Grab a smoothie and let us celebrate this major...
Ep. 299 | Why This Ex-Rockstar Audio Engineer Built Student-Proof Headsets w/ Mark Howlett
This episode is sponsored by TWT Audio, creators of durable classroom headsets designed by educators to survive real student use. Stop wasting your school budget replacing cheap headphones every year and head to TWTAudio.com to hear the difference.
Tired of watching your school tech budget get chewed to pieces? We all know the heartbreak of “that bin” filled with broken classroom headphones. In this episode, I chat with Mark Howlett, Chief Operating Officer at TWT Audio to learn his thought process while designing student-proof tech. He went from bein...
Ep. 298 | 3 Big Lies High School Seniors Believe
High school graduation brings intense pressure to have the next decade completely mapped out by the time graduates walk the stage. In this episode, I tear down the three biggest myths the Class of 2026 is believing right now regarding career paths, college majors, and life after high school. If you are a stressed-out senior trying to navigate the unknown, or a parent attempting to support them through the anxiety, this raw and personal discussion delivers crucial perspective. Discover why lacking a ten-year plan is actually an advantage, how to handle the fear of making the wrong choice, and a...
Ep. 297 | Most Assignments Were Broken Even Before AI w/ Annie Kim Sytsma
This episode is sponsored by TWT Audio. Are your students dealing with broken headsets, poor audio quality, or unreliable microphones at moments that matter most? TWT Audio was built for educators, by educators, designing headsets specifically for real classroom environments, durable enough to last, and comfortable for all-day use. With over 5 million headsets and headphones sold, schools trust TWT because they just work, delivering consistent performance while simplifying technology.
Instead of replacing cheap headsets year after year, invest in a solution that schools nationwide trust every day.
TWT Audio — hear the d...
Ep. 296 | The Hidden Problem With AI In Education W/ Ken Shelton
This episode is sponsored by TWT Audio. Are your students dealing with broken headsets, poor audio quality, or unreliable microphones at moments that matter most? TWT Audio was built for educators, by educators, designing headsets specifically for real classroom environments, durable enough to last, and comfortable for all-day use. With over 5 million headsets and headphones sold, schools trust TWT because they just work, delivering consistent performance while simplifying technology.
Instead of replacing cheap headsets year after year, invest in a solution that schools nationwide trust every day.
T...
Ep. 295 | 115 AI Tools Later w/ Eric Curts
This episode is sponsored by TWT Audio. Are your students dealing with broken headsets, poor audio quality, or unreliable microphones at moments that matter most? TWT Audio was built for educators, by educators, designing headsets specifically for real classroom environments, durable enough to last, and comfortable for all-day use. With over 5 million headsets and headphones sold, schools trust TWT because they just work, delivering consistent performance while simplifying technology.
Instead of replacing cheap headsets year after year, invest in a solution that schools nationwide trust every day.
TWT Audio — hear the d...
Ep. 294 | Why Embarrassing Moments Make Better Teachers w/ Jen Casa-Todd
This episode is sponsored by Teq. One of the biggest challenges in schools right now is capacity. Educators are asked to do more, often with new tools, and very little support. Teq helps by combining classroom technology like SMART Boards and STEM resources with professional learning that respects educators’ time and reality. It’s support that makes technology usable, not overwhelming.
Learn more at Teq.com.
In this episode, Jen Casa-Todd and I dive into a topic every educator experiences—but rarely talks about openly: embarr...
Ep. 293 | Why Cheap Headsets Are Actually Costing You More w/ Alan Sherbourne
This episode is sponsored by TWT Audio. TWT Audio was built for educators, by educators, designing headsets specifically for real classroom environments, durable enough to last, and comfortable for all-day use. With over 5 million headsets and headphones sold, schools trust TWT because they just work, delivering consistent performance while simplifying technology.
Instead of replacing cheap headsets year after year, invest in a solution that schools nationwide trust every day.
TWT Audio — hear the difference.
If you’ve ever dealt with broken headphones during testi...
Ep. 292 | From Classroom To EdTech And Back Again w/ Amy Storer
This episode is sponsored by Teq. One of the biggest challenges in schools right now is capacity. Educators are asked to do more, often with new tools, and very little support. Teq helps by combining classroom technology like SMART Boards and STEM resources with professional learning that respects educators’ time and reality. It’s support that makes technology usable, not overwhelming.
Learn more at Teq.com.
What happens when an educator leaves the classroom for EdTech… and then decides to come back?
In this e...
Ep. 291 | Why AI Checkers Keep Failing Teachers w/ Brittanie Payne
In this episode, Instructional Technology Coach Brittanie Payne joins the conversation to unpack AI detection, academic honesty, and classroom assessment in the age of generative AI. From unreliable AI checkers to redesigning assignments and prioritizing process over product, this discussion gives teachers and instructional leaders a practical framework for navigating one of education’s biggest current challenges.
Connect With Gabriel Carrillo
EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.comEdTech Bites On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/edtechbites.bsky.socialEdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbitesEdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbitesEdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.co...Ep. 290 | The 3 Ingredients of Authentic Assessment w/ Rachel Lemansky
This episode is sponsored by Teq. One of the biggest challenges in schools right now is capacity. Educators are asked to do more, often with new tools, and very little support. Teq helps by combining classroom technology like SMART Boards and STEM resources with professional learning that respects educators’ time and reality. It’s support that makes technology usable, not overwhelming.
Learn more at Teq.com.
In this episode, I’m joined by Rachel Lemansky to unpack the 3 biggest misconceptions about authentic assessment and what it act...
Ep. 289 | Will AI Kill Critical Thinking? Carl Hooker’s 6 Predictions For 2026
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.
In this episode, Carl Hooker and I unpack six of his bold 2026 edtech predictions, including students becoming the product in the AI econ...
Ep. 288| How To Go From Stuck to Unstoppable With Barbara Bray
This episode is sponsored by Teq. One of the biggest challenges in schools right now is capacity. Educators are asked to do more, often with new tools, and very little support. Teq helps by combining classroom technology like SMART Boards and STEM resources with professional learning that respects educators’ time and reality. It’s support that makes technology usable, not overwhelming.
Learn more at Teq.com.
Do you ever feel like you’ve lost your “why” as an educator? In this episode, I have a heartfelt conversation with Barba...
Ep. 287 | Why AI Fails The Sniff Test With Scott Nunes
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.
In this episode, I sit down with a longtime educator, former tech coach, district advisor, and good friend Scott Nunes to unpack the...
Ep. 286 | The Fix Your School Culture Needs With Mandy Froehlich
This episode is sponsored by Teq. One of the biggest challenges in schools right now is capacity. Educators are asked to do more, often with new tools, and very little support. Teq helps by combining classroom technology like SMART Boards and STEM resources with professional learning that respects educators’ time and reality. It’s support that makes technology usable, not overwhelming.
Learn more at Teq.com.
In this powerful episode, I welcome back Mandy Froehlich—longtime friend of the podcast and a leading voice in educator mental health. Mandy introduces us to the concep...
Ep. 285 | 3 Simple Changes to Avoid Teaching on Autopilot in 2026
Happy New Year! We’re officially in 2026. Teaching on autopilot feels efficient until it drains energy from the classroom. This episode breaks down three simple changes to reset instruction, set healthy AI boundaries, and bring intention back to the second semester. And if you’re looking to start the year off with a great sourdough recipe, here it is. Buen provecho!
Sourdough Bread Recipe
100g active sourdough starter (the star of the show)325g water500g bread flour10g salt20g honey (adds sweetness and helps the dough chill a bit)For the full instructions, chec...
Ep. 284 | What Frankenstein Gets Right About AI in Schools w/ Brett Salakas
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.
AI is everywhere in education but what if our fear of it isn't new at all?
In this episode, I'm joined by Brett Salakas from down under. He delivers on...
Ep. 283 | Revolutionizing Education: South Africa's Bold Move with AI and Robotics
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.
In this episode, I chat with Steve Sherman to discuss the evolution of STEAM education in South Africa, particularly the integration of coding and robotics into the national curriculum for K-7 st...
Ep. 282 | Why Male Teachers Second-Guess Every Move
This episode explores the quiet, constant tension male teachers experience when trying to build authentic relationships with students. From hugs to high-fives, what feels natural for many female educators often feels risky or off-limits for their male colleagues. We also dive into Texas Senate Bill 12 (SB12), a new law that requires parental consent for schools to provide basic health or emotional support—yes, even for a band-aid or a conversation with a counselor.
In This Episode:
The double standard male educators face in classrooms Real-life examples of how the same gesture can be interpreted differently The in...Ep. 281 | Why Most Teachers Get Student Voice Totally Wrong
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.
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What if your students had the power to shape your lessons—and it actually worked? In this insightful conversation, educator and author Jennifer Casa-Todd joins us to break down the re...
Ep. 280 | Don't Start a Drone Club Until You Hear This w/ Frankie Baker
Hear that? That's the sound of STEM careers taking off. Meet CoDrone EDU from Robolink — the drone made for classrooms and competitions and the sponsor for this episode. It's safe, durable, and fixable — with no FAA license or assembly required to fly and help every student feel more confident in a tech-driven world. Students fly CoDrone EDU three ways: manually, coded with Blockly, or coded with Python. See how over 7 thousand schools have proven you CAN have drones in classrooms, buzz and all, at www.robolink.com
Ever wondered how to get a drone club off the grou...
Ep. 279 | ClassDojo Deep Dive: From Dojo Points to Dojo Power Moves w/ Miranda Ketcham
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 started as a simple point system is now a full-blown ecosystem! In this episode, I sit down with Miranda Ketcham — veteran educator and ClassDojo superuser — to explore how this classroom manage...
Ep. 278 | UDL, Bagels, And Barbecue: Designing Lessons That Fit All Learners w/ Kyle Niemis
What do gluten-free chips, high-protein bagels, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) have in common? They're all about meeting everyone's needs, and that's exactly what former middle school teacher turned tech coach Kyle Niemis is passionate about. In this episode, we break down the real classroom implementation of UDL, point out the differences between UDL and differentiation, and talk practical grading strategies that won't break your brain. Plus, we take a tasty detour into food metaphors, BBQ negotiations, and the ultimate tortilla debate. (Team corn, for the win!) This episode will leave you full of fresh ideas and hungry...
Ep. 277 | Human First: Teaching Smarter Using AI Optimism w/ Becky Keene
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.
In this episode, Becky Keene and I explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping education. We unpack the role of AI in lesson planning, student engagement, and teacher productivity—while keeping the huma...
Ep. 276 | Smarter Schools With AI Data: Doowii's Big Idea w/ Ben Dodson
This episode is sponsored by Doowii. Doowii brings all of your district's data together. When data is scattered across systems and buried in outdated reports, it's hard to turn that data into action. Doowii connects your SIS, LMS, assessments, staffing, financial data, and more into one secure, conversational intelligence platform designed for all educators. No extra strain on your district's resources, just faster, smarter decisions. Hungry for better insights? Visit doowii.io to learn more and see it in action.
If your school's data could talk, would it ask for help? Or maybe just a better dashboard...
Ep. 275 | If Not You, Then Who? Creating AI Moments That Stick with Kristen Brooks
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 happens when a recently retired edtech queen trades early morning alarms for AI-powered student engagement? You get a mic-drop convo with Kristen Brooks! In this fun and feel-good episode, we ta...
Ep. 274 | 2025-2026 Beginning Of The Year Keynote
What do your classroom and sourdough bread have in common? In this inspiring keynote episode, we explore how patience, preparation, and purposeful pedagogy are the secret ingredients to a thriving school year. From pro tips on using ChatGPT and Google Gemini in the classroom to mindset shifts that set the tone for student success, this episode is packed with real talk and relatable strategies for teachers, instructional coaches, and administrators. Learn how to harness AI as your teaching assistant—not your replacement—and discover why carbs (yes, really) might be the secret to your classroom culture. Let's make this scho...
Ep. 273 | Free99 For Districts: Scaling ClassDojo Beyond Elementary w/ Chad Stevens
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...
Ep. 272 | Stations: The Secret Ingredient To Differentiation w/ Melanie Rhode and Bernadette Zamora
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...
Ep. 271 | How To Run A School Makerspace With Cari Orts
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 a 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...
Ep. 270 | Debunking The Myths of STEM, Coding, and Gaming w/ Kathryn Hofman
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.
Think coding is just for techies and gaming is a waste of time? Think again. In this episode, I sit down with STEM extraordinare, Kathryn Hofman to debunk the myths that are associated with coding, gaming, and STEM in the classroom. Kathryn discusses how these tools fuel communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving and how play can be...
Ep. 269 | Using MagicSchool AI For Planning and AI Literacy with Jeni Long
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.
In this special episode recorded live at the TCEA Elementary Technology Conference in Galveston, Texas, I sit down with Jeni Long from MagicSchool to explore how this all-in-one platform is revolutionizing classrooms around the globe.
In this episode, you'll learn:
How MagicSchool evolved into a trusted tool for educators and students What makes its AI...