Chalk and Code

In this episode of Chalk and Code, host Jennilee Bertrand talks with Nolan Frausto, CTO of AdaptedMind, about what it takes to scale a learning platform for millions of young children. Nolan shares why the team rebuilt their entire engineering system, how the “boring stack” philosophy drives reliability, and why early learning requires a careful balance between fun, pedagogy, and healthy screen time. From adaptive learning and subscription infrastructure to AI-assisted content creation and leadership lessons, this conversation offers a grounded, practical look at building edtech that truly supports young learners.

AdaptedMind’s approach stands out in a crow...

In this episode of Chalk and Code, host Theron Davis sits down with Raj Valli, Founder and CEO of Thinkster Math, an AI-driven tutoring company that blends patented AI with human coaches to deliver measurable outcomes in math learning.
Drawing on experience across 12 industries and decades of nonprofit work in education, Raj unpacks why so many students still struggle with foundational math and what it really takes to design systems that reliably close learning gaps instead of just delivering content.

From AI-powered diagnostics that probe “wells of knowledge” to deep analytics that surface patterns like “this studen...

In this episode of Chalk and Code, Jennifer Huang, Founder and CEO at hihilulu, joins us to explore why so many young learners struggle with Mandarin — and what changes when instruction is redesigned around the true structure of the language.

From character-first literacy to dualism pedagogy, Jennifer shares how hihilulu builds learning experiences that respect how children develop reading, writing, and pronunciation skills. She also reflects on her journey operating an international edtech company across France, China, the U.S., and emerging markets, and what it takes to align pedagogy with technology at scale.

If yo...

In this episode of Chalk and Code, Steve Stookey, Vice President and CCO at CypherWorx, joins us to explore how purpose-driven professional development can transform the way organizations learn and lead.

From training design to technology integration, Steve shares how CypherWorx builds learning experiences that adapt to each organization’s unique culture — whether it’s a school district, YMCA, fire department, or cultural institution. He also reflects on his own journey from corporate leadership to social entrepreneurship and what it means to design learning that’s simple, human, and scalable.

If you care about creating meaningf...

In this episode of Chalk and Code, Dr. Gregory Gage, Neuroscientist, Inventor, TED Fellow, Keynote Speaker and Co-Founder and CEO at Backyard Brains, joins us to explore how neuroscience can move beyond the lab and into classrooms around the world.

From recording real neural activity to building brain-machine interfaces, Dr. Gage shares how Backyard Brains is making complex science accessible, affordable, and exciting for students and educators alike. He also opens up about the company’s unconventional journey — from a $100 spike challenge to global STEM impact — and what it takes to sustain a mission-driven edtech company in tod...

In this episode of Chalk and Code, host Jill Foley speaks with Scott Buell, Founder of Drone Legends, about bringing real-world drone applications into K-12 learning. From Mars exploration and medical delivery to precision agriculture and infrastructure inspection, Scott maps how drones are reshaping work and why early exposure matters.

Scott shares the Drone Legends K-12 aviation pathway—from story-driven experiences in early grades to autonomous flight, coding, drone racing, and FAA Part 107 prep in high school. He also unpacks teacher-first onboarding, unlimited PD and tech support, and practical advice for edtech founders navigating funding cycles and co...

In this episode of Chalk and Code, host Theron Davis speaks with Matthew Baker, CEO of Tovuti LMS, about the past, present, and future of learning management systems. With over two decades in edtech, including leadership roles at Blackboard, Instructure, and CLASS Technologies. Matthew brings a rare perspective on how LMS platforms have evolved from CD-ROM installs to SaaS solutions that now serve learners worldwide.

Matthew shares why he joined Tovuti LMS, how the company’s people-first culture sets it apart, and why LMS vendors must rethink their approach to AI if they want to stay re...

In this episode of Chalk and Code, host Theron Davis sits down with Dr. Victor Winter, professor of computer science at the University of Nebraska Omaha and founder of BrickLayer. Bricklayer is a nonprofit educational platform that teaches coding, math, and computational thinking through art—using virtual bricks inspired by LEGO and Minecraft.

From his early work at Sandia National Laboratories to building an education platform that blends creativity with computational rigor, Victor shares how his journey has been driven by a single question: How can we make programming more human, engaging, and fun? He unpacks ho...

In this episode of Chalk and Code, host Theron Davis is joined by Benjamin Welbourn, CEO of Schola, a Phoenix-based edtech platform helping families find the schools that fit them best. What began as a startup helping parents navigate school options has evolved into a full ecosystem, streamlining enrollment, managing community programs, and even using AI to help schools build stronger relationships with families.

Ben shares his own experience as a learner who didn’t feel at home in traditional classrooms, and how that journey shaped his commitment to personalized, student-centered education. From hiking the Ap...

In this episode of Chalk and Code, host Theron Davis sits down with Dr. Joseph Guastalli-Atman, the philosopher-turned-founder behind Middle Tree, a nonprofit education center that’s redefining what supplemental learning can be.

Dr. Atman shares his journey from academia into mission-driven entrepreneurship, reflecting on how his studies in consciousness and sacred theology led him to launch an organization that prioritizes access, equity, and human-centered learning. Middle Tree’s approach flips the traditional model on its head: no appointment-based sessions, no rigid timelines, no financial barriers.

Instead, learners are invi...

In this episode of Chalk and Code, host Jill chats with Mariam Nusrat, the visionary founder of Breshna.io, a no-code platform revolutionizing how video games are built, shared, and used. Think Canva meets Candy Crush, but with a mission.

Before founding Breshna, Mariam spent 15 years at the World Bank as an education economist, advising countries on how to use tech for impact. Now, she's combining her global development background with game design to empower teachers, students, marketers, even dads in Senegal to build meaningful games in minutes.

From fundraising with grit to flipping classrooms...

In this episode of Chalk and Code, host Jill Foley dives into the world of immersive education with Cheryl Bayer, CEO of Living Popups, a cutting-edge company blending storytelling, augmented reality, and curriculum to engage students like never before.

From her background in Hollywood to co-founding an XR startup focused on K–12 education, Cheryl shares the fascinating journey of how entertainment, empathy, and emerging tech intersect in the classroom. She unpacks what it means to build "sticky" learning experiences, how AI can enhance not replace human interaction, and why giving students agency over their learning is th...

In this episode of Chalk and Code, host Theron Davis welcomes Dr. Tim Wiens, a seasoned educator and President of the Academic Advisory Board at Classic Learning Test (CLT). With decades of experience in innovation in K–12 and higher education, Dr. Wiens shares how CLT is challenging the dominance of the SAT and ACT, not just with a different exam, but with an entirely different philosophy.

At the heart of CLT is a return to classical education: reading great texts, developing analytical thinking, and connecting knowledge with virtue. Tim discusses how this mission-driven assessment model is cr...

In the premiere episode of Chalk and Code, host Theron Davis sits down with Doug Roberts, a former classroom teacher turned edtech entrepreneur, to explore the evolving relationship between public education and technology. As founder of the Institute for Education Innovation (IEI), Doug shares a candid look at what it takes to connect the dots between superintendents and tech innovators and why the current model of edtech sales is due for a radical rethink.

From his early career as a high school social studies teacher to pioneering one of the few platforms that brings district leaders...