How can schools shift from drowning in data to making decisions that help students thrive? Otus founder and former educator Chris Hull joins Natalie to explain how technology in education isn't just about collecting more data, it's about making it usable. Chris shares how Otis empowers schools to act on assessment results, track student behavior, and support educators with AI-powered insights. He reflects on how the shift from fragmented tools to a centralized profile for every student can transform learning, drive earlier interventions, and tailor education to the individual, all while giving time back to teachers.

[00:01 - 04:29] From Classroom Frustration to Founding Otis

• How Chris’s early tech efforts as a 7th-grade teacher exposed gaps in education systems

• Why more technology led to more chaos, not clarity

• The significance of creating a “medical chart” model for students' educational journeys

[04:30 - 08:00] Why Schools Struggle with Innovation

• The importance of focusing on actual learning outcomes amid competing demands

• How outdated methods of measuring learning obscure student needs

• What resumes can teach us about improving student progress tracking

[08:01 - 13:46] Building a Full Picture of Each Student

• Why schools need data beyond grades: behavior, attendance, third-party scores

• How Otis simplifies tracking and reporting for overburdened educators

• The need for personalized plans that scale across the student body

[13:47 - 18:37] Real Insights and Impact from Otis Users

• How earlier identification helped one Florida district reduce absenteeism

• The importance of comparing teaching strategies and programs using real-time data

• What schools are discovering by layering AI into trend analysis

[18:38 - 23:54] Personalization and the Future of Education Tech

• Why AI acts as a bridge, not a replacement, for educator decision-making

• The role of Otis as a curriculum assistant in partnership with Discovery Education

• The importance of capturing and passing along learning insights between teachers and grades

Quotes:

“Our goal isn’t to be the innovation. It’s to enable the educator to be innovative.” - Chris Hull

“AI doesn’t replace teachers—it gives them time back to focus on what matters.” - Chris Hull

Connect with Chris:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chull9

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