Why Puerto Rico’s Schools Shocked This EdTech Expert

What happens when an international educator moves to Puerto Rico for a quiet sabbatical and finds a school system in crisis? Robbie Cobbs joins Jae to discuss how he turned his passion for EdTech into a mission to save the golden rope of education for American kids on the island. This conversation dives deep into the reality of teaching, technology, and the unique challenges facing one of America’s most overlooked territories.In this episode, Robbie shares his incredible journey from teaching in the inner cities of Honolulu and San Diego to working at diplomat schools in Kazakhstan, Qatar, and Nigeria. He reveals the shocking truth about the state of public schools in Puerto Rico, where students are often years behind their mainland peers and teachers earn a fraction of what they do in the states. You will learn about:🚀 The founding of Tech My School and its mission to bridge the digital divide.💻 How a Pimp My Ride approach is being used to upgrade school infrastructure.📚 The unique challenges homeschool families face on an island without public libraries.📈 The intersection of Puerto Rico’s tax haven status and local philanthropy.🌴 Details on the largest EdTech conference in the Caribbean.Robbie’s story is a powerful reminder that one person can make a massive difference by simply showing up and identifying a problem. Whether you are an educator, a homeschool parent, or someone interested in social impact, this episode offers a fascinating look at the power of educational technology.https://techmyschool.org/🕒 Chapters0:00 Intro and Guest Introduction2:45 Robbie’s Global Education Journey5:30 Experience with Remote Learning in Nigeria9:15 Choosing Puerto Rico for Sabbatical12:30 The Shocking State of Puerto Rican Schools16:00 Comparing Global Education Systems19:30 Why Puerto Rico Lags Behind in Metrics22:45 The Reality of Teacher Salaries in PR26:00 Starting the Tech My School Nonprofit29:15 The Pimp My Ride Concept for Schools32:30 Navigating the Tax Haven Landscape36:00 Impact and the Annual EdTech Conference39:45 Supporting Homeschool Families in Puerto Rico43:15 Mobile STEAM Labs and Community Support47:00 Real Estate Laws and Cultural History50:30 Building a Legacy and Advice for Educators53:45 How to Support Tech My School54:53 Video EndIf you are inspired by Robbie’s work, please visit TechMySchool.org to learn more or follow them on Instagram at TechMySchool. Be sure to like this video, leave a comment with your thoughts, and subscribe to the Homeschool Your Kids podcast for more inspiring stories!#homeschooling #edtech #puertorico #educationreform #techmyschool