They’re Only 19… And Already Rethinking Education

What happens when two 19-year-olds look at education and say… this isn’t working?

In this episode, I sit down with Almar Tishenko and Max Litvinenka, two young founders building Reading Rooms, a platform designed to rethink how students read, write, and receive feedback in the age of AI.

This isn’t about replacing teachers.
This is about giving them time back, strengthening critical thinking, and using AI the right way.

🚀 What You’ll Learn
•Why delayed feedback is hurting student learning
•How Reading Rooms is changing reading & writing workflows
•Why banning AI isn’t the answer
•How to use AI without killing critical thinking
•What teachers actually want from EdTech
•The future skills students NEED right now

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background of Guests
02:07 Celebrating 6 Years of My EdTech Life
04:56 Meet Almar and Max: Young EdTech Innovators
08:51 Problems in Education: Grading and Critical Thinking
11:46 Impact of AI on Education and Teachers' Concerns
16:49 Connecting with Educators and Understanding Needs
32:29 Introducing Reading Rooms Platform
36:27 Features of Reading Rooms: Homework Builder and Tools
48:07 Skills for the AI-Driven Future
01:01:57 Advice for Educators and District Leaders
01:04:33 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Connect with Dr. Fonz:
🎙️ Website: https://www.myedtech.life/
📲 Follow on LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook & YouTube

Thank you to our sponsors:
📚 Book Creator Use Code MYEDTECHLIFE for Premium Access!
🤖Eduaide
🎓 Peel Back Education
☕Comeback Coffee

Peel Back Education exists to uncover, share, and amplify powerful, authentic stories from inside classrooms and beyond, helping educators, learners, and the wider community connect meaningfully with the people and ideas shaping education today.

Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator.

Support the show

Student voice is one of the most powerful forces in education — but only when it has a real stage. In this episode, Dr. Fonz welcomes back returning guest Tim Belmont, Language Arts teacher and Technology Coordinator at Lyndhurst High School in New Jersey, for a rich conversation on what it actually means to give students an authentic voice — and the innovative project he built to make that a reality.

Tim breaks down how he integrates podcasting into his Public Speaking and Advanced Public Speaking classes, why choice and personal connection are the secret ingredients to genuine student expression, and how the NPR Student Podcast Challenge transforms reluctant students into passionate communicators. He also shares the story behind the Bell Tower — a privacy-conscious podcast platform he built from the ground up to give student voices a stage that goes beyond the classroom walls, while staying FERPA and COPPA compliant.

Whether you are a classroom teacher, a tech coordinator, or a district leader, this episode will challenge you to rethink how you define assessment, student engagement, and what authentic learning looks like in the age of AI.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
02:43 Tim Belmont's Background in Education
05:51 Integrating Podcasting in the Classroom
10:26 Authentic Student Voice vs. Performative Voice
15:15 The Impact of Authentic Audiences
20:24 The Importance of Scripted Communication
22:32 The Bell Tower Project Overview
23:40 The Bell Tower Project: Vision and Goals
29:57 Authentic Audience Engagement in Education
34:45 Transformative Student Experiences through Podcasting
39:34 Getting Started with Podcasting in the Classroom
44:25 The Future of Student-Created Media and Assessment

Connect with Tim Belmont:
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timbelmont/

Tools & Resources Mentioned:
NPR Student Podcast Challenge & Curriculum — npr.org
Adobe Podcast https://podcast.adobe.com/
Screencastify https://www.screencastify.com/
The Bell Tower https://www.linkedin.com/company/belltower-edu/

Connect with Dr. Fonz:
🎙️ Website: https://www.myedtech.life/
📲 Follow on LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook & YouTube

Thank you to our sponsors:
📚 Book Creator Edu: Use Code MYEDTECHLIFE for Premium Access!
🎓 Peel Back Education

Peel Back Education exists to uncover, share, and amplify powerful, authentic stories from inside classrooms and beyond, helping educators, learners, and the wider community connect meaningfully with the people and ideas shaping education today.

Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator.

Support the show

In this episode, Dr. Alfonso sits down with Caleb Hurd, founder of Chatperone, an AI chat platform built specifically to keep kids safe online. As a father of two and a 20-year tech industry veteran, Caleb built Chatperone not for investors or school district contracts, but for his own children first. What started as a personal solution has become a mission to give parents and educators peace of mind in a world where AI chatbots are already in the hands of our kids.

From the Character AI controversy to COPPA compliance gaps, Caleb and Dr. Fonz unpack the real dangers lurking in unguarded AI platforms and why Big Tech is getting it wrong. They also explore what it truly means to put the child at the center of EdTech design, how parents and teachers can work together to guide healthy AI interactions, and why data ownership matters more than ever in 2026.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Context Setting
06:04 The Birth of Chatperone
12:01 Navigating Parental Concerns
17:48 Building Trust with Parents
23:52 Challenges with Big Tech
29:52 The Future of Child Safety in EdTech
30:47 Understanding AI in Education
35:46 Building Solutions with Children in Mind
40:39 The Philosophy Behind Chatperone
42:44 Navigating the Current Educational Landscape
47:46 Reflections on Parenting and Technology

Sponsor Shoutout
Thank you to our sponsors: Book Creator, Eduaide.AI, and Peel Back Education for supporting My EdTech Life.

Get 3 Months of Book Creator Premium Access Free!
Use Code: MyEdTechLife

Stay Techie ✌️

Peel Back Education exists to uncover, share, and amplify powerful, authentic stories from inside classrooms and beyond, helping educators, learners, and the wider community connect meaningfully with the people and ideas shaping education today.

Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator.

Support the show

Dr. Alfonso sits down with Aaron Makelky of Descript to unpack the real future of podcasting beyond vanity metrics, beyond over-polished edits, and beyond the AI hype.

This conversation is a masterclass for creators, educators, and entrepreneurs who want to amplify their voice without burning out.

From workflow wisdom to sponsorship strategy to the rise of hyper-niche podcasts, Aaron delivers practical insight with zero fluff. If you’ve ever wondered whether your downloads are “enough,” whether video matters, or how AI fits into authentic storytelling, you won't want to miss this one.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Podcasting and Descript
02:50 The Evolution of Podcasting and Its Accessibility
06:04 Changing Perspectives on Sponsorships
08:53 Building Relationships and Trust in Podcasting
11:58 The Surge in Podcasting and Content Formats
15:00 The Role of Video in Podcasting
18:02 Enhancing Audio and Video Quality with Descript
20:54 Leveraging AI Tools for Podcasting Efficiency
29:02 Enhancing Video Interaction with AI Tools
32:00 Streamlining Podcast Editing with AI
33:37 Balancing Polish and Authenticity in Content
41:30 The Importance of Learning and Repetition in Podcasting
44:51 Future Trends in Podcasting and Content Creation

Try Descript: https://descript.cello.so/hVfs5yHcBjx

Sponsor Shoutout
Thank you to our sponsors: Book Creator, Eduaide.AI, and Peel Back Education for supporting My EdTech Life.

Get 3 Months of Book Creator Premium Access Free!
Use Code: MyEdTechLife

Stay Techie ✌️

Peel Back Education exists to uncover, share, and amplify powerful, authentic stories from inside classrooms and beyond, helping educators, learners, and the wider community connect meaningfully with the people and ideas shaping education today.

Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator.

Support the show

Four years after ChatGPT changed everything, schools are still treading water.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Kip Glazer, principal of Mountain View High School, home of Google, and author of Ready to Lead With AI: A Practical Guide for School Leaders. Dr. Kip has been in this conversation since 2015 and she is bringing ALL of that experience to the table.

We talk about why the AI cheating conversation is failing our students, what questions every school leader should be asking vendors before letting ANY tool into their school, and why the real work has always been about human connection, not detection.

If you are a school leader, educator, or aspiring administrator trying to navigate AI without losing sight of what matters most, this one is for you.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Context Setting
02:55 The Impact of AI on Education
05:48 Navigating AI as a School Leader
08:49 Practical Applications of AI in Schools
11:37 Mindset and Attitude in Leadership
14:48 Actionable Tips for School Leaders
17:43 The Role of Pedagogy in Technology Integration
20:36 Community and Collaboration in Learning
26:31 AI and Equity in Education
30:06 Innovative Pedagogy and Student Engagement
34:41 Empowering Student Voices in Decision-Making
39:09 Navigating Tech Chauvinism in Education
43:51 Enhancing Human Connection through AI

Sponsor Shoutout
Thank you to our sponsors: Book Creator, Eduaide.AI, and Peel Back Education for supporting My EdTech Life.

Get 3 Months of Book Creator Premium Access Free!
Use Code: MyEdTechLife

Stay Techie ✌️

Peel Back Education exists to uncover, share, and amplify powerful, authentic stories from inside classrooms and beyond, helping educators, learners, and the wider community connect meaningfully with the people and ideas shaping education today.

Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator.

Support the show

Neuroscience expert Dr. Mark Hobson reveals why educators MUST understand how AI works—and why your brain learns exactly like AI does.
What You'll Learn:

• The shocking AI gap between business and education
• How your brain processes information (90% through emotions—AI can't)
• Why banning AI fails students
• Practical ChatGPT strategies for classrooms
• The 4 Rs: Read, Recite, Repeat, Remember
• How AI mimics your neural networks
• Why "intentional screen time" beats screen time limits

Key Quote: "Our learners need to know more about AI and how it works—and so do our faculty." - Dr. Mark Hobson

Dr. Hobson studied at Johns Hopkins & Northeastern, specializing in mind, brain, and teaching. He breaks down neuroscience into actionable ed strategies.

Dr. Hobson's Notes

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Guest Background
04:59 The Impact of AI on Education
09:53 Neuroscience and AI: A Learning Link
14:55 The Role of Emotion in Learning
19:43 AI's Influence on Student Learning
24:44 Shared Learning Principles: AI and the Brain
29:41 The Future of AI in Education
34:19 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Sponsor Shoutout
Thank you to our sponsors: Book Creator, Eduaide.AI, and Peel Back Education for supporting My EdTech Life.

Get 3 Months of Book Creator Premium Access Free!
Use Code: MyEdTechLife

Stay Techie ✌️

Peel Back Education exists to uncover, share, and amplify powerful, authentic stories from inside classrooms and beyond, helping educators, learners, and the wider community connect meaningfully with the people and ideas shaping education today.

Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator.

Support the show

Simplifying EdTech for Teachers & Amplifying Learning for Students
Bonus episode recorded live at TCEA

Recorded live at TCEA, this bonus episode of My EdTech Life cuts through the EdTech noise to focus on what actually works in classrooms. Joined by Elaina Kloecker and Spencer Wright, Dr. Fonz unpacks why ease of use, strong pedagogy, and teacher agency matter more than shiny tools and usage minutes.

This conversation tackles real questions educators are asking right now: When does technology truly support learning? When does it get in the way? And how do we make sure teachers stay at the center of instruction while students stay engaged, thinking, and communicating?

No hype. No buzzwords. Just honest insights from educators in the trenches.

🎧 Listen in and rethink how EdTech should really show up in classrooms.

Episode Chapters
00:00 – Welcome & Live from TCEA
Setting the stage for a real conversation on EdTech beyond the hype.
02:15 – What “Simple” EdTech Actually Means
Why ease of use and pedagogy matter more than flashy features.
07:10 – The Marketing vs Classroom Reality Gap
Where EdTech promises break down once teachers close their doors.
12:40 – When Tools Get Too Complex
Why more clicks usually means less learning.
18:05 – Teachers Are Still the Tier 1 Instruction
Technology as support, not replacement.
24:30 – Automation, Grades, and Losing Teacher Eyes
The hidden risks of fully automated workflows.
31:10 – Amplifying Learning Without Making Tech the Star
Collaboration, discourse, and productive struggle.
38:45 – Student Voice, Communication, and Confidence
Why loud classrooms often mean deeper learning.
46:20 – What Districts Get Wrong About Adoption
Usage doesn’t equal impact and why buy-in matters.
53:30 – Saying No to the Shiny Stuff
How teachers protect their time and sanity.
58:40 – The Mindset Shift Educators Need Now
Pedagogy first. Tools second. Always.
1:03:30 – Final Takeaways & Closing Thoughts
Simplify EdTech. Amplify learning. Stay human.

Big shoutout to Eduaide, Book Creator, and Peel Back Education for believing in the mission of My EdTech Life and for championing tools and practices that actually serve teachers and students.

Stay Techie ✌️

Peel Back Education exists to uncover, share, and amplify powerful, authentic stories from inside classrooms and beyond, helping educators, learners, and the wider community connect meaningfully with the people and ideas shaping education today.

Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator.

Support the show

Is critical thinking becoming a lost skill in the age of AI?

In Episode 352 of My EdTech Life, Dr. Alfonso Mendoza sits down with Melissa Morgan, Founder of Coraltalk , to explore why conversation, not content consumption, is the key to real learning.

This episode dives deep into why oral assessment, dialogue-based learning, and conversational AI may be the most effective way to combat AI-assisted cheating while actually improving student understanding. Melissa shares the origin story of Coraltalk , inspired by teaching Buddhist monks through dialogue, and explains how speaking out loud strengthens retention, metacognition, and critical thinking.

Chapters
0:00 Welcome And Guest Introduction
1:45 Melissa’s Path To Edtech
3:42 Dialogue Over Monologue Insight
6:51 Coraltalk Mission And Approach
10:25 Combating AI Cheating With Orals
13:22 Teacher Setup And Voice Options
15:45 Student Growth And Learning Artifacts
18:42 Assessment Modes And Adaptive Difficulty
22:37 Classroom Feedback Loops And Data
25:47 Practice, VR Potential, And Efficacy
28:47 Stats On Retention And Critical Thinking
31:02 Teacher Sentiment And Adoption
33:52 Privacy, Compliance, And Trust
36:37 Efficiency Gains And Small-Group Teaching
39:57 Misconceptions: AI Replacing Teachers
42:29 Human Connection And Lasting Impact
44:39 Lightning Round: Kryptonite, Billboard, Swap
47:44 Closing, Thanks And Resources

Sponsor Shoutout
Thank you to our sponsors: Book Creator, Eduaide.AI, and Peel Back Education for supporting My EdTech Life.

Get 3 Months of Book Creator Premium Access Free!
Use Code: MyEdTechLife

Stay Techie ✌️

Peel Back Education exists to uncover, share, and amplify powerful, authentic stories from inside classrooms and beyond, helping educators, learners, and the wider community connect meaningfully with the people and ideas shaping education today.

Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator.

Support the show