Engagement isn’t a Chromebook problem. It isn’t an app problem. And AI isn’t a magic wand.

In this episode, Jeremy and David sit down with Carl Hooker to talk about what actually moves the needle right now: designing learning experiences students want to be part of, making creativity + risk-taking normal again, and using AI in ways that strengthen thinking instead of replacing it. Carl also shares practical ways leaders can set direction (without over-controlling), and what kind of professional learning actually changes practice.

In this conversation, we dig into:

• Why engagement isn’t about the device—and what it is
• Creativity vs. compliance (and how school systems accidentally train it out of kids)
• “Ready, Set, FAIL!”: risk-taking as a classroom and leadership skill
• AI beyond efficiency: creative use-cases that don’t reduce teaching to shortcuts
• Differentiation + accessibility wins (including language supports)
• Leadership moves for the AI era: modeling, guardrails, and staying nimble
• PD that sticks: what changes practice and what doesn’t

Resources & links

Carl Hooker (Website): https://carlhooker.com/

Carl Hooker (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlhooker/

Learning Evolution: The New Era of AI in the Classroom: https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Evolution-New-Era-Classroom/dp/B0CS482H2B

Ready, Set, Fail!: Using Failure & Risk-Taking to Unlock Creativity: https://www.amazon.com/Ready-Set-Fail-Risk-Taking-Creativity/dp/B0CS46GGX1/ref=sr_1_1?crid=31GL44GW0F710&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.dyPeOd58pYfwqZNCs8NuLoFZrGW6MkiZQzpr9r5htEJWclatQr3y7ct1pIjTn-gREpFtY11CAdPZNOz3sHrG5g.jcvUnHQtDJj6M4-F0MPgaGigDR0G6Wj3UhPofQ3WBpQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=Ready%2C+Set%2C+FAIL%21&qid=1770049981&s=books&sprefix=ready%2C+set%2C+fail+%2Cstripbooks%2C107&sr=1-1