What actually makes students lean in? In this episode of the Integrate This! EdTech Podcast, we sit down with Dave Burgess—New York Times bestselling author of Teach Like a Pirate—to unpack the mindset (and practical moves) behind outrageously engaging teaching.

Dave shares his origin story, why “questions are the key to creativity,” and how engagement isn’t about gimmicks—it’s about how we present learning in ways that feel relevant and irresistible to kids. You’ll also hear about the “false dichotomy” of fun vs. learning (and why they go better together), plus ways teachers can brainstorm stronger hooks—yes, including how AI can help generate ideas while the teacher leads the learning journey.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

• How Dave built his approach by collecting 170+ lesson-design questions
• Why many teachers don’t struggle with content… they struggle with presentation
• What “hooks” really are—and how to use them to pull students into rigorous learning
• How to build rapport that strengthens engagement over time
• Why “fun + learning” isn’t a tradeoff—it’s a multiplier

🎧 Perfect for teachers, instructional coaches, and school leaders who want students buzzing about learning—for the right reasons.

Step inside the world of Day of AI with co-founder and CEO Jeff Riley. In this episode, Jeff shares how Day of AI empowers students to think critically, understand emerging technologies, and build the skills they’ll need in an AI-driven future.

We dig into:

• Why AI literacy isn’t optional for today’s learners
• How Day of AI creates free, accessible curriculum for all schools
• The importance of equity in AI education
• What teachers need to feel confident using AI in the classroom
• How students can move from simply using AI to understanding and shaping it

Whether you’re a teacher, tech leader, or just curious about where education is headed, this conversation delivers practical insights and big-picture ideas you can bring back to your own school or district.

Listen in and get inspired to help your students thrive in the age of AI.

Links:

https://dayofai.org/

https://dayofai.org/contact-us

In this episode, we sit down with Amanda Otero, a trusted instructional leader who works at the intersection of AI in education, digital citizenship, and district-level policy. Amanda shares how she helps schools build practical, human-centered guidelines for AI, and why supporting students starts with meeting them along a spectrum of skills, needs, and confidence.

We dive into how thought partnership strengthens good teaching, the role of policy in shaping safe and ethical AI use, and the importance of grounding technology decisions in principles rather than fear. And yes… we even talk about the classic line, “I don’t talk to robots,” and how educators can move beyond that mindset.

Whether you're a classroom teacher, tech coach, or leader shaping school-wide AI practices, this conversation delivers clarity, encouragement, and plenty of real-world examples from Amanda’s work.

Links:

Amanda on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-otero-14768720b/

Amanda's Dueling AI's Presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1an0d4W8ouDrNTMwLxJPlSofOXWjmra3z7h7OrWnIwi4/present?slide=id.g10a2ff05e56_1_238

Amanda's Dueling AI's Resource Hub: https://sites.google.com/apps.district196.org/dueling-ais/start?authuser=0

In this lively episode of Integrate This!, Jeremy and David welcome the one and only Brian Buffington—musician, speaker, educator, and “Chief Glitter Officer.” From tech coaching with style to making learning stick with humor and heart, Brian shares his creative approach to professional development, storytelling, and empowering teachers to stay curious and courageous.

We talk AI, authenticity, the art of presenting, and even a bit about his 8th-grade mustache. This conversation is packed with laughter, insights, and those signature Buff Nuggets of wisdom.

🎵 Show Links:

• Brian Buffington’s Website
• Sign up for The Buff Nuggets Newsletter
• Listen to Brian’s Album / “8th Grade Mustache” on Spotify
• Brian on X/Twitter: https://x.com/brianbuffington Brian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brianbuffington/Brian on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/brianbuffington.bsky.social Brian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-buffington-82292077/

In this episode of Integrate This!, David and Jeremy sit down with Greg Bagby — educator, consultant, and national edtech leader — to explore how failure can be one of the most powerful teaching and leadership tools. From modeling mistakes in front of staff to building psychological safety for innovation, Greg shares how courage, humility, and reflection create stronger school cultures and better learning.

Episode Highlights:

• Greg’s journey from music teacher to national influencer
• Why modeling failure builds trust and confidence
• Psychological safety and authentic leadership
• Strategic technology integration grounded in teaching
• Data privacy and ethical innovation in schools

Are we preparing students for a specific job, or for a life of intentionality? In this episode, we sit down with former high school math teacher-turned-administrator Marnie Stockman and tech-leader-turned-entrepreneur Nick Coniglio. As authors of "The Business of You," they share their powerful framework for helping students and educators move beyond traditional, and sometimes broken, career-readiness models. Instead of just "following a path," Marnie and Nick explain how to empower students to become the intentional CEO of their own lives. We discuss the common blind spots that trap students (and adults!), why personal storytelling is a critical, overlooked skill, and how educators can help students identify their core values to find a path that truly fits—even if it means moving from auto-tech to IT.

Find Our Guests' Work

Get the Book: "The Business of You: A Guide to Treating Yourself as the Most Important Project You Will Ever Work On" https://a.co/d/0E8MSaU

Get the Other Book: "Lead It Like Lasso" https://a.co/d/ec6hvLN

Learn More from Marnie & Nick: https://www.thebusinessofyou.ai/

Find the Blue App: https://www.thebusinessofyou.ai/the-app-blue

Listen to their Leadership Rules Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leadership-rules/id1774222614

🎧 Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/oHrs-O8RHKg

In this inspiring Integrate This! EdTech Podcast episode, David Berner and Jeremy Mikla sit down with Joe Beckman — speaker, author, and co-founder of Till360 — to talk about reclaiming authentic human connection in an age of screens and AI. Joe shares powerful stories from schools across the country, the origin of “I Love Your Face,” and how small acts of empathy can ripple through classrooms and communities. From cell-phone-free learning to teacher wellness and leadership, this episode reminds us that connection is still our most powerful classroom technology. 💬 Topics include: Building relationships in tech-heavy classrooms How to re-center joy and belonging in schools AI’s double-edged role in connection vs efficiency Small daily wins to reconnect with students and staff 📚 Learn more about Joe Beckman and Till360: 👉 Speaker Page – joebeckman.com 👉 Till360 – https://till360.com/ 👉 LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-beckman/ 👉 📖 Just Look Up – https://a.co/d/hvjx3S6 👉 📖 Just Look Back – https://a.co/d/46jg1YW 🎧 About the Podcast The Integrate This! EdTech Podcast spotlights innovative educators, thought leaders, and AI changemakers shaping the future of learning. Subscribe for new episodes on AI, EdTech, and human-centered learning.

What can a missing glue stick cap teach us about the future of learning? In this inspiring conversation, educator and author Rachelle Dene Poth joins Integrate This! to share her journey through education, innovation, and the art of balancing creativity with structure.

Rachelle talks about her transition from world language teacher to technology leader, the lessons she’s learned from her students, and how embracing new tools—like AI—can help teachers foster student voice, agency, and curiosity.

Along the way, she reflects on how blogging turned into book writing, why digital discernment matters more than ever, and how small habits (like putting the cap back on the glue stick) model responsibility, respect, and reflection in both tech and teaching.

Whether you’re new to EdTech or already exploring AI in your classroom, Rachelle’s thoughtful approach will help you see innovation not as something flashy or intimidating—but as a series of intentional, human choices that make learning stronger and more connected.

Links and Resources:

Website: https://rdene915.com/

X (Twitter): https://x.com/rdene915

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rdene915/

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