In this episode of The Tech Ed Clubhouse Podcast, I sit down with Leena Salah from Canva to explore how this powerful platform is transforming classrooms. From Magic Activities that generate higher-order thinking tasks to Canva Code that lets teachers and students build custom widgets without writing a line of code, Canva is redefining creativity, engagement, and authentic learning.

Here’s what we dig into:

• 🚀 The newest Canva tools for educators, including Magic Write, Magic Media, and Magic Activities

• 💡 How Canva Code empowers teachers and students to design interactive tools with simple prompts

• 🎨 Practical classroom applications that save teachers time and boost student engagement

• 🌎 Why Canva is more than an edtech tool—it’s an industry-ready skill for students’ futures

• 📚 The hidden gems inside Canva Design School that every teacher should know about

Leena also shares insights on Canva’s AI integrations, their growing teacher community, and how Canva is helping educators bridge the gap between creativity, equity, and access.

Whether you’re new to Canva or already using it daily, this conversation is packed with strategies, use cases, and inspiration to take your teaching to the next level.

• Try Canva for Education: canva.com/education

• Explore Canva Design School: canva.com/designschool

• Connect with the Canva EDU community: canva.com/communities

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🔗 Links & Resources📣 Call to Action🔥 Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

Episode Overview

In this episode of the TechEd Clubhouse, Dan Thomas sits down with Todd Bloomer, veteran school leader, author of The Blueprint: Survive and Thrive as a School Administrator, and now Director of School Leadership for the Archdiocese of San Antonio.

Todd shares his no-nonsense approach to school leadership: why being visible matters more than being stuck in the office, how culture is built in small daily interactions, and why equity—not just equality—matters in schools. From his 29 years in education to his transition into principal coaching, Todd brings passion, practical wisdom, and stories that resonate with anyone in education.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• People Before Paper – Why principals and leaders must be present with students and staff, not buried in emails.

• Culture Is Not a Program – How consistent small interactions shape school culture more than any purchased initiative.

• Equity Over Equality – The importance of treating students fairly by giving them what they need, not necessarily the same thing.

• Leadership in the Gray – Why effective principals live in nuance, not black and white rules.

• Coaching the Next Generation – Todd’s work helping current and future principals find their blueprint for success.

• • Why Kids Really Come to School – The role of social connections, belonging, and recognition in student motivation.

  Key Quotes

• • “Positivity + Visibility + Reliability = Trust.” – Todd Bloomer

  • “You can’t lead from your office. Culture is built in the hallways, classrooms, and cafeterias.”

  • “Fair isn’t always equal—every student needs something different to thrive.”

• Resources and Links

  • 📘 Todd’s Book: The Blueprint: Survive and Thrive as a School Administrator – Amazon Link

• • 🌐 Todd’s Website: toddmbloomer.com

  • 📱 Follow Todd on Instagram & TikTok: @todd_bloomer_author

  • 🔗 Connect with Todd on LinkedIn

  • 🌍 Blog & Resources: coachthomastech.com/blog

  • 🐦 Twitter: @coachthomastech

  • 🎧 Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.

  • 💬 Join the conversation with hashtag #TechEdClubhouse

  
  

  
  

  If you’re a school leader, teacher, or aspiring administrator—this conversation will leave you fired up and ready to lead with heart. After listening, share your biggest takeaway with us on social media using #TechEdClubhouse, and don’t forget to leave a review to help more educators find the show.

  
  

In this episode, I sit down with Jon Laven, co-founder of Snorkl.app, an AI-powered tool designed to capture and analyze student thinking. A former high school math teacher, Jon shares how Snorkl helps students explain their thought processes, gives teachers richer insights, and shifts classrooms toward authentic learning and student agency.

We dig into the balance between AI and the human element, why documenting thought processes matters, and the durable skills that go beyond tests—communication, creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking.

What you’ll hear about in this episode:

• Jon’s journey from teacher to edtech founder

• How Snorkl went from a “social Khan Academy” to an AI feedback tool

• Why documenting thinking is as valuable as the answer itself

• Timely AI feedback and its impact on learning

• Student voice, choice, and agency in action

• Failure as growth and iteration

• Unexpected uses: reading fluency, world language practice

• Equity, differentiation, and support for multilingual learners

• The future of formative assessment

• Advice for teachers with big edtech ideas

Memorable quotes:
💬 “If Snorkl did nothing else but just got students to explain their thinking, there would be value there.” – Jon Laven
💬 “Math is just another form of storytelling. The numbers tell a story.” – Dan Thomas

Resources:
🌐 Snorkl.app (create a free teacher account)
📧 jon@snorkl.app
🔗 coachthomastech.com | Twitter/X: @coachthomastech

Takeaways:

• Immediate feedback changes the game—students learn in real time.

• Every student voice matters, not just the loudest.

• Formative assessment is evolving with tools like Snorkl.

• The best innovations start in the classroom.

👉 Try Snorkl with your class, share this episode with a colleague, and subscribe to the TechEd Clubhouse for more conversations that bring play, STEM, and common sense back into learning.