EdTech Bites Podcast

Gabriel Carrillo

EdTech Bites is a Podcast about all things EdTech and Food hosted by Gabriel Carrillo. He interviews teachers, leaders, and innovators to discuss the latest trends in educational technology. Many times, while sharing a meal together. So subscribe, tell a friend or colleague, and remember that great conversations happen when we break bread with great people. Buen Provecho!

  • 30 minutes 6 seconds
    Ep. 286 | The Fix Your School Culture Needs With Mandy Froehlich

    This episode is sponsored by Teq. One of the biggest challenges in schools right now is capacity. Educators are asked to do more, often with new tools, and very little support. Teq helps by combining classroom technology like SMART Boards and STEM resources with professional learning that respects educators’ time and reality. It’s support that makes technology usable, not overwhelming.

    Learn more at Teq.com.

    In this powerful episode, I welcome back Mandy Froehlich—longtime friend of the podcast and a leading voice in educator mental health. Mandy introduces us to the concept of healing spaces. These are not just quiet rooms or meditation music, but deep cultural shifts that support teacher recovery, emotional well-being, and long-term sustainability in education. We unpack the difference between burnout and demoralization, how leadership can unintentionally miss the mark, and what educators truly need to feel supported. If you feel like you’re trying to stay afloat or you’re an administrator ready to build a better culture, this episode is your blueprint for creating change.

    Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

    Connect With Mandy Froehlich

    27 January 2026, 2:06 am
  • 11 minutes 16 seconds
    Ep. 285 | 3 Simple Changes to Avoid Teaching on Autopilot in 2026

    Happy New Year! We’re officially in 2026. Teaching on autopilot feels efficient until it drains energy from the classroom. This episode breaks down three simple changes to reset instruction, set healthy AI boundaries, and bring intention back to the second semester. And if you’re looking to start the year off with a great sourdough recipe, here it is. Buen provecho!

    Sourdough Bread Recipe

    • 100g active sourdough starter (the star of the show)
    • 325g water
    • 500g bread flour
    • 10g salt
    • 20g honey (adds sweetness and helps the dough chill a bit)

    For the full instructions, check out the blog post below.

    https://edtechbites.com/2025/08/19/homemade-sourdough-sandwich-bread/

    Purchase Your Copy Of “Cooking Up Experiences In The Classroom”

    https://tinyurl.com/CookingUpExperiences

    Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

    4 January 2026, 5:28 pm
  • 22 minutes 23 seconds
    Ep. 284 | What Frankenstein Gets Right About AI in Schools w/ Brett Salakas

    Want to bring your whole district together with one simple tool? ClassDojo for Districts makes it easy to engage families and strengthen school communities—at every level. It's the number one communication app trusted by millions of K-12 teachers, now with district-wide oversight and controls. From Pre-K to high school, ClassDojo connects your schools and families in one seamless place. Learn more at classdojo.com/districts.

    AI is everywhere in education but what if our fear of it isn't new at all?

    In this episode, I'm joined by Brett Salakas from down under. He delivers one of the most unexpected AI metaphors you'll ever hear: Frankenstein.

    This conversation connects AI, educational change, and human fear in a way that will completely shift how you think about innovation in schools. We unpack why every major tech revolution follows the same pattern, why "Luddites" weren't villains, and what educators can learn from a 200-year-old novel about embracing change without losing our humanity.

    Oh and yes…Buc-ee's, poetry slams, beaver onesies, and brisket sandwiches all make an appearance.

    If you're wrestling with AI implementation, staff resistance, or your own uncertainty, this episode will give you clarity, perspective, and a few laughs along the way. Buen provecho!

    Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

    About Brett Salakas

    Brett Salakas, the HP Education Ambassador, is an international keynote speaker, the best-selling author of 'A MAMMOTH Lesson', the founder of #aussieED (the largest online network of teachers in Australia) and the co-founder of the ED Poets Society. Currently, he is identified by Linkedin as a TOP VOICE (top 1% worldwide) in K-12 Education. Brett was awarded with the NSWICTE and ISTE 'Making 'IT' Happen award in 2024, was recently identified by the District Administration Leadership Institute as one of the top 100 most influential leaders in education globally (the only Australian named on the list) and he was named the Most Influential Educator in Australia for 2024 by The Educator magazine.

    Brett is a teacher and experienced school leader who, over the past 26 years, has taught in South East Asia and Australia. He is passionately committed to turning educational theory into real classroom practice. Brett is all about CONNECTION, COLLABORATION and INSPIRATION.‍

    Connect With Brett Salakas

     

    28 December 2025, 10:16 pm
  • 24 minutes 10 seconds
    Ep. 283 | Revolutionizing Education: South Africa's Bold Move with AI and Robotics

    Want to bring your whole district together with one simple tool? ClassDojo for Districts makes it easy to engage families and strengthen school communities—at every level. It's the number one communication app trusted by millions of K-12 teachers, now with district-wide oversight and controls. From Pre-K to high school, ClassDojo connects your schools and families in one seamless place. Learn more at classdojo.com/districts.

    In this episode, I chat with Steve Sherman to discuss the evolution of STEAM education in South Africa, particularly the integration of coding and robotics into the national curriculum for K-7 students. He highlights the rapid adoption of AI and EdTech tools in schools, the challenges of ensuring data privacy, and the disparities in resources between different schools. Steve also emphasizes the importance of AI literacy and ethical use in education, and shares his efforts to foster global collaboration among educators through a dedicated online community. He also schools us on Rooibos tea and how it's made. Buen provecho!

    Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

    About Steve Sherman

    Steve is the Chief Imagination Officer and Executive Dayreamer at a STEM-based NGO called Livingmaths.com, based in South Africa. He is works with many schools in person and online, teaches a few thousand students a week, facilitates teacher training a d he is an Edtech Evangelist. Steve knows Karate, Jujutsu and 2 other Japanese words.

    Connect With Steve Sherman

    9 December 2025, 2:18 am
  • 15 minutes 18 seconds
    Ep. 282 | Why Male Teachers Second-Guess Every Move

    This episode explores the quiet, constant tension male teachers experience when trying to build authentic relationships with students. From hugs to high-fives, what feels natural for many female educators often feels risky or off-limits for their male colleagues. We also dive into Texas Senate Bill 12 (SB12), a new law that requires parental consent for schools to provide basic health or emotional support—yes, even for a band-aid or a conversation with a counselor.

    In This Episode:

    • The double standard male educators face in classrooms
    • Real-life examples of how the same gesture can be interpreted differently
    • The internal checklist male teachers run through every day
    • How SB12 amplifies caution and changes the student-teacher dynamic
    • Why all educators should care about the long-term impact of SB12
    • A call for empathy, awareness, and proactive communication among staff

    Call to Action:

    Start a conversation with your colleagues about how policy and perception shape the way we show care in the classroom. If you're a male teacher, share your experience. If you're not, ask about theirs.

    Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

     

    24 November 2025, 6:52 pm
  • 35 minutes 10 seconds
    Ep. 281 | Why Most Teachers Get Student Voice Totally Wrong

    Want to bring your whole district together with one simple tool? ClassDojo for Districts makes it easy to engage families and strengthen school communities—at every level. It's the number one communication app trusted by millions of K-12 teachers, now with district-wide oversight and controls. From Pre-K to high school, ClassDojo connects your schools and families in one seamless place. Learn more at classdojo.com/districts.

     

    What if your students had the power to shape your lessons—and it actually worked? In this insightful conversation, educator and author Jennifer Casa-Todd joins us to break down the real meaning of student voice. From her work with high schoolers and pre-service teachers to co-authoring a book with a student, Jennifer shares how to move from "listening" to "collaboration" to full-on student leadership.

    You'll learn:

    • Why asking students to "keep it, ditch it, tweak it" transforms your teaching
    • How classroom committees build purpose and belonging
    • The surprising ways students are using AI to innovate (not just cheat)
    • Why your mindset—not your method—is the biggest roadblock

    This episode will have you rethinking the role of students in everything from curriculum design to digital citizenship. Time to put the "co" in co-creator!

    Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

    About Jennifer Casa-Todd

    Jennifer am a wife, mom, educator, a former Literacy Consultant, a Google Certified Innovator, and author of several educational publications--most recently, Hopes for School: A student perspective and ideas for educational transformation. She's an ISTE Community leader, a Google Educator Group leader for Ontario and a Board member for the Canadian School Library Association. Jennifer can currently be found supporting pre-service teachers at Lakehead University (Ontario). She's passionate about amplifying student voice and helping learners use technology positively and productively.

    Connect With Jennifer Casa-Todd

     

    11 November 2025, 5:00 am
  • 1 hour 50 seconds
    Ep. 280 | Don't Start a Drone Club Until You Hear This w/ Frankie Baker

    Hear that? That's the sound of STEM careers taking off. Meet CoDrone EDU from Robolink — the drone made for classrooms and competitions and the sponsor for this episode. It's safe, durable, and fixable — with no FAA license or assembly required to fly and help every student feel more confident in a tech-driven world. Students fly CoDrone EDU three ways: manually, coded with Blockly, or coded with Python. See how over 7 thousand schools have proven you CAN have drones in classrooms, buzz and all, at www.robolink.com

    Ever wondered how to get a drone club off the ground—without crashing it on day one? In this episode, we're joined by Frankie Baker, former classroom teacher turned Community Manager at Robolink, to break down the big wins (and mistakes) teachers make when bringing drones into their schools.

    From fixable, flyable classroom drones to career-ready skills and whale snot (yes, really), we're covering everything you didn't know you needed to know about drones in education. Whether you're drone-curious or halfway to competition day, this episode will give you the real talk, the how-tos, and a few good laughs.

    In This Episode, You'll Learn:

    • The real reason most teachers fail at starting a drone club
    • Why drones aren't just toys—and how they build real-world skills
    • A $250 drone that doesn't need an FAA license? Yep.
    • Free curriculum + PD that makes drone clubs teacher-friendly
    • Student-led learning in action: from Earth Day bees to conference presenters
    • Why Frankie's Twitter handle is "BaconEdTech"
    • A food segment featuring sourdough gone wrong and pan de muerto done right
    • Gabriel's Sourdough Pan De Muerto Recipe

    Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

    About Frankie Baker

    A self-proclaimed "hype girl of all the things," Frankie is committed to empowering teachers to confidently integrate technology and foster student voice, choice, and agency in every classroom. With a strong focus on AI in education, robotics, and coding, she helps bridge the gap between tech and curriculum—making it approachable and meaningful for all learners. Frankie thrives on learning through collaboration and loves growing her network through communities, tools, and events that push the boundaries of what's possible in education.

    Connect With Frankie

    30 October 2025, 3:35 am
  • 20 minutes 48 seconds
    Ep. 279 | ClassDojo Deep Dive: From Dojo Points to Dojo Power Moves w/ Miranda Ketcham

    Want to bring your whole district together with one simple tool? ClassDojo for Districts makes it easy to engage families and strengthen school communities—at every level. It's the number one communication app trusted by millions of K-12 teachers, now with district-wide oversight and controls. From Pre-K to high school, ClassDojo connects your schools and families in one seamless place. Learn more at classdojo.com/districts.

    What started as a simple point system is now a full-blown ecosystem! In this episode, I sit down with Miranda Ketcham — veteran educator and ClassDojo superuser — to explore how this classroom management tool has evolved into a digital powerhouse for behavior tracking, student reflection, and parent communication. We chat about Dojo Island, the shift from paper notes to real-time feedback, and what it's like to manage classroom culture with a few taps. Oh, and we literally break bread over some pan dulce. Tune in to hear how Miranda has used ClassDojo since 2011 and why she still swears by it today.

    Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

    About Miranda Ketcham

    Miranda Ketcham, a 17 year veteran educator, serves as a 5th grade teacher at King Elementary, located in King, North Carolina, part of Stokes County Schools district. She consistently guides her students in using technology as a tool for learning, incorporating AI literacy and AI tools to enhance their educational experience. She has been using ClassDojo since 2012 and has effectively utilized the platform to help students record and share their learning through digital portfolios. Always eager to explore new technology, she embraces the latest features in ClassDojo and other educational applications to enhance student engagement.

    Connect With Miranda Ketcham

    14 October 2025, 5:00 am
  • 42 minutes 54 seconds
    Ep. 278 | UDL, Bagels, And Barbecue: Designing Lessons That Fit All Learners w/ Kyle Niemis

    What do gluten-free chips, high-protein bagels, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) have in common? They're all about meeting everyone's needs, and that's exactly what former middle school teacher turned tech coach Kyle Niemis is passionate about. In this episode, we break down the real classroom implementation of UDL, point out the differences between UDL and differentiation, and talk practical grading strategies that won't break your brain. Plus, we take a tasty detour into food metaphors, BBQ negotiations, and the ultimate tortilla debate. (Team corn, for the win!) This episode will leave you full of fresh ideas and hungry for more. Buen provecho!

    Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

    About Kyle Niemis

    Kyle Niemis is the Head of Community at Wayground, formerly Quizizz, where he leads programs that connect and inspire educators worldwide. He spent 13 years as a middle school science teacher and 3 years as a technology coach, experiences that give him a deep understanding of both classroom realities and instructional innovation. Kyle has also co-founded two edtech companies and is known for his authentic connection with teachers and his ability to turn ideas into engaging community experiences. He brings a unique perspective on how technology can transform both teaching and learning.

    Connect With Kyle Niemis and Wayground

     

    30 September 2025, 5:00 am
  • 23 minutes 27 seconds
    Ep. 277 | Human First: Teaching Smarter Using AI Optimism w/ Becky Keene

    Want to bring your whole district together with one simple tool? ClassDojo for Districts makes it easy to engage families and strengthen school communities—at every level. It's the number one communication app trusted by millions of K-12 teachers, now with district-wide oversight and controls. From Pre-K to high school, ClassDojo connects your schools and families in one seamless place. Learn more at classdojo.com/districts.

    In this episode, Becky Keene and I explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping education. We unpack the role of AI in lesson planning, student engagement, and teacher productivity—while keeping the human-first approach at the center. Learn how to create better AI prompts, leverage tools like ChatGPT, and avoid the hype while embracing the helpful. Ideal for educators looking to enhance teaching with technology. Buen provecho!

    Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

    About Becky Keene

    Becky Keene is an educator, author, and speaker focused on innovative teaching and learning. She specializes in instructional coaching, game-based learning, and integrating AI into education to empower students as creators. She has developed esports programs for schools and explores immersive learning through games. Becky speaks globally on AI in education and has spent over 20 years designing professional learning experiences for teachers. A National Board Certified Teacher, she spent 15 years teaching, coaching, and leading programs in public schools. She is the author of the book AI Optimism and holds an MS Ed in early literacy.

    Connect With Becky Keene

    16 September 2025, 11:00 am
  • 37 minutes 30 seconds
    Ep. 276 | Smarter Schools With AI Data: Doowii's Big Idea w/ Ben Dodson

    This episode is sponsored by Doowii. Doowii brings all of your district's data together. When data is scattered across systems and buried in outdated reports, it's hard to turn that data into action. Doowii connects your SIS, LMS, assessments, staffing, financial data, and more into one secure, conversational intelligence platform designed for all educators. No extra strain on your district's resources, just faster, smarter decisions. Hungry for better insights? Visit doowii.io to learn more and see it in action.

    If your school's data could talk, would it ask for help? Or maybe just a better dashboard? In this episode, I chat with Ben Dodson, founder and CEO of Doowii, a cutting-edge AI-powered data platform built specifically for education. Ben shares how his tech background (hello, Google and Snapchat!) inspired him to leap into the world of EdTech to solve one of education's messiest problems: siloed, underutilized data.

    We cover:

    • 🔍 What exactly Doowii does (and how it's more than just a dashboard tool)
    • 🧠 How natural language queries make data accessible for everyone—no SQL required!
    • 🏫 Real use cases from school districts and universities (hello, bell schedule analytics!)
    • ⏱️ How Doowii helps admins reclaim hours of reporting time
    • 🔐 The importance of security, privacy, and ethical AI use in student data
    • 🧭 Using predictive models to flag support needs before students slip through the cracks

    Plus, Ben answers the ultimate question: Corn or flour tortilla?

    If you're tired of waiting a week for that failing student report, this episode is your invitation to reimagine how data works for you…not against you.

    Learn more or book a demo: https://doowii.io

    Listen now and get inspired to make data your district's new superpower.

    Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

    About Ben Dodson

    Ben Dodson is an experienced data scientist, AI engineer, and startup founder with over a decade of experience at the forefront of data science, AI, and data engineering. His career spans impactful roles at Silicon Valley giants like Google and Snapchat, where he earned multiple patents for groundbreaking innovations, including the application of vision transformer networks to optimize media quality at scale. Ben's expertise and forward-thinking approach also positioned him as an early contributor at startups like Mux and Marqeta.

    In 2023, Ben founded Doowii, an AI-powered assistant for data scientists serving the education sector. Doowii's mission is to empower educators to harness the full potential of data to improve student outcomes.

    Connect With Doowii And Learn More

    2 September 2025, 11:00 am
  • More Episodes? Get the App