EdTech Bites Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 269 | Using MagicSchool AI For Planning and AI Literacy with Jeni Long Jun 20, 2025

Show notes

This episode is sponsored by MagicSchool AI. With over 6 million users worldwide, MagicSchool offers more than 80 educator-friendly tools that support everything from AI literacy instruction to smarter lesson planning. To learn more and get started, visit www.magicschool.ai.

In this special episode recorded live at the TCEA Elementary Technology Conference in Galveston, Texas, I sit down with Jeni Long from MagicSchool to explore how this all-in-one platform is revolutionizing classrooms around the globe.

In this episode, you'll learn:

How MagicSchool evolved into a trusted tool for educators and students
What makes its AI literacy features safe, student-friendly, and effective
Why customization is key to saving teachers time and boosting creativity
Real-life examples of how teachers are using MagicSchool in their classrooms

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com
EdTech Bites On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/edtechbites.bsky.social
EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites
EdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbites
EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites
EdTech Bites On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@edtechbites
EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites

Connect With MagicSchool

MagicSchool Website: https://www.magicschool.ai/
MagicSchool On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/magicschoolai/
MagicSchool On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/magicschoolai
MagicSchool On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@magicschoolai
MagicSchool On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@magicschoolai
MagicSchool On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/magicschool-ai/

Ep. 265 | Pro Tips To Help You Rock Your First Conference w/ Courtney Deadman Apr 03, 2025

Show notes

This episode is sponsored by Knowt — the AI-powered classroom tool that goes way beyond plug-and-chug. From turning your lessons into notes and practice to creating a custom chatbot based on your lecture, Knowt helps you and your students work smarter and stay privacy-compliant. To get started, visit www.knowt.com

What happens when an introverted educator steps out solo into her first massive edtech conference? Magic. In this episode, I chat with Courney Deadman, a special education teacher who took on MACUL for the very first time—and didn't just survive, she thrived. From productivity tips for students with special needs to bold moves like joining The EdTech Bites Food Tour full of strangers, she shares strategies for note-taking, daily planning, and making meaningful connections (without burning out). If you're nervous about navigating a big conference, this episode has your back.

About Courtney Deadman

Courtney is a Special Education Teacher currently teaching K-5 Resource room. She has been teaching for 20 years and has taught all grades K-12. Courtney currently teaches in Traverse City, Michigan at Cherry Knoll Elementary.

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com
EdTech Bites On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/edtechbites.bsky.social
EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites
EdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbites
EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites
EdTech Bites On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@edtechbites
EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites

Ep. 254 | Meet the EduGuardians: Protecting Teachers From Isolation Jan 25, 2025

Show notes

*This episode is sponsored by Class Companion. To learn more and get started, Click Here!

What happens when a group of passionate educators comes together to spark change? In this episode, I sit down with Larisa Black, Heather Brown, Farmer Faubs, and Christie Cloud, the four of the founding members of the EduGuardians. We discuss how their movement started, why they're so dedicated to supporting educators, and the driving force behind their mission. From inspiration to action, this conversation will leave you feeling empowered and ready to make an impact in your own educational community.

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com
EdTech Bites On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/edtechbites.bsky.social
EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites
EdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbites
EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites
EdTech Bites On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@edtechbites
EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites

About The EduGuardians

EduGuardians strive to lead in educational technology, empowering educators to connect, share ideas, and build community. Our mission is to utilize edtech for impactful and engaging student learning experiences. We foster a dynamic, collaborative network for educators to innovate, grow, and inspire, enhancing education for all students.

Connect With The EduGuardians

EduGuardian Website: https://www.eduguardian5.com
EduGuardians On X: https://x.com/EduGuardian5
EduGuardians On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/eduguardian5.bsky.social
EduGuardians On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eduguardian5/

Ep. 253 | Back to Basics with a Tech Twist: Pedagogy, AI, and interACTIVE Teaching With Kristin and Joe Merrill Jan 24, 2025

Show notes

*This episode is sponsored by Class Companion. To learn more and get started, Click Here!

How do we blend tried-and-true teaching strategies with cutting-edge AI? In this episode, I chat with the dynamic husband-and-wife duo, Kristin and Joe Merrill AKA Kroe, about their latest book The InterACTIVE Class: Creation in a World of AI: Empowering Educators to Inspire Creativity and Innovation in an AI-Driven Classroom. They share timeless teaching strategies while incorporating AI—all through their signature interACTIVE approach. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or a teaching purist, this episode will show you how to strike the perfect balance between innovation and effective instruction.

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com
EdTech Bites On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/edtechbites.bsky.social
EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites
EdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbites
EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites
EdTech Bites On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@edtechbites
EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites

About The Merrill's

Kristin and Joe are teachers and authors of the InterACTIVE Class series. Together, they put a spin on traditional strategies by infusing EdTech with learning that meets the needs of all students.

Connect With The Merrill's

The Merrill's Website: www.themerrillsedu.com
The Merrill's On X: www.x.com/TheMerrillsEDU
The Merrill's On Instagram: www.instagram.com/TheMerrillsEDU
The Merrill's On Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheMerrillsEDU
"The InterACTIVE Class: Creation in a World of AI: Empowering Educators to Inspire Creativity and Innovation in an AI-Driven Classroom" On Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/InterACTIVE-Class-Empowering-Creativity-Innovation/dp/B0DR9J6VKZ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=28FB0YCSWBPM1&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Mr4ZmPa2ddIveLZ91XKcdNedXJqACQE9asdmrv7nDIPt3ogXUH4wfHkcILkGOC8gR2rgiQiVniSzj-kAQ9bRRlZ3XMqygwcrxuGgP4Lk4dozTMohBwgBZMu_3FL7WrH_77NtfZJG29DRmS5K3Aq0broXPrDLLYshBUcHKHNXz-Lz75WxDtyQ8_35dCmZdwpNpPCpGhavqosWgQXPQ3-vaPwphWd2FwWQYNAFgSQkkQQ.J0cPLu-_z-cAz5gpwO8ka6E43zND4RLhuspDjKSloIM&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+interactive+classroom&qid=1737436934&sprefix=the+interactive%2Caps%2C130&sr=8-1

Ep. 246 | What Would Peter Rackham Do? Roy Francis' First Ever FETC Jan 17, 2025

Show notes

*This episode is sponsored by Class Companion. To learn more and get started, Click Here!

What's it like to attend your first major edtech conference? In this episode, I sit down with Roy Francis, a music and French teacher from Nova Scotia, who attended his first-ever FETC conference. We discuss his initial expectations, how he and his team planned their conference experience, and the strategies they used to maximize their learning.

Roy also shares how he integrates edtech into his curriculum, from engaging students in music composition to enhancing language acquisition in French. Whether you're a conference veteran or gearing up for your first big event, you'll find plenty of insights and inspiration in this conversation. And you'll know what we mean when he states, "What would Peter Rackam do?". Buen provecho!

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com
EdTech Bites On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/edtechbites.bsky.social
EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites
EdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbites
EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites
EdTech Bites On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@edtechbites
EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites

About Roy Francis

Roy teaches junior high general music at a school in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. In his classes, he teaches music theory and history while also helping students learn to write and perform songs on the ukulele.

He is passionate about using technology in education and strives to incorporate it into all aspects of his teaching. Recently, he completed his Master's in Educational Technology and is excited to be part of the AI lead team in the Halifax Regional Centre for Education.

Connect With Roy Francis

Roy On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mrfrancis.bsky.social

Ep. 241 | From Badge Collector To Community Building: EdTech Certifications and Career Planning w/ Victoria Thompson Nov 16, 2024

Show notes

This episode is sponsored by MagicSchool AI. If you're ready to transform the way you teach, With over 3.5 million users worldwide, MagicSchool AI is the #1 educational AI platform. They're committed to data privacy for all users in order to keep classrooms protected. Save time and focus on creating experiences with your students with MagicSchool AI. To learn more and get started, visit www.magicschool.ai

In this episode, I'm joined by Victoria Thompson while at the Georgia Educational Technology Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. We catch up to discuss the difference between badge collecting and building edtech certifications. A lot of us educators become ambassadors for companies but she unpacks the ways we can align what we do and strategically plan out our career with true edtech certifications. This is not to say that badge collecting is a bad thing. Being an ambassador for an edtech company means true understanding and application of that particular product which empowers teachers in many ways. She comes at it from a different angle and aligns skills with career planning and community building. You NEED to give this episode a listen and connect with Victoria. Buen provecho!

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com
EdTech Bites X: https://twitter.com/edtechbites
EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites
EdTech Bites Threads: https://www.threads.net/@edtechbites
EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites
EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites

Connect With Victoria Thompson

Victoria on X: https://x.com/VictoriaTheTech
Victoria on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriarosethompson/

Ep. 227 | 2024 Beginning Of The Year Keynote: Finding Balance Through Flexibility Aug 11, 2024

Show notes

Welcome to the 2024 Beginning Of The Year Keynote. This episode is filled with ideas and tips for you to start the school year. I'm not giving you technical tips in this episode rather, mindset shifts. I discuss how to find balance between personal life and work life through flexibility. This episode will help you kickstart your new year with motivation and ways to be the best you possible. Gives this episode a listen. Your students, loved ones, and most importantly, YOU DESERVE IT. Buen provecho!

The Book Is Officially Out!

My first book "Cooking Up Experiences In The Classroom: Focus On Experiences, Not Just Lessons" is officially out! A HUGE shout out to Lumio for helping sponsor this book. I'm super excited about this project. It's filled with ideas on how to make memorable experiences for your students. In addition, each chapter also lays out a specific recipe mentioned in that chapter along with a video tutorial on how to prepare that dish. Make sure you get your copy and cook up some experiences for your students and loved ones!

Click Here To Purchase Your Copy On Amazon

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com
EdTech Bites Twitter: https://twitter.com/edtechbites
EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites
EdTech Bites Threads: https://www.threads.net/@edtechbites
EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites
EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites

Ep. 200 | Let's Define Financial Literacy w/ Erica Valadez and Lone Star National Bank May 06, 2024

Show notes

This episode is sponsored by Lone Star National Bank. To learn more about their products and services, visit www.lonestarnationalbank.com

In this monumental 200th episode, I chat with Erica Valadez of Lone Star National Bank to dive deep into financial literacy. We discuss the misconceptions our parents taught us as well as ways we can help educate our own children on this topic. Plus, Lone Star National Bank is giving away 5-$10 Visa gift cards. Stick around until the end to hear how to join! Buen provecho!

How To Enter Giveaway

To be entered, all you have to do is:

Listen to the episode
Visit www.edtechbites.com/giveaways and fill out the form
Check your email on May 13th, 2024 to read the winners announced in my Newsletter

About Erica Valadez

Erica Valadez has been a stalwart figure in the banking industry for an impressive 26 years, garnering recognition as a Banking Center Manager & Bank Officer at Lone Star National Bank. Her journey from a graduate of McCollum High School in Harlandale ISD to an esteemed banking professional is marked by a deep-rooted commitment to community growth and financial empowerment.

Connect With Erica Valadez

Erica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mirelesevie
Erica on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erica.valadez

The Book Is Officially Out!

Click Here To Purchase Your Copy On Amazon

Ep. 199 | How AI And Churros Have Changed My Work w/ Mason Nichols Apr 12, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of EdTech Bites, I dive into the world of AI with Mason Nichols. This episode was recorded live from Honchos Churros in San Antonio. We explore how technologies like ChatGPT are revolutionizing the classroom, from personalized learning tools to innovative educational uses that are making teachers' lives easier. Alongside some of the best churros in San Antonio, we discuss our favorite AI tools and share insights on how these advancements are shaping the future of education. Tune in to discover how AI is not just a subject of study, but a dynamic teaching assistant in today's digital world. Buen provecho!

The Book Is Officially Out!

Click Here To Purchase Your Copy On Amazon

Connect With Gabriel Carrillo

EdTech Bites Website: https://edtechbites.com
EdTech Bites Twitter: https://twitter.com/edtechbites
EdTech Bites Instagram: https://instagram.com/edtechbites
EdTech Bites Threads: https://www.threads.net/@edtechbites
EdTech Bites Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/edtechbites
EdTech Bites YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@edtechbites

About Mason Nichols

Mason is a passionate elementary educator who enjoys using technology tools to empower students. He recently graduated with his Masters Degree in Learning Experience Design and Educational Technology. Additionally, Mason enjoys sharing resources and tech tools on social media along with presenting at ISTE, TCEA, and CUE.

Connect With Mason Nichols

Mason's Blog: http://nicholsandime.com
Mason On Twitter: https://twitter.com/nicholsandime
Mason On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicholsandime/
Mason On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nicholsandime

Ep. 198 | The Final Stretch: 7 Tips To End The Year Strong Mar 18, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, I share invaluable insights and practical tips for teachers to finish the school year with strength and success. From reflecting on progress to maintaining motivation, engaging students, and managing time effectively, this episode provides a comprehensive guide to wrapping up the year on a high note. Whether you're a seasoned educator or a new teacher, tune in to discover strategies for ending the school year with finesse and celebrating accomplishments with your students. This episode is fueled by a Sam's Club Girl Scout Cookie Thin Mint Brownie. Yes, I said it...a brownie! So get ready to be motivated to power through the final stretch and emerge victorious as you cross the finish line with confidence! Buen provecho!