Dr. Alfonso Mendoza sits down with Dr. Mark Zeiler, a 20+ year K-12 education veteran whose career spans ELA teacher, media specialist, assistant principal, dean, and operations and curriculum leadership in Florida. The conversation centers on one core idea: as AI accelerates and humanoid robots move closer to mainstream integration, the most adaptive, creative, empathetic, and transformative technology ever created is still the human being.

Ready Beats Finished ft. Marnie & Nick | My EdTech Life 366 What does it actually mean to be ready for the real world? Not finished. Not just checked out with a diploma. Ready. In this episode, I sit down with Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio, authors of The Business of You and Lead It Like Lasso, to talk about Blue, their app built to help middle school, high school, and college students discover who they are, learn to tell their own story, and step into the world with real confidence. This i...

Student voice is one of the most powerful forces in education — but only when it has a real stage. In this episode, Dr. Fonz welcomes back returning guest Tim Belmont, Language Arts teacher and Technology Coordinator at Lyndhurst High School in New Jersey, for a rich conversation on what it actually means to give students an authentic voice — and the innovative project he built to make that a reality.

How Mega Minds Brings Real-World CTE to Classrooms ft. Eric Tao & Austin Levinson | My EdTech Life 349 In Episode 349 of My EdTech Life, Dr. Alfonso “Fonz” Mendoza sits down with Eric Tao, Founder & CEO of Mega Minds, and Austin Levinson, veteran educator and learning designer, to unpack how immersive AI-powered simulations are reshaping Career and Technical Education (CTE). This conversation goes beyond AI hype. Eric and Austin explain why most AI tools in education focus on productivity inste...

Episode 340: La Lucha Productiva en el Aula con Austin Levinson Bienvenidos a otro episodio de My EdTech Life, con tu anfitrión, el Dr. Alfonso “Fonz” Mendoza, donde exploramos las conversaciones que conectan la tecnología, la educación y lo humano. En este episodio, tengo el honor de conversar con Austin Levinson, educador, economista y Director de Aprendizaje en MegaMinds, una plataforma inmersiva que impulsa el aprendizaje activo y la agencia estudiantil. Desde Colombia, Austin compa...

Captivate Your Classroom with Dr. Marc Isseks In this episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Dr. Marc Isseks, author of Captivate, to explore how educators can break free from “cognitive entrenchment” and rediscover what it means to truly engage learners. Marc brings over 30 years of classroom, curriculum, and leadership experience, and his insights will challenge the way you think about teaching, technology, and student voice. We dig into why success can sometimes stop us from growing, h...

La IA no reemplaza al maestro con Pedro Aparicio En este episodio de My EdTech Life, converso con Pedro Aparicio sobre un tema que nos toca a todos: el papel real de la IA en el aula y el rol insustituible del docente. Desde la mirada de Latinoamérica, Pedro nos comparte cómo la tecnología puede ser una aliada cuando se usa con intención, verificación y presencia humana. Hablamos del retroceso post-COVID, las falsas promesas de “2 horas al día”, el riesgo de caer en el hype y por qué el...

The Business of You with Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio In this episode of My EdTech Life, Dr. Fonz Mendoza sits down with Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio to explore their book The Business of You. They share how students, educators, and professionals alike can begin running their lives like a well-led company—by becoming the CEO, CMO, HR, and CFO of their own story. We also talk about adaptability, time as capital, the importance of asking better questions, and their upcoming project Bl...

Peel Back Education with April Braithwaite Educators are the backbone of society, yet their stories often go unheard. In this episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with April Braithwaite, founder of Peel Back Education, a new project dedicated to telling the authentic stories of teachers. April shares how a late-night reflection sparked her mission to capture educator journeys in writing, giving teachers a platform that isn’t about products or checklists, it’s about dignity, recognition, and imp...

Learning, Agency, and EdTech | Erik Parsons In this episode of My EdTech Life, I reconnect with the brilliant Erik Parsons, better known as The PhDad on TikTok, for a bold conversation on what really matters in education. We dig into behaviorism vs. developmentalism, and how too many classrooms are still operating on compliance over collaboration. From Chromebooks as babysitters to the over-promise of AI-powered personalized learning, we question the transactional mindset that kee...

Digital Portfolios, Feedback Culture, and Rethinking Readiness with Tisha Poncio and Rick Butterworth In Episode 330 of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Tisha Poncio and Rick Butterworth, authors of Today’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Leaders. This conversation is all about transforming classrooms by prioritizing neurodiversity, digital portfolios, and building real-world readiness through entrepreneurial thinking. We dig into what it really means to shift from compliance-based learning to authentic ...

What Does It Mean to Be Digitally Well? | with Teodora Pavkovic In this episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Teodora Pavkovic, psychologist, speaker, and digital wellness expert at Linewize, to unpack how technology shapes our emotions, identity, and relationships. From AI companions and algorithmic influence to parenting in the age of chatbots, Teodora offers practical wisdom and actionable strategies for families and schools seeking healthy digital habits. We dive into why digital platf...

Unlock Creativity & Accessibility with Book Creator and Katie Fielding In this special episode of My EdTech Life, we celebrate 100,000 downloads with an incredible guest—Katie Fielding! 🎉 Katie, an educator-turned-EdTech leader, joins us to dive into the power of Book Creator, the most inclusive tool for creativity and demonstrating learning in K-12. As My EdTech Life’s newest official partner, Book Creator is revolutionizing how students and teachers engage with learning. Katie showcases how ...

Breaking Language Barriers in Education with Pocketalk with Arturo Guajardo 🎧 Welcome to another exciting episode of My EdTech Life! This week, I'm joined by Arturo Guajardo from Pocketalk, where we explore how their groundbreaking translation device is helping break down language barriers in classrooms, school districts, and beyond! 🌍 Pocketalk is revolutionizing how educators, students, and parents communicate, especially in multicultural settings. Get ready to hear how this device empowers s...

AI Safety, Ethics, and the SHIELD Conference with Angeline Corvaglia The future of AI safety is unfolding fast—and we need to be ready. In this episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Angeline Corvaglia, a global leader in online safety, AI ethics, and digital literacy. We dive into some of the most pressing issues in AI today, including: 🛑 AI-powered predators and chatbots—are they automating child grooming? 🔍 The hidden dangers of AI relationships—a shocking story of a 13-year-old's first...

Episode 307: AI in Education: Disruption, Challenges, and Opportunities In this episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Dagan Berenstein, an innovative educator and digital content expert, to discuss the transformative impact of AI on education and how it’s reshaping the learning landscape. Discover how AI tools like ChatGPT are empowering students and educators, the importance of thoughtful integration, and the challenges schools face when navigating this rapidly evolving technology. From...

Blending Creativity, Education, and Technology with Manuel Herrera Welcome to another inspiring episode of My EdTech Life! Today, we sit down with the multi-talented Manuel Herrera, an illustrator, educator, and consultant, to discuss his journey through education, creativity, and EdTech. Manuel shares how his passion for drawing and creativity has shaped his career and inspired countless students and educators. Get ready for an engaging conversation full of actionable insights and inspirati...

Building a Human-Centered Future I’m excited to share this incredible conversation with the dynamic team from the Human Intelligence Movement. In this episode, we discuss their mission of transforming education to prepare students for an AI-driven world while preserving and elevating human-centered learning. Michelle, Brooke, Stacy, and Rachel share insights into the challenges of today's educational system and how we can better equip students with essential human skills like empathy, adaptab...

In this episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Patricia Cortez, coach of the Lady Bots, as she shares her powerful journey of promoting girls in STEM through the Girl Powered initiative. We talk about her experiences, the challenges girls face in robotics, and the inspiring story behind her all-girls team. Patricia's dedication to fostering leadership and technical skills among young women is truly remarkable, and her upcoming Girl Powered event is set to make a significant impact. Join us f...

Navigating Technology and Parenting with Converlation Today, we're tackling one of the biggest challenges parents and educators face—navigating technology with our kids. I sat down with Kathy Van Benthuysen, co-creator of Converlation, to explore how this incredible tool is helping families and schools foster better communication in the digital age. Trust me, after hearing this, you’ll want to jump on board! We talk about everything from tech’s impact on kids' social skills to actionable st...

Screencastify Transforms Classroom Communication Join me as I dive into the power of video in education with Shaun. We will discuss innovative ways to enhance learning, improve communication with parents, and save teachers valuable time. I will share my own experiences using Screencastify in the classroom and district-wide, while Shaun will provide insights on their latest features and their impact on learning. Time Stamps: 0:00 - Introduction and welcome 2:27 - Shaun's background and role ...

Episode 293 Meshed Gears with Omar Cortez In this exciting episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Omar Cortez, a passionate educator and robotics coach, to discuss his journey in STEM education and his newly published book, "Meshed Gears." Join us as we explore the transformative power of robotics in education and how it can help students find their voice. 🔧 Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction and welcome 1:37 - Omar's background in education and robotics 3:58 - The unexpected journey into ...

Risk, Create & Inspire with Claudio Zavala Jr. Join me for an inspiring conversation with Claudio Zavala Jr., Adobe for Education Evangelist, as he shares his journey from classroom teacher to creative innovator. Discover how Claudio's diverse experiences and passion for creativity have shaped his approach to education and technology. Time Stamps: 00:00:30 - Introduction and welcome 02:43 - Claudio's background in education and journey with Adobe 07:26 - The importance of creativity and ove...

From DJ Decks to Amplifying Creativity Join me for an inspiring conversation with Joe Santiago, Adobe Education Evangelist, as he shares his journey from DJ to tech support to educator to creativity champion. Discover how Joe is revolutionizing education by infusing creativity into learning and empowering both students and teachers. In this episode, we explore: →Joe's unique career path and how it shaped his approach to education→The importance of creativity in learning and assessment→Strateg...