The Good Life EDU Podcast

Artificial intelligence continues to evolve at a pace that challenges educators and leaders to think not only about what AI means today, but where it may take us in the years ahead. In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, host Andrew Easton sits down with Matt Winters, Artificial Intelligence Specialist at the Utah State Board of Education, to explore how futures thinking can help education systems prepare for the opportunities and risks emerging alongside AI. Their conversation spans everything from the rapid evolution of generative AI tools to the deeper questions about learning, assessment, and the balance between process and product in the classroom. Matt also shares insights from national collaborations examining how AI may shape education over the next three to five years—and why thoughtful leadership, collaboration, and policy work will be essential as schools navigate both the promise and the “big scary” implications of this technology. Whether you're a classroom educator, school leader, or policymaker, this episode offers a thoughtful look at how we can work together to navigate the changing landscape of AI in education. Resources & Links Referenced in the Episode AI 2027 Future Scenario: ai-2027.com (opens the site in a new window) Beyond the Inflection Point Report: https://www.beyondtheaiinflectionpoint.com/ (opens the site in a new window) AI for Education: https://aiforeducation.io (opens the site in a new window) Future Ready Nebraska Conference – June 1–2: nefutureready.com (opens the site in a new window)

In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, we welcome back Nebraska native Trevor Goertzen, Regional Vice President at SchoolAI and former teacher and principal, for an honest and practical conversation about artificial intelligence in schools. Two years after our first discussion, Andrew and Trevor reconnect to explore how the national conversation around screen time, technology rollback, and AI integration has evolved and what that means for educators today. Rather than chasing headlines or hype, this conversation focuses on: What intentional technology use actually looks like in classrooms Why AI should be viewed as a tool to get to the thing, not the thing itself How AI can support differentiation, MTSS, and Tier 2 interventions The importance of teacher-designed, teacher-controlled AI learning environments Why good pedagogy still matters more than any platform How leaders can thoughtfully introduce AI into their districts The power of AI as a thought partner for administrators and educators Trevor shares practical classroom examples — from structured learning “agenda steps” to multilingual support and small-group differentiation — demonstrating how AI can expand what’s possible without replacing the human relationships at the heart of teaching.

In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Andrew Easton is joined by Tony Frontier, author of AI With Intention and director of the AI Center for Effective Teaching and Learning. Rather than approaching artificial intelligence as a technical problem to solve, this conversation grounds AI in what educators already know to be true about effective teaching and learning. Tony shares why AI represents an inflection point for the profession—and why this moment demands greater intentionality, not abandonment of core instructional practices. Together, Andrew and Tony explore how AI can either undermine or strengthen learning depending on how it’s used, the importance of productive struggle, and what it means to prepare students to use AI as a thinking partner rather than a shortcut. The episode also digs into practical guidance for schools and districts around transparency, explainability, integrity, and creating shared expectations for both teachers and students. Referenced Links & Resources Access Tony's book, AI With Intention: https://www.amazon.com/AI-Intention-Principles-Teachers-Leaders/dp/1416633626 Contact Tony Frontier: [email protected] Access the AI Center for Effective Teaching and Learning https://firsteducation-us.com/ai-center

In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, we welcome back Dr. Nick Ziegler for a conversation on the current state of language education in Nebraska and the power of intentional collaboration across the state. Dr. Ziegler shares updates on the Seal of Biliteracy, competency-based credit, and how districts can leverage Title III funds to expand opportunities for English learners and world language students. We also explore the evolving role of the Nebraska Languages Association (NEBLA), upcoming World Language Week activities, and a preview of a statewide, hybrid language education conference planned for October 2026. The episode highlights how high-quality, live distance learning is helping address teacher shortages while increasing access to world language instruction, and why language learning remains essential even as AI-powered translation tools continue to advance. To learn more about the ESU 5 World Languages Program, visit https://www.esu5.org/about/news/esu-5s-world-language-department-best-nebraska To learn more about the Nebraska Languages Association and related events and opportunities, visit https://www.nebla.org/ To access the new Distance Learning Teacher Support Series as a YouTube playlist, visit https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJpETmv954jNB7fLD5G-V-gQYiCP28-ko

Inclusive education doesn’t happen by accident—it takes intentional systems, shared mindsets, and sustained collaboration. In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, host Andrew Easton is joined by Allison Kelberlau (Assistant Director of Student Services, ESU 3), Eileen Heller (Education Consultant, Professional Learning, ESU 3), and Jill Guenther (Nebraska MTSS Regional Support Lead, Region 2) to unpack the story and impact of ESU 3’s Inclusive Practices Academy (IPA). The conversation traces the origins of the IPA from statewide coherence efforts led by the Nebraska Department of Education’s Office of Special Education, through its design and implementation, and into what the work looks like now in year two. Together, the group explores how mindset, systems and structures, and instructional practices intersect to support meaningful inclusion for students with disabilities—and how ESUs can model the very collaboration they hope to see in schools. Listeners will hear how the academy brings general education teachers, special educators, related service providers, and building leaders together around: Universal Design for Learning (UDL) as a foundational framework Co-planning and co-teaching as levers for inclusive practice Data-informed decision-making tied directly to classroom instruction Action planning that bridges professional learning and daily practice The critical role of building leadership in sustaining inclusive systems The episode also highlights what the ESU 3 team learned themselves through cross-department collaboration—and why inclusive professional learning must be designed with the same care and flexibility we expect in classrooms. Whether you work in a service agency, district leadership role, or classroom, this conversation offers both inspiration and practical entry points for advancing inclusive education—starting wherever you are.

In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, we explore Nebraska 250—the state’s effort to commemorate the nation’s upcoming semi-quincentennial through learning, creativity, and community connection.We're joined by Bre Wilton, Social Studies Content Specialist at the Nebraska Department of Education; Cody Talarico, Arts Education Specialist at NDE; and Anne Alston, Arts Education Program Specialist at the Nebraska Arts Council. Together, they unpack how a cross-agency collaboration led to the My Nebraska, Our America Public Art Design Challenge, a statewide opportunity for students to explore history, civic identity, and sense of place through public art. The conversation highlights how educators—across grade levels, content areas, and learning environments—can use a flexible, standards-aligned toolkit to help students design public art that reflects both local stories and national ideals. Listeners will also learn how student artwork can be submitted for a statewide exhibition, including a traveling display at the Nebraska State Capitol, the Museum of Nebraska Art, and the Nebraska Department of Education. Referenced Links & Resources Nebraska 250 Art Challenge website: http://www.ne250artchallenege.com/ Contact email: [email protected]

Nebraska is exploring a new approach to addressing teacher shortages—one that invites experienced professionals to bring their real-world expertise directly into the classroom. In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, we’re joined by State Senator Kathleen Kauth, who shares the story behind Nebraska’s new Pathway to Educator (P2E) program. Senator Kauth unpacks how this initiative came to life, why the timing and collaboration were right for this effort, and how school districts and ESUs across the state may choose to implement flexible, locally designed pathways into teaching. From workforce development to mentorship models—and from policy nuance to practical classroom realities—this conversation offers valuable insight for school leaders, educators, and anyone interested in innovative solutions that strengthen Nebraska’s education system without relying on new legislation. For more information, please reach out to Dr. Larianne Polk with the ESU Coordinating Council via ESUCC.org.

In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Andrew Easton is joined by Kris Hagel, Chief Information Officer of Peninsula School District. Peninsula has been thoughtfully implementing artificial intelligence in K–12 education since early 2023. Now in their fourth year of AI work, Peninsula offers an honest look at what it takes to move beyond one-off trainings and instead build a sustainable, values-driven approach to AI adoption. Chris shares how early collaboration between instructional leaders and technology teams shaped the district’s direction, why universal design for learning (UDL) remained non-negotiable, and how teachers—especially in English and social studies—have reimagined assessment by focusing on student process rather than just final products. The conversation also explores practical system-level considerations, including data privacy, vetted tools, local AI models, and the realities districts face when balancing innovation with responsibility. As the episode closes, Andrew and Chris wrestle with one of the most pressing and unresolved questions in education today: students’ growing use of AI for companionship, mental health support, and social connection. Whether your district is just beginning its AI journey or refining systems already in place, this episode offers grounded insight, cautionary wisdom, and a reminder that meaningful change takes time, trust, and intentional leadership. To learn more about the tremendous work being done with AI in Peninsula Schools, visit https://psd401.ai/ to access all the resources discussed in this episode.

In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, we are joined by Becky Keene, CEO of Phygital Labs and author of AI Optimism: A Guide to Redefining Artificial Intelligence in Education. Drawing from 25 years in public education and a decade of global consulting work, Becky shares why she chooses to lead with possibility over fear in the age of generative AI. Together, Andrew and Becky explore what AI optimism really means for K–12 systems, how educators can move beyond simple substitution toward meaningful redefinition and transformation, and why human-centered practices like creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking matter more than ever. Becky introduces her AI Optimism Framework, unpacks the role of praxis, privacy, and prompting, and offers practical examples of how AI can elevate—not replace—great teaching. This conversation challenges leaders and educators to rethink not just how they use AI, but why they use it, and how small, intentional shifts can shape powerful learning experiences for students. Connect with Becky Keene: Website: https://beckykeene.com/ Social Media: @beckykeeneedu Daily AI reflections and practical examples via TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook

How can AI truly transform teaching without adding another fragmented tool to an educator's already overflowing plate? In this thought-provoking episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, we welcome Arman Jaffer, CEO and Founder of Brisk Teaching, to share his journey with working to solve the problem of ever-increasing teacher workload and EdTech fragmentation. Arman explains how Brisk is fundamentally different from other AI tools. Instead of a separate dashboard, it functions as a Chrome extension/Edge add-on, delivering AI capabilities directly where the teacher is working, whether it's drafting feedback in Google comments or instantly changing a text's reading level. Key Takeaways You'll Explore: The Three Phases of AI in Education: The shift from initial fears over academic integrity to a focus on educator productivity, and finally to the emerging era of student-facing AI. The Power of AI for Formative Data: Why student-facing AI tutors provide richer, more targeted instructional data than traditional exit tickets, helping teachers identify and address student misconceptions. Defining "Teacher In The Loop": Arman clarifies this buzzword, emphasizing the importance of the teacher initiating and setting up AI activities intentionally to ensure equitable use and hold students accountable for the learning objective. The Spectrum of AI Exposure: A discussion on what intentional AI integration looks like across grade levels, from K-5 (focusing on voice and prescriptive tasks) to high school (preparing students for ubiquitous AI use in college and career). Action-Oriented Design: How Brisk simplifies the teacher's process into just five core buttons, ensuring the technology supports high-quality instructional actions without becoming overwhelming. Whether you're a classroom teacher looking for genuine time savings, an administrator seeking a strategic approach to AI, or a leader focused on driving student outcomes, this conversation offers an essential roadmap for leveraging the next generation of EdTech. Learn more about Brisk Teaching at https://www.briskteaching.com/

In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, welcomes Adam Spark, Nebraska native and co-founder of Short Answer, to discuss his journey from teaching at Louisville and Milford Public Schools to studying learning design and technology at Stanford University, where his idea for Short Answer was born. Adam shares how formative assessment research—particularly from Dr. Dylan Wiliam’s Embedded Formative Assessment—inspired the creation of Short Answer, a digital platform designed to make peer feedback, writing practice, and student engagement more meaningful and fun. The two explore: The Nebraska roots that shaped Adam’s journey—from the ESU 6 EdTech Leadership Cadre led by Dr. Lynn Herr to presenting at NETA. How Short Answer uses peer feedback, gamification, and comparative judgment to build literacy and critical thinking across all subjects. The role of AI in education, including both its risks and opportunities for literacy, writing, and teacher workload. Adam’s concept of being a “radical centrist” on AI—recognizing both the benefits of AI efficiency and the challenges it poses to authentic literacy development. New features in Short Answer like “Pen Pals,” which use AI characters to help students debate and reflect on their writing. Practical AI policy, communication, and enforcement strategies for educators—featuring resources like: AI Trust You (from Laguna Beach USD) Brisk Teaching for revision-tracking in Google Docs SchoolAI for safe, monitored AI interactions The Red-Yellow-Green AI Policy Framework by Australian educator Adrian Cotterall The Washington OSPI AI Guidance Matrix, inspired by the work of Leon Furze and Mike Perkins Adam also shares his balanced take on how educators can help students develop AI literacy, writing fluency, and critical analysis skills—ensuring that technology amplifies learning rather than replacing it.

In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, we sit down with Jane Davis, Superintendent of Hershey Public Schools, and Anna Weber, Owner of A-Plum Creative, to explore how Hershey Public Schools turned a community concern into a model initiative for digital citizenship education. After recognizing the growing challenges of student cell phone use, social media, and online behavior, Hershey launched a campaign that has brought students, parents, and staff together around a shared goal: helping kids become thoughtful, kind, and safe digital citizens. With creative support from A-Plum Creative and in partnership with the Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association (NRCSA), Hershey has developed a visually branded, age-appropriate, and interactive social media initiative grounded in six core principles for digital citizenship. Jane and Anna share how the campaign evolved from early board discussions to data-driven outcomes, and how it’s expanding to include AI literacy and guidance for ethical and responsible use of emerging technologies. Listeners will learn how Hershey’s approach supports both local needs and broader statewide efforts to equip students for the digital age.

In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Adam Vinter, Nebraska's regional outreach manager with Common Sense Media, joins the show to share about the significant updates to their digital citizenship curriculum. The conversation explores the reimagining of digital literacy and well-being education, emphasizing the importance of adapting to the rapidly changing technological landscape. Adam discusses the six core topics of the curriculum, the integration of AI literacy, and the engaging lesson formats designed to foster critical thinking and essential skills in students. The episode also highlights the developmental progression of digital literacy education from kindergarten through eighth grade and provides resources for educators to effectively implement these lessons in their classrooms. To learn more, visit Common Sense Media's education page at https://www.commonsense.org/education

In this thought-provoking episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Dr. Tricia Bertram Gallant, author, academic integrity expert, and Director of the Academic Integrity Office at UC San Diego, joins us to reframe how schools approach academic integrity in the age of AI. Rather than relying on surveillance or reactive discipline, Tricia invites educators to view integrity as a practice that can be cultivated through intentional school culture, character education, and authentic assessments. Drawing from her experience in higher education and adapting those insights for K–12 contexts, Dr. Bertram Gallant explores how AI technologies like ChatGPT are reshaping conversations around cheating, learning, and trust. She discusses how schools can shift from punitive mindsets to proactive ones, drawing parallels to PBIS frameworks and the importance of building ethical communities. Whether you're a teacher, administrator, or policymaker, this episode offers practical ideas and a powerful call to action: Let’s teach students how to live with integrity, not just how to avoid getting caught.

In this episode of The Good Life EDU Podcast, Jamie Cook, Literacy Officer at the Nebraska Department of Education, joins the pod to explore the future of literacy in Nebraska and the exciting opportunities ahead with the Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) grant. Jamie shares her journey as a teacher, coach, and principal, and how those experiences ground her leadership in this new role. Together, we unpack why third grade is such a pivotal moment for reading, the role of the science of reading in shaping high-quality instruction, and how Nebraska’s literacy journey builds on years of strong statewide work. Listeners will learn: Why the CLSD grant is a powerful accelerant for Nebraska’s literacy efforts. How high-quality instructional materials and curriculum-based professional learning empower teachers. The importance of coaching, family engagement, and alignment across districts and ESUs. Nebraska’s measurable goals for literacy and the collective responsibility it will take to achieve them. Whether you’re a classroom teacher, coach, administrator, or policymaker, this conversation highlights the thoughtful, research-based approach Nebraska is taking to ensure every child becomes a confident and capable reader. To learn more about this literacy effort in Nebraska, visit https://www.education.ne.gov/clsd-2/

In this reflective and wide-ranging conversation, longtime collaborator and Good Life EDU Podcast guest Otis Pierce of ESU 7 joins the pod to unpack some key takeaways from a summer of professional learning. From AI integration and academic integrity to distance learning innovations, digital citizenship initiatives, and math instruction practices, Otis and Andrew explore what’s new, what’s next, and what's front-of-mind as Nebraska educators head into a new school year. This episode highlights the spirit of statewide collaboration across Nebraska’s ESUs and the Department of Education, while also celebrating the continuous growth mindset educators embody year-round. Whether you're starting the year with fresh energy or looking for meaningful insights to elevate your practice, this episode offers inspiration and resources to support your journey.