Edtech Insiders

Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell

At Edtech Insiders, we interview founders, investors, operators, educators, and thought leaders about the future of education technology. You’ll hear from leaders across the education technology industry and learn about all of the important edtech trends happening globally.

  1. From AI Policing to AI Coaching: Jason Katcher of Superhuman on Education’s Next Shift

    3H AGO

    From AI Policing to AI Coaching: Jason Katcher of Superhuman on Education’s Next Shift

    Send us Fan Mail Jason Katcher is the Global Education Channel Lead at Superhuman, where he focuses on scaling AI-powered productivity and communication tools across education through strategic partnerships. Previously at Google, Dropbox, and multiple edtech startups, Jason brings deep experience in education technology, AI adoption, and go-to-market strategy. 💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode  Why schools need to move from “AI policing” to AI coaching  How Superhuman and Grammarly are rethinking writing in the AI era  What “show your work” looks like for AI-assisted writing  Why simple workflow tools often outperform flashy edtech products  How AI-native productivity platforms could reshape teaching and learning ✨ Episode Highlights [00:02:53] Jason shares why partnerships are key to scaling edtech globally [00:08:13] The story behind Grammarly’s evolution into Superhuman [00:11:32] How “AI at the edge” brings tools directly into existing workflows [00:13:50] Why AI writing should be treated as a “show your work” moment [00:15:24] Jason explains why teachers are becoming “AI police” — and why that needs to change [00:18:30] How students are increasingly using AI as a thought partner instead of a shortcut [00:20:18] Superhuman’s vision for faculty-controlled AI guardrails in education [00:24:09] Jason’s advice for edtech companies selling into schools during the AI transition [00:28:41] Why the best edtech products solve simple workflow problems [00:30:27] What’s next for Superhuman Go and AI-native productivity in education  😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!  Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here. 🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s: Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead. Cooley LLP is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education. Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com. Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

    34 min
  2. Week in EdTech 5/13/26: AI Literacy, Student Data Privacy, AI-Native Schools & Future of Assessment! Feat. Lisa O’Masta of Learning.com, Aaron Feuer of Panorama Education, Larisa Hovannisian of Armenia Education Initiative and Alexandra Walsh of Ampli

    4D AGO

    Week in EdTech 5/13/26: AI Literacy, Student Data Privacy, AI-Native Schools & Future of Assessment! Feat. Lisa O’Masta of Learning.com, Aaron Feuer of Panorama Education, Larisa Hovannisian of Armenia Education Initiative and Alexandra Walsh of Ampli

    Send us Fan Mail Join host Ben Kornell for a special episode featuring leaders across digital literacy, AI-native schooling, student support, and curriculum innovation in K–12 education. ✨ Episode Highlights: [00:02:10] Lisa O’Masta, CEO of Learning.com, on why digital literacy and AI literacy must start in elementary school [00:18:34] Aaron Feuer, CEO and Co-founder of Panorama Education, reflects on building Panorama into a platform serving one in four U.S. students [00:32:34] Larisa Hovannisian, Founder and CEO at Armenia Education Initiative, explains why Armenia is positioned to leapfrog legacy education systems [00:43:50] Alexandra Walsh, Chief Product Officer at Amplify, discusses bringing classroom experience into product leadership 😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!  Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here. 🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s: Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead. Cooley LLP is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education. Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com. Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

    1h 3m
  3. AI, Jobs, and What Comes Next with Kumar Garg of Renaissance Philanthropy

    MAY 18

    AI, Jobs, and What Comes Next with Kumar Garg of Renaissance Philanthropy

    Send us Fan Mail Kumar Garg is the President of Renaissance Philanthropy, where he leads thesis-driven philanthropic funds focused on major global challenges. Previously, he worked in the Obama White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and helped build Eric Schmidt’s science and tech initiatives. 💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:  How AI is projected to impact jobs, with forecasts suggesting modest but meaningful workforce contraction  Why community colleges and skilled trades may see rising demand in an AI-driven economy  How “superforecasters” are being used to predict labor market shifts more systematically  What policymakers and educators should track to prepare for AI-driven disruption  How Renaissance Philanthropy is rethinking how capital flows into big, thesis-driven ideas ✨ Episode Highlights: [00:02:34] The origin of Renaissance Philanthropy and its thesis-driven funding model [00:07:00] Why Kumar Garg built the Labor Automation Forecast Hub [00:10:30] The role of super forecasters in predicting AI’s impact on jobs [00:13:00] Key projections: job displacement, slower growth, and shifting career paths [00:15:30] Community colleges vs. four-year degrees in the AI economy [00:17:45] Why the future of work is a “big dislocation,” not a collapse [00:21:00] How forecasts evolve and why trend direction matters more than exact predictions [00:23:30] Reactions from policymakers and what data matters most [00:26:18] The growing importance of regional workforce forecasting [00:26:49] Kumar’s outlook on the future of philanthropy and deploying capital at scale 😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!  Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here. 🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s: Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead. Cooley LLP is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education. Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com. Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

    32 min
  4. Teachers as Builders: Insights from Stephen Jull, Maruf Hasan & Sean McWeeney of Teach For All

    MAY 11

    Teachers as Builders: Insights from Stephen Jull, Maruf Hasan & Sean McWeeney of Teach For All

    Send us Fan Mail Stephen Jull is the Global Head of AI and Educational Technology at Teach For All, leading efforts to connect educators with frontier AI labs. He’s joined by Maruf Hasan, a Bangladesh-based educator building AI tools in low-resource settings, and Sean McWeeney, a UK teacher focused on AI’s impact in high-need schools. 💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:  How teachers are moving from AI users to AI builders  Why the most impactful AI innovation is happening in classrooms, not companies  How global educator communities accelerate learning and innovation  The role of AI in supporting underserved students and closing learning gaps  Why teacher ownership is critical to the future of edtech ✨ Episode Highlights: [00:01:20] Introduction to Teach For All’s AI initiative and global educator community [00:05:22] Stephen Jull on building partnerships between teachers and frontier AI labs [00:08:16] Sean McWeeney on creating AI tools for marking and real classroom needs [00:11:59] Maruf Hasan on using AI to support underserved students in low-resource settings [00:14:51] How the AI community operates without centralized control and why it works [00:18:30] Global collaboration: shared challenges across classrooms worldwide [00:22:35] The power of community in turning non-technical educators into builders 😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!  Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here. 🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s: Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead. Cooley LLP is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education. Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com. Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

    26 min
  5. Kira 2.0: Real Voices from the Launch Event

    MAY 4

    Kira 2.0: Real Voices from the Launch Event

    Send us Fan Mail At the Kira 2.0 launch event in New York City, Sarah Morin captures rapid-fire insights from educators, administrators, and edtech leaders reacting in real time to one of the most ambitious AI learning platforms to date. 🎙️ Featuring insights from: Brandon Chitty, Executive Director of Innovations, Broken Arrow Public SchoolsBrett Roer, CEO & Founder, Amplify and Elevate InnovationHarl Roehm, CTE Teacher, Collierville High SchoolJesse Lubinsky, Principal Evangelist, Adobe EducationLance Key, Instructional Technology Coordinator, Putnam County SchoolsRachelle Dene Poth, Educator, Consultant & AttorneyHannah Gurmankin, Special Education TeacherScott Brewster, Co-Founder, Hats & Ladders😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!  Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here. 🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s: Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead. Cooley LLP is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education. Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com. Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

    41 min
  6. The Math We Teach vs. The Math We Need with Ted Dintersmith

    APR 27

    The Math We Teach vs. The Math We Need with Ted Dintersmith

    Send us Fan Mail Ted Dintersmith is an education advocate, author, and filmmaker who has spent the past 15 years working alongside educators to rethink what learning should look like in the modern world. He has visited more than 200 schools across all 50 states, listening to teachers and students and studying approaches that prepare young people for real life beyond tests. 💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:  Why school math focuses on skills that AI already does better than humans  The disconnect between “math in school” and “math in real life”  How standardized testing has narrowed our definition of intelligence  What meaningful, relevant math learning could look like in classrooms  Why making math practical and engaging can unlock student potential across backgrounds ✨ Episode Highlights: [00:02:44] Ted’s journey from tech investor to education advocate [00:05:37] Why the rise of AI makes today’s math curriculum increasingly obsolete [00:08:55] The “math of life” vs. the “math of school” disconnect [00:12:55] The myth that current math instruction teaches critical thinking [00:16:16] How test-driven systems reward speed over real understanding [00:20:12] Why math should be integrated across subjects, not siloed [00:22:52] Students see schoolwork as irrelevant and why that leads to disengagement [00:25:07] A powerful classroom example: teaching probability through real-world context [00:26:51] How relevance in math can close equity gaps in learning outcomes [00:28:37] Ted’s vision for transforming math into a tool for purpose and real-world problem solving 😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!  Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here. 🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s: Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead. Cooley LLP is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education. Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com. Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

    32 min
  7. Steve Tapp of ACT on Bridging Academic Assessment and Workforce Readiness

    APR 20

    Steve Tapp of ACT on Bridging Academic Assessment and Workforce Readiness

    Send us Fan Mail Steve Tapp is the CEO of ACT, a leading nonprofit assessment organization best known for the ACT college admissions test. With over 30 years of experience in assessments across education, professional certification, and workforce testing, he previously led PSI Services and Lifelong Learner Holdings, helping scale global assessment platforms. 💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode How AI is transforming the assessment lifecycle—from test creation to scoring.Why fairness, validity, and human oversight still matter in AI-powered testing.How ACT is expanding beyond college admissions into career readiness.The potential of adaptive and personalized assessments.Why bridging academic testing and workforce skills is the future of assessment.✨ Episode Highlights [00:00:00] Steve Tapp on his 30-year career in assessments and joining ACT as CEO. [00:03:00] AI as a “force multiplier” across the testing lifecycle. [00:07:27] The opportunity for adaptive and personalized assessments. [00:10:28] ACT’s broader mission beyond the college admissions test. [00:15:46] The growing importance of measuring workforce-ready skills. [00:18:30] How ACT’s WorkKeys connects education to real-world jobs. [00:22:45] Tapp’s vision for the future of ACT in the AI era. 😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!  Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here. 🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s: Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead. Cooley LLP is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education. Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com. Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

    29 min
  8. Why Graduation Is Higher Ed’s Most Overlooked Growth Lever with Chase Rigby of Tassel

    APR 13

    Why Graduation Is Higher Ed’s Most Overlooked Growth Lever with Chase Rigby of Tassel

    Send us Fan Mail Chase Rigby is the CEO of Tassel, a platform modernizing graduation experiences for universities worldwide. A former Google PM and Chief Product Officer at Canopy, his career sits at the intersection of education, technology, and product innovation. 💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why graduation is a key (and overlooked) growth moment  How Tassel simplifies complex commencement logistics  Where AI improves the student and admin experience  How graduation drives alumni engagement and giving  Why Tassel helps students earn money at graduation✨ Episode Highlights: [00:02:57] Graduation as a growth and marketing moment [00:05:22] Unifying registration, tickets, and stage flow [00:09:17] A student earns $3,500 via digital announcements [00:11:53] Saving thousands of admin hours with AI [00:14:18] The “cap-and-gown cartel” and outdated business models [00:16:56] Better graduation to stronger alumni ties [00:19:29] Disrupting the cap-and-gown model  😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!  Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here. 🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s: Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead. Cooley LLP is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education. Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com. Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

    27 min
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About

At Edtech Insiders, we interview founders, investors, operators, educators, and thought leaders about the future of education technology. You’ll hear from leaders across the education technology industry and learn about all of the important edtech trends happening globally.

Information

  • Creator
    Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    459
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Edtech Insiders
  • Show Website
    Edtech Insiders

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