My EdTech Life

Dr. Fonz Mendoza

My EdTech Life is where education meets innovation with clarity, caution, and purpose. Hosted by Alfonso "Fonz" Mendoza Jr., this podcast features real conversations with educators, founders, researchers, and thought leaders who are shaping the future of learning. From classroom-tested tools to emerging AI trends, we cut through the noise to spotlight what truly works in K–12 and higher education. As a leading voice in responsible AI adoption, Fonz challenges the hype and elevates voices that often go unheard, bringing practical, ethical, and future-forward insights to every episode. Whether you're a teacher, instructional coach, policymaker, or edtech creator, this is your space to connect, question, and grow.  

  1. 5D AGO

    Why EdTech Usage Doesn’t Equal Impact ft. Dr. Paula Cushanick | My EdTech Life 351

    Why EdTech Usage Doesn’t Equal Impact ft. Dr. Paula Cushanick  In this episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Dr. Paula Cushanick, known as Dr. C on TikTok, to unpack one of the most misunderstood ideas in education technology: EdTech usage does NOT equal impact. Districts often measure success through logins, minutes, and usage reports because they’re easy to pull. But Dr. Cushanick’s research and classroom experience tell a very different story. In this conversation, we dig into what actually drives student growth, especially for emergent bilingual learners, and why equity must mean access and effectiveness, not just access alone. Questions We Explore: 1. How should districts really measure EdTech effectiveness? 2. What does meaningful equity look like in digital learning? 3. Why do some students log thousands of minutes with no growth? 4. How can districts support teachers beyond “one-and-done” PD? 5. What are the consequences of bad implementation for students? Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Paula Cushanick 03:21 Dr. Koshanek's Journey in Education 06:21 Research Insights on Technology and Language Acquisition 11:39 The Importance of Intentional Technology Use 16:50 Measuring Implementation Effectiveness 20:20 Consequences of Poor Implementation in the Classroom 24:26 The Importance of Language Output 26:33 Technology's Role in Immediate Feedback 32:21 Misconceptions About Bilingual Learners 36:31 Creating Supportive Educational Systems Sponsors Shoutout Thank you to our sponsors: Book Creator, Eduaide.AI, and Peel Back Education for supporting My EdTech Life. Peel Back Education exists to uncover, share, and amplify powerful, authentic stories from inside classrooms and beyond, helping educators, learners, and the wider community connect meaningfully with the people and ideas shaping education today. Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator. Support the show

    45 min

  2. 12/31/2025

    AI Literacy Isn’t “One More Thing” ft. Lindy Hockenbary | My EdTech Life 350

    In Episode 350 of My EdTech Life, Dr. Alfonso “Fonz” Mendoza sits down with Lindy Hockenbary (LindyHoc), a K–12 EdTech advisor, strategist, and professional learning leader known for helping teachers make technology work for real learning. This conversation goes straight to the issues educators actually face, the “one more thing” overload, AI misconceptions, and how to move beyond AI detectors toward authentic assessments students can’t fake. Lindy breaks down how AI literacy fits inside core instruction (not as a separate add-on), why we must redesign assessment to emphasize process over product, and how tools with guardrails + teacher dashboards change what “safe classroom AI use” can look like. You’ll also hear why Lindy’s work is especially grounded in small and rural schools, where staffing, compliance review, and budget constraints make AI adoption harder, but also more urgent. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 02:05 Lindy Hockenbary's Educational Journey 04:57 The Impact of Technology on Education 09:19 Changing Mindsets in Education 11:00 Integrating AI into Core Curriculum 16:42 Redesigning Assessment in the Age of AI 23:37 Authenticity in Learning and AI Challenges 24:24 Misconceptions About AI in Education 25:52 AI Literacy and Compliance in Teaching 31:58 The Impact of ChatGPT on Educators 36:00 Challenges in Rural Education and AI Adoption 40:39 Final Thoughts and Future Directions Lindy’s website: https://www.lindyhoc.com/ Make EdTech 100 podcast page: https://www.lindyhoc.com/podcast Sponsors Shoutout Thank you to our sponsors: Book Creator, Eduaide.AI, and Peel Back Education for supporting My EdTech Life. Peel Back Education exists to uncover, share, and amplify powerful, authentic stories from inside classrooms and beyond, helping educators, learners, and the wider community connect meaningfully with the people and ideas shaping education today. Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator. Support the show

    58 min

  3. 12/23/2025

    How Mega Minds Brings Real-World CTE to Classrooms ft. Eric Tao & Austin Levinson | My EdTech Life 349

    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 instead of learning and how immersive environments can restore student engagement, agency, and real-world skill development. We explore how Mega Minds uses AI characters, simulations, and 3D environments to help students practice CTE skills safely before entering real workplaces. From healthcare triage simulations to job interviews, retail scenarios, and construction environments, students are learning through experience, not worksheets. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introductions 02:30 Exploring MegaMinds: An Overview 04:49 The Role of Engagement in Education 07:03 The Future of EdTech and AI in Learning 10:39 Data-Driven Insights for Teachers 13:45 The Importance of Student Agency 18:10 Creating Safe Spaces for Learning 20:38 Real-World Applications of MegaMinds 27:46 CTE Lessons and Immersive Experiences 33:05 Experiential Learning in Healthcare Education 38:32 The Role of AI in Education 42:39 Understanding AI Bias Through Immersive Learning 48:38 AI Literacy and Its Importance in Education 53:43 Final Thoughts and Future Directions Mega Minds Resources Mentioned in Episode MegaMinds Website Free AI Literacy Pilot Info Sponsors Shoutout Thank you to our sponsors: Book Creator, Eduaide.AI, and Peel Back Education for supporting My EdTech Life. Peel Back Education exists to uncover, share, and amplify powerful, authentic stories from inside classrooms and beyond, helping educators, learners, and the wider community connect meaningfully with the people and ideas shaping education today. Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator. Support the show

    1h 7m

  4. 12/16/2025

    The Framework Every CTE Teacher Needs ft. Tisha Richmond | My EdTech Life 348

    Career and Technical Education is often overlooked, misunderstood, or siloed. In this episode of My EdTech Life, Dr. Alfonso Mendoza sits down with Tisha Richmond, veteran CTE educator and author of The Magical CTE Classroom, to unpack what meaningful, joyful, and real-world CTE learning actually looks like. Tisha shares her journey from the classroom to edtech and back again, why CTE teachers face unique challenges, and how intentional design can transform labs, kitchens, workshops, and hands-on learning spaces into powerful environments for creativity, collaboration, and career readiness. This conversation explores how CTE classrooms can move beyond compliance and certifications toward engagement, student agency, and authentic learning experiences that prepare students for the real world of work. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Welcome to My EdTech Life 02:10 – Who Is Tisha Richmond 05:20 – From Industry to the CTE Classroom 08:45 – Why CTE Teachers Feel Siloed 12:30 – The Story Behind The Magical CTE Classroom 16:10 – The MAGICAL Framework Explained 21:40 – Gamifying Vocabulary in CTE 26:30 – Safety, Structure, and Lab-Based Learning 31:20 – Industry Certifications and Real-World Skills 36:10 – Teaching Employability Through Play 41:10 – Challenges Facing CTE Educators Today 45:30 – Where to Find Tisha’s Work 48:00 – Final Thoughts and Stay Techie Connect with Tisha Richmond: Website: tisharichmond.com LinkedIn: Tisha Richmond Instagram: @tisharichmond About the Host: Dr. Alfonso Mendoza is the host of My EdTech Life, a podcast amplifying educator voices and exploring how technology, creativity, and intentional design shape learning experiences. 👉 Subscribe for conversations that move beyond buzzwords and focus on what actually works in classrooms. Peel Back Education exists to uncover, share, and amplify powerful, authentic stories from inside classrooms and beyond, helping educators, learners, and the wider community connect meaningfully with the people and ideas shaping education today. Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator. Support the show

    49 min

  5. 12/10/2025

    The Mission Behind Day of AI ft. Jeff Riley | My EdTech Life 347

    In this episode of My EdTech Life, Jeff Riley breaks down the mission behind Day of AI and the work of MIT RAISE to help schools, districts, families, and students understand artificial intelligence safely, ethically, and with purpose. Jeff brings 32 years of experience as a teacher, counselor, principal, superintendent, and former Massachusetts Commissioner of Education. His transition to MIT RAISE reveals why AI literacy, student safety, and clear policy matter more than ever. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome & Sponsor Shoutouts 01:45 Jeff Riley’s Background in Education 04:00 Why MIT RAISE and Day of AI 06:00 The Challenge: AI Policy, Safety & Equity 08:30 How AI Can Transform Teaching & Learning 10:30 Differentiation, Accessibility & Student Support 12:30 Helping Teachers Feel Confident Using AI 15:00 Leading AI Adoption at the District Level 18:00 What AI Literacy Should Mean for Students 20:00 Teaching Healthy Skepticism & Bias Awareness 23:00 Student Voice in AI Policy 26:00 Parent Awareness & Common Sense Media Toolkit 29:00 Responsible AI for America’s Youth 31:00 America’s Youth AI Festival & Student Leadership 34:30 National Vision for AI in Education 37:00 Closing Thoughts + 3 Signature Questions 41:00 Stay Techie Resources Mentioned Day of AI Curriculum: https://dayofai.org MIT RAISE: https://raise.mit.edu Sponsors 📚 Book Creator 🤖 Eduaide 🎓 Peel Back Education Peel Back Education exists to uncover, share, and amplify powerful, authentic stories from inside classrooms and beyond, helping educators, learners, and the wider community connect meaningfully with the people and ideas shaping education today. Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator. Support the show

    44 min

  6. 12/03/2025

    How Relief Roster Fixes Substitute Chaos ft. Kyle Sumrow | My EdTech Life 346

    Today on My EdTech Life, I sit down with Kyle Sumrow, educator, developer, and Director of Outreach and Development at Tech My School, to break down Relief Roster, a powerful substitute management and volunteer coordination system designed to streamline the entire sub process for schools. Kyle shares how Relief Roster solves the daily scramble schools face with substitutes, onboarding, scheduling, PTO tracking, and volunteer management. We unpack how customizable schedules, skill-based sub assignments, integrated communications, and equity-based pricing make this tool a real solution for under-resourced schools and large districts alike. If you're looking for smarter ways to manage substitutes, automate absence tracking, improve communication, and bring more efficiency to your campus or district, this episode is packed with practical insights. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Technical Setup 02:09 Kyle's Background and Journey in Education 05:00 The Birth of Relief Roster 08:21 Customizability and User Experience of Relief Roster 11:13 Analytics and HR Integration 14:19 Volunteer Management and Onboarding Process 17:25 Demonstration of Relief Roster Features 33:58 Navigating Absence Management 40:26 Customizing Substitute Requests 43:16 Optimizing Substitute Utilization 48:45 Volunteer Management Integration 54:59 Data-Driven Decision Making 01:00:29 Equity-Based Pricing in Education Technology Sponsors 📚 Book Creator 🤖 Eduaide 📊 Yellowdig 🎓 Peel Back Education Thank you for supporting My EdTech Life and helping bring meaningful conversations to educators everywhere. Peel Back Education exists to uncover, share, and amplify powerful, authentic stories from inside classrooms and beyond, helping educators, learners, and the wider community connect meaningfully with the people and ideas shaping education today. Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator. Support the show

    1h 7m

  7. 11/27/2025

    Inside the UK’s Big Adobe Express Movement ft. Sean McLaughlin | My EdTech Life 345

    Inside the UK’s Big Adobe Express Movement ft. Sean McLaughlin | My EdTech Life 345 In this conversation, I sit down with Sean McLaughlin, Adobe for Education’s UK Community & Partnerships Lead, to explore how Adobe Express, guided creativity, and purposeful AI are reshaping teaching and learning across the UK.  From live lessons with Dom & Merit, to outreach programs with Manchester United Football Club, to powerful creative workflows that build student confidence, Sean shares what’s possible when teachers have the right tools — and the right community. If you’ve ever wondered how Adobe Express works in real classrooms, why UK educators are embracing scaffolded creative tools, or how community-driven EdTech grows globally, this episode brings you front-row insight. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 02:57 Adobe Express and Its Impact on Education 05:51 Community Building and Engagement in EdTech 08:55 Guided Learning Activities and Student Engagement 11:50 Overcoming Misconceptions About Adobe Express 15:06 The Role of Community in Educator Empowerment 17:51 Live Lessons and Real-World Applications 27:29 Meeting Teachers Where They Are 29:58 12 Days of Creativity 32:50 Amplifying Creativity in Education 36:47 Creating Yee-Haw Moments 40:34 Connecting with the Community Sean's Shared Links: Adobe Express UK Education Links 12 days of creativity | Adobe for Education Europe ACE Community Sponsor Shoutout: A massive thank-you to our sponsors: Book Creator, use code MYEDTECHLIFE for 3 months of premium access. Thank you, EduAide, Yellowdig, and Peel Back Education for supporting these conversations. Peel Back Education exists to uncover, share, and amplify powerful, authentic stories from inside classrooms and beyond, helping educators, learners, and the wider community connect meaningfully with the people and ideas shaping education today. Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator. Support the show

    48 min

  8. 11/25/2025

    How CTE Really Works for Students ft. Dr. Joey Mendoza | My EdTech Life 344

    How CTE Really Works for Students ft. Dr. Joey Mendoza | My EdTech Life 344 CTE is changing fast. Certifications, digital skills, pathways, tutoring, attendance, career pipelines—there’s a lot happening behind the scenes. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Joey Mendoza, a South Texas educator and freshly-minted doctoral researcher who has worked across classrooms, regional service centers, EdTech companies, and now the CTE space with YaizY.  We unpack what CTE really looks like today: what works, what doesn’t, where students get stuck, and why attendance—yes, attendance—may matter more than tutoring when it comes to math achievement. We also break down how digital-first CTE programs can help students earn real certifications that actually translate into job-ready skills.  Timestamps: 0:00 Welcome And Sponsor Shoutouts 1:16 Introducing Dr. Joey Mendoza 2:50 From Classroom To Edtech And STEM 5:20 Hands‑On STEM And Student Impact 8:05 Entering CTE: Digital Skills And Pathways 11:07 Digital Nomads And Remote Work Futures 13:18 Certifications And Early Pathway Access 16:20 Myths And Mindsets About CTE 19:10 Funding, Access, And Stacking Credentials 22:00 How YaizY Works From Grade 4 Up 24:20 Barriers To Strong CTE Programs 28:10 Culture, Data, And ROI In CTE 31:10 Why Districts Must Lead With Industry 32:32 Dissertation Setup: Tutoring And STAR Math 34:30 Key Finding: Attendance Outweighs Tutoring 37:10 Rethinking Tutoring, Fidelity, And Alignment 39:40 Attendance Realities And Family Factors 42:00 Next Steps For After‑School Effectiveness 44:00 Closing Thoughts And Rapid‑Fire Questions 47:10 Thank Yous, Links, And Sign‑Off Sponsors A massive thank-you to our sponsors: Book Creator, use code MYEDTECHLIFE for 3 months of premium access. Thank you, EduAide, Yellowdig, and Peel Back Education for supporting these conversations. Peel Back Education exists to uncover, share, and amplify powerful, authentic stories from inside classrooms and beyond, helping educators, learners, and the wider community connect meaningfully with the people and ideas shaping education today. Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator. Support the show

    51 min
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4.7
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

My EdTech Life is where education meets innovation with clarity, caution, and purpose. Hosted by Alfonso "Fonz" Mendoza Jr., this podcast features real conversations with educators, founders, researchers, and thought leaders who are shaping the future of learning. From classroom-tested tools to emerging AI trends, we cut through the noise to spotlight what truly works in K–12 and higher education. As a leading voice in responsible AI adoption, Fonz challenges the hype and elevates voices that often go unheard, bringing practical, ethical, and future-forward insights to every episode. Whether you're a teacher, instructional coach, policymaker, or edtech creator, this is your space to connect, question, and grow.  

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Fonz Mendoza
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    353
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 My EdTech Life
  • Show Website
    My EdTech Life