My EdTech Life

Dr. Fonz Mendoza
  • 4.7 (14)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

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. 3H AGO

    The Human Edge: Smarter Decisions in the Age of AI ft. Cheryl Strauss Einhorn | My EdTech Life 362

    What happens to your judgment when AI starts answering before you finish the question? In this episode, Dr. Fonz sits down with Cheryl Strauss Einhorn, founder of Decisive, decision-sciences educator at Cornell and the University of Miami, and author of the new book The Human Edge: Smarter Decisions in the Age of AI (Cornell Publishing, May 15). Cheryl spent over a decade as an investigative journalist at Barron's, where her bearish company stories halted stock trading, shut down companies, and once helped send a CEO to ten years in prison. That work taught her something every educator and student needs to hear right now: the hardest part of any decision isn't the information. It's the judgment. Cheryl walks us through her AREA Method (Absolute, Relative, Exploration & Exploitation, Analysis), a system for complex problem solving built to check our cognitive biases and protect our thinking when we work with AI. She unpacks why "AI as a time-saver" is a myth doing real damage in classrooms, why students still feel pressure to run their assignments through AI to "polish them up," and why the eight moments of human judgment in any complex decision are the things educators should be teaching first. We also get into the cautious advocate's question: what mindset shift do tenured professors need to feel their expertise still matters? How do we lower the barrier for the educators who haven't started using these tools yet? And what does learning look like five years from now if we get this right? Whether you're a K-12 teacher, a professor, a district leader, or a student wondering how to keep your own voice in your own work, this conversation will give you a framework to stop outsourcing your thinking and start leading the machine. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to AI and Decision Making 04:59 Cheryl's Journey and the Area Method 09:57 Understanding the Human Edge in AI 14:59 Reclaiming Agency in Decision Making 20:10 The Area Method Explained 24:48 Challenges and Insights from Teaching AI 31:06 The Role of Educators in AI 38:37 Debunking AI Myths 📚 Connect with Cheryl: Website: areamethod.com Book: The Human Edge: Smarter Decisions in the Age of AI (May8) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylstrausseinhorn/ 🙌 A huge thank you to our sponsors who keep this mission going: ☕ Comeback Coffee for keeping us caffeinated and ready to podcast 📚 Book Creator for empowering student voice in classrooms everywhere 🏫 Peel Back Education for helping teachers do more with less 🤖 Eduaide.AI for putting thoughtful AI tools in educators' hands We do what we do for you and because of you. Thank you for listening, sharing, and engaging with the show. Stay Techie ✌🏼 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

    54 min

  2. 6D AGO

    If You Live on Earth, You've Been Opted Into AI ft. Valerie Brock | My EdTech Life 361

    There's no opt-out button for AI. That's the reality Valerie Brock, Curriculum Lead at Day of AI, brings to this conversation, and it changes how we think about AI literacy in K-12. In this episode, Dr. Fonz sits down with Valerie to unpack what AI literacy actually means (hint: it's not prompt engineering), why early childhood classrooms belong in this conversation, and how Day of AI is building developmentally appropriate, tool-agnostic curriculum that's now reaching students in Australia, Rwanda, Taiwan, New Zealand, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, the Philippines, and beyond. Valerie draws on 13 years as a New York City special education teacher and six years with NYC's Computer Science for All initiative to explain how accessibility, UDL, and real classroom experience shape every lesson her team creates. She also shares the stories behind Day of AI's NYC Public Library pilot, the family toolkits built with Common Sense Media, and the new AASA fellowship putting superintendents at the center of AI rollout. Whether you're a teacher, a school leader, a curriculum designer, or a parent trying to figure out where to start, this episode gives you the language, the framework, and the free resources to move forward. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome to My EdTech Life 01:20 Meet Valerie Brock 02:30 From NYC classrooms to Day of AI 05:00 What Day of AI actually is 06:30 The "opt out" button doesn't exist 09:30 Accessibility, UDL, and designing for every learner 13:30 What AI literacy really means 17:00 The fear teachers bring to PD 19:00 The NYC Public Library pilot 20:45 Why kindergartners can handle this conversation 24:30 How Day of AI decides what's developmentally appropriate 30:00 Program Hubs around the world 35:00 The AASA superintendent fellowship 40:00 How to get started with Day of AI 45:00 Valerie's AI kryptonite and billboard message 🔗 CONNECT WITH VALERIE 🌐 Day of AI: https://dayofai.org 💼 LinkedIn: Valerie Brock 🙌 THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS ☕ Come Back Coffee 📚 Book Creator 🎓 EduAid.AI 🌱 Peel Back Education 👍 If this episode helped you, smash that LIKE button, SUBSCRIBE for more conversations with EdTech's best, and share it with an educator who needs to hear it. ☕ SUPPORT THE SHOW If My EdTech Life has added value to your work, consider becoming a member and helping us keep the conversations going. 🔗 https://buymeacoffee.com/myedtechlife/membership Stay Techie ✌🏼 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

    52 min

  3. APR 15

    The #1 AI Governance Mistake Schools Are Making ft. Betsy Cooper | My EdTech Life 360

    Episode 360: The #1 AI Governance Mistake Schools Are Making ft. Betsy Cooper What's the biggest mistake schools are making with AI right now? According to Betsy Cooper, it's not taking it seriously from day one. In this episode, Dr.Alfonso sits down with Betsy Cooper, Founder and Executive Director of the Aspen Policy Academy, for a powerful conversation on the AI governance decisions quietly reshaping schools — and what educators, leaders, and parents can do about it. Betsy brings a one-of-a-kind perspective shaped by her work as a former DHS attorney, her time leading the UC Berkeley Center for Long-Term Cybersecurity, and her doctorate from Oxford. Through Aspen Policy Academy, she's on a mission to democratize policymaking, helping teachers, parents, technologists, and community advocates learn how to identify problems, build solutions, and actually drive change. Together, Dr. Alfonso and Betsy unpack why "ooh, that looks pretty, let's try it" is the wrong way to evaluate new tools, how smooth vendors and shrinking budgets are pushing districts into risky decisions, and why K-12 students need adult stewards more than ever in this moment. Betsy also shares the castle and moat metaphor every school leader needs to hear, a three-step crisis plan for overwhelmed CTOs and superintendents, and her four-step policy impact framework for educators ready to advocate for change. Whether you're a teacher, CTO, superintendent, or parent, this episode will leave you with practical tools and a renewed sense of agency to push back, ask better questions, and advocate for the students who can't speak up for themselves. Chapters 00:00 — Welcome & Sponsor Shoutouts 01:30 — Meet Dr. Betsy Cooper & The Origin of Aspen Policy Academy 07:00 — What Policy Literacy Means for Educators (and Why It's Free) 14:00 — The 4-Step Policy Impact Framework 19:30 — The #1 AI Governance Mistake Schools Are Making 24:30 — How CTOs Should Evaluate AI Tools & Vendors 31:00 — Who Should Be Writing AI Policy for Schools 35:00 — Cybersecurity in K-12: The Castle, The Moat & The Breach Plan 39:30 — Cyber Civic Engagement & Becoming a Local Advocate 43:30 — Speed Round & Closing Thoughts Don't forget to: ✅ Subscribe to My EdTech Life on your favorite podcast platform ✅ Leave a review and share this episode with a fellow educator ✅ Visit www.myedtech.life for more amazing conversations 💜 Thank you to our sponsors: Eduaide.AI | Book Creator | Peel Back Education | Comeback Coffee 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

  4. APR 6

    No CS Background. Below Poverty Line. Now Learning Quantum ft. A.M. Bhatt | My EdTech Life 359

    What happens when you take public high school students with zero computer science background — 87% of whom are below the federal poverty line — and put them in one of only two quantum computing programs for high schoolers in the entire nation? That's exactly what A.M. Bhatt and his nonprofit DAE are doing in Connecticut, and the results are challenging everything we think we know about education reform, student potential, and what it really means to prepare young people for the future. In this episode of My EdTech Life, host Dr. Alfonso Mendoza sits down with A.M. Bhatt to unpack why traditional education is stuck in an industrial-era mindset, why the push for "job readiness" might actually be more dangerous than the problem it's trying to solve, and why real education reform starts with identity formation — not content coverage. Bhatt shares how his students complete 24 college credits worth of computer science in just 10 months, why he left a successful career advising Fortune 500 executives to work with underserved youth, and what a simple bowl of soup has to do with building a real learning community. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest 01:37 A.M. Bhatt's Journey in Education 09:36 The State of Education: Challenges and Opportunities 15:37 Identity Formation in Education 22:01 Preparing Students for the Future: Players vs. Audience 26:31 The Importance of Non-Technical Skills 28:09 Real-World Hiring Insights 32:13 Remedial Humaning in Education 34:32 Infrastructure vs. Human Development 39:10 Dropping Seeds of Knowledge 43:46 Kryptonite in Education 45:50 Messages for the Future Connect with Dr. Fonz: 🎙️ Website: https://www.myedtech.life/ 📲 Follow on LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook & YouTube Thank you to our sponsors: 📚 Book Creator: Use Code MYEDTECHLIFE for Premium Access! 🤖Eduaide.AI 🎓 Peel Back Education ☕Comeback Coffee 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

    52 min

  5. MAR 31

    How Two 19-Year-Olds Are Fixing Reading & Writing with AI ft. Almar & Max | My EdTech Life 358

    They’re Only 19… And Already Rethinking Education What happens when two 19-year-olds look at education and say… this isn’t working? In this episode, I sit down with Almar Tishenko and Max Litvinenka, two young founders building Reading Rooms, a platform designed to rethink how students read, write, and receive feedback in the age of AI. This isn’t about replacing teachers. This is about giving them time back, strengthening critical thinking, and using AI the right way. 🚀 What You’ll Learn •Why delayed feedback is hurting student learning •How Reading Rooms is changing reading & writing workflows •Why banning AI isn’t the answer •How to use AI without killing critical thinking •What teachers actually want from EdTech •The future skills students NEED right now Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background of Guests 02:07 Celebrating 6 Years of My EdTech Life 04:56 Meet Almar and Max: Young EdTech Innovators 08:51 Problems in Education: Grading and Critical Thinking 11:46 Impact of AI on Education and Teachers' Concerns 16:49 Connecting with Educators and Understanding Needs 32:29 Introducing Reading Rooms Platform 36:27 Features of Reading Rooms: Homework Builder and Tools 48:07 Skills for the AI-Driven Future 01:01:57 Advice for Educators and District Leaders 01:04:33 Final Thoughts and Contact Information Connect with Dr. Fonz: 🎙️ Website: https://www.myedtech.life/ 📲 Follow on LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook & YouTube Thank you to our sponsors: 📚 Book Creator Use Code MYEDTECHLIFE for Premium Access! 🤖Eduaide 🎓 Peel Back Education ☕Comeback Coffee 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 6m

  6. MAR 17

    Giving Student Voice a Stage ft. Tim Belmont | My EdTech Life 357

    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. Tim breaks down how he integrates podcasting into his Public Speaking and Advanced Public Speaking classes, why choice and personal connection are the secret ingredients to genuine student expression, and how the NPR Student Podcast Challenge transforms reluctant students into passionate communicators. He also shares the story behind the Bell Tower — a privacy-conscious podcast platform he built from the ground up to give student voices a stage that goes beyond the classroom walls, while staying FERPA and COPPA compliant. Whether you are a classroom teacher, a tech coordinator, or a district leader, this episode will challenge you to rethink how you define assessment, student engagement, and what authentic learning looks like in the age of AI. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 02:43 Tim Belmont's Background in Education 05:51 Integrating Podcasting in the Classroom 10:26 Authentic Student Voice vs. Performative Voice 15:15 The Impact of Authentic Audiences 20:24 The Importance of Scripted Communication 22:32 The Bell Tower Project Overview 23:40 The Bell Tower Project: Vision and Goals 29:57 Authentic Audience Engagement in Education 34:45 Transformative Student Experiences through Podcasting 39:34 Getting Started with Podcasting in the Classroom 44:25 The Future of Student-Created Media and Assessment Connect with Tim Belmont: 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timbelmont/ Tools & Resources Mentioned: NPR Student Podcast Challenge & Curriculum — npr.org Adobe Podcast https://podcast.adobe.com/ Screencastify https://www.screencastify.com/ The Bell Tower https://www.linkedin.com/company/belltower-edu/ Connect with Dr. Fonz: 🎙️ Website: https://www.myedtech.life/ 📲 Follow on LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook & YouTube Thank you to our sponsors: 📚 Book Creator Edu: Use Code MYEDTECHLIFE for Premium Access! 🎓 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

    52 min

  7. MAR 11

    Safe AI for Kids: How Chatperone Protects Your Child ft. Caleb Hurd | My EdTech Life 356

    In this episode, Dr. Alfonso sits down with Caleb Hurd, founder of Chatperone, an AI chat platform built specifically to keep kids safe online. As a father of two and a 20-year tech industry veteran, Caleb built Chatperone not for investors or school district contracts, but for his own children first. What started as a personal solution has become a mission to give parents and educators peace of mind in a world where AI chatbots are already in the hands of our kids. From the Character AI controversy to COPPA compliance gaps, Caleb and Dr. Fonz unpack the real dangers lurking in unguarded AI platforms and why Big Tech is getting it wrong. They also explore what it truly means to put the child at the center of EdTech design, how parents and teachers can work together to guide healthy AI interactions, and why data ownership matters more than ever in 2026. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Context Setting 06:04 The Birth of Chatperone 12:01 Navigating Parental Concerns 17:48 Building Trust with Parents 23:52 Challenges with Big Tech 29:52 The Future of Child Safety in EdTech 30:47 Understanding AI in Education 35:46 Building Solutions with Children in Mind 40:39 The Philosophy Behind Chatperone 42:44 Navigating the Current Educational Landscape 47:46 Reflections on Parenting and Technology Sponsor Shoutout Thank you to our sponsors: Book Creator, Eduaide.AI, and Peel Back Education for supporting My EdTech Life. Get 3 Months of Book Creator Premium Access Free! Use Code: MyEdTechLife Stay Techie ✌️ 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

    53 min

  8. MAR 2

    Podcasting in 2026: Grow Your Show with AI & Descript ft. Aaron Makelky | My EdTech Life 355

    Dr. Alfonso sits down with Aaron Makelky of Descript to unpack the real future of podcasting beyond vanity metrics, beyond over-polished edits, and beyond the AI hype. This conversation is a masterclass for creators, educators, and entrepreneurs who want to amplify their voice without burning out. From workflow wisdom to sponsorship strategy to the rise of hyper-niche podcasts, Aaron delivers practical insight with zero fluff. If you’ve ever wondered whether your downloads are “enough,” whether video matters, or how AI fits into authentic storytelling, you won't want to miss this one. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Podcasting and Descript 02:50 The Evolution of Podcasting and Its Accessibility 06:04 Changing Perspectives on Sponsorships 08:53 Building Relationships and Trust in Podcasting 11:58 The Surge in Podcasting and Content Formats 15:00 The Role of Video in Podcasting 18:02 Enhancing Audio and Video Quality with Descript 20:54 Leveraging AI Tools for Podcasting Efficiency 29:02 Enhancing Video Interaction with AI Tools 32:00 Streamlining Podcast Editing with AI 33:37 Balancing Polish and Authenticity in Content 41:30 The Importance of Learning and Repetition in Podcasting 44:51 Future Trends in Podcasting and Content Creation Try Descript: https://descript.cello.so/hVfs5yHcBjx Sponsor Shoutout Thank you to our sponsors: Book Creator, Eduaide.AI, and Peel Back Education for supporting My EdTech Life. Get 3 Months of Book Creator Premium Access Free! Use Code: MyEdTechLife Stay Techie ✌️ 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

    1 hr
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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
    365
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 My EdTech Life
  • Show Website
    My EdTech Life

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