In this episode of Make It Mindful, Seth Fleischauer welcomes Christian Pinedo of AIEDU to explore what artificial intelligence actually means for the future of education. Rather than focusing on tools or hype, the conversation digs into how AI is exposing deeper challenges in the education system—from outdated assessment models to the need for systemic change. Drawing on his experience at Stanford’s Institute for Human-Centered AI and now working directly with educators across the U.S., Pinedo argues that AI should not be treated as a technology problem but as an opportunity to rethink how schools prepare students for a rapidly changing world.Together, Seth and Christian explore how AI became “real” for educators with the arrival of large language models, why concerns about cheating are really conversations about assessment design, and how meaningful change requires both grassroots engagement with teachers and broader policy shifts at the state level. The episode highlights the importance of human-centered thinking, deeper professional learning for teachers, and the role of AI as a catalyst for broader educational transformation.Key Topics Discussed:How Christian Pinedo moved from classroom teaching to working at Stanford’s Institute for Human-Centered AI and eventually to AIEDU.Why large language models made AI suddenly real for educators after years of research and speculation.The concept of human-centered AI and why conversations about AI must include educators, policymakers, historians, and communities—not just technologists.Why teacher concerns about AI “cheating” are really conversations about assessment design in a digital world.The limits of focusing on AI tools instead of addressing deeper systemic challenges in education.AIEDU’s AI Readiness Framework, which outlines competencies for students, teachers, school leaders, and districts.Why sustainable education reform requires both grassroots engagement with teachers and grass-tops policy change at the state level.How AIEDU’s Teacher Trailblazers Fellowship creates deeper professional learning through multi-week, collaborative teacher cohorts.Real classroom projects emerging from the fellowship, including:Indigenous students exploring data sovereignty and AIStudents using AI to build a platform encouraging voter registration in rural communitiesThe difference between information and knowledge in the age of AI—and why friction in learning still matters.How international contexts change the conversation around AI in education, especially for English language learners and communities with different assumptions about privacy and data.Guest Bio:Christian Pinedo works with AIEDU to help schools and policymakers navigate the impact of artificial intelligence on education. A former classroom teacher, he previously worked at Stanford’s Institute for Human-Centered AI (HAI), where he explored how AI intersects with society, policy, and education. His work now focuses on helping educators and school systems develop the skills, frameworks, and policies needed to prepare students for a future shaped by AI.Host Bio:Seth Fleischauer is the founder of Banyan Global Learning and host of the Make It Mindful podcast. His work focuses on global learning, cultural competency, and the evolving role of technology in education. Through Banyan Global Learning, he develops live virtual learning experiences that connect students to people, places, and ideas around the world.Episode Links:AIEDU: https://aiedu.orgAIEDU Podcast – Raising Kids in the Age of AIStanford Institute for Human-Centered AI (HAI) - https://hai.stanford.edu/World Savvy

Brig Leane, former principal of Fruita Middle School in Colorado, has over 25 years of experience in education. He has been an assistant principal and has taught at the middle and high school levels in inner-city, suburban, and rural schools in California and Colorado. In 2017 and again in 2018, Fruita Middle School made the Seattle-based GettingSmart.com’s list of 85 schools in the nation that other educators should visit.His latest book is The PLC Dashboard: Implementing, Leading, and Sustaining Your Professional Learning Community at Work.We discuss:How Brig developed the PLC DashboardWhat the dashboard is and what it doesWhat to say to a principal who has unsuccessfully tried the PLC process in the past and is not clear on what to do differently this timeHow does The PLC Dashboard lighten the load for an administrator?How a principal gains confidence to start and sustain the PLC processGet the PLC Dashboard from Solution Tree. Learn more about Brig’s work at www.BrigLeane.com About the hostRoss Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Bluesky or LinkedIn I also host Sideline Sessions, a podcast for coaches and parents of student-athletes. The show features conversations with coaches and performance experts in the NFL, NBA, NCAA, Olympics, and more. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3Rp0QGt 

Tired of 15-minute "updates" that drag on forever, one loud voice hijacking the room, and zero action items? 😩 You're not alone – teams waste 31 hours a month on bad meetings!Join hosts Alex and Janin on The Humility Advantage as they expose why your daily huddles suck, unveil the "Perfect Huddle" blueprint powered by AI facilitation, and share debrief hacks to stop derailers in their tracks.What you'll get:✅ The 10-min meeting formula that boosts team collaboration (no more burnout!)✅ AI tools to run flawless round-robins and auto-generate action plans✅ Real-talk tactics: Park tangents, enforce airtime, and debrief like prosPerfect for healthcare leaders, managers, and anyone craving productive teams without the drama. Humility isn't weakness – it's your superpower for better meetings and happier teams!👉 Listen now, transform your huddles, and tag us on LinkedIn with #HumilityAdvantage!Subscribe for weekly wins on leadership, burnout-proofing, and neurodivergent-friendly strategies.

In this episode of The EduTechGuys, we tackle the uncomfortable question echoing through faculty lounges across the country — what happens when the person in the principal’s office has barely spent time in a classroom?We break down the “fast-track phenomenon” driving inexperienced educators into administrative roles, from the nationwide leadership shortage to a policy shift that’s turned principals into operational managers rather than instructional leaders. Then we dig into why pedagogical diversity in leadership teams matters just as much as demographic diversity — and the real cost when it’s missing, from teacher burnout to a culture of compliance over connection.If you’re a teacher with your eye on administration, we’ve also got a few practical tips for making the leap with credibility and integrity — including how to diversify your classroom experience, build leadership without a title, and stay grounded in what actually works for kids long after you leave the classroom.

In this Transformative Principal vault episode from the Transformative Leadership Summit, host Jethro Jones interviews Will Parker, a high school principal from northeastern Oklahoma, about implementing KRAs (Key Responsibility Areas) in schools. Will shares how he adapted Dave Ramsey's organizational management concept to create clarity and accountability for all staff members—from secretaries and counselors to administrators. The conversation explores how defining specific responsibility areas upfront prevents confusion, enables cross-training, improves hiring processes, and creates a supportive environment where everyone understands their role. Will emphasizes that KRAs are living documents revisited annually, helping schools manage organizational structure effectively, especially during transitions like budget cuts or staff changes.