# State of Ed Podcast A look at education inside the classroom and out. Page: Feed: --- ## [Ep. 90: Unlocking Genius with Mathematics](https://marcjisseks.podbean.com/e/ep-90-unlocking-genius-with-mathematics/) _2026-06-14_ Marc and Nick sit down with Dr. Kristopher J. Childs, Chief Academics, Equity and Social Justice Officer at Open Up Resources, founder of K Childs Solutions, and author of Teaching Mathematics for Social Justice, Grades K-12: A Guide for Moving from Mindset to Action. This conversation covers what it actually means to teach math as a tool for sense-making rather than a system of rules to memorize,… [Listen](https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/cta6xxxf8783pmee/episode_909rj7p.mp4) ## [Ep. 89: Mastering the Game of Writing](https://marcjisseks.podbean.com/e/ep-89-mastering-the-game-of-writing/) _2026-05-30_ Marc and Nick sit down with Daniel Senn and Erlend Klouman Høiner, co-founders of We Will Write, the fast-paced, anonymous, team-based writing game already used by more than a million students worldwide. This conversation covers how two childhood friends from Oslo built a platform that is making students beg to write instead of avoiding it, and why the most important thing happening in the room… [Listen](https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/4rcebhbrms5t584n/riverside_state_of_ed_podcast_fe_state_of_ed_podcastb4n23.mp4) ## [Ep. 88: Designing Schools of the Future... Today](https://marcjisseks.podbean.com/e/ep-88-designing-schools-of-the-future-today/) _2026-05-23_ Marc and Nick sit down with Dr. Sabba Quidwai, CEO and founder of Designing Schools, former education executive at Apple, lecturer at UC Irvine, and author of Designing Schools: How Design Thinking Makes You Irreplaceable in the Age of AI. This conversation covers what it actually means to lead schools through the current moment in AI, and why the fear of being replaced may be pointed in entirely… [Listen](https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/4i4mxx4up53bxcry/Episode_889icw8.mp4) ## [Ep. 87: Telling Isn't Teaching](https://marcjisseks.podbean.com/e/ep-87-telling-isnt-teaching/) _2026-05-16_ Marc and Nick, joined by guest co-host Kate Crimmins, high school English chairperson, sit down with Kristina Smekens, president and lead consultant at Smekens Education and one of the most in-demand literacy consultants in the country. Kristina has spent the better part of two decades helping K-12 teachers master reading and writing instruction, and this conversation zeroes in on a distinction… [Listen](https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/jdvnqnj8pudnexg2/Episode_878hp0w.mp4) ## [Ep. 86: Rewriting the Rules of Student Engagement](https://marcjisseks.podbean.com/e/ep-86-rewriting-the-rules-of-student-engagement/) _2026-05-09_ Marc and Nick sit down with Stephanie Clinise, a ninth-grade English teacher at Hatboro-Horsham High School in suburban Philadelphia, to talk about what happens when a teacher leads with the hook every single time. Stephanie found We Will Write, a gamified writing platform out of Norway, got her students engaged in meaningful writing on their first try, and ended up on the floor at FETC 2026… [Listen](https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/pypneevyx42ubh3g/Episode_867uv7d.mp4) ## [Ep. 85: The Power of Play in Serious Learning](https://marcjisseks.podbean.com/e/ep-85-the-power-of-play-in-serious-learning/) _2026-04-03_ Marc Isseks and special guest co-host, Karen Walsh sit down with Dan Thomas, a recently retired STEM teacher who spent his entire 32-year career at the same school he graduated from in Jamestown, New York. Now consulting and speaking under his Coach Thomas Tech brand, Dan brings a hands-on, PBL-driven philosophy to educators looking to make learning visible, meaningful, and yes, actually usable by… [Listen](https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/782x58wyih5vm43e/Episode_85_7208nkwj.mp4) ## [Ep. 84: Leading Schools With Heart](https://marcjisseks.podbean.com/e/ep-84-leading-schools-with-heart/) _2026-03-20_ Nick and Marc sit down with Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket, elementary school principal, adjunct professor at McDaniel College, TEDx speaker, president of the Maryland Association of Elementary School Principals, and one of the top 100 influencers in education. She is also the author of two bestselling books, The Principal's Journey and Relational Intelligence. Dr. Edoho-Eket shares the leadership lesson… [Listen](https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/48fesqgvw6zihmf3/Episode_846vynv.mp4) ## [Ep. 83: Partnering for Equality](https://marcjisseks.podbean.com/e/ep-83-partnering-for-equality/) _2026-03-18_ Nick and Marc spend time with Dr. Cynthia Taines, a sociologist, associate professor, and author of The Metropolitan Community: Partnering for Equality Across the Educational Divide. They discuss the many inequities facing our nation's schools and the potential solutions that could bridge existing divisions. Find Dr. Taines: website , Instagram , Facebook Follow Marc on X , online , TikTok , or… [Listen](https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/dlmo1kjemqfu2t0a/secure_stateofedpodcast_Episode_83.mp3) ## [Ep. 82: Human-Centered AI](https://marcjisseks.podbean.com/e/ep-82-human-centered-ai/) _2026-03-14_ In their ongoing FETC series, Nick and Marc sit down with Jeff Piontek, an education leader, author, and international speaker with more than 25 years of experience advancing early literacy, instructional design, and school leadership. Jeff is the former director of instructional and informational technology for the NYCDOE. His work focuses on protecting the human foundations of learning while… [Listen](https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/ifjetpwlmna9j5e0/secure_stateofedpodcast_Episode_82.mp3) ## [Meet Claude, the AI assistant (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/sDM9rk18mqro) _2026-03-14 · **Sponsored**_ Conversational AI to answer questions, brainstorm ideas, and help with tasks. ## [Ep. 81: Using AI to Grow MEGA Minds](https://marcjisseks.podbean.com/e/ep-81-using-ai-to-grow-mega-minds/) _2026-03-08_ In their ongoing FETC series, Nick and Marc sit down with Austin Levinson, Director of Learning at MEGAMINDS . They discuss the shifting landscape of edtech and how MegaMinds is leveraging artificial intelligence to create more meaningful learning experiences for students in schools. Follow Austin Levinson on LinkedIN See MegaMinds in action . Follow Marc on X , online , TikTok , or YouTube Check… [Listen](https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/6ct2xw9upxrjuopv/secure_stateofedpodcast_Episode_81.mp3)