Chalk & Code
An EdTech podcast for educators, builders, and bold thinkers
Episode 1
From chalkboards to boardrooms: Rethinking how EdTech meets education
In the premiere episode of Chalk and Code, host Theron Davis sits down with Doug Roberts, a former classroom teacher turned edtech entrepreneur, to explore the evolving relationship between public education and technology.
Episode 2
The test that thinks differently: Inside CLT’s classical approach
In this episode of Chalk and Code, host Theron Davis welcomes Dr. Tim Wiens, a seasoned educator and President of the Academic Advisory Board at Classic Learning Test (CLT). If you’ve ever questioned what standardized testing is really measuring, or what it should be, this conversation will get you thinking.
Episode 3
Augmented storytelling and inclusion: Cheryl Bayer on the future of learning tech
In this episode of Chalk and Code, host Jill Foley dives into the world of immersive education with Cheryl Bayer, CEO of Living Popups, a cutting-edge company blending storytelling, augmented reality, and curriculum to engage students like never before.
Episode 4
From World Bank to world-builder: The power of no-code games
In this episode of Chalk and Code, host Jill chats with Mariam Nusrat, the visionary founder of Breshna.io, a no-code platform revolutionizing how video games are built, shared, and used. Think Canva meets Candy Crush, but with a mission.
Episode 5
Rethinking the system: Time, autonomy, and the future of learning
In this episode of Chalk and Code, host Theron Davis sits down with Dr. Joseph Guastalli-Atman, the philosopher-turned-founder behind Middle Tree, a nonprofit education center that’s redefining what supplemental learning can be.
Episode 6
Building Stronger School Communities Through Enrollment and Retention with Benjamin Welbourn
In this episode of Chalk and Code, host Theron Davis is joined by Benjamin Welbourn, CEO of Schola, a Phoenix-based edtech platform helping families find the schools that fit them best.
Episode 7
Reimagining Coding Through Art: Dr. Victor Winter on Bricklayer and the Future of Computer Science Education
In this episode of Chalk and Code, host Theron Davis sits down with Dr. Victor Winter, professor of computer science at the University of Nebraska Omaha and founder of BrickLayer.
Episode 8
From Blackboard to Tovuti LMS: Matthew Baker on transforming learning management for the future
In this episode of Chalk and Code, host Theron Davis speaks with Matthew Baker, CEO of Tavuti LMS, about the past, present, and future of learning management systems.
Episode 9
From toy drones to career pathways: The story behind drone legends
In this episode of Chalk and Code, host Jill Foley speaks with Scott Buell, Founder of Drone Legends, about bringing real-world drone applications into K-12 learning. From Mars exploration and medical delivery to precision agriculture and infrastructure inspection, Scott maps how drones are reshaping work and why early exposure matters.
Episode 10
Bridging the gap: How Backyard Brains connects cutting-edge science with the classroom
In this episode of Chalk and Code, Dr. Greg Gage, Neuroscientist, Inventor, TED Fellow, Keynote Speaker, and Co-Founder and CEO at Backyard Brains, joins us to explore how neuroscience can move beyond the lab and into classrooms around the world.
Episode 11
Building culture through learning: How CypherWorx connects purpose, people, and professional growth
In this episode of Chalk and Code, Steve Stookey, Vice President and CCO at CypherWorx, joins us to explore how purpose-driven professional development can transform the way organizations learn and lead.
Episode 13
Human-in-the-loop AI tutoring: Raj Valli on guaranteed learning outcomes
In this episode of Chalk and Code, we sit down with Raj Valli, Founder and CEO of Thinkster Math, an AI-driven tutoring company that blends patented AI with human coaches to deliver measurable outcomes in math learning.
Episode 15
AI, open source, and the new entry-level: Tyler Menezes on preparing students for tech careers
In this episode of Chalk and Code, Tyler Menezes, CEO of CodeDay, a nonprofit that creates welcoming, project-based experiences for underserved students to explore a future in technology through 24-hour coding events and open–source–focused internships.
Episode 17
Happiness economics and emerging tech, Kiera Peltz on building access at scale
In this episode of Chalk and Code, our host sits down with Kiera Peltz, Founder and CEO of The Coding School, to explore how happiness economics, equity, and emerging technology education are deeply connected.
Episode 19
Building safer virtual worlds for K–12, and the future of online school with Topia’s CTO
In this episode of Chalk and Code, we sit down with Christopher Psiaki, Chief Technology Officer of Topia Interactive, to explore how spatial media and real-time communication can make online learning feel more human.
Episode 21
Supporting teachers first: Joe Cotter to build Teaching Channel & rethinking professional learning
In this episode of Chalk and Code, we sit down with Joe Cotter, Founder in Residence at Teaching Channel, to unpack the early days of building teacher-centered learning experiences before online learning became mainstream, and why practical application, energy, and relevance matter more than tests and papers.
Episode 23
Meaningful life, balance, and wisdom: Gilberto Pinzon on building “thinking schools” with Edu1st
In this episode of Chalk and Code, our host sits down with Gilberto Pinzon, CEO and co-founder of Edu1st, to explore what it really means to transform a classroom into a thinking culture.
Episode 12
Redesigning Mandarin learning: How hihilulu connects pedagogy, technology, and classroom practice
In this episode of Chalk and Code, Jennifer Huang, Founder and CEO at hihilulu, joins us to explore why so many young learners struggle with Mandarin and what changes when instruction is redesigned around the true structure of the language.
Episode 14
Rebuilding at scale: Nolan Frausto on simplicity, stability, and early learning innovation
In this episode of Chalk and Code, host Jennilee Bertrand talks with Nolan Frausto, CTO of AdaptedMind, about what it takes to scale a learning platform for millions of young children.
Episode 16
Designing playful, high-accountability learning with Dr. Johannes Ziegler, CEO of Miaplaza
In this episode of Chalk and Code, our host sits down with Dr. Johannes Ziegler, CEO of Miaplaza, the company behind Miacademy, MiaPrep, and their accredited online high school.
Episode 18
AI, Adaptive Testing, and the future of assessment with Dr. Nathan Thompson
In this episode of Chalk and Code, host we sit down with Dr. Nathan Thompson, Chief Executive Officer of Assessment Systems Corporation, to explore how assessment science is evolving in an era shaped by AI, adaptive testing, and increasing demands for integrity and personalization.
Episode 20
How hands-on learning at NCLab achieves nearly 100 percent program completion
In this episode of Chalk and Code, we sit down with Leonard Lafrance, President and CEO of NCLab, a Nevada-based company rethinking online vocational education for data analysts, Python programmers, and automation technicians.
Episode 22
Human-centered AI in education: How Coursemojo empowers teachers and students
In this episode of Chalk and Code, our host sits down with Jamie Forrest, Co-Founder and CTO of CourseMojo, to explore what it takes to build responsible AI for real classrooms. Jamie shares how his background in AI engineering at Apple (Siri), his early experience teaching in Harlem, and the realities of COVID shaped his philosophy.
Episode 24
Connecting classroom and workforce: Allie Fuchs’ journey in Edtech and career development
In this episode of Chalk and Code, we speak with Allie Fuchs, Vice President of Product at Pathful, about how technology can bridge the gap between classroom learning and the real world of work.