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SEASON 1, EPISODE 1
From chalkboards to boardrooms
Rethinking how EdTech meets education
With Doug Roberts, Institution for Education Innovation
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. As founder of the Institute for Education Innovation (IEI), Doug shares a candid look at what it takes to connect the dots between superintendents and tech innovators and why the current model of edtech sales is due for a radical rethink.
From his early career as a high school social studies teacher to pioneering one of the few platforms that brings district leaders and edtech startups together on equal footing, Doug unpacks the real-world challenges and surprising opportunities in K–12 innovation. Along the way, he reflects on his journey, the purpose behind IEI, and what the future holds for AI in education, digital learning tools, and district-level decision-making.
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About the guest
Doug Roberts
Founder & CEO, Institute for Education Innovation
Doug Roberts is founder and CEO of the Institute for Education Innovation (IEI), a national membership organization connecting K–12 superintendents with edtech companies and investors. IEI hosts national summits, deputy superintendent leadership events, and a “Soups Choice” pitch competition judged entirely by superintendents. Doug began his career as a public high school social studies teacher before moving into edtech consulting and business development.
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