In this episode, Ellen Ullman sits down with Jennifer Womble, the driving force behind the Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC), to discuss what’s ahead for FETC 2026. They explore the latest trends in EdTech, the evolving needs of K-12 educators, and how FETC is shaping professional learning for the future.

Key Topics:

• The mission and year-round planning behind FETC, including deep engagement with district leaders and educators.
• Major themes for FETC 2026: AI in education, eSports, inclusion, digital literacy, and more.
• The new six-hour AI Summit, led by Holly Clark, Ken Shelton, and Matt Miller, focusing on AI literacy and practical implementation for educators.
• Spotlight on innovative tools like Kai Beam for literacy, and how AI is being embedded in classroom solutions.
• The growth of eSports in schools, its impact on student engagement, CTE pathways, and the dedicated eSports Summit at FETC.
• Inclusion as a core track, not a side topic—how assistive technology and AI-powered translation tools are making classrooms more equitable.
• FETC’s commitment to community-building, networking, and supporting educators across all roles.
• Event logistics: FETC 2026 runs January 11–14 in Orlando, with “Sub-Free Sunday” to help districts save on costs, and a mix of summits, workshops, and expo days.

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL.

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

In this reboot of EDU Talk Radio, host Ellen Ullman welcomes EdTech pioneer Jim Marggraff, CEO of Kabe Learning and inventor behind Leapfrog’s LeapPad and the Livescribe Smartpen. They discuss the current literacy crisis, the science of reading, and how screen-free AI tools are transforming early childhood education.

Key Topics:

• The alarming state of early literacy in the U.S. and why fourth grade is a critical inflection point.
• The evolution of reading instruction: phonics vs. whole language, and the importance of phonemic awareness.
• The story behind LeapPad and the development of interactive learning tools.
• Kabe Learning’s new AI-powered, screen-free reading wand and its impact in classrooms and homes.
• The role of data, brain science, and adaptive learning in the future of reading.
• How pilot programs in Florida and New York are helping bridge literacy gaps, especially for multilingual and underserved students.
• The importance of parental involvement and dialogic reading for comprehension and vocabulary development.
• The future of early reading: personalized, adaptive, and context-aware learning powered by AI

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL.

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

In this episode, originally from Transformative Principal, host Jethro Jones interviews Joel Lavin, an equity and inclusion administrator in Eugene, Oregon, with 25 years of experience in public education.

Joel shares insights into his work supporting high school students with disabilities, focusing on transition services that help students move from school to adulthood. The conversation covers the importance of inclusive practices, unifying specialized programs, and providing real-life experiences through initiatives like CTE (Career Technical Education) and the Future Build program.

Joel and Jethro discuss the challenges and successes of integrating students with disabilities into broader educational and extracurricular opportunities, including unified sports and robotics. The episode features personal stories that highlight the impact of these programs on student confidence, independence, and community involvement, emphasizing the value of collaboration among educators to create inclusive environments.

Follow Transformative Principal here: https://transformativeprincipal.org

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL.

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.