In this episode, educators Terry Schmalz & Miranda Bailey interview Dr. Brian Hill of D51 in Western Colorado.

Hill shares his journey in education, discusses the district's student cell phone policy update, explores the challenges of school funding, explains his decision-making process, and reflects on how he measures student success.

📅 Stay tuned for Part 2 on June 12, 2026, where Dr. Hill discusses educator burnout, the role of AI in the classroom, his proudest moment as superintendent, and the one word he uses to describe himself.

🎧 Episode 4: Student Voices on AI 🤖🎓

In this episode of Teaching Better Together, hosts Terry Schmalz and Miranda Bailey sit down with Central High School seniors Nic Pinnt and Pedro Medina for an honest, insightful conversation about artificial intelligence in today’s classrooms.

Both students—aspiring engineers—share how they’ve already encountered and used AI in their learning, from academic support to problem-solving, and where they see its role heading in the future. Their perspectives offer a refreshing, student-centered look at a topic that’s rapidly reshaping education.

From questions of integrity and independence to innovation and opportunity, Nic and Pedro give educators a front-row seat to how students are really thinking about AI—not just as a tool, but as part of their academic and career journeys.

✨ Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or simply curious about the future of learning, this episode brings valuable insight straight from the students experiencing it firsthand.

What happens when artificial intelligence rolls into the classroom? 🤖📓
In this episode, we sit down with D51 Instructional Coach and Magic School Bus Fellow Vanessa Moore to explore how District 51 is navigating the fast-moving world of AI in education.

Vanessa shares a thoughtful, boots-on-the-ground look at:
✨ How D51 teachers and leaders are approaching AI
⚖️ The real pros and cons of using AI with students
🧠 Ways AI can support creativity, differentiation, and critical thinking
🚧 Concerns around ethics, overreliance, and academic integrity
🔮 What the future of AI in classrooms might look like

Whether you're an educator, parent, or just curious about the future of learning, this conversation offers an honest and hopeful look at how schools can embrace innovation while protecting what matters most in teaching and learning. 🍎🎧

Tune in for a practical, inspiring conversation about the evolving role of AI in our schools — and what it means for students today and tomorrow.