From Resistance to Reinvention: Mike Kentz on Redefining Education in the Age of AI

In this episode of the Smarter Campus Podcast, host Zach Kinzler talks with Mike Kentz, founder of Zentex Educational Advisors and former middle and high school teacher.Mike’s story is one that every educator should hear: he went from actively avoiding AI to building an entire company around helping teachers not just adopt AI—but thrive with it.This isn’t just a conversation about tools—it’s a deep, personal, and empowering discussion about mindset, transformation, and what it means to be an educator in an AI-powered world.In this episode, you'll hear:How Mike spent 8–10 months ignoring ChatGPT—and whyThe book that changed everything (hint: 🧀)Why standardized testing might be the biggest obstacle to real innovationWhat teachers can do today to start learning AI, without pressureHow AI can actually create jobs for teachers—not replace themWhat a future classroom looks like when AI and educators work togetherWhether you’re a teacher, administrator, or education leader, this episode offers a roadmap to AI literacy grounded in honesty, humility, and hope.