Meaningful life, balance, and wisdom: Gilberto Pinzon on building “thinking schools” with Edu1st

In this episode of Chalk and Code, host Theron Davis 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. A former surgeon turned education leader, Gilberto shares the story behind the VESS model (Vida, Equilibrio, Sentido, y Sabiduria) and why he and his co-founder, Ana Maria Fernandez, set out to redesign schooling around curiosity, metacognition, character, and purposeful learning.Together, they unpack the shift from memorizing content to building understanding, how teachers evolve from lecturers to learning facilitators, and why cultural transformation in schools requires a multi-year commitment, not a one-time workshop.From the promise and risks of AI in education to the real-world challenges schools face today (teacher shortages, shifting demographics, and rising competition), this conversation offers a grounded look at where learning is headed, and what we must protect as technology accelerates.Key Moments03:30 Rethinking Education for Balance08:44 "Curiosity: The Essence of Learning"10:08 "Fostering Curiosity for Lifelong Learning"14:11 "Fostering Curiosity-Driven Learning"18:05 "Understanding Success as a Process"21:08 "Assessing Progress Through Cultural Forces"24:23 "Personalized Learning Through Technology"28:55 "Human Development vs. Technology"31:34 "Concerns About Rapid Technology Impact"34:48 Cognitive Decline and Technology Concerns40:31 Preschool Industry Challenges in Florida43:39 "AI's Impact and Challenges"44:57 "Proactive Tech for Civilization's Future"Why You’ll Love This EpisodeThis episode challenges a familiar assumption: that education improves simply by adding more content, more testing, or more tools.You will hear how Edu1st is helping schools build cultures of thinking where students ask better questions, learn how they learn, and develop the character needed to navigate real-life complexity.Gilberto also shares:How VESS reframes education around purpose and balanceWhy curiosity is the engine of lifelong learningWhat “documentation” reveals about student thinking and growthHow AI can support learning and what risks we cannot ignoreWhy the future demands we become “more human,” not lessConnect with Gilberto PinzonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gilbertopinzonedu1st/ Edu1st: https://edu1stvess.com/ Connect with UsCompany’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flexion-incCompany Website: https://flexion.us/If this conversation sparked a new idea or challenged your assumptions, share this episode with a colleague and subscribe for more thoughtful discussions at the intersection of learning, leadership, and educational technology.Join us next time on Chalk and Code, where the science of learning meets modern technology.