Teaching Better Together

🎧 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 likeWhether 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.

From Crayons to Cap & GownEverything I Needed to Learn, I Learned in KindergartenWhat do high school seniors really remember about their earliest years of school? In this episode, we sit down with Zoe Clingaman and Quinn Seeman to reflect on their memories of kindergarten and elementary school—classrooms filled with crayons, circle time, playground rules, friendships, and first lessons about kindness, curiosity, and resilience. Through laughter, nostalgia, and thoughtful reflection, Zoe and Quinn look back at how those early experiences shaped who they are today as graduating seniors. It’s a reminder that some of the most important lessons don’t come from textbooks—they start on the classroom rug.

Say hello to The Kindergarten Whisperer herself — Shannon Koppenhafer! 🍎✨We had the BEST time talking all things Kinder education:💛 How to nurture curiosity in our tiniest learners🎨 Why play, creativity, and movement matter more than ever🧠 Practical strategies to support emotional + academic growth🤝 And the magic that happens when teachers truly see their studentsShannon’s wisdom, warmth, and love for kids shine through every minute. If you teach K–2, work in early childhood, or have a soft spot for the littles, this episode is a must-listen. 🎧🌈