Mallory Dwinal-Palisch is the President of Craft Education, a nonprofit division of Western Governors University that is developing the ecosystem platform for enabling work-based pathways across higher education and the workforce. Mallory has devoted her career to merging education with tech innovation. Her work streamlines regulatory data and addresses labor shortages, unlocking opportunities for working learners and providing real-time talent solutions for businesses.

Hosted by Matthew Rascoff
This episode is part of the Edtech Insiders HigherEd Podcast Series, featuring conversations with leaders shaping the future of higher education.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode

1. Why traditional degrees can limit access to opportunity.
2. How apprenticeships can transform higher education.
3. Rethinking teacher preparation and professional licensure.
4. Breaking down silos between education and workforce systems.
5. How AI is reshaping entry-level careers.

✨ Episode Highlights
[00:00:24] Rethinking traditional pathways into teaching
[00:06:09] “Ability is everywhere, but opportunity is not.”
[00:17:11] The evolution of apprenticeship-based degrees
[00:34:25] Breaking down education and workforce silos
[00:43:45] AI and the future of entry-level work
[00:48:20] AI, entrepreneurship, and career opportunities

Interested in building or scaling teacher apprenticeship programs? Explore Building & Scaling Teacher Apprenticeships , a playbook developed by Craft Education in collaboration with the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). The resource explores approaches to developing and scaling teacher apprenticeship programs.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Michael Feldstein is Chief Strategy Officer at 1EdTech, where he helps shape an open, trusted, and interoperable edtech ecosystem. With more than 30 years in educational technology, he has also led the Empirical Educator Project, co-founded Argos Education, and founded the eLiterate blog.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. Why AI, interoperability, and cybersecurity are increasingly connected in edtech.
2. How interoperability standards can help reduce security risks.
3. What AI should and shouldn’t know about a learner.
4. Why trusted, portable learning context could shape the future of AI in education.
5. How the edtech community can work together to build greater trust and better systems.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:05:51] Why interoperability creates potential cybersecurity attack surfaces.
[00:13:26] AI, human vulnerabilities, and the challenge of securing connected edtech systems.
[00:26:31] Michael introduces the idea of Trusted Portable Learning Context.
[00:32:35] How policies and verifiable credentials could govern what AI can access.
[00:41:35] Michael on “cognitive surrender” and finding the right balance between AI’s benefits and risks.
[00:46:48] Why better interoperability starts with better collaboration across the edtech ecosystem.
[00:51:53] Keeping the human side of education at the center of technology.

Michael referenced 1EdTech’s webinar, “LMS Security: This Is What Shared Responsibility Looks Like,” featuring Blackboard, D2L, and Instructure. Watch the replay here.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Join host Ben Kornell as he speaks with edtech leaders about AI in English language teaching, the future of learning and work, and expanding access to computer science and AI literacy.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:01:10] Dr. Evelina Galaczi, Director of Research at Cambridge University Press & Assessment and Ana Petersen, a language educator in Florida on AI in English language teaching
[00:19:03] Ben Wirz, founding partner and David Guérin, partner of Brighteye Ventures on the future of learning and work
[00:45:31] Philip Colligan, CEO of the Raspberry Pi Foundation, on AI literacy and computer science education

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

To celebrate 500 episodes of Edtech Insiders, Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell are joined by Reed Hastings for a special conversation about AI, education, and the future of learning. They explore the potential of AI-powered tutoring, the changing role of teachers, the future of assessment, and what schools could look like in the years ahead.

Reed Hastings is the co-founder of Netflix and Chairman of Powder in Utah. He served as Netflix CEO for 25 years and previously founded Pure Software. Reed serves on the boards of Bloomberg and Anthropic and is an active education philanthropist. He previously served as President of the California State Board of Education and currently supports organizations including KIPP, City Fund, and the Charter School Growth Fund.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. Reed Hastings’ vision for AI-powered tutoring.
2. How conversational AI could transform learning and assessment.
3. Why Hastings believes charter schools can drive education innovation.
4. How AI could expand access to personalized learning globally.
5. What the future of teachers and schools could look like.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:05:42] Reed Hastings joins EdTech Insiders' 500 episodes celebration.
[00:11:29] The case for AI-powered individualized tutoring.
[00:16:32] The future of AI tutors and conversational learning.
[00:22:21] How AI could reshape the role of teachers.
[00:30:31] AI and the growing “tech lash” in schools.
[00:34:00] Why learning and assessment could become conversational.
[00:38:00] AI’s potential to transform schools over the next decade.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Dacia Toll is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Coursemojo, an AI teaching assistant designed to help students make meaningful reading gains. A former teacher and principal in New Haven and founder of Achievement First, Dacia brings a deep focus on instructional quality, student outcomes, and what it takes to improve learning at scale. Coursemojo has now expanded to more than 85 school districts, from large districts like Boston, Denver, and Duval County to 5 small districts in rural Wisconsin and 13 districts of all sizes in Texas.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. Why productive struggle matters for learning
2. How Coursemojo uses AI without giving away answers
3. The role of high-quality instructional materials
4. Supporting multilingual learners and students with IEPs
5. Using AI to strengthen teacher efficacy

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:03:10] Dacia Toll’s journey from Edtech skeptic to founder
[00:04:58] Why outcomes drive Coursemojo’s approach
[00:06:29] Why high-quality instructional materials matter for reading achievement
[00:11:26] Designing AI around productive struggle
[00:18:58] Supporting multilingual learners and students with IEPs
[00:22:33] AI as a tool for teacher efficacy
[00:25:25] Coursemojo’s vision for a more coherent learning experience

Learn more: What It Looks Like to Build Educational AI Based on Cognitive Science – K12 Digest

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

George Siemens is a prominent learning theorist and digital education researcher serving as the Chief AI and Innovation Officer at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), he co-founded SNHU's AI-learning platform. He is widely known as the pioneer of the learning theory Connectivism and for creating the first Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs).

Hosted by Matthew Rascoff
This episode is part of the Edtech Insiders HigherEd Podcast Series, featuring conversations with leaders shaping the future of higher education.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. How MOOCs shaped online learning.
2. How AI can move education toward deeper thinking and human connection.
3. What universities should own vs. rent in AI.
4. Why student agency and data matter.
5. How SNHU is building an AI-ready culture.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:03:21] The origins and evolution of MOOCs.
[00:10:00] AI, human connection, and education.
[00:14:46] Lessons from learning analytics.
[00:20:20] Developing the “whole human.”
[00:23:32] What universities should own vs. rent.
[00:31:05] SNHU’s approach to AI and sovereignty.
[00:33:14] SNHU’s “forward deployed engineer” model.
[00:35:39] Sharing AI lessons across higher education.

Learn more: Explore the Chief AI Officer Network (CAION)

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Jennie Magiera is the Global Head of Education Impact at Google, a bestselling author, and former teacher, coach, administrator, and professor.

Chanel Johnson is an educator with 15+ years in K–12, STEM, and EdTech. She is a Google Certified AI Educator and Innovator and currently teaches 8th grade science.

Hannah Ketteman is Senior Instructional Consultant for AI at Texas A&M University-Central Texas and a Google Faculty Fellow, focusing on human-first AI integration in education.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. Why AI should start with the learning goal.
2. How teachers can build AI confidence and fluency.
3. Using AI as a thought partner and co-planner.
4. Teaching students AI discernment.
5. What human-first AI looks like in education.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:01:17] Centering educator voices in AI
[00:08:30] AI in education: Promise vs. preparedness
[00:15:48] The importance of teacher mindset
[00:22:33] Teachers as “master builders” of AI
[00:24:21] Teaching AI discernment
[00:26:39] AI as a co-planner
[00:39:35] The future of AI in the classroom

This episode is produced in partnership with Google.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

In this episode, Alex Sarlin speaks with leaders and finalists from the Global EdTech Prize about expanding access to education, supporting underserved learners, and using technology and AI to drive meaningful impact around the world.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. How Edtech is expanding access for underserved and displaced learners.
2. New approaches to assessment, literacy, and learning outcomes.
3. How AI is enabling more personalized learning experiences.
4. How technology can support educators rather than replace them.
5. Why collaboration across the global Edtech ecosystem matters.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:38] Vikas Pota, Founder and CEO of T4 Education and Global EdTech Prize on the mission behind the prize and its focus on discovering and scaling Edtech innovations with global impact.

Finalist Interviews:
[00:13:16] Abdullahi Dahir Mire, Founder, Refugee Youth Education Hub (RYEH)
[00:28:59] Alina A. von Davier, PhD, Chief of Assessment, Duolingo
[00:43:34] Edan Shahar, Founder & CEO, Wild Zebra
[00:58:22] Dania Bush, International Educational Consultant, Renaissance Learning
[01:06:54] Gabi Immelman, Founder, Mindjoy
[01:18:21] Ami Shah, Co-Founder & CEO, Peekapak
[01:31:39] Quinn O’Brien, Chief Marketing Officer, Carnegie Learning

Watch the full Global EdTech Prize 2026 Top 10 announcement here.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.