In this inspiring Integrate This! EdTech Podcast episode, David Berner and Jeremy Mikla sit down with Joe Beckman — speaker, author, and co-founder of Till360 — to talk about reclaiming authentic human connection in an age of screens and AI. Joe shares powerful stories from schools across the country, the origin of “I Love Your Face,” and how small acts of empathy can ripple through classrooms and communities. From cell-phone-free learning to teacher wellness and leadership, this episode reminds us that connection is still our most powerful classroom technology. 💬 Topics include: Building relationships in tech-heavy classrooms How to re-center joy and belonging in schools AI’s double-edged role in connection vs efficiency Small daily wins to reconnect with students and staff 📚 Learn more about Joe Beckman and Till360: 👉 Speaker Page – joebeckman.com 👉 Till360 – https://till360.com/ 👉 LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-beckman/ 👉 📖 Just Look Up – https://a.co/d/hvjx3S6 👉 📖 Just Look Back – https://a.co/d/46jg1YW 🎧 About the Podcast The Integrate This! EdTech Podcast spotlights innovative educators, thought leaders, and AI changemakers shaping the future of learning. Subscribe for new episodes on AI, EdTech, and human-centered learning.

What can a missing glue stick cap teach us about the future of learning? In this inspiring conversation, educator and author Rachelle Dene Poth joins Integrate This! to share her journey through education, innovation, and the art of balancing creativity with structure.

Rachelle talks about her transition from world language teacher to technology leader, the lessons she’s learned from her students, and how embracing new tools—like AI—can help teachers foster student voice, agency, and curiosity.

Along the way, she reflects on how blogging turned into book writing, why digital discernment matters more than ever, and how small habits (like putting the cap back on the glue stick) model responsibility, respect, and reflection in both tech and teaching.

Whether you’re new to EdTech or already exploring AI in your classroom, Rachelle’s thoughtful approach will help you see innovation not as something flashy or intimidating—but as a series of intentional, human choices that make learning stronger and more connected.

Links and Resources:

Website: https://rdene915.com/

X (Twitter): https://x.com/rdene915

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rdene915/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelledenepoth/

What happens when you think like a learning engineer? Dr. Alfonzo “Fonz” Mendoza Jr.—Doctorate in Educational Technology, host of My EdTech Life Podcast, EdTech Advisor district assessment coordinator—joins us to break down authentic assessment, the power of feedback, and how AI can support (not replace) great teaching. We dig into storytelling as evidence of learning, building systems that help students show what they know, and practical ways to collect meaningful artifacts without drowning in grading.

From classroom strategies to admin-facing advice, Fonz shares how to align goals, tasks, and tools—so technology actually serves the learning. If you’ve been wondering how to move beyond “using tools” toward designing better learning experiences, this episode is your blueprint.

Connect with Dr. Alfonso “Fonz” Mendoza Jr.: • Website / Podcast – My EdTech Life: https://www.myedtech.life/ • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amendoza1381/