Build Momentum podcast cover with Kristina Ishmael headshot
Season 3
|
Episode
6

A National Perspective on EdTech and What’s Ahead | Kristina Ishmael

In this episode of Build Momentum, Sarah and Katie are joined by Kristina Ishmael. Kristina is an educator, learner, advocate, and agent of change. As the Deputy Director of the Office of Ed Tech, she executes the office mission of developing national edtech policy that enable everywhere, all-the-time learning and support digital equity and opportunity.

39:13

In this episode of Build Momentum, Sarah and Katie are joined by Kristina Ishmael. Kristina is an educator, learner, advocate, and agent of change. As the Deputy Director of the Office of Ed Tech, she executes the office mission of developing national edtech policy that enable everywhere, all-the-time learning and support digital equity and opportunity.

Kristina is also listed in the 30 K-12 IT Influencers Worth a Following 2020 by EdTech Magazine.

Some Questions We Ask:

  • How was it that she started in education and ended up in edtech? (1:35)
  • What’s a typical day in her life? (7:02)
  • How and when does she work with edtech providers, developers, and entrepreneurs in the field? (17:01)
  • Are there any more products on tutoring companies and social-emotional learning companies? (21:54)
  • Any advices or ideas for school districts on prioritizing investments? (24:39)
  • What is the future of education? (27:23)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

  • Kristina Ishmael’s journey from education to edtech (1:50)
  • Kristina’s daily routine (7:06)
  • How her team structures its work to ensure they stay up to date on edtech providers, developers, and entrepreneurs within healthy boundaries (17:22)
  • About  artificial intelligence and its future opportunities (22:12)
  • Her advice and ideas for school districts (24:51)
  • About the future of education, with a focus on AI and machine learning,and how educators are involved in the process (27:51)

Quotes:

“It's not necessarily just making sure that everyone has access to the same things, we know that [is important], but the things that they need, that are going to meet them where they are. And so we talk a lot about that.”

“I was really cognizant about coming back into government because I don't really think there were a lot of healthy boundaries the last time that I was in this role. There were expectations for communication at any time of the day and night or early morning. And I was like, ‘We're not doing that.’ And so we helped establish healthy boundaries.”


“I'm really eager to see where AI is going to take us. I know that there are risks. Don't get me wrong. Perhaps it's the optimist in me, but I just see all of the opportunities that are going to come with this as well.”


“I saw what technology could do in the hands of my multilingual learners when I was in the classroom—not only for language acquisition but for content acquisition as well. It is a tool. It is not meant to substitute for the teacher. And as we are developing our report on AI and education, the phrase that we keep coming back to is that ‘the human in the loop.’”

Connect with Kristina Ishmael

Kristina Ishmael LinkedIn


Stay in touch with Sarah Williamson:

Free Case Study Guide


LinkedIn


Stay in touch with Katie Lash:

LinkedIn


About "The Secret to Transformational Leadership," which Sarah co-authored with Dr. Quintin Shepherd:

Transformational Leadership Secret website

Purchase the print or ebook


You might also enjoy
Episode
23
Bridging the gap between edtech organizations and K-12 decisionmakers to solve education's most difficult challenges| Doug Roberts, CEO, Institute for Education Innovation (IEI)

In this episode of Build Momentum, Sarah and Katie are joined by Doug Roberts, who is the founder and CEO of the Institute for Education Innovation. IEI specializes in bridging the gaps between individuals and organizations that are committed to seeing students succeed in school and in life. Doug and his team create safe spaces for problem-solving and innovative thinking, including the IEI Summer Summit where this episode was recorded.

35:34
View Episode
Episode
21
Ken Eisner on Global Trends in Education, the Workforce, and Leadership

In this episode of Build Momentum, Sarah and Katie are joined by Ken Eisner. Ken is currently a Consulting Advisor with Avathon Capital, a Special Partner at Good Harbor Partners, and a Senior Advisor at New Markets Venture Partners. He is the former Director of Business Development for Amazon Web Services’ Global Learning Systems.

37:38
View Episode
Episode
20
The Original Disruptor Shares thoughts on the Future, AI and Thought Leadership | Michael B. Horn

In this episode of Build Momentum, Sarah and Katie are joined by edtech pioneer Michael Horn. Michael is the co-founder of and a distinguished fellow at the Clayton Christensen Institute, a nonprofit think tank dedicated to Disruptive Innovation, and an adjunct lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

28:03
View Episode
Episode
19
Deconstructing Evidence-Based EdTech Post ESSER | Bart Epstein

In this episode of Build Momentum, Sarah and Katie are joined by Bart Epstein, a Research Associate Professor in the School of Education and Human Development at the University of Virginia. The education entrepreneur was named one of the 30 K-12 IT Influencers to Follow by EdTech Magazine in 2022. He is the founder of the EdTech Evidence Exchange, a board member at ISTE+ASCD, and a civil test pilot for NASA.

37:17
View Episode
Episode
18
From the Classroom to the Boardroom | AJ Crabill

In this episode of Build Momentum, Sarah and Katie are joined by AJ Crabill. AJ is a Conservator at DeSoto ISD in DeSoto, Texas, and as a Director of Governance at the Council of the Great City Schools. The education reform advocate and public speaker also served as a Deputy Commissioner at the Texas Education Agency and as Board Chair of Kansas City Public Schools. He is the author of the best-selling book “Great on Their Behalf: Why School Boards Fail, How Yours Can Become Effective.”

23:18
View Episode
Episode
17
BookTok sensation uses social media to learn to read | Oliver James

In this episode of Build Momentum, Sarah and Katie are joined by Oliver James. Oliver is one of social media’s rising stars and an influencer on TikTok, where he was able to learn how to read through his fans’ support and encouragement.

39:58
View Episode
Episode
16
The Essential Role of Philanthropy in Education| Lina Eroh, Overdeck Family Foundation

In this episode of Build Momentum, Sarah and Katie are joined by Lina Eroh, Communications Director for the Overdeck Family Foundation. Lena leads both internal and external communications efforts, working closely with grantees and the Foundation team. She has also provided her specialties in corporate communication for iconic consumer brands such as eBay.

31:25
View Episode
Episode
15
AI: Are we Asking the Right Questions? | Ben Farrell

In this episode of Build Momentum, Sarah and Katie are joined by Ben Farrell, the Assistant Head of School and Director of the Upper School at the New England Innovation Academy. Prior to joining NEIA, Ben was the Principal and Head of School at The International Montessori School of Beijing.

21:08
View Episode
Episode
14
Tom Vander Ark Talks AI, Cultivating an Entrepreneurial Mindset, and Building Credibility

In this episode of Build Momentum, Sarah and Katie are joined by Tom Vander Ark, an advocate for innovations in learning. He is the CEO of Getting Smart, a design learning firm that helps education organizations increase their impact with innovations for a better learning experience.

23:54
View Episode
Episode
12
Technology and Learning Alchemist Julia Fallon | SETDA

In this episode of Build Momentum, Sarah and Katie are joined by Julia Fallon. Julia, a self-described technology and learning alchemist, is the Executive Director of the nonprofit State Educational Technology Directors Association, where she works with U.S. state and territorial digital learning leaders to empower the education community to leverage technology for learning, teaching, and school operations.

28:53
View Episode
Episode
11
Leading with Impact and Urgency | Erin Mote, InnovateEDU

In this episode of Build Momentum, Sarah and Katie are joined by Erin Mote. Erin is the co-founder and executive director of InnovateEDU, a nonprofit whose mission is to eliminate the achievement gap by accelerating innovation in Common Core-aligned next-generation learning models and tools that serve, inform, and enhance teaching and learning.

35:22
View Episode
Episode
10
From Classroom Teacher to CEO | Tammy Laughner

In this episode of Build Momentum, Sarah and Katie are joined by Tammy Laughner. Tammy is a retired primary/intermediate school teacher who served for almost 30 years in Indianapolis Public Schools. She is also the co-founder and CEO of Vimme Learning, an online math curriculum made by teachers for teachers to be used by students in grades K-8.

18:51
View Episode
Episode
9
Futurecasting 2023: Predictions from CEOs, superintendents and education leaders across the industry

In this episode of Build Momentum, Sarah and Katie are kicking off this first episode of the year with their predictions for 2023 in the education space along with some influential people across the Industry.

28:23
View Episode
Episode
8
Thought Leadership Power Hour| Juliana Finegan & Hayley Spira-Bauer

In this episode of Build Momentum, Sarah and Katie are joined by Juliana Finegan and Hayley Spira-Bauer. Juliana is the VP for strategy and learning for the company Vivi. Juliana is a passionate educator and leader with experience inside and outside the classroom. Hayley is the Chief academic officer for iTutor.com, a member of the advisory board at Inspiring Educators, and an Edtech Mentor in StartEd.

37:02
View Episode
Episode
7
Superintendents and EdTech Leaders Talk Challenges and Opportunities for 2023 | IEI Fall Summit

In this special episode, Sarah and Katie attend the Institute of Education Innovation Fall Summit 2022. They are joined by 16 superintendents and other leaders who dive into trends and challenges in education and how IEI helps them navigate.

30:54
View Episode
Episode
6
A National Perspective on EdTech and What’s Ahead | Kristina Ishmael

In this episode of Build Momentum, Sarah and Katie are joined by Kristina Ishmael. Kristina is an educator, learner, advocate, and agent of change. As the Deputy Director of the Office of Ed Tech, she executes the office mission of developing national edtech policy that enable everywhere, all-the-time learning and support digital equity and opportunity.

39:13
View Episode
Episode
5
3 Crazy Innovative Ways to Leverage Thought Leadership | JW Marshall

In this episode of Build Momentum, Sarah and Katie are joined by JW Marshall, the director of learning solutions at Market scale, and a fellow podcast host of the Voices of E-learning show. He is also the VP of Marketing at Summit K-12 in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas.

31:20
View Episode
Episode
4
Launching conferences, nailing your story, and differentiating from competitors | John Watson, Founder of DLAC

In this episode of Build Momentum, Sarah and Katie are joined by John Watson. John is the founder and CEO of the Evergreen Education Group, which runs the Digital Learning Annual Conference (DLAC) and the Digital Learning Collaborative.

35:58
View Episode
Episode
3
Slaying Substack, Writing Books & Embracing Failure(s)

In this episode of Build Momentum, Sarah and Katie are joined by Carl Hooker and Kevin Hogan. Carl is a speaker and consultant for HookerTech in Austin, Texas. He is also the co-founder of K12Leaders, a social network built for educators by educators, and a seasoned author whose latest work is “Ready, Set, FAIL! Using Failure & Risk-Taking to Unlock Creativity.”

36:33
View Episode
Episode
2
Marketing Emails: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly | Sarah Williamson & Katie Lash

In this episode of Build Momentum, Sarah and Katie will be diving into sending marketing emails and making phone calls to superintendents and district leaders and figuring out what strategies are working and what don't.

34:21
View Episode
Episode
1
Build Momentum Is Back with a New Co-Host: Katie Lash! | Katie Lash

In this episode of Build Momentum, we are joined by Katie Lash. Katie is the Director of the East Central Education Service Center in Indiana. Katie is a former fourth-grade teacher, a special education teacher, and a former principal. She hass also been an adjunct faculty member at Indiana University East since 2015.

27:13
View Episode
Episode
0
What's New In Season 3 of Build Momentum!

Hello, Build Momentum listeners! We have some exciting news to kick off Season Three. Katie Lash, our good friend, and fellow education leader will be joining me as a co-host this season.

1:18
View Episode