Eddie Chats

About Eddie Chats

We talk to real teachers, parents, educators, administrators, and others about the research behind what works and what doesn't in the classroom. Learn more about Eddie at https://eddieai.net/

Publisher

Eddie

Category

education · science · technology

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

2 Jun 2026

Latest episode

10 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

5 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   10 Sept 2026

   Eddie Chats S1.E5: Yousuf Marvi

   Episode Notes In this episode, host David Blumenthal sits down with Yousuf Marvi, a middle school math teacher from Irvine, California, and a builder of a new tool to document mathematical thinking in students. Together, they discuss the realities of teaching math in the modern classroom, the importance of "evidence-based" instruction as a way to improve the odds of student success, and the need for pedagogical tools that go beyond simple content delivery. Yousuf shares his personal journey into education, driven by a desire to understand why public education works for some and not others, and offers a sneak peek into his current project, Thematics, which aims to help teachers better elicit and understand student mathematical thinking. Key Highlights: The "Why" Behind the Profession: Yousuf reflects on his experience as an immigrant and English Learner in the U.S. school system, explaining how his desire to solve the "duality" of public education—where high achievement and illiteracy can coexist—led him to the classroom 14 years ago. Defining Evidence-Based Practices: The conversation shifts to what "evidence-based" actually means in a classroom setting. Yousuf advocates for using evidence not as a rigid rulebook, but as a "North Star" to guide pedagogical praxis, allowing teachers to criticize their own environment and improve their instructional decision-making. The Pedagogy Gap: Yousuf discusses the struggle of balancing standard-driven pressure with the need for deeper student connection, emphasizing that the most challenging part of teaching is creating a culture where mathematical thinking thrives rather than just checking off content boxes. Thematics: Yousuf introduces his new tool, Thematics, designed to help teachers capture the metacognitive processes behind student work. The goal is to move math instruction away from "question-to-question" cycles and toward fostering mathematical competencies. AI as a Partner: Both David and Yousuf touch on how AI can act as a non-judgmental expert peer, helping educators brainstorm strategies, adapt to student needs, and ultimately focus on higher-leverage activities like lesson planning and analyzing student signals. Links & Resources: Eddie: Learn more about the research-driven teaching assistant at eddiai.net (https://www.google.com/url?source=gmail&sa=E&q=https://eddiai.net). Special Offer: Use code EDDIEPROVIP for one month free on an Eddie Pro account. Thematics: Interested in beta testing Yousuf’s new tool? Reach out to him at Yousuf@thematics.us (mailto:Yousuf@thematics.us). Connect with Eddie: Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube at @EddieAnswers. About Eddie Chats Eddie Chats features conversations with educators, researchers, and education leaders exploring teaching, learning, AI, research, and classroom practice.

2. 

   27 Aug 2026

   Eddie Chats S1.E4: Julie Castro

   Episode Notes In this episode, we sit down with school psychologist Julie Castro, school psychologist based out of New York City, to discuss the intersection of artificial intelligence and educational equity. We explore how administrative burdens often hinder the quality of school psychology evaluations and how AI can be a powerful tool to streamline workflows, allowing professionals to dedicate more time to direct student support. Key Topics Discussed Bridging the Gap in School Psychology: Julie explains their role on a preschool assessment team and how they use technology to translate complex research into practical, evidence-based recommendations for families. The Burden of Administrative Work: We discuss the challenge of managing high caseloads while maintaining report quality. Julie highlights how AI can assist in drafting personalized Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals, significantly reducing backlogs. Ethical AI Application: A crucial part of our conversation focuses on the risks of using generic AI tools. We emphasize the necessity of using specialized, reliable platforms—like Eddie Pro—to ensure the accuracy of life-impacting advice provided to families. Early Intervention & Communication: Julie shares actionable advice for parents, emphasizing the importance of constant, descriptive communication with children from infancy to encourage language development. The Future of Accessibility: We look ahead to how technological advancements can bridge access gaps, specifically regarding multilingual communication and supporting diverse immigrant families in navigating special education systems. Try Eddie Eddie helps educators explore education research and discover evidence-informed instructional ideas. Create your account: 👉 https://eddieai.net/create-account (https://eddieai.net/create-account) Learn more about Eddie at: https://eddieai.net (https://eddieai.net/) About Eddie Chats Eddie Chats features conversations with educators, researchers, and education leaders exploring teaching, learning, AI, research, and classroom practice.

3. 

   16 Jun 2026

   Eddie Chats S1.E3: Robert Blumenthal

   Episode Notes What happens when educational leadership, evidence-based instruction, and artificial intelligence collide? In this episode of Eddie Chats, David Blumenthal sits down with Robert Blumenthal, Assistant Principal at Chesterton High School in Chesterton, Indiana, for a candid conversation about the realities of modern education and the opportunities—and tensions—created by AI in schools. The discussion begins with Robert reflecting on his journey into education, from aspiring historian at Indiana University to unexpectedly stepping into a high school classroom just days before the school year began. He shares what it felt like to manage six teaching periods across four different courses as a first-year teacher and how early professional development experiences helped shape his understanding of evidence-based instruction. David and Robert then explore some of the biggest challenges facing schools today: The growing tension between qualitative student growth and quantitative accountability systems The importance of school culture and relationships in driving long-term student outcomes Why Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) remain difficult to implement at the secondary level How AI could help schools coordinate supports and improve collaboration among educators The challenge of balancing academic integrity concerns with preparing students for an AI-enabled future The conversation also dives deeply into artificial intelligence in K–12 education. Robert discusses how his school corporation is developing intentional AI guidance and instruction beginning as early as kindergarten, helping students learn not only what AI is, but how to use it ethically and responsibly. One of the episode’s most powerful ideas emerges during a discussion about the future of learning: “At some point very soon, the answer isn’t going to matter. But the question is going to matter so much more.” David and Robert reflect on how AI may fundamentally change what schools prioritize, shifting greater emphasis toward inquiry, critical thinking, judgment, and the ability to ask meaningful questions. The episode closes with an optimistic discussion about educators’ adaptability and resilience. Drawing on lessons from COVID-era schooling and decades of technological change, Robert expresses confidence that teachers will continue to evolve alongside new tools while remaining focused on what matters most: supporting students. Key Topics Educational leadership and school accountability Evidence-based instructional practices MTSS at the secondary level AI policy in K–12 schools Ethical AI use in education Research-informed decision making Student inquiry and critical thinking Teacher adaptability and innovation School culture and relationships The future of AI in classrooms About Robert Blumenthal Robert Blumenthal is an Assistant Principal at Chesterton High School in Chesterton, Indiana. His work focuses on supporting teachers, improving student outcomes, navigating accountability systems, and helping schools thoughtfully adapt to emerging technologies and instructional challenges. Try Eddie Eddie helps educators explore education research and discover evidence-informed instructional ideas. Create your account: 👉 https://eddieai.net/mvp-sign-up/ (https://eddieai.net/mvp-sign-up/) Learn more about Eddie at: https://eddieai.net (https://eddieai.net/) About Eddie Chats Eddie Chats features conversations with educators, researchers, and education leaders exploring teaching, learning, AI, research, and classroom practice.

4. 

   9 Jun 2026

   Eddie Chats S1.E2: William Triska

   What happens when a school becomes a laboratory for educational innovation? In this episode of Eddie Chats, David Blumenthal sits down with William Triska, Director of Technology at St. Jude International School in Costa Rica, and a leader within the International Schools Partnership (ISP) network. William shares how St. Jude operates as a "lab school," testing educational technologies in authentic classroom settings and evaluating them through a lens of learning outcomes, student impact, and what he calls "screen value"—the idea that technology should provide meaningful learning opportunities beyond what would otherwise be possible. The conversation explores some of the biggest questions facing education today: How can schools responsibly evaluate AI tools? What role should data play in educational decision-making? Why is there often a gap between educational research and classroom reality? How can AI support personalization and differentiation without increasing teacher workload? What responsibilities do educators have in preparing students for an AI-enabled future? William discusses his experience as part of the Mark Cuban Foundation 2025 Teacher Fellowship (https://markcubanai.org/teacherfellowship/), where educators from across the United States explored practical applications of artificial intelligence in schools. He also shares an ambitious vision for AI-powered curriculum design that could help teachers align resources, collaborate across classrooms, and build more responsive learning experiences. Perhaps most importantly, the conversation turns toward the human side of education. Rather than viewing AI as a replacement for teachers, William argues that technology's greatest value may be in helping people spend more time on the things that matter most: relationships, creativity, collaboration, and personal growth. Key Topics Lab schools and educational innovation Evidence-informed EdTech adoption AI and personalized learning Data privacy and student information Research literacy in education Curriculum design and alignment Teacher workload and time-saving technologies AI fellowship experiences Human-centered technology implementation The future of education and life competencies About William Triska William Triska serves as Director of Technology at St. Jude International School in San José, Costa Rica. His work focuses on educational technology, innovation, AI implementation, and supporting schools in identifying technologies that meaningfully improve teaching and learning. Explore Eddie Eddie helps educators find and apply high-quality education research without spending hours searching through journals and websites. Create your free account: https://eddieai.net/mvp-sign-up/ (https://eddieai.net/mvp-sign-up/) Follow Eddie: Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578457166403) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/eddieanswers/) YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@EddieAnswers) About Eddie Chats Eddie Chats features conversations with educators, researchers, school leaders, and parents exploring the intersection of research, technology, and classroom practice.

5. 

   2 Jun 2026

   Eddie Chats S1.E1: Carlton Glassford

   Episode Notes What does it really mean to “suck less” in teaching? In this episode of Eddie Chats, we talk with Carlton Glassford — educator, podcaster, and author — about classroom practice, teacher improvement, burnout, instructional growth, and the realities of getting better at teaching one day at a time. Carlton shares lessons from his work in education, the philosophy behind his Suck Less approach, and practical insights for teachers trying to balance effectiveness, sustainability, and continuous learning. Connect with Carlton Glassford 🎙 Podcast: Suck Less Tomorrow: A Podcast for Teachers Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/suck-less-tomorrow-a-podcast-for-teachers/id1817272469 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/suck-less-tomorrow-a-podcast-for-teachers/id1817272469) Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/756QH4fQKQu9BR3MPOihed (https://open.spotify.com/show/756QH4fQKQu9BR3MPOihed) 📘 Book: Suck Less in the Classroom Tomorrow: Honest Advice for Teachers in their First Years (Routledge / Eye On Education) Learn more: https://www.routledge.com/Suck-Less-in-the-Classroom-Tomorrow-Honest-Advice-for-Teachers-in-their-First-Years/Glassford/p/book/9781041196921 (https://www.routledge.com/Suck-Less-in-the-Classroom-Tomorrow-Honest-Advice-for-Teachers-in-their-First-Years/Glassford/p/book/9781041196921) Try Eddie Eddie helps educators explore education research and discover evidence-informed instructional ideas. Create your account: 👉 https://eddieai.net/mvp-sign-up/ (https://eddieai.net/mvp-sign-up/) Learn more about Eddie at: https://eddieai.net (https://eddieai.net/) About Eddie Chats Eddie Chats features conversations with educators, researchers, and education leaders exploring teaching, learning, AI, research, and classroom practice.

Contact Eddie Chats

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.