What Teachers Have to Say
What Teachers Have to Say is a podcast about teaching, AI in education, instructional practice, and teacher identity. Hosted by Jacob Carr and Nathan Collins, it centers real classroom experience, system pressures, and how AI is reshaping learning.
No performative edu‑influencer culture. No toxic positivity. Just honest conversations about what’s actually happening in schools.
What This Podcast Covers
- AI in education and classroom use
- Teaching strategies and instructional design (EduProtocols)
- Teacher burnout and system design
- Student skill development and transfer
- EdTech tools and practical workflows
Who This Podcast Is For
- K–12 teachers
- Instructional coaches and leaders
- Pre‑service teachers
- Educators exploring AI and EdTech
- Anyone tired of surface‑level PD
Who We Are
Jacob (Jake) Carr
EdTech Coach for a County Office of Education, author, and speaker on AI in education. 15+ years across K–12 (grades 1–12) in diverse settings. Brings a philosophical lens, connects classroom practice to systems, and pushes conversations deeper before landing on something usable.
Nathan Collins
High school English teacher, dual‑enrollment instructor, and Personalized Learning Teacher in a rural hybrid model. Grounds the show in current classroom reality, student data, and practical constraints. A measured counterbalance to big ideas.
What We Explore
AI in Education — A structural shift, not a novelty. Learning, assessment, and independence in an AI‑rich world.
Burnout as a System Problem — Not a personal failure. We name the incentives that reward unsustainable work.
Instructional Routines That Work — Repeatable structures that lower planning load and raise thinking, repetition, and collaboration.
Skills That Transfer — Thinking, communication, adaptability. Not just content.
The Format
Long‑Form — Monthly flagship episodes with deep dives, interviews, and debates.
Short‑Form — Field notes, solo reflections, headlines, and listener voicemails between major episodes.
Your Voice Matters
Leave a SpeakPipe voicemail with a question, win, or rant. We feature listener voices in episodes.
Beyond the Podcast
The companion newsletter goes deeper: AI in education, teaching strategies, and teacher identity. Free, weekly, and practical.
FAQ
What is it about? Teaching, AI in education, and real classroom conditions.
Who hosts it? Jacob Carr and Nathan Collins.
Is it AI‑focused? Yes, always tied to real practice.
How often? Monthly flagship + shorter episodes between.
Where to listen? Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms.
Subscribe and Follow
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Newsletter
Stay curious. Keep thinking. Keep showing up.
What Teachers Have to Say
CODE.org's Mission with Pat Yongpradit: Computer Science For All Students
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Pat Yongpradit is a nationally recognized computer science education advocate and thought leader working at the policy level to make sure ALL students have the opportunity to learn computer science. You can't talk CS in education without talking CODE.org! Pat has been at CODE since the beginning and is currently the Chief Academic Officer.
Before CODE, Pat was a high school computer science teacher. At CODE, he made it his mission to reshape the way that computer science is taught. He has been instrumental in developing the computer science curriculum that is used by tens of millions of students worldwide. He has dedicated his career to making computer science education accessible to all students, regardless of their background.
We discuss the current state of K-12 computer science education, why it's so important for all students to have the opportunity to learn CS, and what parents, teachers and policymakers can do to continue expanding access as AI tools fundamentally change the way we educate.
While we talk some valid concerns and potential pitfalls, our focus is on the future. Together we can create edtech-infused classrooms where students are empowered to use AI tools with teachers to enhance their learning. We need to work as a "vanguard" team of innovative educators and lead the way. Stay to end to hear about Pat's secret mission!
... and come say "Hi!" to Jake & Nathan, Pat from CODE.org, and Bill Nye the Science Guy (!!!) at the ASU+GSV AIR Show in San Diego, CA — April 13th-15th. It's a FREE event! REGISTER HERE to attend!
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Teach AI — Sign up for their mailing list!
AI for Education — AI implementation resources for teachers and school districts!
EduProtocols Community | Facebook Group
Got a question? We'd love to answer it! Leave us a voicemail on SpeakPipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/whatteachershavetosay
Want more EduProtocols from Jake? Check out his book at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and more.
Podcasts we love
Check out these other fine podcasts recommended by us, not an algorithm.
My EdTech Life
My EdTech Life
Rebel Teacher Alliance
Rebel Teacher Alliance
Deep Questions with Cal Newport
Cal Newport