What Ed Tech Gets Wrong About Real Classrooms with Stephanie Howell
What happens when an ed tech insider goes back into the classroom? Rick and Tisha sit down with Stephanie Howell (intervention specialist, instructional coach, Google Innovator, and co-author of Control the Chaos) just two weeks into a new school year, after years working at ed tech companies.
Stephanie gets honest about what ed tech gets wrong about a teacher's day: time constraints that kill deep focus, almost no time to collaborate, a district Chromebook she hasn't opened, and the discovery that most teachers aren't thinking about AI at all. Curriculum comes first. They dig into ADHD misconceptions, why copying vocab off the board isn't learning, how a student too worried about spelling to write came alive with dictation, and what her district gets right with relationships, inclusion, and over 2,000 career pathways. Then the three put Claude and ChatGPT head to head to design the worst PD session imaginable, and Stephanie takes on a 90s edition of the Juice Box Confessional.
Funny, candid, and full of reality checks for anyone building tools for teachers. Her advice for ed tech companies is simple: meet teachers where they are, and maybe slow down.
00:00 Introduction and Podcast Structure
05:30 Introducing Stephanie Howell
12:40 Navigating Neurodivergence in Education
19:42 The Reality of Teacher Workloads
25:51 Rethinking Teaching Methods and Student Engagement
26:42 Navigating Educational Technology
28:46 Collaboration Challenges in Education
30:48 Access and Equity in EdTech
32:46 Preparing Students for the Real World
35:14 Curriculum and Inclusion in Education
38:11 Community Engagement and Career Opportunities
40:51 Technology's Role in Modern Education
44:00 Student Engagement and Creativity
47:52 AI in Education: Tools and Perspectives
49:29 Navigating AI Tools in Education
50:58 The Worst Professional Development Session
57:24 Juice Box Confessional: 90s Nostalgia
1:06:15 Advice for Ed Tech Companies
About Stephanie Howell
Stephanie Howell is an Intervention Specialist, instructional coach, educational consultant, and international speaker dedicated to helping educators create classrooms where every student can thrive. She is known for making research-based instructional strategies, executive functioning, and innovative teaching practices practical, engaging, and easy to implement. With more than a decade of experience as a teacher, coach, district leader, and education strategist, Stephanie has partnered with schools worldwide to inspire meaningful change. She is a Google Innovator, ISTE 20 to Watch recipient, and a co-author of the best-selling book Control the Chaos. Above all, Stephanie believes that the best learning happens when curiosity is nurtured, relationships come first, and every learner is empowered to reach their full potential.
Follow Stephanie Howell on:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrshowell24/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mrshowell24
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrshowell24/
X: https://x.com/mrshowell24
Join the newsletter: https://played3.com/?newsletter=1
📢 Listen and subscribe on your favorite platform:
Spotify | Apple Podcast | Amazon Music | YouTube
📱Follow Play Ed3 Podcast on:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/played3podcast
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/played3podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PlayEd3Podcast?sub_confirmation=1
🙋♀️Follow Tisha on:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tishaponcio
X (Twitter): https://x.com/tishaponcio
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tishaponcio
🙋♂️Follow Rick on:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rickbutterworth
X (Twitter): https://x.com/r1ck11
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rickbutterworth
Want to be a guest?: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeCaEyQrrPcYsKdQHaSlFbVXVVC_eNyXMMfy5NTj0aRNcR6Vw/viewform?usp=header
🧠 Let's learn, grow and play together
