Why Won't AI Solve Education's Real Problems? with Jeffrey Bradbury
AI keeps getting pitched as the fix for everything wrong with education. Rick and Tisha sit down with Jeffrey Bradbury — founder of TeacherCast Educational Network — to make the case that it isn't.
Jeffrey shares his journey building TeacherCast into a resource reaching educators in 180 countries, and why the real work of teaching still comes down to self-care, community, and consistency — not technology. They explore the surprising parallels between music and teaching, why every teacher is essentially building a personal brand whether they realize it or not, and the vital role instructional coaches play in helping educators see their own potential.
Then the conversation turns to AI head-on: why it can't replace clear goals or strong leadership, how the digital divide is quietly widening, and why teachers need to know their 'why' before any tool — AI included — can actually help. It wraps with a lighthearted Juice Box Confessional that'll have you smiling.
00:00 Introduction and New Beginnings
01:03 Avoiding Teacher Burnout
02:25 Guest Introduction: Jeffrey Bradbury
03:19 The Influence of Family and Personal Growth
05:23 Turning Around to Help Others
06:55 The Impact of Teaching and Community Support
09:19 The Connection Between Music and Education
10:59 Performing Arts and Teaching Dynamics
12:54 The Delayed Gratification of Teaching
14:41 The Importance of Consistency in Teaching
16:02 The Role of Instructional Coaches
18:54 Seeing Teachers as Conductors
20:45 The Potential in Every Classroom
22:12 Building a Personal Brand as a Teacher
24:52 Teachers as Businesses of One
27:53 The Importance of Personal Identity
30:14 Maintaining Professional Identity Beyond Job Titles
34:38 The Role of AI in Education
41:42 Navigating the Digital Divide
46:04 Vision and Leadership in Education
51:52 Personalized Learning and Advocacy
56:00 Juice Box Confessionals: Fun and Reflection
About Jeffrey Bradbury
Jeff Bradbury is an ISTE+ASCD 20 to Watch Award winner, globally recognized digital learning strategist, educational broadcaster, author, and proud triplet dad whose mission is to help educators maximize their impact in the classroom. Jeff created the TeacherCast Educational Network in 2011, building it into an award-winning resource reaching educators in 180 countries and ranked among the top 50 educational websites and podcasts. His work supporting instructional coaches earned him the ISTE Instructional Coaches Award, leading to the creation of The TeacherCast Instructional Coaches Network and GEG Instructional Coaches. Jeff currently serves as a Digital Media Teacher at Schaghticoke Middle School in New Milford Public Schools (CT) and as an Adjunct Instructor at Fort Hays State University. His first book, Impact Standards: Designing District Systems that Power K-12 Learning, provides a roadmap for school districts to transform their culture through standards-based innovation. A sought-after speaker, Edcamp New Jersey co-founder, and TEDx Speaker, Jeff is a Google Certified Innovator, Google Certified Coach, and Microsoft Innovative Educator.
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YouTube: https://www.teachercast.net/YouTube
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreydbradbury/
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BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/jeffreybradbury.bsky.social
Website: https://teachercast.net/
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