With Guest Host : Cheryl Graff
This week, we're joined by the multi-talented Alex Mayszak, an award-winning EdTech leader who brings a unique secret ingredient to the table—he's also a certified pizzaiolo!
Join us as Alex shares his incredible journey through education, from a high school history teacher to an elementary principal, and now as the Director of Digital Learning and Innovation for East Moline Schools. We dive deep into the world of artificial intelligence in the classroom, discussing how to keep learning human-centered in an age of rapidly advancing technology. Alex offers practical advice for educators feeling overwhelmed by tech and shares his passion for making professional development hands-on, relevant, and engaging.
And just when you think you have him figured out, we switch gears to his passion for pizza! Alex tells the amazing story of becoming a certified pizza chef , the science behind the perfect sauce , and how he once brought the joy of pizza-making to a kindergarten class.
Whether you're hungry for fresh ideas in education or a slice of inspiration, this episode has it all.
Alex Mayszak is an award-winning EdTech leader and certified Pizzaiolo. In his role as Director of Digital Learning and Innovation for East Moline Schools, he focuses on serving up fresh ideas in AI literacy, design thinking, and digital citizenship. A former teacher and principal, Alex is now a Google certified trainer and a doctoral student, proving he’s always hungry to learn. He believes that whether you're working with technology or pizza, the secret ingredient is staying human.
Alex's career path, from teaching high school history to becoming an elementary school principal and eventually the Director of Digital Learning for the East Moline School District.
How his passion for teaching critical thinking and media literacy has evolved from analyzing historical documents to navigating AI and social media.
The importance of keeping a "human in the loop" to avoid a potential "AI doom loop" in education.
Practical starting points for educators who may feel overwhelmed or hesitant about integrating new technology like AI.
Alex's experience winning the Illinois Digital Educators Alliance (IDEA) Tech Leader of the Year award.
His current doctoral studies at the University of Illinois in the Education Policy, Organization and Leadership program, with a focus on AI literacy.
How an eighth-grade project on becoming a chef blossomed into a passion for pizza-making and getting certified as a pizzaiolo.
The story of his week-long training, where he learned everything from the composition of flour to making cheese and running a dinner service.
LinkedIn: Find and connect with Alex on LinkedIn.
Email: You can reach out via his work email, which is AMayszak@emsd37.org
