Where Education Innovation Happens
With guest Kristina Ishmael
What exactly does “innovation” in education mean? Does it begin in Silicon Valley, or somewhere else? In this episode of Future Fluent, Jeremy Roschelle and Betsy Corcoran explore the who, how, and where of innovation with long-time educator and policy leader, Kristina Ishmael. Join us as Kristina shares insights from her journey from Omaha to Washington, DC.
Kristina Ishmael
Kristina Ishmael is an educator, speaker, and consultant with nearly two decades of experience advancing equitable and transformative education policies. As the founder of Ishmael Consulting, she partners with leaders to promote digital equity, inclusive technology, and accessible learning for all.
Kristina served as Deputy Director of the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Educational Technology under the Biden-Harris Administration, where she led national efforts on digital equity and artificial intelligence in education, including the publication of Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Teaching & Learning. Her experience spans federal, state, and school levels, focusing on culturally responsive practices, open education, and professional learning.
A digital nomad, Kristina explores new places in her camper van alongside her mischievous Wheaten Terrier, Fergus. She’s an avid reader and coffee enthusiast, bringing curiosity, authenticity, and energy to every project.
Want more? Check out these references from our interview:
The most recent National Education Technology Plan on artificial intelligence is no longer available from the website of the Department of Education. Pat Yongpradit of Code.org downloaded the reports from 2023 through 2025. You can get the collection of reports here from his LinkedIn post.
SAMR model (Substitution, Augmentation, Modification and Redefinition)
Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Teaching and Learning (2023), Office of Educational Technology
CAST and the Universal Design for Learning: Principles, Framework and Practice
