{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"The Boyz of Edtech | K–12 Education Insights","title":"The Why Behind the Work: How the Boys of EdTech Are Shaping K-12 from Every Angle","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":3077,"description":"In this episode of the Boys of EdTech, the crew flips the script and takes a step back to answer a question they have never fully addressed: who are they, what do they actually do, and most importantly, why do they care so deeply about K-12 education?\nFrom former superintendents and operators to go-to-market leaders and relationship builders, each member shares their journey into edtech and the unique role they play in helping districts and companies work better together. The conversation highlights how success in K-12 is not about selling products. It is about understanding real problems, building trust, and creating meaningful impact for students.\nThe episode also dives into personal stories that shaped their perspectives. From early nonprofit work supporting schools globally to growing edtech companies from scratch, to firsthand experiences navigating school systems as students. These stories ground the conversation in a shared mission: improving outcomes for students, especially those who need it most.\nIf you have ever wondered what actually happens behind the scenes in edtech, or why relationships matter more than demos, this episode gives you an inside look at the people driving those conversations every day.\nConnect with the Boyz\nRick Fernandez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-rick-fernandez-40692434/\nMatthew Millstein: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-millstein/\nJacob Kantor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejacobkantor/\nRyan Patenaude: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanpatenaude/\nJeff Piontek: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffpiontek/\nKey Moments\n01:15 Supporting districts and edtech alignment\n02:22 Translating complex solutions into clear value\n03:49 Opening doors and driving meaningful conversations\n04:11 Scaling EdTech companies and go-to-market strategy\n05:50 Jeff Piontek’s background in education and leadership\n07:10 Why education is the foundation of the future\n07:58 Matthew’s nonprofit journey and impact on global education\n09:17 Connecting EdTech...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/wkLqTp5mkY2lrJRZTIPFUj-eapGDdxUdGrVrmDFKhCs/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9hZTQx/YmRlN2E0ZTQzNTEy/ZmQzNjQxNzQzY2Uz/NjYxYS5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}