Why Teachers Don't Need to be the Expert in the Classroom with Stewart Brown

Matt sits down with Stewart Brown, from Code for Kids (c4k.io), to dig into why so many schools are unprepared to teach AI literacy and computer science—and what it actually takes to build a foundation that sticks. From debunking the myth that CS doesn't belong in every district to rethinking what "expert in the room" even means for teachers, this conversation goes way deeper than tech tools. It's about curiosity, vulnerability, and what gets lost when we let AI do too much of the thinking for us. Timestamps: 2:43 | The real gap in K-8 schools: why computer science often doesn't exist as a real subject15:12 | Stewart's no-BS way of explaining AI: "It's a machine brain."18:07 | Matthew's viral hallucination analogy — what your breakfast 20 years ago has to do with AI19:38 | Unpacking "future-ready education" — and why it's more than a buzzword21:54 | The mindset shift every teacher needs before stepping into an AI-driven classroom30:56 | A college classroom story that changed how Matthew thinks about teaching35:09 | How Code for Kids actually started — an origin story with a wild twist40:23 | What happens to classroom engagement when teachers admit they don't know everything47:48 | Stewart gets curious: the big open questions driving his work51:49 | The one thing about AI that fascinates (and unsettles) everyone in the field57:28 | Where to find Stewart and Code for Kids We’re thrilled to be sponsored by Renaissance and IXL. Learn more about Renaissance: As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.