Alexi Robichaux

Just wrapped up a really energizing few days at the California Teacher Induction Conference in Sacramento. I had a number of thoughtful conversations with induction leaders, mentors, and program coordinators about how the new Continuum of Teaching Practice is reshaping support structures and how teachers are making sense of the updated CSTPs in real, day-to-day practice. It was especially valuable to hear where programs are feeling confident and where there is still friction, ambiguity, or implementation strain. If there’s one clear takeaway, it’s that induction is becoming even more central to how districts think about teacher identity, growth, and long-term retention and the people doing this work are deeply committed to getting it right. #TeacherInduction #CSTP #EducatorDevelopment #TeacherSupport #CAInduction26

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What do school leaders really need from AI? From a system-level vantage point -- where your responsibility is to understand how the entire student body is doing -- what you need most is help making sense of complex, fragmented data. Stephanie Frenel shares how she drew on her years as a principal at Rocketship Public Schools to built SchoolOpsAI to do exactly that. Whole episode here: https://lnkd.in/gFeuJ94r

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Part II: We (Connor Cofoid and I) also dove into the difference between Angel Investors and Venture Capitalists, the value of mentorship, and how founders can avoid common traps when trying to scale too early or fundraise too soon. Whether you’re launching your first startup, advising one, or navigating the tech ecosystem, this episode has something for you. 🎙️ Powered by SKYHub Nigeria 📺 Catch the full episode on YouTube — just search Solomon Kershima YATEGHTEGH (mncs) - Tech: The UNSCRIPTED. Let’s keep having real, honest conversations about tech, funding, and building ventures that solve real problems.

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The latest The Hechinger Report Proof Points from Jill Barshay and Shirley Liu offers some actionable insights and directions for educators and #edtech developers exploring ways to use #AI to help students be better writers. Based on recent studies and an interview with University of Vienna professor Jennifer Meyer, they found: - Timing matters. AI should be delayed until students write first drafts by themselves. As messy as these rough drafts may be, getting these ideas out “manually” is a worthwhile effort. Adding AI feedback afterward can further boost brain activity. - Motivation is critical. Writing can feel like a slog, and students who got AI feedback said they feel more motivated to revise. “Often students aren’t in the mood to rewrite, and without revisions, students can’t become better writers.” - But don’t praise too much. ChatGPT and other off-the-shelf AI tools are notoriously sycophantic (“great job!”) giving students a false sense of confidence that can deter them from making further revisions. Getting straight to constructive, “praise-free” feedback seems promising. Their story: https://lnkd.in/dik8FmDK

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EdTech Impact Measurement (SDG 4) Logins aren't impact. Outcomes are. Promising to democratize Quality Education (SDG 4) is a noble mission, but sophisticated angel investors need more than "user numbers". They want to see efficacy, retention, and genuine learning outcomes. If you can’t translate your mission into measurable data, your pitch will lack the conviction needed to close the round. Bridge the gap between your mission and your financial model. Stop tracking outputs and start tracking outcomes. DM "guide" in the comments and I'll send you my free guide: 'Translating SDG Impact into Investor-Ready KPIs.'.

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Equity-Focused Assessment Practices: Moving Beyond Standardized Testing In conversations about education reform, assessment often remains one of the least questioned components yet it is one of the most powerful tools that shape student futures, teacher practices, and institutional accountability. For decades, standardized testing has been positioned as a neutral and objective means of measuring student learning. However, research and lived experiences continually reveal that such assessments often reinforce structural inequities, disproportionately disadvantaging students from marginalized communities. These tests tend to value a narrow range of knowledge and cultural capital, excluding alternative ways of knowing and diverse demonstrations of learning. To truly embrace equity in education, we must reimagine how we assess learners not as passive test-takers, but as active knowledge producers. Equity-focused assessment practices center students’ backgrounds, learning styles, and socio-cultural contexts, offering them multiple and authentic ways to demonstrate understanding. This includes: ✅ Project-based learning ✅ Performance assessments ✅ Portfolios and reflective journals ✅ Peer and self-assessment ✅ Community-engaged assignments Such approaches not only diversify assessment but also democratize the learning process. They encourage critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and social engagement skills that are essential in today’s global society. Moreover, teachers must be empowered with professional development and institutional support to design and implement assessments that are inclusive, culturally responsive, and aligned with broader goals of social justice and educational transformation. Equity-focused assessment isn’t just about fairness, it’s about rethinking the very purpose of education: not to sort, label, or gatekeep, but to nurture the full potential of every learner. Let’s move the conversation beyond scores and statistics and toward systems that honor all forms of learning and intelligence. 📢 I welcome collaboration, reflections, and resources from educators, researchers, policymakers, and curriculum developers who are committed to making assessment more just and inclusive. #EquityInEducation #InclusiveAssessment #CulturallyResponsiveTeaching #SocialJusticeEducation #CurriculumInnovation #AssessmentReform #EducationalEquity #LinkedInAcademia #TransformEducation #CriticalPedagogy Cecil Rose David Rutledge New Mexico State University

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One of the most misunderstood frameworks as it relates to the A-player, B-player, etc. framework - here's some ready to re-familiarize yourself https://lnkd.in/gMTT2p3T Only more experience people are A-players, right? Here is a summary - A Players (10-20%): High performers who exceed expectations and solve problems proactively - found at any level, including driven juniors who learn rapidly - B Players (70-80%): Reliable performers meeting expectations, forming organizational backbone - includes experienced staff, some with A-player potential - C Players (10%): Persistent underperformers requiring excessive oversight - not about inexperience but ongoing performance issues despite feedback Key differentiators: A players seek feedback (constantly), take risks, mentor others, and achieve goals resourcefully - traits that transcend seniority Talent implications: Invest in A players, develop B players, address C players decisively - junior A players often outperform senior B/C players. Whats critical to understand is how this relates to hiring - since the frameworks lends itself better to evaluating existing teams Here are some things to think about - A player does NOT mean senior- someone straight out college can be an A player - A track record of past performance and going above and beyond is a good indicator of future behavior and results - Time spent on C players is time poorly spent - over and over again this is the biggest mistake that managers and leaders make. The data tells you that it's not a good use of your time - spend time with the A and B players and get acceleration. Spend time with C players and get lower productivity How do you think about hiring and talent?

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I've partnered with many early-stage tech CEOs. The most successful ones—the true "10x" leaders—don't just have a great idea. They have a distinct set of leadership mindsets. A great article from Michael Neuendorff, PCC at Bay Area Executive Coach recently broke down 10 of these "CEO material" traits. It got me thinking about how these qualities directly amplify growth and innovation, especially when paired with a strong financial partner. As a CFO, my role isn't to be the "No" police. It's to be a strategic partner who connects the CEO’s vision to financial reality. Here’s how it works: 1. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗘𝗢'𝘀 "𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻" + 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗙𝗢'𝘀 "𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗮𝗽" I worked with a CEO who had a bold (and expensive!) vision for a new product line. Instead of just looking at the cost, we partnered to model the unit economics and cash-on-cash return. We built a stage-gated plan that funded the vision, proved the concept, and gave investors the confidence to double down. The CEO's vision + the CFO's financial roadmap = accelerated, de-risked innovation. 2. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗘𝗢'𝘀 "𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲" + 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗙𝗢'𝘀 "𝗥𝘂𝗻𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁" Another CEO faced a brutal market shift. Their resilience was incredible, but resilience needs runway. My job was to immediately find that runway. By re-forecasting, managing burn, and communicating transparently with the board, we gave their new strategy the time it needed to work. That's the partnership: The CEO provides the grit; the CFO provides the financial breathing room. For my friends in PE, executive search, and at the helm of tech companies, this partnership is key. The best outcomes happen when a CEO's vision is amplified by a financial framework that enables, rather than restricts. That's how you build companies that last. For more insights, check out the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gjfN4PDp #CFO #CEO #Leadership #TechStartups #GrowthMindset #Innovation #PrivateEquity #ExecutiveSearch #ExecutiveTeams

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Lessons from the Pitch: Standing Out in a Sea of Startups In San Francisco, every day brings another pitch event, mixer, or founder gathering. The competition is fierce, but the learning is exponential. The best founders aren’t just pitching—they’re storytelling, connecting, and adapting in real time. My advice: Focus on clarity, authenticity, and the unique value you bring. Investors see thousands of decks; make yours unforgettable. #Pitching #StartupAdvice #Founders #SFStartups

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