What does it look like when a classroom teacher becomes an EdTech builder — and uses AI to tackle one of the biggest challenges in schools: reading engagement and attainment?

In this episode, Alex Gray sits down with Marc Graham, former teacher and founder of Everybody Reads (formerly Spark Education AI). Marc shares the story behind building an AI-powered reading platform designed to help students see themselves inside what they read — while keeping student agency, appropriate challenge, and data privacy at the centre.

You’ll hear the moment literacy became Marc’s mission, how he moved from teaching into building with no-code tools like Bubble, the biggest “fail-forward” lesson he learned when gamification distracted students from reading, and why the future of AI in education won’t be the flashy tools — it’ll be the ones that feel like good teaching.

Marc also discusses early school pilots, the importance of equity and access in EdTech adoption, and one practical way teachers can integrate AI meaningfully next lesson.

• Marc’s early teaching journey (and the student who shaped his view of literacy)

• Why interest-led reading matters more than “ability”

• Teacher → builder: how Marc started building with Bubble and no-code

• From Spark Education AI to Everybody Reads: what changed and why

• Fail-forward moment: when avatars and coins became a distraction (and what he rebuilt)

• How the platform supports reading-age differentiation + structured comprehension practice

• AI in schools: how to avoid dependency and protect student agency

• Why the best AI tools won’t feel like “AI” — they’ll feel like great learning design

• The biggest barrier to EdTech adoption: equity, access, and opportunity gaps

• A simple “Monday-ready” classroom approach to using AI for literacy

• “Agency comes from choice — not from removing challenge.”

• “The tools that last won’t be the flashy ones. They’ll be the purposeful ones.”

• “Reading isn’t about intelligence — it develops when it’s connected to interest.”

• Website: everybodyreads.org.uk

• LinkedIn: Marc Graham (search “Marc Graham Everybody Reads”)

Follow The International Classroom Podcast on Spotify, and leave a rating so more educators and leaders can find the show.

Question for you: What’s one classroom problem you wish you could build a tool to solve?

In this episode, we cover:Memorable lines:Connect with Marc / Everybody ReadsIf you enjoyed this episode…

What does AI in education look like when it’s implemented with clarity, ethics, and purpose — not hype?

In this episode of The International Classroom Podcast, Alex Gray is joined by Chris Loveday, a senior education leader who has led one of the UK’s most thoughtful and practical AI rollouts in a post-16 setting.

Rather than chasing trends, Chris explains how his college adopted AI and Google Gemini to solve real problems — reducing administrative workload, improving student services, and supporting staff — while keeping humans firmly in control.

This is a grounded, honest conversation about AI leadership, staff trust, digital infrastructure, and the risks of adopting technology for appearances rather than impact.

• Why schools should start with “What problem are we solving?”

• How AI can reduce workload without replacing professional judgment

• The role of Gemini, AI agents, and bespoke solutions in education

• How to introduce AI without overwhelming staff or students

• Ethical concerns, data protection, CO₂ impact, and governance

• Lessons learned from failed experiments — and why that matters

• Preparing students for an AI-driven future responsibly and equitably

AI isn’t a shortcut or a silver bullet. When used well, it’s a long-term, problem-led strategy that strengthens — not replaces — human expertise.

This episode is essential listening for school leaders, teachers, administrators, and policymakers who want to move beyond AI buzzwords and make informed, ethical decisions.

🎙️ Follow The International Classroom for weekly conversations on leadership, learning, and the future of education
💬 Reflect: What is one problem AI could genuinely solve in your setting?

🎧 In this episode, you’ll hear:🔑 Key insight:

Where does real learning actually happen?

In this episode of The International Classroom Podcast, Alex Gray is joined by Harry Titley — secondary school teacher, Head of Year, and Director of Rugby at Burton Rugby Club.

Harry works at the intersection of education and sport, and this conversation explores why teaching and coaching are fundamentally the same craft.

Together, they discuss:

• Why psychological safety underpins all meaningful learning

• The shared leadership principles of classrooms and high-performance sport

• Developing people under pressure — without losing the human side

• Transitioning from player to coach and learning to let go

• How reflection, trust, and belonging shape long-term success

• What modern leaders need to understand now — that they didn’t 10 years ago

This episode is for educators, coaches, leaders, and anyone interested in performance, learning, and human development — wherever that learning takes place.

🌐 Website: https://www.ticproductions.com
📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/theinternationalclassroom
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ticpodcast
💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandergray84/

🔗 Connect with The International Classroom