What EdTech Companies Really See When They Call Your District | Jacob Kantor (Chief DODO)

Jacob Kantor, known as "Chief Dodo," joins the podcast to share a rare inside view: running 100-150 district calls a month as a consultant connecting EdTech companies with school and district leaders. Jacob breaks down what's actually driving (or killing) a district's decision to adopt a new tool, from budget pressure, to why efficacy and case studies open the door but rarely close the sale on their own. He traces his own path from a recession-era curriculum rep knocking on school doors to running his own shop and talks candidly about how COVID-era ESSER funding fueled a wave of AI EdTech companies, some of which may not have survived without it. If you've ever wondered why your district adopted (or dropped) a tool or want to understand the sales conversations happening behind the scenes, this one pulls back the curtain. Connect with Jacob: https://thejacobkantor.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejacobkantor/