Conversations, Classrooms, and Commitment: My Month on the Move
These past few weeks have been nothing short of extraordinary. From standing on stage at Electrify Aotearoa, speaking to an audience of over a thousand, to boarding a flight just hours later headed for ISTE25 in San Antonio, it’s been a whirlwind of travel, conversations, connection, and purpose.
It’s the kind of month that pushes you outside your comfort zone while reminding you exactly why you started. So instead of diving into every single moment (there were many!), we’ve put together a reflection on the biggest highlights over the past month, and what’s coming next for Kai’s Education.
Grit, Global Growth, and Giving Back
Speaking at Electrify Aotearoa was a deeply meaningful experience for me, not only because I got to share our journey with such a powerful and inspiring crowd, but also because it gave me the chance to reflect on what it really takes to scale a New Zealand-based education company onto the global stage.
Breaking into the US market is no small feat. It’s not just about having a standout product. It’s about timing, adaptability, strategic thinking, and above all, building meaningful relationships. I spoke openly about the ups and downs of the process—the hard-earned lessons, the unexpected wins, and the grit required to keep going.
One of the most rewarding moments came after the talk, when people came up to me to share their own stories. Many were facing similar challenges or at a crossroads in their journey. It was humbling to know that something I said helped provide clarity or inspiration.
As wāhine in business, we know that this path isn’t always easy. But when we lift each other up, share our knowledge, and offer support, the load becomes lighter and the impact becomes greater. Electrify reminded me how powerful our collective strength truly is.
ISTE 2025: Hectic but Hopeful
Less than a day later, I touched down in San Antonio for this year’s ISTE conference, one of the biggest international gatherings in the edtech space. To say it was busy would be an understatement—but it was also incredibly energising to be back among such a passionate and forward-thinking community.
This year’s ISTE conference had a noticeably different tone. Many conversations centered around the increasing challenges faced by educators and education companies alike, particularly in light of continued budget cuts and shifting funding priorities. The impact of these changes is being felt across the board—from teachers and school leaders, to curriculum developers and edtech innovators–even students are getting deeply affected.
We all need to rethink how we deliver accessible, high-quality resources to students, especially in underfunded or underserved environments. Because the reality is, education can’t just stop on a dime. We need this as a fundamental aspect of our youth’s learning.
Amid these challenges, what gave me the most hope were the teachers we met at our booth. Their dedication, care, and unwavering belief in their students was palpable. It was clear that literacy and math remain top priorities in the classroom—and that’s exactly where KaiBot comes in.
With tools like Market Math and Literacy Kitchen, KaiBot supports foundational learning in a way that is fun, interactive, and hands-on. Meanwhile, KaiLab (formerly Kai’s Clan) continues to be an ideal solution for preparing students for the future of work, combining robotics, STEM, and real-world learning experiences. These tools are more than just products—they’re bridges to deeper engagement, better outcomes, and lasting impact.
A Big Win and a Special Launch
One of the biggest highlights of ISTE was being recognised with the ISTE award for one of our new mats, Market Math. This recognition means a lot to our team, as it validates the work and effort we’ve put in to create these cross-curricular lessons that blend math skills with real-world application and digital engagement.
In addition, we officially launched Math in Action, a new module written by the incredible Heidi Williams. This resource aims to provide teachers with a practical, classroom-friendly way to incorporate computational thinking and math instruction in a cohesive, approachable way. And we were absolutely delighted by the interest from pilot schools!
While Math in Action was originally developed through a computer science lens, it has resonated strongly with math educators who are looking for new ways to simplify complex concepts, boost student confidence, and build a deeper understanding through active learning.
Our Responsibilities - and Our Why
Amid the excitement of these launches and recognitions, we were also reminded of the challenges facing education globally—particularly in the United States. With increasing legal restrictions around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies, many schools and vendors are being forced to make difficult decisions.
At Kai’s Education, our commitment is clear. We will not stop delivering accessible, engaging, and high-quality educational resources to students—regardless of where they are, what they look like, or what challenges they may face. Our work is grounded in the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework, ensuring that every learner—regardless of background, ability, or learning style—has access to the tools they need to succeed.
Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, thrive, and succeed. And that responsibility doesn’t just belong to schools or teachers. Rather, it belongs to all of us.
We also want to take a moment to acknowledge the devastating floods in Texas and New Mexico that affected so many during our time in the US. Our thoughts are with all those impacted. We left with heavy hearts, but also inspired by the resilience and compassion we saw within the education community.
Thank You
Finally, I want to thank Brett Salakas for his powerful and thought-provoking talk, “The Dragon of Disengagement.” His insights sparked meaningful conversations about how we can continue to combat student disengagement through tools that are hands-on, purposeful, and fun.
To everyone we connected with over the past month—thank you. Whether it was on stage, at the booth, or in between sessions, your stories, feedback, and enthusiasm remind us why we do what we do. Seeing the results, the joy on a student’s face when they work out a particularly difficult concept; really, nothing compares.
If you’re interested in learning more about KaiBot, KaiLab, or our newest tools like Market Math and Literacy Kitchen, we’d love to connect. Your input and partnership help us shape what comes next. Additionally, if you want to become an expert in all things Kai, keep an eye out on applying for our Kai’s pilot program!
Make sure to drop us a follow on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. You can also connect with our growing community on Discord or our Facebook Group!
Let’s all keep moving forward for the learners and the future of education.
