Personalizing Learning at Scale With Sawyer Altman

This week on Solve for X, host Dr. Rick Fernandez sits down with Sawyer Altman, CEO and Co-Founder of Aha Moments, Inc., to discuss how AI is reshaping personalized learning and why today's technology may finally solve one of education's oldest challenges. 

Drawing from his experience as a New York City math teacher, Sawyer shares the classroom frustrations that inspired Goblins, an AI-powered math platform designed to give every student the equivalent of one-on-one instruction. Together, Rick and Sawyer explore why traditional personalized learning has fallen short, how AI can help teachers identify misconceptions in real time, and why engagement starts with designing experiences students genuinely enjoy.

They also dive into Sawyer's unconventional journey from coding game servers and launching startups to teaching, entrepreneurship, and building one of education's most innovative AI platforms. Whether you're an educator, district leader, or edtech founder, this conversation offers a compelling look at where AI can make the greatest impact in K-12 education.

What You'll Learn

• Why personalized learning has remained so difficult to achieve in classrooms
• The teaching experience that inspired Sawyer to build Goblins
• How AI can help teachers provide individualized instruction at scale
• Why identifying misconceptions in real time changes classroom instruction
• The importance of understanding students' thinking, not just right or wrong answers
• How Goblins helps teachers prioritize interventions during class
• Why math confidence is often built on strong foundational skills
• Sawyer's journey from entrepreneur and nonprofit founder to classroom teacher
• Lessons learned from building startups inside and outside education
• Why designing engaging learning experiences matters more than gamification
• How AI can strengthen teachers rather than replace them
• The future of personalized math instruction in K-12 education

Episode Timestamps

01:03 The Story Behind the Goblins Name

02:28 Solving the Challenge of Personalized Learning

05:46 Why Teaching Is More Complex Than Most People Realize

07:24 Why Personalized Learning Has Been So Difficult

09:13 Sawyer's Entrepreneurial Journey

12:36 The Reality of Building an EdTech Company

16:18 How Goblins Works in the Classroom

18:23 Real-Time Teacher Insights

22:27 Early Student Impact and Research

23:38 Why Schools Sometimes Resist Change

26:34 Supporting Students Before Algebra Becomes a Barrier

30:06 Breaking the "I'm Not a Math Person" Mindset

32:04 Expanding AI Beyond Mathematics

34:19 Designing Learning Without Gamification

36:40 The Future of AI-Powered Learning

Connect with Us

Host’s LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-rick-fernandez-40692434/
Company’s LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/powerschool-group

Special Thanks

To Sawyer Altman for sharing his journey from educator to entrepreneur and for his commitment to helping teachers deliver personalized learning experiences that meet students where they are. His work highlights how thoughtful innovation can empower educators and create more opportunities for every learner.

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