Why I Built The Rooted Learner
The story behind the educator, the builder, and the mission
Michelle Pokodner
March 16, 2026
In 12 years of teaching, I taught first, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh grade. I was a middle school reading interventionist supporting grades 6–8. I worked at two Title I schools across four different school districts in two states.
Moving from Maryland to Minnesota out of state cost me my tenure and forced me to start regaining it, all while maintaining a highly effective teacher rating across state lines.
The Reality Nobody Talks About
Teachers get shuffled. You build expertise in one grade level and then get moved to another. You become the reading person, then the intervention person, then the everything person. On any given day, you're doing the job of four different people while also being the one who makes sure kids feel safe, cared for, and seen.
I don't say any of this for sympathy. I say it because this is the reality for millions of educators, and it's the reason I started building The Rooted Learner.
Going Deep on AI
I've spent the last year going deep on AI tools. Not surface-level "here's a cool app" deep, but actually researching how tools like Claude AI connect to evidence-based instructional practices, supporting curriculum alignment, and integrating culturally proficient practices for diverse student populations.
What I'm Building
The Rooted Learner is still in active development with a full launch coming soon, but the work is already happening. I offer support in curriculum development and alignment, AI integration, and professional development for educators, as well as custom technology solutions built around how your school actually works.
I also wrote a comprehensive, free guide with 15 chapters covering everything from setting up Claude and Cowork to FERPA compliance, prompt engineering for educators, 10 real-world classroom scenarios, and a step-by-step growth path that bridges the gap between beginner and advanced users.
Who This Is For
If you're a teacher, instructional coach, or school leader who's been curious about AI but didn't know where to start, you're in the right place. Everything I create here starts from the same foundation: twelve years of knowing what it actually feels like to be in the classroom, and a deep belief that educators deserve tools designed by someone who gets it.
I built this because I care about our educators, our public school system, and our students. That's it. That's the whole thing.