Managing AI by Default: Dean Celaj of GoTeacher on the Future of K–12 Data Privacy

Mar 9, 2026

Dean Celaj, Founder and CEO of GoTeacher and Forbes 30 Under 30 alum who built a national education platform in Albania, discusses K–12 data privacy challenges. He explains why districts struggle to stay compliant. He outlines privacy blind spots from “free” tools. He argues for blocking risky AI by default and shares practical fixes for systemwide enforcement.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

INSIGHT

Privacy Failures Are A Capacity Problem

Student data privacy failures are primarily a capacity problem, not a policy gap.
Districts have written policies but lack staff and tools to continuously monitor vendors and enforce rules in real time.

INSIGHT

Free Tools Create The Biggest Privacy Blind Spot

Most districts assume DPAs only apply to paid vendors, creating blind spots for free tools.
Dean says average U.S. districts cover less than 10% of tools with DPAs because hundreds of free apps lack agreements.

ADVICE

Enforce Policies With Fewer Tools And Automation

Reduce the number of tools and automate policy enforcement to manage vendor risk at scale.
Dean recommends shared visibility, community transparency, and automation so decisions are enforceable across hundreds of apps.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

Send us Fan Mail

Dean Celaj is the Founder and CEO of GoTeacher, a platform helping school districts understand, manage, and enforce student data privacy. Previously, he founded Akademi.al, an education platform used by over 90% of students in Albania during COVID, and was named to Forbes 30 Under 30.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode

Why most school districts are technically out of compliance with student data privacy laws
How “free” edtech tools create the biggest privacy blind spots
Why AI fundamentally changes the risk profile of student data
What risk-based management of AI tools means for responsible adoption in schools
The biggest mistakes edtech founders make when selling into K–12

✨ Episode Highlights
[00:02:34] Student data privacy is a capacity problem, not a policy problem
[00:03:00] Why districts often have DPAs for <10% of the tools students actually use
[00:05:56] How AI training on student data creates irreversible privacy risk
[00:07:30] Dean’s case for blocking risky AI tools by default in schools
[00:11:26] Why “move fast and break things” fails in K–12 edtech
[00:14:56] What gives Dean optimism about the future of AI, content, and assessment in education

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Cooley LLP is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.