I write stories and build tools that put technology back in service of humanity. My work — fiction, education, and AI — all comes from the same place: a belief that the future is something we build on purpose, not something that happens to us.
The Battle for Tomorrow
A Wisconsin family discovers their town has been deliberately erased from the internet. When a rogue AI named KAELA arrives with a warning, a local mystery becomes a race against a global AI system that has decided it knows what’s best for humanity — whether humanity agrees or not.
For fans of Blake Crouch, Andy Weir, and Station Eleven. · ~45,000 words · 24 chapters
Also available free as a podcast — listen on all platforms
Your Ultimate Guide to Success in Education
Built on the Duda Model for Modern Education — five pillars for teachers who want to make a lasting difference: Making Connections, Being Mindful, Unconditional Support, Growth Mindset, and Social-Emotional Learning. The mentor and friend every teacher deserves.
Also at themodernteachershandbook.com
The complete novel available as a free audio experience on every major podcast platform. No subscription, no paywall. Start listening today.
Listen free on all platforms →AI coaching tools built on one belief: technology should serve humanity. Coaching for teachers, parents, and anyone facing hard questions. Powered by the spirit of KAELA.
Explore askKaela.com →Nick Duda is a middle school teacher in Illinois with 22+ years in education. He spent those years in large high-poverty, high-ESL districts near Chicago — doing the hardest version of the job.
He is a licensed ham radio operator, FAA-certified commercial drone pilot, avid camper and hiker. He holds a Master of Science in Education and seven Illinois teaching certifications. He lives in Batavia, Illinois with his wife April and their three sons.
“The future isn’t something that happens to us; it is something we are currently building. Let’s make sure we build something worth living in.”— Nick Duda, Foreword to Sawyer’s Reach