Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators

Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators

Shifting Schools is a thought-provoking podcast that explores the latest trends, strategies, and tools in K-12 education. Hosted by educators Jeff Utecht and Tricia Friedman, the podcast provides a platform for teachers, administrators, and education thought leaders to share their experiences and insights on how to improve teaching and learning. From innovative approaches in classroom management to leveraging technology for personalized learning, Shifting Schools tackles the most pressing issues facing K12 educators today. Whether you are a seasoned teacher or a new educator, this podcast will inspire you to think outside the box and shift your educational approach. Tune in to Shifting Schools to gain new perspectives, share ideas, and join a community of passionate educators who are committed to making a positive impact in the lives of their students. Follow us at @shiftingschools on Twitter and @shiftingschoolspod on Instagram and Tiktok

Episodes

June 9, 2025 2 mins

Listeners voted and told us this summer they wanted us to tell them more about the future world of work.

Jeff and Tricia will bring listeners an incredible lineup of experts from a broad range of industries to tell us more about where we are heading.

The summer series is proud to partner with Alongside.

Tune in June 16th to catch the first episode in our summer of great conversations.

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In this conversation, Erin Williamson from Love 146 discusses the organization's core values of defiant hope and unfiltered joy, emphasizing the importance of trauma-informed care in supporting youth who have experienced trafficking. She highlights the necessity of a collective effort in addressing these complex issues and the role of policy in protecting victims. The discussion also touches on the importance of teaching consent an...

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In this conversation, Dr. Loui Lord Nelson discusses the connections between technical theater and Universal Design for Learning (UDL), emphasizing the importance of intentional design in educational environments. The conversation explores barriers to implementing UDL, the significance of emotional connections in learning, and the necessity of fostering collaboration and community among learners. Dr. Nelson highlights the role of e...

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In this episode of Shifting Schools, Jeff Utecht interviews Nicholas Bradford, founder of the National Center for Restorative Justice. They discuss the importance of restorative justice in education, the training and engagement strategies for teachers, and the current trends in school manageme...

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May 19, 2025 22 mins

This is a topic so nice, Jeff just had to talk about it twice!

If you missed last week's episode you might want to check it out first, it is a great precursor to this conversation where Jeff Utecht explores the integration of AI in trade classrooms, focusing on material selection, safety simulations, and the pedagogical benefits of using AI tools. He emphasizes the importance of preparing students for a future where AI is prevalent...

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In this episode, Jeff Utecht explores the transformative impact of AI in Career and Technical Education (CTE) classrooms, particularly in construction and welding. He discusses how generative AI tools can enhance learning and efficiency, providing real-world applications and examples. The conversation emphasizes the importance of preparing students for a future where AI plays a crucial role in skilled trades, highlighting the need ...

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May 5, 2025 6 mins

In this episode of the Shifting Schools podcast, Tricia Friedman introduces a month-long challenge focused on playing with ideas. She discusses the importance of crafting personal stories as a means of reflection for educators and introduces a new generative AI bot designed to assist in this process. The episode encourages listeners to engage with the provided resources and share their experiences.

Ready to check out the bot?

http...

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This week we speak with internationally renowned physician and nutritionist, and New York Times bestselling author Dr. Michael Greger about his upcoming book, THE HOW NOT TO AGE COOKBOOK: 100+ Recipes for Getting Healthier and Living Longer is a fully illustrated cookbook filled with recipes to make you healthier as you age.

 

In The How Not to Age Cookbook, decades of ...

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In this episode, Tricia Friedman discusses the importance of algorithmic literacy in media literacy, introducing a free guide designed for families and friends to engage in co-learning activities over the summer. The guide emphasizes emotional health and community engagement through various ch...

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April 14, 2025 44 mins

Jeff Utecht and Aaron Makelky discuss the integration of AI in education, focusing on how teachers can effectively leverage technology to enhance student learning. Aaron shares his journey as a high school social studies teacher and how he began using AI tools like ChatGPT in his classroom. They explore the importance of teaching AI literacy, the need for structured learning environments, and the challenges of ensuring equitable ac...

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April 7, 2025 8 mins

Tricia Friedman discusses the upcoming Earth Day and introduces a free guide aimed at helping educators engage students in sustainability discussions. The SEED guide emphasizes the intersection of AI and sustainability, encouraging a comprehensive approach to environmental education. Additionally, Tricia highlights a student competition for designing a new logo for Shifting Schools, promoting creativity and collaboration among stud...

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March 31, 2025 26 mins
In this conversation, Tricia Friedman and Nicki Hambleton discuss the significance of visual note-taking, and why it is increasingly more necessary for our learners. They discuss the process of creating visual notes, the importance of fun in learning, and how visual note-taking enhances listen...
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In this very short bonus episode, we let you know that we have received a ton of mail about Netflix's new hit show Adolescence.

In light of those requests we put together a brand new free guide to help you use this moment and that show's popularity for media literacy in both the classroom and the home.

Ready for the free guide?

https://shiftingschools.lpages.co/a-media-literacy-moment-with-adolescence-your-free-guide/

Do you have ...

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This conversation explores the transformative impact of AI in education and the legal profession. The speakers discuss how generative AI can assist teachers in lesson creation, enhance student confidence, and streamline legal research. They emphasize the importance of collaboration with AI, the need for educators and lawyers to adapt to new technologies, and the mindset shift required to embrace these changes. The discussion also h...

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In this episode, Tricia Friedman discusses her exploration of AI's potential in enhancing conflict resolution skills. She shares insights from her research and the development of a conflict simulator bot designed to help users practice and improve their conflict navigation abilities. The conversation emphasizes the importance of feedback and collaboration in utilizing AI technology effectively.

Learn more about 

Moxie

Consensus AI

...

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March 10, 2025 38 mins

This conversation explores the innovative virtual filmmaking program at Chad Lewis's school, highlighting the integration of technology, AI, and creative collaboration among students. The discussion emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary learning and the empowerment of students to pursue their passions in a supportive environment.

Takeaways

The virtual filmmaking program started with a new film instructor's initiative.
Stud...

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In this episode, Tricia Friedman introduces the Neurodivergent Nexus Bot in anticipation of Neurodiversity Celebration Week. She discusses the importance of viewing neurodivergence as a strength and shares her experiences using AI for deeper research. The episode highlights the bot's capabilities and encourages listeners to engage with it during the celebration week, while also inviting feedback for future podcast topics.

Ready to ...

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In this conversation, Tricia Friedman and Rio Cortez discuss the themes and creative processes behind Rio's latest work, 'The ABCs of Women's History.'

They explore the interdisciplinary approach to women's history, the importance of slow reading, and the joy of writing for children compared to adults. Rio shares insights into her collaborative process with illustrators and the significance of trusting readers to find their own mea...

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Tricia Friedman and Robert Landau explore the integration of strengths assessments with AI, emphasizing the importance of understanding individual strengths in team dynamics. They discuss the various domains of strengths, the role of empathy in education, and how personal experiences shape these strengths. 

Robert and Tricia go further into the importance of individualization strengths in understanding unique qualities in people, t...

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In this episode of the Shifting Schools podcast, Tricia Friedman interviews Jeff Utecht about the importance of understanding generational differences in education and leadership. They discuss how each generation's upbringing shapes their expectations and behaviors, particularly in the context of technology and social media. Jeff emphasizes the need for educators and parents to adapt their approaches to meet the needs of today's st...

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