Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators

In this episode of Shifting Schools, bestselling author Alan Gratz joins Tricia Friedman to explore the craft of storytelling, the role of creativity in education, and why curiosity is the engine behind both great writing and great learning. Gratz shares how baseball has quietly shaped the structure of many of his novels, how he approaches character development with authenticity, and why understanding a character's background is essential for emotional truth. The conversation also digs into the need for interdisciplinary learning in today's classrooms and the value of teacher collaboration. Gratz argues that creativity isn't a mysterious talent—it's a skill that can be nurtured, practiced, and strengthened when schools design learning experiences that cross traditional subject boundaries. Whether you're an educator, writer, or lifelong learner, this episode offers fresh insights into how storytelling helps us understand the human experience and how curiosity fuels both art and education. 🔑 Key Takeaways Alan Gratz's novel has stayed on the bestseller list for five years, a longevity he describes as "never taken for granted." He uses baseball as a metaphorical framework when structuring narratives. Creativity is a teachable practice—not an innate gift. Interdisciplinary learning increases student engagement and deepens understanding. Strong character development depends on knowing a character's background, motivations, and contradictions. Reading diverse perspectives cultivates empathy, curiosity, and creative thinking. Gratz encourages exploring multiple creative pathways in writing and education. Schools benefit when teachers collaborate across disciplines to build rich learning experiences. 🕒 Chapters 00:00 – The Legacy of a Best-Selling Author 02:57 – Baseball as a Creative Influence 05:43 – The Teachability of Creativity 08:46 – Interdisciplinary Learning in Education 11:37 – Character Development and Authenticity 14:20 – Curiosity and the Human Condition ALAN GRATZ is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of several highly acclaimed books for young readers, including Heroes: A Novel of Pearl Harbor, Two Degrees, Ground Zero, Allies, Grenade, Refugee, Projekt 1065, Prisoner B-3087, Code of Honor, and Captain America: The Ghost Army, an original graphic novel. Alan lives with his family in the Pacific Northwest. Look for him online at alangratz.com. Huge thanks to our show sponsor Poll Everywhere! Learn more

In this engaging conversation, Marcus DiPaola, a former journalist turned influential content creator with over 4 million followers, shares his unique journey. He discusses the crucial role of writing skills in content creation and the importance of consistency. Marcus reflects on his documentary filmmaking process, highlighting an impactful project on protests and an upcoming film about food insecurity. He emphasizes the value of internships for aspiring creators while discussing how AI can enhance but not replace creativity in storytelling.

David K. Richards, CEO of ChangeMaker Education, shares insights on the thriving microschool movement, which offers personalized learning for 5 to 150 students. He discusses how the pandemic spurred interest in alternative schooling and redefined the concept of one-room schoolhouses. With 125,000 microschools serving 1.5 million students, David highlights the entrepreneurial skills teachers possess and how they can leverage them in this new educational landscape. He also outlines how Changemaker supports educators in launching their own microschools.

What if our pets are communicating complex ideas—and technology is finally catching up? In this episode of the Shifting Schools Podcast, cognitive scientist and FluentPet founder Leo Trottier joins us to explore how breakthroughs in animal cognition, inter-species communication, and speech-button interfaces are reshaping the way humans understand pets. Trottier unpacks the science behind communication-enhancing tools for animals, drawing from research in cognitive psychology, comparative cognition, and linguistics to explain how dogs and cats may be expressing needs, feelings, and even intentions. He also discusses how this emerging field could deepen human–animal bonds, strengthen empathy, and influence the future of animal welfare and education. Listeners will learn: How cognitive science informs FluentPet's design What behavioral research reveals about dogs' communicative abilities Why emotional connection with animals supports childhood empathy development The ethical and rights-based implications of interspecies dialogue How next-generation technology could expand communication across species Perfect for educators, future-focused parents, animal lovers, and anyone curious about the intersection of science, empathy, and emerging technology. Thank you to our show sponsor for making episodes like these possible. Learn more about Poll Everywhere today

Summary In this episode, Jeff Utecht discusses the critical importance of understanding where schools stand on the AI adoption curve. He emphasizes the need for leadership to actively engage with AI and for educators to integrate AI into their teaching practices. The conversation highlights the transformative potential of AI in education, urging schools to move from mere conversation to meaningful integration. Learn more about our amazing show sponsor: Poll Everywhere Takeaways AI adoption is crucial for schools today. Leadership must model AI usage and curiosity. Schools are on a curve of AI adoption. Teachers should empower students to engage with AI. AI can enhance learning, not replace teachers. Starting small with AI can lead to significant progress. The goal is to move from conversation to integration. AI tools should be used daily by educators. Understanding AI is essential for future readiness. Schools must not fall behind in AI integration. Chapters 00:00 The Journey of AI in Education 02:37 Understanding the AI Adoption Curve 06:01 Empowering Schools to Embrace AI

Explore how generative AI can elevate critical thinking in K-12 education. Discover the concept of 'disagreement by design' that fosters constructive opposition in classrooms. Learn about prompt engineering as a tool for unlocking curiosity and inquiry. Hear how custom chatbots can be the new essay assignment, enhancing research and critical dialogue. Plus, find out how these technologies can build community and empower educators to tailor learning experiences.

A conversation that reminds us how curiosity, art, and iteration can reshape are necessary and may even be assets for our school leadership and the ways we nurture creative courage in young learners.... In this episode, Tricia Friedman sits down with author-illustrator Christy Mandin to explore what school leaders can learn from the creative process behind children's literature. Together they unpack how curiosity fuels empathy, how messy iteration sparks innovation, and how embracing the dark and uncertain moments of creativity can make us more compassionate educators. What You'll Learn Why boredom and unstructured time are essential ingredients for student creativity. How to help students (and ourselves) become friends with the dark—embracing uncertainty as a path to growth. Why modeling curiosity, reflection, and open-mindedness is one of the most powerful leadership moves. Christy Mandin is the author and illustrator of multiple picture books. She's grown many interesting plants in her garden over the years but, so far, none with teeth or tentacles. She currently lives in Georgia with her husband and four children. Visit Christy online at christymandin.com or Instagram @christymandin Learn more about our amazing show sponsor: Poll Everywhere Keep learning with Shifting Schools.

Justin Reich, an MIT associate professor and director of the Teaching Systems Lab, and journalist Jesse Dukes, explore the nuanced impacts of AI in education. They discuss how generative AI reshapes concepts of academic integrity and the importance of student voice. The duo emphasizes the need for empathy in educational policy and highlights the potential of AI as a tool for differentiation. They also address challenges like teacher-student relationships and the urgent need for schools to adapt in the wake of pandemic-induced changes.

In this episode Tricia Friedman talks listeners through an example of how she vibe coding an app from start to finish. Her vibe coding process of building an app blends AI literacy, digital humanities, and leadership design thinking. What does this tell us about the future of using generative AI for projects in K12? This episode is sponsored by our amazing friends at Poll Everywhere. Join over 1 million educators using Poll Everywhere. Try it risk free for 30 days—we'll refund you if it's not a good fit. Listeners will gain insight into: how AI-assisted app design reshapes collaboration and imagination in schools what happens when storytelling meets software in project-based learning why ethical AI, digital well-being, and student agency must anchor innovation Ultimately, this episode challenges educators to think differently about what it means to "build." Tricia frames vibe coding as an invitation to design with empathy — where app creation, futures literacy, and educator creativity merge to model a more human-centered approach to technology in learning. If you're curious about AI in education, digital storytelling, women in edtech, or the future of creative leadership, this episode offers a front-row seat to the evolving intersection of art, code, and compassion.

Arthur Levine, President of Brandeis University and renowned expert on higher education, discusses the evolving landscape of postsecondary education. He highlights the diminishing value of traditional diplomas and predicts that the future will be driven by consumer demands. Levine emphasizes innovative models from institutions like Amarillo Community College and Arizona State. He advocates for micro-credentials and short programs to meet market needs, framing current upheavals as vital opportunities for meaningful reform in education.