Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators

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.

Dylan Thuras, cofounder of Atlas Obscura, joins Jennifer Swanson, an award-winning children’s author, to delve into their ambitious exploration of invention and technology. They discuss how collaboration fuels innovation and the importance of interdisciplinary learning. The conversation emphasizes the role of play and curiosity in the invention process, highlighting how everyday objects can inspire new ideas. Thuras shares insights on connecting historical inventions, while Swanson suggests engaging classroom activities that trace the evolution of ideas.

On this episode Jeff and Tricia catch up on all the learning they did last summer. Hear them talk about gardening...and of course generative AI Learn more about how to catch them this year: https://www.shiftingschools.com/

Dive into the intriguing world of AI in education! Explore how AI is reshaping the job market and why prompt engineering is the new essential skill for teachers. Discover the importance of AI literacy for students as they navigate future careers. The hosts address mental health concerns tied to technology use and emphasize the need for ongoing adaptation in teaching methods. Interdisciplinary approaches can further enrich AI education, making it crucial for educators to engage with their students on this transformative topic.

On April 13th, 2018, Nepali New Year's Eve, the University of Texas at Tyler revoked full-ride scholarships it had previously awarded to 60 Nepali students. The university described it as "an administrative oversight." But the global education community knew that it was an unprecedented admissions crisis. The scholarships, which included tuition as well as room and board, were revoked well after most other US university application deadlines had passed. Thus, Nepali students had already declined offers from other institutions they had previously applied to. The moment UT Tyler's mass email hit the inboxes of these high-need, high-performing students, some were already midway through the visa process to attend UT Tyler, and all had celebrated the momentous feat of a hard-earned Presidential Scholarship. In the days following, Selena Malla at USEF-Nepal, Kathmandu, issued a call on social media for help. After seeing a call for support from Selena, Joan Liu, a university advisor at the United World College of South East Asia, Singapore, stepped forward to help. Joan assembled a group of counselors from several corners of the world to form a volunteer crisis management team. Joan Liu is on the show to explain how we can step up this September to support Second Chance. Ready to learn more? https://www.secondchance.global/

In this episode, Jeff Utecht, Tricia Friedman, and Dr. Curt Merlau discuss the transformative role of AI and data literacy in education and employment. They explore how Pivot, an AI-powered tool, helps unemployed individuals find better job opportunities and training. The conversation emphasizes the importance of data literacy for educators and the potential of AI to personalize learning and improve educational outcomes. They also highlight real-world applications of data in education and the need for teachers to embrace AI responsibly to prepare students for the future. Connect with our guest on LinkedIN: Vice President @ Resultant | EdD, Organizational Leadership and Learning Former Educator, Administrator, and now Consultant. Interoperability Nerd. AI Enthusiast Connect with the work Dr. Curt does. Chapters 00:00Introduction to Pivot and AI in Employment 02:15The Importance of Data and AI Literacy 06:27AI's Role in Education and Personalized Learning 10:08The Power of Data in Student Success 12:42Emerging Pathways and Career Opportunities 19:36Preparing Teachers for an AI-Driven Future Connect with Jeff and Tricia on LinkedIN Jeff: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffutecht/ Tricia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tricia-friedman/

LeeAnne Lavendar, a leader in service learning and global citizenship, discusses transforming education to make it meaningful for students. She emphasizes the power of experiential learning and community engagement to foster curiosity and joy in the classroom. LeeAnne shares practical strategies for educators to adapt their curriculum, ensuring it resonates with today's students. The conversation also highlights the importance of future-proofing education by equipping students with skills essential for navigating the complexities of the modern world.