

Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators
Jeff Utecht & Tricia Friedman
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
Follow us at @shiftingschools on Twitter and @shiftingschoolspod on Instagram and Tiktok
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 6, 2024 • 7min
Special bonus episode: Try out our Free Power of Play Planner!
 Tricia and Jeff are so excited about the soon to start 'Power of Play' summer pod series, so they thought they would bring listeners a special free resource to pair with it. Would you like to be more intentional with play this summer? Grab our free template and get started today: https://shiftingschools.lpages.co/power-of-play/ Tune in Monday for the first episode in our Power of Play series. Reach out to Tricia and Jeff to share your thoughts on any of our resources:  info (at) shiftingschools (dot) (com)     

Jun 3, 2024 • 19min
341: How can we build relationships differently with AI?
 In this conversation, Dr. Kenny Rodrequez, a superintendent from Grandview, Missouri, discusses the use of AI, specifically our show sponsor Lebra, from a leadership perspective. He shares insights on leveraging AI to build relationships, improve communication, and streamline administrative tasks within the school district. Kenny emphasizes the importance of personal connections and the positive impact of using AI to enhance community engagement and support staff members. The conversation highlights the practical applications of AI in education and the potential for creating a more efficient and connected school environment. Ready to learn more about our guest? Dr. Kenny Rodrequez became Superintendent of the Grandview C-4 School District in July 2016. Before serving as Superintendent, Dr. Rodrequez served for two years as the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction in the Grandview C-4 School District. Dr. Rodrequez has served in several capacities throughout his career. He was a music educator for 8 years in two different states, including being a band director, percussion instructor, and district music resource teacher. Dr. Rodrequez moved into school administration in 2003 and held site level positions of assistant principal and principal before moving into district-level positions of director and assistant superintendent. He was selected to create and implement the first Early College High School program in Tulsa through a partnership with Tulsa Community College. He directed the Tulsa Innovative School network, which served over 1,200 students in grades K-12, and served as a lead examiner for the Oklahoma Quality Award Foundation, based upon the Baldrige process. In both Oklahoma and Missouri, he has done extensive work on the implementation of new teacher evaluation systems in an effort to raise academic achievement and build collaborative relationships between teachers and administrators. In 2020, Dr. Rodrequez was the recipient of the Communication Technology Award from the National School Public Relations Association for leadership in implementing cutting-edge communication technology to improve and expand outreach and engagement with education stakeholders . In 2023, he was selected as the Missouri Superintendent of the Year for 2024 by the Missouri Association of School Administrators. Dr. Rodrequez has a Bachelor's degree from Oklahoma State University in Music Education, a Master of Science degree from Oklahoma State University in School Leadership, and completed his Doctorate degree from Baker University in School Administration.   Connect with him: kenny.rodrequez(at)grandviewc4.net Ready to learn more about Lebra? https://www.lebrahq.com/   

May 27, 2024 • 27min
340: AI's Role in Strengthening Executive Function
 Tricia and Jeff discuss the final week of their May Micro Menu Prompt Challenge, focusing on AI and executive function. They highlight the importance of executive function skills in enacting learning and provide three mega prompts to support the development of these skills. Tricia shares her experience using generative AI for gardening and landscaping, while Jeff explores the use of AI for project management. They also announce their upcoming summer mini-series on the power of play. Takeaways   Executive function skills are crucial for organizing and enacting learning.  Generative AI can be used for gardening and landscaping, providing information on plant identification and growth predictions.  AI can support project management by generating frameworks and motivational phrases.  The May Micro Menu Prompt Challenge offers a variety of prompts to explore different AI applications.  The upcoming summer mini-series will focus on the power of play and its impact on learning and well-being.  Ready to get the free guide they discuss today? https://shiftingschools.lpages.co/micro-menu-part-3-and-4/ Explore our new course Foundational AI Literacy https://www.shiftingschools.com/store-2/p/ai-foundation Huge thanks to our amazing sponsor Lebra! https://www.lebrahq.com/ Take $25 off with special promo code 'SSPOD25' Tell us more about your thoughts on our guide: info@shiftingschools.com   

May 20, 2024 • 26min
339: Can generative AI help my learners boost the power of play?
 Jeff Utecht and Tricia discuss the importance of AI literacy and introduce their AI literacy course. They also talk about the recent updates from OpenAI and Google in the field of AI. They highlight the significance of AI in social-emotional learning. They also explore the power of play and share prompts for creating interactive stories using AI. They emphasize the importance of involving parents in AI conversations and providing them with prompts to engage their children in learning over the summer. Ready to get the free guide they discuss today? https://shiftingschools.lpages.co/micro-menu-part-3-and-4/ Explore our new course Foundational AI Literacy https://www.shiftingschools.com/store-2/p/ai-foundation Huge thanks to our amazing sponsor Lebra! https://www.lebrahq.com/ Take $25 off with special promo code 'SSPOD25' Tell us more about your thoughts on our guide: info@shiftingschools.com What are some of the big ideas inside this conversation? AI literacy is important for educators and students to navigate the rapidly evolving field of AI.  Updates from OpenAI and Google highlight the potential of AI in various domains.  AI can support social-emotional learning and provide companionship for students.  Creating interactive stories using AI prompts can engage students and foster creativity.  Involving parents in AI conversations and providing prompts can promote learning over the summer.     

May 13, 2024 • 49min
338: Can generative AI help me rethink feedback in the classroom?
 Jeff Utecht and Tricia Friedman discuss the second menu for the May Micro Menu Challenge. They provide prompts and resources to help educators experiment with AI literacy. They also address common questions, such as how to keep up with AI developments and whether to upgrade to the paid version of ChatGPT. They emphasize the importance of community-based learning and the need to prioritize privacy when using AI tools. In this conversation, Jeff and Tricia discuss the limitations of generative AI and the importance of understanding its capabilities. They emphasize the need for educators to have an organizing principle, such as the Drive framework, to navigate the rapidly changing landscape of AI. They also explore the power of prompt crafting and provide a feedback prompt template for effective feedback in the classroom. They encourage educators to experiment with different prompts and share their experiences with their colleagues. The conversation concludes with a reminder to save $25 on Shifting Schools' asynchronous workshops using the code SSPOD25. Ready to explore the menus? Download them free: https://shiftingschools.lpages.co/may-micro-menu-1/ Thank you to our sponsor! Learn more about Lebra today: https://www.lebrahq.com/     

May 6, 2024 • 42min
337: Micro Menu Month Launches: AI Literacy for Teams
 Jeff and Tricia discuss the launch of Micro Menu Month for May, focusing on exploring generative AI in various contexts. They stress the importance of hands-on interaction with AI tools and collaborative conversations. The episode introduces the Drive Framework for AI literacy in education and emphasizes the power of word choice and customization when using generative AI tools. 

Apr 29, 2024 • 42min
336: The Role of the Librarian in the Era of AI
  This week Tricia interviews two of her alltime fav librarians about the role of librarians in cultivating AI literacy. Karina and Allie discuss the responsibility of librarians in fostering AI literacy, curating resources, and teaching AI ethics. They also explore the impact of social media algorithms on readers' preferences and the importance of providing guidance in book recommendations. The librarians share their favorite AI tools, such as Magic School, Diffit, and Curipod, and emphasize the need for librarians to experiment and find tools that work best for them. They also discuss the influence of TikTok and Bookstagram in promoting reading and recommend books they are excited to read. Ready to learn more about our amazing guests this week? https://www.tiktok.com/@alliethelibrarian https://www.instagram.com/alliethelibrarian/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/cuethelibrarian/ https://cuethelibrarian.weebly.com/about.html Chapters 06:22 Curating Resources and Teaching AI Ethics 11:13 The Impact of Social Media Algorithms on Readers' Preferences 15:43 Favorite AI Tools for Librarians 28:46 Guiding Readers in Book Recommendations Huge thank you to our sponsors for supporting our podcast Learn more about  Lebra Gamestorm EDU 

Apr 22, 2024 • 37min
335: Is K12 education future ready right now?
 Chris Linsell, a real estate technologist, discusses the impact of AI on real estate, emphasizing the need for technical and emotional skills. He highlights the importance of continually learning and adapting in a rapidly changing industry. The podcast also explores the balance between technical and emotional intelligence in real estate, showcasing the blend needed for success in negotiations and transactions. 

Apr 15, 2024 • 35min
334: How Two 11th Graders are Revolutionizing AP Exam Prep with AI
 Two 11th graders discuss creating an AI startup to support AP exam prep. They talk about challenges with AI hallucinations and integrating with Wolfram Alpha. The founders highlight their goal of providing access to educational resources for all students and emphasize the importance of feedback from educators to fine-tune the platform. 

Apr 8, 2024 • 18min
333: Integrating AI Literacy into Earth Day Celebrations
 Imagine students grappling with AI-crafted ethical dilemmas. They're not just learning about sustainability – they're learning how to question, research, and discern credible information. It's about nurturing critical thinking and responsible info consumption – the core of information literacy 🌎 Want to dig into our free guide 'Generative AI and Earth Day'? https://shiftingschools.lpages.co/earth-day-and-chatgpt/ Want to join Tricia and Jeff tomorrow? Take $25 off you registration with promo code 'SSPOD25'   https://www.shiftingschools.com/store-2/p/ai-fueled-feedback-webinar Huge thanks to our amazing show sponsors for supporting us in providing free resources: Learn more about Lebra https://www.lebrahq.com/ Learn more about Gamestorm EDU https://gamestormedu.com/ Reach out to us anytime with questions! info@shiftingschools.com   


