Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators

Join us for this bonus episode where Tricia is a guest on the BFIS 'The Future is Now Podcast.' Ready to follow that show? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-benjamin-franklin-international-school-podcast/id1714268067   Find all of the resources mentioned here. Listener Challenge: - Be the first to review from your state and win access to our AI course bundle. Leave a review on any podcast platform and email us at info@shiftingschools.com. How to Connect: - Follow us on everywhere: @shiftingschools and @shiftingschoolspod - Visit our website: https://www.shiftingschools.com - Email: info@shiftingschools.com

Episode Description: Join us for this bonus episode were host Jeff Utecht becomes the interviewee on the Have A Life Teaching Podcast. You can subscribe to the Have A Life Teaching Podcast here: https://pod.link/1702975996 Episode Highlights: 1. Shout-out to Listeners: A special thanks to our listeners in Pennsylvania, Indiana, and France for your wonderful ratings and reviews! Remember, the first reviewer from each state gets access to our exclusive AI course bundle. 2. Jeff Utecht - A Brief Introduction: Get to know our guest, Jeff Utecht, a leader in educational technology and innovation. 3. Key Discussion Points:    - The Role of Technology in Education: Insights into how technology is reshaping teaching and learning practices.    - Digital Tools in the Classroom: Strategies for integrating technology to enhance learning experiences.    - Preparing for a Tech-Forward Future: Discussion on future trends and preparing students for a changing world. Listener Challenge: - Be the first to review from your state and win access to our AI course bundle. Leave a review on any podcast platform and email us at info@shiftingschools.com. How to Connect: - Follow us on everywhere: @shiftingschools and @shiftingschoolspod - Visit our website: https://www.shiftingschools.com - Email: info@shiftingschools.com  

On today we speak with Dr. Peter Stiepleman, 2021 Missouri Superintendent of the Year. We explore keys to a human-centered leadership approach. Ready to meet our guest? Peter Stiepleman, EdD. Author, Leadership Coach, and Inspirational Speaker Dr. Peter Stiepleman is a locally, regionally, and nationally recognized leader who uses the power of storytelling to help leaders design better systems and help make complex concepts easier to understand. Peter is a self-starting, creative leader with experience engaging with diverse communities, from the United States Embassy in Madrid, Spain, to corporate insurance offices in San Francisco, to the multilingual, multicultural schools in Oakland, California, to the rapidly growing City of Columbia, Missouri.   In 2021, Peter was awarded the Missouri Superintendent of the Year from the Missouri Association of School Administrators. Now living in Washington State, Peter consults and coaches aspiring and established leaders on how to make more predictably successful decisions. Additionally, Peter is the author of An Imperfect Leader: Human-Centered Leadership in (After) Action which introduces a human-centered leadership model and system-thinking tools to readers. He is also the host of a weekly podcast with the same name, An Imperfect Leader. In each episode, leaders from all across the nation reflect on decisions they made and the lessons they learned. Peter hopes his transition from superintendent to coach will improve leader longevity for superintendents and school leaders nationwide. Ready to connect with Peter? Twitter - @pstieple and @imperfectleadr1 Instagram - @animperfectleader LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-stiepleman-76004819a Learn more with Shifting Schools in 2024: https://www.shiftingschools.com/    

"What do I want my process to look like?" this is a question researcher, educator and author Maya Bialik would love to see more teachers think about right now. Our conversation thinks about the art and craft of teaching as it applies to AI and the range of AI tools available to us. Our guest this week is: Maya Bialik is a 7th grade science teacher from Boston, and the founder of QuestionWell AI. In the decade since earning her master’s degree in Mind, Brain, & Education from Harvard, Maya has worked directly with educators and jurisdictions around the world on many parts of the education system, from writing curriculum, to evaluating programs, running professional development, facilitating seminars and workshops, designing new standards, conducting research, and publishing books and papers on both primary research and theoretical frameworks. Learn more about questionwell.ai and connect with Maya. Also explored in our conversation are ideas on: Ways to use AI for concept based learning. Ways to engage AI for social emotional learning. Ways AI will help us reconceptualize communication and creativity. Connect with hosts of this show and let them know what mini series you'd love to see them get started on for 2024: info (at) shifting schools (dot com) Find opportunities to learn with Shifting Schools all year: https://www.shiftingschools.com/  

Join us as we discuss the implications of AI in educational settings, particularly focusing on how these tools can be integrated to foster inclusion and improve learning experiences with Max, a High School Student. Key Discussion Points: AI and Social Interaction: Max highlights how AI tools can prevent social issues like being 'left on read' or 'ghosted', providing valuable insights in social situations. AI as a Communication Filter: The discussion explores AI's role as a reflective tool, helping individuals consider their communication style and content. AI in the Classroom: Addressing teachers' anxieties about AI, Max emphasizes the importance of firsthand experience with technology rather than relying solely on second-hand opinions or fears. Big Idea Shared:  Max provides a thoughtful, student-centered perspective on the use of AI in education, encouraging educators to listen to students and incorporate their feedback in AI integration. Want to reach out to Max? Email us at info@shiftingschools.com

This special bonus episode points you to a recent conversation with Donna Hayword, US Principal of the Year (2023) via a brand new podcast: Sustainable Innovation from NEASC. Sustainable Innovation: By and for K-12 educational leaders NEASC is proud to present this five-part podcast series created by and for educational leaders on themes of key importance including artificial intelligence (AI), technology in education, student agency, and building sustainable systems and cultures of innovation in our schools. The NEASC Sustainable Innovation series serves: Participants in the 2023 NEASC Leadership Conference who wish to prepare for and augment their in-person experience in Boston. Educational leaders who wish to engage in learning opportunities and sharing of innovative practices aligned with the conference themes of sustainability, innovation, and inclusion. Special thanks: to our series sponsor - Small Wins Dashboard   Reach out to Tricia to let her know you'll be in Boston for the event OR to share an idea you have for a mini-series! tricia (at) shiftingschools (dot com)

Delve into the transformative world of generative AI text-to-image technology and its burgeoning role in creative writing. Our journey begins with an exploration of how AI-generated images can act as creative catalysts for writers, offering a vivid, visual interpretation of their penned thoughts. We discuss the free guide available to help educators try out the 'tone words' and vocabular work Jeff and Tricia discuss. Wanna grab the free guide? https://www.shiftingschools.com/free-pdfs We examine how integrating this technology into the curriculum can serve as a powerful tool for fostering creativity and enhancing storytelling skills among students. By bringing stories to life through AI-generated visuals, we uncover the potential for deeper engagement and inspiration among young writers. Moreover, we tackle the critical aspect of AI literacy in K12 education. We discuss how exposure to AI technology through creative applications can demystify AI concepts, making them more approachable and understandable for students.  Join us for an enriching discussion that merges the boundaries of technology, education, and creativity, and discover how generative AI is not just a tool for creation, but also a gateway to learning and understanding the future of technology. Ready to learn more with Jeff and Tricia? Take $25 off the PLC AI Playground with special code 'SSPOD25' at checkout: https://www.shiftingschools.com/ The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:18 - Introduction 00:01:48 - The All Inclusive AI Bundle 00:05:01 - Text to Image AI for Creative Writing 00:08:43 - AI Images and Copyright Issues 00:11:06 - Leveraging Style and Collaborative Prompt Authoring 00:15:17 - Introduction to Free Tools 00:16:22 - The Innovation Stage 00:17:18 - Free Guide and Feedback 00:17:32 - Appreciation for Free Guides 00:17:44 - Review and Access to AI Guide

How do we take a lot of this data that usually is hidden from students and teachers and kept in IT departments and make that part of the learning process of supporting us in our tech world? We ask big questions like that and more in today's conversation with Incident IQ's Emily Stapf. Learn all about them: https://www.incidentiq.com/ We debunk a lot of misguided ideas about asset management, so ask yourself: Are you falling for these common myths about asset management in schools?  Myth #1: Asset management is only relevant for large school districts. Myth #2: Asset management is only about tracking devices. Myth #3: Asset management is a burden on staff and adds unnecessary complexity. In this episode, we will debunk these myths and reveal the truth about the importance of asset management in schools, providing valuable insights and strategies that can revolutionize your school's technology management practices. Ready to learn more about our guest? Emily Stapf works for Incident IQ as a Customer Success Manager. Based in Knoxville, TN, she comes to us from Knox County Schools where she was a computer technician and IT Asset Specialist. She earned a BBA from the University of Toledo in Marketing and Management. In her free time she and her wife are building a small cabin to enjoy with their two pups, Sam and Ollie. She also enjoys traveling, reading, running, puzzles, and crocheting. https://www.incidentiq.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-stapf-46016591/ Key moments to watch out for:00:00:44 - Importance of Asset Management 00:02:09 - Teaching Opportunities 00:04:03 - Data and Reporting 00:07:16 - Budgeting and Planning 00:09:42 - AI and Generative AI 00:11:25 - Challenges and Passwords 00:15:48 - The Process of Learning a New System 00:17:14 - Incident IQ as a Single Pane of Glass 00:19:14 - The Importance of Visibility and Communication 00:20:06 - The Benefits of a System Made Specifically for K-12 Education 00:22:02 - Customer Support and Training How can you take this episode further? Check out the Events feature on the Incident IQ website to learn how you can easily manage room reservations and event scheduling. Consider implementing asset management practices in your school or district to track and report on devices used by students, such as laptops and iPads. Explore the benefits of using Incident IQ's reporting capabilities to track device repairs, software issues, and other asset management data. Learn how asset management can be a teaching opportunity for students, parents, and caretakers, by emphasizing the importance of taking care of expensive technology. Discover how Incident IQ's custom views and reporting features can help you analyze data on device issues by grade level, such as cracked screens or hardware damage. Consider using Incident IQ's asset management system to budget for future device replacements based on lifespan and anticipated expiration dates.

Does this sound familiar? You integrate AI technology in your classroom, hoping to enhance student engagement and learning. However, you find yourself overwhelmed with the vast array of AI tools and unsure of how to effectively integrate them. This ineffective action leaves you feeling frustrated and disappointed, as you see little improvement in student outcomes. But imagine a different approach—one where the power of AI is harnessed to create a balanced and effective learning environment. Together, let's explore strategies to strike the perfect AI-human balance and achieve the results you desire. My special guest is Terry Kearnes https://twitter.com/terrykteacher Terry Kearnes, an elementary education teacher based in Vietnam, joins us as a guest on the podcast. With his classroom experience, Terry offers valuable insights into effectively integrating AI technology in his 4th grade classroom. Employing a project-based and standards-based approach, Terry's classroom is designed to foster student engagement and learning. Currently, his students are immersed in a unit called "Independent Me," where they have the opportunity to delve into various topics, including AI. Terry's interest in AI was sparked by its potential to enhance teaching and learning experiences. He has successfully incorporated AI tools into his lessons, using them for generating examples, lesson planning, and supporting vocabulary development. Through Terry's expertise, we will explore the importance of balancing AI integration with human interaction to create a conducive and effective learning environment. AI levels the playing field for all students, giving them ownership of their learning and empowering them to take charge. - Terry Kearnes In this episode, we discuss: Enhance classroom learning with AI technology: Discover how AI can revolutionize your teaching methods and create a more engaging and interactive learning environment for students. Elevate student writing skills with AI tools: Unleash the power of AI to provide personalized feedback and guidance, helping students improve their writing skills and boosting their creativity. Personalize learning experiences with generative AI: Explore how generative AI can tailor educational content to individual student needs, promoting a more personalized and effective learning journey. Strike the perfect AI-human balance in the classroom: Learn strategies to effectively integrate AI technology while maintaining the crucial human connection and interaction that fosters a supportive and collaborative learning environment. Embrace the future of education with AI: Gain insights into the latest AI advancements and their potential impact on education, empowering you to stay ahead and embrace the exciting possibilities of AI in the classroom. Enhancing Student Engagement and Learning AI tools can significantly boost student engagement by providing personalized and interactive learning experiences. By simplifying complex concepts and adjusting language levels, AI makes learning more accessible for students of varied proficiencies. Terry Kearnes' use of Poe.com exemplifies how AI can empower students, giving them more control over their learning and leveling the playing field for all. The resources mentioned in this episode are: Check out Poe.com for a website that can help with AI examples and prompts for students. Visit Code Breaker Edu's website at codebreakeredu.com to explore their Byte software, a great tool for vocabulary and language level adjustments. https://www.codebreakeredu.com/chat/ Encourage students to use AI tools like Chat GPT or Byte to rewrite research materials at a level they can comprehend, helping them understand complex concepts. Explore the use of AI in the classroom to level the playing field for all students, including second language learners and multi-language learners. Empower students to take ownership of their learning by allowing them to choose the language level for their materials when using AI tools like Byte. Use AI tools like Byte to prepare for FMP reading tests by adjusting the level of the text to match each student's reading level. Check out even more AI resources and free guides to support you at https://www.shiftingschools.com

In the ever-changing landscape of education, we bring you to the forefront of school transformation and innovation. Welcome to Shifting Schools!  I'm Jeff Utecht, an educator of 24 years and full time educational consultant. Each week I’m joined by the fantastic Tricia Friedman who is a passionate 20 year veteran English teacher and consultant. Together, we unpack the biggest challenges and the most exciting breakthroughs in K-12 education. From harnessing technology to personalize learning to social emotional learning, Shifting Schools is your weekly dose of inspiration and practical strategies. Do you ever wonder about how to engage your students more deeply? Or perhaps you're searching for ways to foster critical thinking and creativity in your classroom? Look no further! Every Monday, we bring you conversations with educators, researchers and authors who are on the ground, making incredible shifts in classrooms and schools. Shifting Schools is more than just a podcast; it's a community of passionate educators who are committed to making a positive impact in the lives of students. So, whether you're in the classroom, leading a school, or supporting our educational systems, tune in to gain new perspectives, share ideas, and be a part of this transformative journey. And don't forget to join our community and download over 80 free guides at shiftingschools.com and follow us on Instagram and TikTok at @shiftingschoolspod for even more content and interaction! Are you ready to be inspired? Are you ready to shift your thinking and your teaching? Then join us every Monday as we ask big questions about shifting schools one conversation at a time.  Website: https://www.shiftingschools.com Podcast Site: https://pod.shiftingschools.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jutecht/podcasts  Follow us on Social:  https://www.instagram.com/shiftingschoolspod https://www.tiktok.com/@shiftingschoolspod