Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators
Jeff Utecht & Tricia Friedman
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Jeff Utecht & Tricia Friedman
▶ WebplayerShifting 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...
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Sep 28, 2026 · 12:41
What happens when the cost of healthcare forces someone to delay a doctor's visit, skip a prescription, or take on debt? Tricia Friedman welcomes Dr. Camille Busette, executive…
Sep 21, 2026 · 32:17
School districts are reaching a turning point in how they manage classroom technology. After years of rapid device adoption and policies that often responded to one risk at a…
Sep 14, 2026 · 18:52
Uncle John's All-Knowing Bathroom Reader, Curiosity, and the Weirdness of Human History Brian Boone joins the show to talk about why the world has always been weird—not just now.…
Sep 7, 2026 · 22:36
What if readers and writers received the same attention, celebration, and investment as star athletes? In this episode, Tricia speaks with Super Bowl champion, children's author,…
Aug 31, 2026 · 28:31
What do young people understand that adults mistakenly believe they have hidden from them? Award-winning author Tiffany D. Jackson returns to the podcast to discuss Ghost in the…
Aug 28, 2026 · 57:39
When Salamanca City Central School District announced plans to bring a humanoid robot into its robotics program, the story quickly became something else entirely: "A school is…
Aug 24, 2026 · 49:54
What if students didn't simply complete an assessment—but designed an experience for someone else? In this episode of Shifting Schools, Tricia Friedman pitches Jeff Utecht a new…
Aug 19, 2026 · 44:31
The beginning of a school year often arrives with a familiar message: do more, organize more, and somehow become a brand-new person before the first bell rings. This episode…
Aug 17, 2026 · 27:31
What can ELA teachers learn from a bestselling suspense novelist who begins writing without knowing who the villain is? In this episode of Shifting Schools , Tricia Friedman…
Aug 10, 2026 · 26:24
What can a board book offer a baby who cannot yet speak or even hold it independently? Award-winning author, illustrator, and art therapist Sandra Magsamen joins Tricia to…
Aug 3, 2026 · 39:15
When schools picture a student leader, they often imagine the confident speaker, the high achiever, or the student who already understands how to succeed within existing systems.…
Jul 27, 2026 · 23:48
What happens when historical research uncovers a truth you are not sure you want to know? In this episode of Shifting Schools , Tricia speaks with author Christine Kuehn and her…
Jul 22, 2026 · 13:27
Christopher Nolan's Odyssey just earned nearly $300 million retelling a 3,000-year-old story — so what actually separates imitation from transformative interpretation? In this…
Jul 20, 2026 · 19:02
You know him as Dani Rojas on Ted Lasso. He's also a professional footballer with El Paso Locomotive FC, a filmmaker, and now the author of a bilingual picture book, Fútbol Is…
Jul 18, 2026 · 32:28
When Alex Campbell set out to teach sociology through true crime, he wasn't trying to catch a murderer. He was trying to make the stakes real. Nine years later, his high school…
Jul 15, 2026 · 14:51
Every team has communication habits, but how many of those habits have ever been discussed out loud? In this episode, Tricia introduces The Shared Kitchen , a free reflection and…
Jul 13, 2026 · 21:45
Award-winning author Christina Diaz Gonzalez joins Tricia to discuss Offside , her new bilingual middle-grade graphic novel about soccer, friendship, ambition, identity, and…
Jul 7, 2026 · 13:44
Tricia Friedman shares a real-life story about a flooded basement, an insurance claim, and what it revealed about AI literacy. After a major storm in Ottawa caused basement…
Jul 6, 2026 · 17:56
Newbery Medal-winning author Jerry Spinelli joins the podcast for a conversation about writing, perseverance, childhood, and the stories that stay with young readers. Known to…
Jul 5, 2026 · 18:18
In this Fourth of July weekend episode, Tricia Friedman speaks with Colin Woodard, director of Nationhood Lab at Salve Regina University's Pell Center, about national identity,…
Jul 5, 2026 · 23:12
In this Fourth of July weekend episode, Tricia Friedman speaks with historian and author Katie Kennedy about her new book, The Declaration Decoded , and the stories behind…
Jun 29, 2026 · 28:27
In this episode, Tricia speaks with Jan Cress Dondi about the years-long research journey behind her USA Today bestselling WWII book. What began with the discovery of hundreds of…
Jun 22, 2026 · 17:39
In this episode of Shifting Schools , Jeff and Tricia reflect on the 2025–2026 school year and what they are seeing as schools move into a more mature phase of AI work. The…
Jun 19, 2026 · 19:14
Looking for something thoughtful, funny, curious, and conversation-starting for Father's Day weekend? This episode may be just the thing. We are welcoming back Brian Boone, a…
Jun 15, 2026 · 26:32
In this episode of Shifting Schools , Jeff and Tricia talk about vibe coding: the emerging practice of using AI tools to help turn prompts, sketches, hunches, and half-formed…
Jun 8, 2026 · 17:36
What do we really mean when we tell young people to "be yourself"? In this episode, Tricia Friedman speaks with Meredith Walker, co-founder of Smart Girls with Amy Poehler and…
Jun 1, 2026 · 27:49
Join us as Keala Kendall, author of the compelling gothic novel That Which Feeds Us , takes us through her creative process, the importance of representation in storytelling, and…
May 25, 2026 · 16:59
This week, Tricia Friedman speaks with Veronica Roth, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Divergent series and the author of Seek the Traitor Son , the first book in…
May 18, 2026 · 16:49
This week, Tricia Friedman welcomes Dr. Brittney Cooper to the podcast to talk about her new picture book, Mama Says I'm Fine , illustrated by Tamisha Anthony. The conversation…
May 11, 2026 · 17:03
Patricia Cornwell joins Tricia Friedman for a conversation about memory, writing, curiosity, forensic science, and the memoir she never expected to write. In this episode,…
May 4, 2026 · 36:53
Tricia and Jeff talk about what AI literacy actually looks like in K-12 — past the policy memos, past the vendor pitches, past the "ban it or adopt it" debate that keeps stalling…
May 3, 2026 · 21:42
This week Jeff and Tricia share their five top gifts to celebrate the special educator in your life. They take you through why these five gifts celebrate creativity, learning,…
Apr 26, 2026 · 16:06
What happens when you stop talking about students and start talking with them? In this episode, Jeff Utecht sits down with high schoolers and asks a question most adults skip:…
Apr 20, 2026 · 34:26
This week Jeff talks with Nick and Marnie about why we want to help students stop waiting for permission and start building a bridge to a career on your their own terms. In this…
Apr 13, 2026 · 24:26
What can a graphic novel teach educators about belonging, friendship, and the inner lives of young people? Sara Amini is an actor and author whose semi-autobiographical middle…
Apr 6, 2026 · 24:19
Alyson Gerber joins Tricia Friedman to talk about The Liar Society, why friendship is serious business, and what mystery stories can teach young readers and adults about…
Mar 30, 2026 · 32:24
What happens when we stop asking AI to do everything faster and start asking how it might help us understand people better? In this episode, Jeff sits down with Andy Sitison, CTO…
Mar 26, 2026 · 17:36
Jeff Utecht is back with a brand new book for schools looking to understand what to prioritize in the era of AI. Human Still Required is available for purchase, and you can get…
Mar 22, 2026 · 15:32
What does it take to write a story that faces darkness without surrendering to it? In this episode, Tricia speaks with acclaimed screenwriter Billy Ray about his move into YA…
Mar 16, 2026 · 19:41
What can a cheetah and a rescue dog teach us about trust, friendship, and belonging? In this episode, Tricia Friedman sits down with bestselling author Jasmine Warga to talk…
Mar 9, 2026 · 24:20
In this episode, we sit down with Tui T. Sutherland , bestselling author of the Wings of Fire series, for a rich conversation about creativity, writing, world-building, empathy,…
Mar 3, 2026 · 10:23
In this episode, we sit down with beloved children's book author and illustrator Peter H. Reynolds to explore how educators can ignite creativity and self-discovery in young…
Mar 2, 2026 · 26:05
Deborah Goodrich Royce , author of literary psychological thrillers and a former actor, unpacks how she builds tension without forcing the outline. You will hear how sensory…
Feb 23, 2026 · 15:15
In this conversation, author Steve Berry discusses his deep-rooted love for history, the intricate process of crafting thrillers that intertwine historical facts with modern…
Feb 15, 2026 · 14:33
In this conversation, Sandra Magsamen discusses her approach to creating children's literature that emphasizes connection, love, and emotional intelligence. She shares insights…
Feb 9, 2026 · 10:35
In this conversation, we explore the new collaborative picture book 'Rise Girl Rise', which explores themes of empowerment, friendship, and the importance of storytelling across…
Feb 2, 2026 · 11:03
How is artificial intelligence being used in the NFL today? In this solo episode of Shifting Schools , Tricia Friedman explores how AI is already shaping professional football,…
Jan 27, 2026 · 15:44
What do puzzles teach us about being human. In this episode, Tricia talks with Allison Kane, Head of Puzzle Innovation at Highlights, about why puzzling matters far beyond…
Jan 25, 2026 · 31:10
How do you move forward with AI in schools when staff confidence is all over the place? Jeff Utecht and Tricia Friedman address one of the most persistent leadership challenges…
Jan 18, 2026 · 33:35
AI literacy in the classroom looks like students practicing judgment, sense-making, and self-awareness while working alongside AI , not replacing thinking with tools. It…
Jan 11, 2026 · 33:10
In this episode of Shifting Schools, hosts Jeff Utecht and Tricia Friedman discuss their personal experiences over the holidays, leading into a broader conversation about the…
Jan 5, 2026 · 22:03
In this episode, host Tricia Friedman sits down with Dr. Michael Greger , bestselling author and founder of NutritionFacts.org, to explore why non-commercial, evidence-based…
Dec 29, 2025 · 32:09
What does it look like when creativity becomes a global learning movement —not an add-on, but a connector across every subject? In this episode of Shifting Schools , Tricia…
Dec 22, 2025 · 28:58
This special Shifting Schools holiday episode isn't about trendy gadgets or generic gift lists. Instead, Jeff Utecht and Tricia Friedman share seven thoughtfully chosen gifts for…
Dec 15, 2025 · 24:55
You know Pentatonix – the multi-platinum selling acapella group is the number one most listened to musical acct of the holiday season. Co-founder and Grammy winner Scott Hoying…
Dec 8, 2025 · 21:23
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…
Nov 30, 2025 · 19:36
In this episode of Shifting Schools, Jeff Utecht reconnects with Marcus DiPaola, a successful content creator and documentary filmmaker. They discuss Marcus's journey from…
Nov 24, 2025 · 24:45
Are micro schools the future of personalized learning? In this high-impact episode of Shifting Schools , Jeff Utecht sits down with David K. Richards , CEO of ChangeMaker…
Nov 17, 2025 · 40:10
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…
Nov 10, 2025 · 9:51
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…
Nov 3, 2025 · 20:32
Discover how educators are using generative AI not to automate, but to elevate critical thinking and collaboration in K-12 schools. In this episode of Shifting Schools , host…
Oct 27, 2025 · 27:17
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…
Oct 20, 2025 · 46:38
The conversation about AI in education often starts—and stops—with cheating. But what if that's the least interesting part of the story? In this episode, Tricia Friedman speaks…
Oct 13, 2025 · 13:31
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…
Oct 6, 2025 · 33:41
Today, a college diploma is no guarantee that graduates have the competencies that businesses need, including using emerging technologies, communicating, working in teams, and…
Sep 29, 2025 · 22:30
In this conversation, Tricia Friedman speaks with authors Dylan Thuras and Jennifer Swanson about their ambitious book that explores the evolution of invention and technology.…
Sep 22, 2025 · 17:43
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…
Sep 15, 2025 · 31:06
In this episode of Shifting Schools, Jeff Utecht and Tricia Friedman discuss their upcoming training sessions focused on integrating AI into education. They emphasize the…
Sep 8, 2025 · 39:42
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…
Sep 1, 2025 · 25:26
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…
Aug 25, 2025 · 30:58
In this conversation, Tricia Friedman and LeeAnne Lavendar discuss the evolving landscape of service learning and education. They explore the importance of experiential learning,…
Aug 18, 2025 · 28:35
In this episode, Jeff Utecht interviews Jack Brewster, CEO of Newsreel , discussing the importance of news literacy, the impact of misinformation, and how Newsreel aims to engage…
Aug 11, 2025 · 46:41
Tricia Friedman and Dr. Joshua Scacco explore the evolving landscape of political communication, emphasizing the impact of technology and attention fatigue on democracy. They…
Aug 4, 2025 · 40:48
In this episode of Shifting Schools, Jeff Utecht interviews Dr. Annalies Corbin, author of 'Hacking School: Five Strategies to Link Learning to Life.' They discuss the origins of…
Jul 28, 2025 · 34:58
What if AI could help schools not just support educators as they work to manage student mental health needs, but prevent crises before they start? In this thought-provoking…
Jul 21, 2025 · 43:59
How do we prepare students—and ourselves—for a world where AI grief companions and "deadbots" are a reality? In this eye-opening episode, Jeff Utecht sits down with Dr. Tomasz…
Jul 14, 2025 · 32:14
In this episode of Shifting Schools, Jeff Utecht speaks with Jackie Insinger and Monica White about their book, 'Spark Brilliance for Educators.' They discuss the application of…
Jul 7, 2025 · 25:19
In this conversation, Tricia Friedman speaks with Tania Tasopoulou , a business psychologist and organizational development expert with more than 25 years of experience in Europe…
Jun 30, 2025 · 29:14
In this conversation, Tricia Friedman and Rachael Mann explore the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on education, the workforce, and various industries. They…
Jun 23, 2025 · 37:10
In this conversation, Tricia Friedman speaks with Jerome James about the evolving landscape of engineering, the importance of curiosity and problem-solving skills, and how AI is…
Jun 16, 2025 · 37:58
What does it mean to embracing change in the Fourth Industrial Revolution? Our special guest talks about the skills and mindset we need to embrace. Welcome to our summer series…
Jun 9, 2025 · 2:25
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…
Jun 9, 2025 · 45:06
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…
Jun 2, 2025 · 57:21
In this conversation, Dr. Loui Lord Nelson discusses the connections between technical theater and Universal Design for Learning (UDL), emphasizing the importance of intentional…
May 26, 2025 · 23:18
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…
May 19, 2025 · 22:00
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…
May 12, 2025 · 22:48
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…
May 5, 2025 · 6:01
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…
Apr 27, 2025 · 23:06
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…
Apr 21, 2025 · 10:33
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…
Apr 14, 2025 · 44:22
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…
Apr 7, 2025 · 8:45
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…
Mar 31, 2025 · 26:49
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…
Mar 27, 2025 · 5:12
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…
Mar 24, 2025 · 29:19
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,…
Mar 17, 2025 · 12:38
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…
Mar 10, 2025 · 38:05
This conversation explores the innovative virtual filmmaking program at Chad Lewis's school, highlighting the integration of technology, AI, and creative collaboration among…
Mar 4, 2025 · 10:18
In this episode, Tricia Friedman introduces the Neurodivergent Nexus Bot in anticipation of Neurodiversity Celebration Week. She discusses the importance of viewing…
Mar 3, 2025 · 27:35
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…
Feb 24, 2025 · 59:55
Tricia Friedman and Robert Landau explore the integration of strengths assessments with AI, emphasizing the importance of understanding individual strengths in team dynamics.…
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