

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

Sep 25, 2023 • 20min
303: Social Justice in Schools with Dr. Charles A. Barrett
On this week... We were so excited to have a conversation with Dr. Charles A. Barrett to dive deeper into his book: Social Justice in Schools A Framework for Equity in Education Our conversation explores: Ensuring equitable access to key opportunities Centering Relationships Reflecting on how to build community Find your copy: Via this link Learn about our special guest Charles A. Barrett, PhD, NCSP, a district-level administrator in Virginia, practiced as a school psychologist for 13 years at the elementary and secondary levels. He serves as an adjunct lecturer at several universities, where he is actively involved in the training and development of future school psychologists. Dr. Barrett was named a School Psychologist of the Year by the Virginia Academy of School Psychologists. His past leadership positions within the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) include co-chair of the Social Justice Task Force and African American Subcommittee, chair of the Multicultural Affairs and Social Justice Committees, and Virginia Delegate to the NASP Leadership Assembly. Dr. Barrett serves on the editorial boards of School Psychology Review and School Psychology. He is a frequent speaker and workshop presenter for educators, families, and community organizations. His website is www.charlesbarrett.org We are so grateful to the team at Mackin for sponsoring this episode and the full SEL series. Learn more about them: Mackin Want to discuss your thoughts on this episode? send us an email info (at) shiftingschools.com or catch us at camp: camp.shiftingschools.com

Sep 18, 2023 • 58min
302: Honoring the complexities of what it means to be an educator with Dr. Novak and Dr. Rodriguez
On this week... We were so excited to have a conversation with Dr. Novak and Dr. Rodriguez about their latest book In Support of Students: A Leader's Guide to Equitable MTSS Our conversation explores: How to make change happen What schools can do to better support ALL students How leaders can upskill in order to foster inclusion in schools Find your copy: On Sale Now via Bookshop Check out their special book group guide Learn about our special guests https://www.novakeducation.com/ https://kristanrodriguezcc.wixsite.com/ccapr We are so grateful to the team at Mackin for sponsoring this episode and the full SEL series. Learn more about them: Mackin Want to discuss your thoughts on this episode? send us an email info (at) shiftingschools.com or catch us at camp: camp.shiftingschools.com

Sep 11, 2023 • 57min
301: Fine-tuning the conversation about failure with Jessica Lahey
Jessica Lahey is the author of the New York Times bestselling book, The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed and The Addiction Inoculation: Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Dependence. Jess was awarded the Research Society on Alcohol's Media Award for "outstanding journalistic efforts of writers who cover empirical research on alcohol" […] "for her book The Addiction Inoculation and advocacy for the recovery community." Over twenty years, Jess has taught every grade from sixth to twelfth in both public and private schools, and spent five years teaching in a drug and alcohol rehab for adolescents in Vermont, and serves as a prevention and recovery coach at Sana, a medical detox and recovery center in Stowe, Vermont. She has written about education, parenting, and child welfare for The Washington Post, The Atlantic, and her biweekly column "The Parent Teacher Conference" ran for three years at the New York Times. She designed and wrote the educational curriculum for Amazon Kids' award-winning animated series The Stinky and Dirty Show, and was a 2019 Pushcart Prize nominee. Jess holds the dubious honor of having written an article that was later adapted as a writing prompt for the 2018 SAT. She co-hosts the #AmWriting podcast from her empty nest in Vermont. This week as Jeff and Tricia launch the new Social Emotional Learning series they talk with Jessica specifically about her book The Gift of Failure. Find your copy: On Sale Now via Bookshop Learn about Jessica Lahey's other work: https://www.jessicalahey.com/ We are so grateful to the team at Mackin for sponsoring this episode and the full SEL series. Learn more about them: Mackin Want to discuss your thoughts on this episode? Join us at our camp! camp.shiftingschools.com Continue your learning with Jeff and Tricia Learn how www.shiftingschools.com

Sep 6, 2023 • 44min
300: How might ChatGPT help us reflect on human-centric skills?
Jeff begins by emphasizing how ChatGPT enable educators to offer tailored content and support to a diverse range of students, meeting them at their individual learning levels. He cites examples of how this AI-driven technology can adapt lessons, provide personalized feedback, and assist students with varying needs, making the learning experience more inclusive and engaging. Tricia further expands on this by discussing how ChatGPT can help educators save time and energy when it comes to fostering relationships with the parent and caretakers at their school. Together, they explore how ChatGPT serves as an invaluable tool for educators seeking to provide customized learning experiences that empower every student to thrive academically and personally. Jeff and Tricia's conversation highlights big questions to ask when it comes to engaging with ChatGPT as a "differentiation machine" in the realm of student learning, paving the way for a more inclusive and accessible education landscape. Check out the report mentioned in the episode: https://economicgraph.linkedin.com/research/future-of-work-report-ai Wanna grab one of the last seats remaining for their 3 Month Generative AI Cohort? https://www.shiftingschools.com/learn We loved getting to spotlight LeeAnne Lavendar's reflection, learn more about her work: https://www.leeannelavender.com/ Share your thoughts with us on anything discussed here in our Shifting Schools Camp: camp.shiftingschools.com

Sep 4, 2023 • 36min
299: Unlocking the Potential of esports in Education: with Elliot Mack, Co-founder of Daigon Esports
In this episode of the Shifting Schools Podcast, Jeff Utecht sits down with Elliot Mack, the co-founder of Daigon Esports, our generous sponsor for the esports mini-series. What do we discuss? The educational benefits of esports How Daigon Esports is shaping the future of educational technology Ways to integrate esports into your classroom curriculum What do we investigate? Educational Technology Esports in Education Classroom Integration Why Listen? If you're an educator, administrator, or simply interested in the intersection of esports and educational technology, this episode is a must-watch. Learn how to bring the competitive, collaborative, and strategic world of esports into your educational setting. Links Daigon Esports Website Shifting Schools Resources Subscribe to Shifting Schools

Aug 28, 2023 • 53min
298: Unlocking Minds with Minecraft with Janey Laney
Join us as we unravel the stories that emerge when esports and gaming becomes a lifelong compass for learning. This week's guest is thought leader Janey Laney, a content creator and podcaster bridging the gap between education, gaming & tech. Our guest takes us on a journey where gaming serves as a conduit for boundless education. Janey uncovers the profound community dynamics that power the world of gaming, weaving networks and inspiration together into a seamless fabric of connectivity. Delve into the unexplored corners of education, technology, and empowerment, and glimpse a future where gaming becomes a portal to careers and community and more. Ready to connect with this week's amazing guest? https://linktr.ee/JaneyLaney Ready to learn more about our sponsor? https://www.daigonesports.com/ Learn more with Jeff and Tricia this year: https://www.shiftingschools.com/

Aug 27, 2023 • 25min
297: Campfire Conversations: Leadership in AI and What It Means for Schools
In this Off The Cuff episode, Jeff Utecht and Tricia dive into the exciting launch of https://camp.shiftingschools.com and their groundbreaking course on Leadership in AI. Discover how AI is shaping the future of education and why school leaders should be at the forefront of this technological revolution. Key Points: Introduction to https://camp.shiftingschools.com A new platform for educators and leaders to collaborate and share resources. Features and benefits of being a part of this community. Leadership in AI Course Importance of understanding AI in today's educational landscape. What educators can expect to learn and implement. The role of AI in Education How AI can aid in personalized learning. Ethical considerations in using AI in the classroom. Why School Leaders Should Care The influence of AI on decision-making processes. Preparing the next generation for an AI-driven world. Resources: https://camp.shiftingschools.com Leadership in AI Course

Aug 21, 2023 • 36min
296: Cultivate STEM and STEAM skills with esports
How do we help students learn and play simultaneously? This week's guest explains how esports links to so many components of academic life. Curious about ways to leverage your existing curriculum, STEM and STEAM programs with esports? You need to learn more from our guest. In recent years, esports has transitioned from mere entertainment to a thriving ecosystem that offers much more than thrilling competitions. We sit down with an expert to unravel how esports acts as a dynamic pathway for nurturing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) talents. Ready to learn more about our guest? Gerald Solomon is the Executive Director of NASEF. Curious to learn more about NASEF? Mission NASEF is on a mission to provide opportunities for all students to use esports as a platform to develop STEAM-based skills and social emotional attributes such as communication, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities needed to thrive in work and in life. Vision To ensure that all students possess the knowledge and skills needed to be society's game changers: educated, productive, and empathetic individuals. We are SO grateful to our amazing sponsors who have made our mini series on esports possible: Daigon Unlock the potential of Esports for your school with DAIGON's platform, solutions, and expertise guiding your International School to success in the world of esports. Looking to learn more with Jeff this year? Explore our AI in Education Pathways today!

Aug 19, 2023 • 3min
Trailer: What's on deck for September at Shifting Schools
Hello, Shifting Schools community! Jeff Utecht here, as we wrap up our exciting journey into eSports Tricia and I wanted to share what we have coming up next for you in September. As we start the new school year, we're diving in with a brand new mini-series focused on Social Emotional Learning, or SEL, a topic that we know is front and center in the minds of educators as we start another school year. And we're not doing it alone. I'm thrilled to announce our guest list for this enlightening mini-series, a line-up of voices that will guide us through this landscape: You'll hear from Jessica Lahey, New York Times Bestselling Author Charles Barrett, Author of 'Social Justice in Schools Dr. Katie Novak, an Internationally renowned expert and author Swapna Krishna, Known from Wired and PBS And that's just the start…… These thought leaders will share their insights, strategies, and stories, helping us understand how to connect with our students on a deeper, more compassionate level. Join us as we uncover the keys to empathy, resilience, collaboration, and more. Subscribe to the Shifting Schools Podcast on your favorite platform, and let's embark on this journey together. School's in session folks, and the next lesson is one you won't want to miss. Here's to shifting education together one conversation at a time. Until then….will see you on the network. Check out even more at https://www.shiftingschools.com

Aug 14, 2023 • 41min
295: What's at the intersection of law and gaming?
Unravel the complexities of video game ethics as we embark on a dialogue with Dr. Leon Xiao, a distinguished expert at the crossroads of gaming and law. In this episode, we probe into the innovative ways gaming and law intersect, and how they shape the experience of game play. This episode helps us explore more pathways available in the gaming industry and asks us to think more creatively about how differing passions might intersect. Ready to learn more about our guest? Leon is a PhD Fellow at the IT University of Copenhagen. He also holds visiting appointments at Stanford Law School and the University of York's Computer Science Department. Leon researches video game law, particularly the regulation of loot boxes, a quasi-gambling monetisation mechanic in video games. He uses empirical legal research methods and is passionate about open science. Connect with our amazing guest online: https://twitter.com/LeonXiaoY https://sites.google.com/view/leon-xiao/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/leon-xiao/ Thanks to our amazing sponsor for making this conversation possible. Learn more about Daigon Esports. Would you like to learn more with Jeff and Tricia this year? Find out more about ways to learn with Shifting School: https://www.shiftingschools.com/learn


