Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators

Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators

Author: Jeff Utecht & Tricia Friedman Language: English Episodes: 50
Ever feel like the conversation around education moves faster than a school day? Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators is here to slow things down just enough for a meaningful dialogue. Hosted by practicing educators Jeff Utecht and Tricia Friedman, this podcast creates a necessary space for teachers and administrators to dig into the real work of modern teaching. Instead of just theory, you’ll hear from fellow practitioners and thought leaders who are navigating the same challenges you face daily. The discussions move beyond surface-level trends to unpack practical strategies and tools that can be adapted for your own classroom or school. Whether it’s rethinking assessment, integrating technology with purpose, or fostering a more inclusive learning environment, each episode is grounded in the shared goal of improving outcomes for every student. Tuning in feels less like another professional development requirement and more like a candid staff room conversation with colleagues who get it. This is where the abstract ideas about educational change meet the concrete reality of the K-12 world, offering actionable insights for anyone committed to the craft of teaching. Find Shifting Schools wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts for a regular dose of perspective and practical ideas.
Episodes
Why the World Has Always Been Weird — and Why That Matters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 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. The conversation ranges from animal histo…
From Super Bowl Champion to Literacy Champion | Malcolm Mitchell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 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, and literacy advocate Malcolm Mitchell ab…
Never Underestimate a Young Reader [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 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 Night, her haunting middle-grade novel set…
The Humanoid Robot, the Headlines, and What Really Happened [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 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 replacing teachers with robots." That was ne…
Game Design Could Transform Assessment in the AI Era [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 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 approach to assessment for the AI era: inv…
What will be your anchor for wellness this school year? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 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 offers a different invitation. Instead of atte…
Lisa Gardner on Creativity and Curiosity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 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 speaks with Lisa Gardner about the habits, ques…
How to Raise a Reader from Birth with Sandra Magsamen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 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 discuss Hello, Baby, her new board book created…
Who Gets to Lead? Expanding Student Voice with Rachel Thrash [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 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. But what about the students who are rarel…
How do we teach students to sit with evidence longer? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 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 husband and research partner, Mark Schiponi…