Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators

Latest Episodes:

Step up for Second Chance for Students around the world Sep 08, 2025

Show notes

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 described it as "an administrative oversight." But the global education community knew that it was an unprecedented admissions crisis. The scholarships, which included tuition as well as room and board, were revoked well after most other US university application deadlines had passed. Thus, Nepali students had already declined offers from other institutions they had previously applied to. The moment UT Tyler's mass email hit the inboxes of these high-need, high-performing students, some were already midway through the visa process to attend UT Tyler, and all had celebrated the momentous feat of a hard-earned Presidential Scholarship. In the days following, Selena Malla at USEF-Nepal, Kathmandu, issued a call on social media for help. After seeing a call for support from Selena, Joan Liu, a university advisor at the United World College of South East Asia, Singapore, stepped forward to help. Joan assembled a group of counselors from several corners of the world to form a volunteer crisis management team.

Joan Liu is on the show to explain how we can step up this September to support Second Chance.

Ready to learn more?

https://www.secondchance.global/

Data Literacy: The Key to Future Problem Solving Sep 01, 2025

Show notes

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 AI-powered tool, helps unemployed individuals find better job opportunities and training. The conversation emphasizes the importance of data literacy for educators and the potential of AI to personalize learning and improve educational outcomes. They also highlight real-world applications of data in education and the need for teachers to embrace AI responsibly to prepare students for the future.

Connect with our guest on LinkedIN:

Vice President @ Resultant | EdD, Organizational Leadership and Learning Former Educator, Administrator, and now Consultant. Interoperability Nerd. AI Enthusiast

Connect with the work Dr. Curt does.

Chapters

00:00Introduction to Pivot and AI in Employment 02:15The Importance of Data and AI Literacy 06:27AI's Role in Education and Personalized Learning 10:08The Power of Data in Student Success 12:42Emerging Pathways and Career Opportunities 19:36Preparing Teachers for an AI-Driven Future Connect with Jeff and Tricia on LinkedIN Jeff: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffutecht/ Tricia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tricia-friedman/

Future-proofing students through service learning Aug 25, 2025

Show notes

In this conversation, Tricia Friedman and LeeAnne Lavendar discuss the evolving landscape of service learning and education. They explore the importance of experiential learning, community engagement, and the need for transformative teaching practices that resonate with students. LeeAnne shares practical examples and insights on how educators can adapt their approaches to foster curiosity, joy, and meaningful connections in the classroom. The discussion also touches on the significance of future-proofing education by equipping students with essential skills for the complexities of the modern world.

Chapters

00:00 The Future of Service Learning 05:52 Transformative Learning Experiences 11:33 Future-Proofing Education 14:30 Community Engagement in Education 19:16 Practical Approaches to Curriculum Design 22:39 Embracing Change in Education

Thank you to our amazing show sponsor: Alongside

Help students have a healthier relationship with the news Aug 18, 2025

Show notes

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 students with high-quality news. They explore the role of social media and AI in journalism, the skills needed for future journalists, and how educators can utilize Newsreel to enhance students' critical thinking and media consumption habits.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Newsreel and Its Mission 02:29 The Role of News Literacy in Education 05:09 Engaging Students with Newsreel 09:00 Misinformation on Social Media 09:49 Skills for Future Journalists 14:04 AI's Role in Journalism 17:32 Data Insights for Educators 21:49 Ensuring Accurate News Reporting

Jack has written for The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Time Magazine, Vice, Fortune, Newsweek, and The New York Daily News.

His reporting has been covered by The New York Times, Bloomberg, CNN The Washington Post, and other news outlets.

In September 2024, Jack and his then-colleague Sam Howard broke the story uncovering the source of the viral claim that Haitian migrants were eating pets in Springfield, Ohio. In 2022, he led the team that conducted a landmark study on TikTok's algorithm, which revealed its propensity to feed misinformation to young users.

Jack was previously a Fulbright scholar in Germany conducting research on news avoidance and young people's changing media habits.

Get started exploring NewsReel today:

https://newsreel.co/about

The Future of Civics with Joshua M. Scacco, PhD Aug 11, 2025

Show notes

Tricia Friedman and Dr. Joshua Scacco explore the evolving landscape of political communication, emphasizing the impact of technology and attention fatigue on democracy. They discuss the dual nature of change in political engagement, the importance of understanding human behavior, and the challenges posed by the entertainmentification of politics. Scacco highlights the need for future researchers to adapt to new communication styles and the role of regulation in shaping political messaging. The conversation concludes with a focus on building community and preparing individuals for meaningful democratic engagement.

Joshua M. Scacco (PhD, University of Texas at Austin) is the founding Director of the Center for Sustainable Democracy at the University of South Florida. He also is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication. Dr. Scacco specializes in political communication, media content and effects, and quantitative research methods. He is the co-author, with Kevin Coe, of "The Ubiquitous Presidency: Presidential Communication and Digital Democracy in Tumultuous Times" (Oxford, 2021). Dr. Scacco also serves as a Faculty Researcher with the award-winning Center for Media Engagement at the University of Texas at Austin.

Chapters

00:00 The Evolution of Political Communication 03:02 Navigating Attention in Modern Politics 06:54 Emerging Technologies and Political Engagement 12:30 Understanding Human Behavior in Politics 17:15 The Entertainmentification of Politics 21:28 Preparing Future Researchers 27:12 Regulating Information in Democracy 32:58 Building Community for Democratic Resilience

Connect with our guest

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jscacco/

Learn more about our show sponsor

https://www.alongside.care/shifting?utm_campaign=Shifting

The Future of School with Dr. Annalies Corbin Aug 04, 2025

Show notes

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 the PAST Foundation, the importance of STEM identity, and the five key strategies for educational reform. Annalies emphasizes the need for cultural relevance, student agency, and problem-based learning in education. They also explore the challenges educators face in implementing these changes, the impact of standardized testing, and the concept of wicked problems in education. The conversation highlights the importance of community involvement and the future of education in preparing students for their roles as engaged citizens.

Dr. Annalies Corbin is the Chief Goddess, Founder & CEO the PAST Foundation. In 2000, Dr. Corbin founded the PAST Foundation, an organization she envisioned could lead the way to connecting scientific research with classrooms, schools and communities. From 2000-2006, Annalies concurrently led the PAST Foundation and taught at East Carolina University's Program in Maritime Studies. In 2005, when PAST opened its headquarters in Columbus, Annalies turned all efforts to building the PAST Foundation, assembling a team that could grow the reach and mission of linking learning to life.

From a single school partnership in 2006, Annalies has grown PAST's supporters across the nation, building a reputation for both transforming teaching and learning by understanding tomorrow's education needs. In 2015, Annalies' commitment to transforming schools led to the development of PAST Innovation Lab. Connecting directly with teachers through online professional development courses, MAEd program and on- site workshops, PAST Innovation Lab impacts more classrooms and expands learning opportunities for teachers and students everywhere. In 25 years, PAST has impacted more than 3,000,000 students, over 25,000 teachers across 42 states, hosting nearly 20,000 visitors and building hundreds of partnerships.

Chapters

00:00 The Genesis of Hacking School 02:54 Understanding STEM Identity 05:47 The Five Key Strategies for Education 08:28 Challenges in Implementing Change 11:24 The Impact of Standardized Testing 14:09 Wicked Problems in Education 18:55 Understanding Wicked Problems 21:21 The Role of Educators in Navigating Complexity 23:39 Shifting Mindsets in Education 27:25 Building Community Support for Change 31:18 Preparing Future Citizens and Thinkers 34:22 The Importance of Educator Authenticity

Learn more about our sponsors and opportunities to connect with Jeff and Tricia this academic year:

https://pod.shiftingschools.com/

Mental Health Meets AI: What Alongside Is Teaching Us About Students Today Jul 28, 2025

Show notes

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 episode, Dr. Elsa Friis, licensed clinical psychologist from Alongside, returns to discuss how her team is using clinician-built AI tools to support students, educators, and families. From building trust through anonymity to boosting classroom attendance, Elsa shares research, real stories, and the myths she's constantly debunking.

🎧 You'll hear about:

Why mental health support doesn't need to be 55 minutes long to make an impact
The surprising issue most students anonymously seek support for (hint: it's not test anxiety)
The difference between ChatGPT and what Alongside is actually doing with AI

Learn more about our guest:

Dr. Elsa Friis, Ph.D., Msc-GH, is a licensed psychologist, researcher, and behavioral health advocate who specializes in utilizing technology to expand access to youth mental health support.

She received her MS in Global Health and PhD in Clinical psychology from Duke University where she leveraged human-centered design to develop an app to support the implementation of a family therapy intervention in Kenya.

Dr. Elsa Friis has published over 20 peer-reviewed articles on the co-development, adaptation, and implementation of culturally salient youth interventions in the US and globally.

Clinically, Elsa has worked and trained in a variety of settings in NC and GA including schools, primary-care clinics, academic medical centers, and hospitals. She is trained in a variety of third-wave cognitive behavioral treatments for youth including DBT-A, ACT, and TF-CBT. She specializes in family-based approaches to treating anxiety, severe behavior concerns, and suicidal ideation.

Elsa firmly believes in co-creating products in partnership with the youth and stakeholders who will utilize them.

Learn more about the ground-breaking resarch they are doing:

https://www.alongside.care/shifting?utm_campaign=Shifting

[02:15] – What Alongside Does How Alongside supports students through tier one mental health interventions.

[05:30] – AI and Mental Health: What Makes Alongside Different Why this isn't just another ChatGPT wrapper—and how clinician-built tools matter.

[10:45] – The Power of Single Session Interventions How 5-minute check-ins can drive lasting change in student well-being.

[15:20] – What the Research Says About the Youth Mental Health Crisis Surprising findings about stress, social pressure, and how even fourth graders are feeling overwhelmed.

[20:00] – How Alongside Supports Educators Too Reducing burnout, building staff confidence, and offering private coaching tools for teachers.

[25:30] – What's Next for Alongside New research, upcoming findings, and how to bring Alongside into your school or district.

AI Companions: the risks and benefits, and what educators need to know Jul 21, 2025

Show notes

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 Hollanek, a critical design and AI ethics researcher at the University of Cambridge's Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence, to discuss:

The rise of AI companions like Character.AI and Replika
Emotional manipulation risks and the ethics of human-AI relationships
What educators need to know about the EU AI Act and digital consent
How to teach AI literacy beyond skill-building—focusing on ethics, emotional health, and the environmental impact of generative AI
Promising examples: preserving Indigenous languages and Holocaust survivor testimonies through AI

From griefbots to regulation loopholes, Tomasz explains why educators are essential voices in shaping how AI unfolds in schools and society—and how we can avoid repeating the harms of the social media era.

Dr Tomasz Hollanek is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence (LCFI) and an Affiliated Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science and Technology at the University of Cambridge, working at the intersection of AI ethics and critical design. His current research focuses on the ethics of human-AI interaction design and the challenges of developing critical AI literacy among diverse stakeholder groups; related to the latter research stream is the work on AI, media, and communications that he is leading at LCFI.

Connect with him:

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13347-024-00744-w

https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/items/d3229fe5-db87-42ff-869b-11e0538014d8

https://www.desirableai.com/journalism-toolkit

📌 Key Takeaways

Teenagers are vulnerable AI users. Many systems simulate empathy while bypassing meaningful regulation or safeguards.
Consent needs a redesign. Hollanek proposes recurring consent mechanisms—a shift from passive pop-ups to informed, adaptive engagement.
AI literacy ≠ prompt engineering. We must move from tool proficiency to critical awareness of data footprints, systemic manipulation, and long-term impact.
Social AI is the new social media. Without thoughtful intervention, the pitfalls of social media could repeat—and intensify—with AI companions.
AI for cultural preservation. Ethical use of AI offers promise for sustaining languages and stories that might otherwise disappear.

🧠 For Educators: Use This Episode To

Spark classroom discussions on ethics, digital legacy, and emotional AI
Reflect on policy decisions around edtech adoption and student data consent
Explore speculative design as a student project to imagine future AI uses and risks
Guide students in analyzing AI's impact on mental health and community memory

Thank you to our show sponsor, Alongside.

Learn more about their critical research:

Inside the report: > Teens are struggling with sleep more than ever > School-life balance feels out of reach at every age > Boys are looking for new ways to ask for help > Confidential, self-guided tools are resonating deeply with students.

https://www.alongside.care/shifting?utm_campaign=Shifting

What does it mean to 'spark brilliance' in schools? Jul 14, 2025

Show notes

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 positive psychology in education, the importance of addressing teacher burnout, and the transformative impact of the Spark framework on both teachers and students. The conversation highlights the significance of authentic connections in the classroom and the need for a systemic approach to improve school culture and mental health.

Learn more:

https://www.sparkeducators.org/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Brilliance and Positive Psychology 02:40 Impact of Positive Psychology in Education 04:43 Teacher Burnout and Student Empowerment 09:37 The Platinum Rule: A Mindset Shift 13:37 Implementing the Spark Framework in Schools 20:37 Being Present: The Importance of Authentic Connection

Huge thanks to our series sponsor:

Alongside

Why Raising Adaptive, Curious Humans in the Age of AI Matters More Than Ever Before Jul 07, 2025

Show notes

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 and the GCC. Tania has led executive roles at global organizations including Coca-Cola HBC and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), and began her career at Korn Ferry (formerly Hay Group S.A.), where she served as Expertise Leader for Talent Management and Leadership Development across Southeast Europe.

Now the founder of OrgDesignWays, Tania is pioneering conversations about the future of work, the transformative power of Generative AI, and how leaders can evolve alongside technology—not behind it. Together, Tricia and Tania explore how AI reveals patterns in human behavior, why psychology and philosophy are more relevant than ever, and how families and educators can help shape mindsets that are adaptive, creative, and future-ready.

Whether you're an HR professional, educator, or executive navigating emerging technologies, this episode will challenge you to rethink leadership, learning, and the real future of human-centered work.

Meet our guest:

Tania is a business psychologist and organizational development expert with over 25 years of experience in Europe and the the GCC region, holding diverse executive roles in both Organizational Development and Business Operations.

Tania started her career as a consultant at Korn-Ferry (formerly Hay Group S.A.) where she was the Expertise Leader for Talent Management & Leadership Development for South East Europe, before moving to corporate roles in Coca-Cola HBC and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST).

Tania is deeply interested in the future of work and the transformative impact of technology, particularly Generative AI, on the work landscape. For this reason, Tania established OrgDesignWays, a pioneering company with the vision to lead the future of organizational development through People & AI.

Tania holds two BAs in Psychology, an MSc in Organisational Assessment and an Executive MBA.

Connect with our guest:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tania-tasopoulou/

https://orgdesignways.com/

https://www.taniatasopoulou.com/

Learn more about our show sponsors for our summer series:

https://pod.shiftingschools.com/

⏱️ Chapters & Timestamps

00:01 – Origins of a Futurist Mindset Tania shares what sparked her lifelong interest in organizational strategy and the future of work.

03:22 – Generative AI & Redefining Job Value What large language models reveal about how we value human contribution in the workplace.

05:23 – Why Humanities are More Important Than Ever A compelling case for blending psychology, philosophy, and technology in future-focused education.

07:31 – Chatbots, Comfort, and Asking Big Questions A study reveals students prefer asking questions to AI—what does that mean for learning?

09:22 – Fear vs. Opportunity in the Future of Work Why we need to shift our mindset to prepare for jobs that don't exist yet.

12:32 – Raising Curious, Adaptive Humans Tania offers parenting insights on how to build confidence, resilience, and readiness for change.

17:32 – How Psychology Explains Generative AI From hallucinations to biases: Tania explains how psychology helps decode AI behavior.

21:44 – Interdisciplinary Leadership in the Age of AI Why leadership today means managing both people and intelligent systems.

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