Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators

What will it actually take—mentally, physically, and socially—to send humans to Mars and bring them back?

In this episode, host Tricia sits down with Dr. Mark Shelhamer, former Chief Scientist of NASA's Human Research Program, Professor at Johns Hopkins University, and author of Are We Ready for Mars?. Dr. Shelhamer shares his journey from biomedical engineering to astronaut healthcare, diving deep into the unexpected psychological and behavioral hurdles of long-duration space travel. Together, they explore why technical engineering is only half the battle, what the "Earth out of view" effect does to the human mind, how crew autonomy is forged under intense isolation, and why learning to deal with the unexpected in deep space holds profound lessons for human resilience right here on Earth.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The path to space healthcare: Moving from pacemakers and vestibular balance research into NASA human spaceflight .

• The commercial space era: Why private and government collaboration has shifted Mars from science fiction into serious mission planning .

• Expanding the human experience: The philosophical and scientific incentives behind tackling a multi-year planetary mission .

• The "Earth out of view" effect: How profound isolation, communication delays, and total autonomy reshape astronaut psychology .

• Resilience & the unexpected: Why preparing for what you cannot predict is the single biggest operational lesson of spaceflight .

• Generalists in extreme environments: How music, calculated risk-taking, and interdisciplinary thinking foster adaptive teams .

About the Guest: Dr. Mark Shelhamer is a Professor of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the former Chief Scientist of NASA's Human Research Program . His upcoming book, Are We Ready for Mars?, examines the critical biomedical and psychological challenges standing between humanity and the Red Planet .

How do we help children navigate profound, often overwhelming emotions like grief, fear, and insecurity without overwhelming them? In this episode, host Tricia sits down with author Kara LaReau

to discuss her newest book, Licorice—a captivating, seasonal mystery that doubles as a gentle vehicle for deep classroom and family discussions.

Paying homage to Daphne du Maurier's classic Gothic novel Rebecca, Licorice uses a cast of imperfect, relatable animal characters to give young people the language and emotional distance they need to unpack heavy life experiences. Whether you are an educator designing a supportive literature unit, a parent guiding a child through loss, or simply looking for an engaging, atmospheric read-aloud, this conversation offers invaluable insights into the intersection of storytelling, empathy, and emotional growth.

In this episode, we explore:

• How Gothic mystery conventions can create a safe framework for young readers exploring fear and grief.

• Translating adult literary homage (Rebecca) into an accessible, child-friendly animal allegory.

• Practical tips for teachers and caregivers using Licorice as a prompt for social-emotional learning (SEL).

• Why flawed, imperfect characters are critical for helping students build self-compassion and a sense of belonging.

Connect with the Guest: https://karalareau.com/

What We Discuss in This Episode:

• (00:41) The "Human and Cat" Dance of Editing: Why trust is essential when receiving an editorial letter, how Kara's background as an editor shapes her writing, and finding the magic "Option C."

• (04:56) Feedback as Emotional Intelligence: How learning to truly listen to critique builds empathy in writing and everyday life.

• (06:13) Anatomy of a Physical Book: Sprayed edges, Scholastic design collaboration, and working alongside neighbor and illustrator Kelly Murphy without exchanging a single email during production.

• (09:29) De-Weaponizing Big Emotions: Adapting Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca for middle-grade readers to talk honestly about loss, fear, and belonging without feeling pedantic.

• (12:13) From Manderley to Menagerie: Translating Mrs. Van Hopper into a haughty rabbit, Ben into an anxious house squirrel named Skur, and Mrs. Danvers into an imposing gray parrot.

• (15:32) The Unseen Drawer of Manuscripts: Why Kara lists unpublished books in her FAQ, recycling cut characters (like an old poodle named Ostie), and treating rejection as a learning curve.

• (20:14) "Winging It and Flinging It": Kara's drafting process, daily journaling habits, and sneak peek into her next Gothic-inspired animal mystery.

• (23:22) The Storytelling Power of True Crime & British TV: Exploring illogical choices, imperfect humans, and using imagination to cultivate compassion for difficult characters (and bad drivers).

What happens when a young person starts to wonder, "Maybe I could make something?" In this episode, New York Times bestselling author Jasmine Guillory joins the show to discuss her debut young adult novel, It's Only Dancing (out October 6th), inspired by the classic film Dirty Dancing. Jasmine shares her personal journey pivoting from a career in law to becoming a successful novelist, detailing the encouragement she needed to start and the evolving routines that keep her writing. The conversation dives deep into the realities of pursuing creative work in a world increasingly shaped by AI, why struggling through the learning process is essential, and how friendships give us the courage to take meaningful risks. Key Takeaways

• Honoring Teenage Passions: Why educators and parents must take young people's creative curiosities seriously and foster environments that support exploration.
• The Role of Friendship: How peer support and collaboration provide the necessary safety net to take creative leaps.
• The Value of the Struggle: What we fundamentally gain by wrestling with something we don't yet know how to do, rather than skipping the hard parts.
• Navigating the AI Era: Fresh perspectives on human creativity, the joy of collaboration, and why the messy process of learning still matters deeply.
• Sustaining Creativity: Practical insights into Jasmine's transition from lawyer to author, and how she adapts her daily routines to maintain a full-time creative career.

Resources Mentioned

• Book: It's Only Dancing by Jasmine Guillory (Available October 6th)
• Inspiration: Dirty Dancing (1987 film)

About the Guest Jasmine Guillory is a New York Times bestselling author known for her beloved contemporary romances. A former lawyer, she successfully transitioned to a full-time career in writing. With It's Only Dancing, she brings her signature warmth and engaging storytelling to the young adult genre, exploring themes of creative courage, friendship, and self-discovery. https://www.jasmineguillory.com/

What happens when a reader's first friends are characters in a book?

Author Claribel A. Ortega joins Tricia to talk about the Witchlings series and the connections readers build through stories. She shares how gaming shaped her worldbuilding, why fantasy gives us room to explore frightening questions, and what young readers have taught her about loneliness, anger, and belonging.

The conversation also explores the creative work that happens away from the page: making playlists, walking the dog, spending time in nature, and giving an idea space to grow. Claribel reflects on crediting illustrators, designing playful online spaces for readers, and practicing the kindness and community she writes about.

In this episode:

• How The Sims helped Claribel develop as a storyteller.

• Why stories need room for difficult feelings and darker questions.

• How Witchlings readers find friendship and see their experiences reflected.

• What educators can notice about creativity, play, and reader communities.

• Why artists and illustrators deserve recognition.

• How Steven, Claribel's puppy and unofficial manager, keeps her writing life on schedule.

Books discussed include Witchlings, Ghost Squad, and Frizzy, plus a preview of Claribel's forthcoming graphic novel, Thirty Ways to Kill Your Avatar.

Learn more:

https://www.claribelortega.com/

Learn more about the Shifting Schools cohort:

https://www.shiftingschools.com/ai-for-curriculum-instruction-cohort

What can picture books teach us about helping children feel heard—and learning to ask for help ourselves?

Author and illustrator Christy Mandin returns to explore Millie Fleur's Pumpkin Problem and Millie Fleur's Worst Day Ever. Through her imaginative characters, Christy opens up conversations about creativity, community, and respecting children's emotional experiences.

Together, we consider why a child's "worst day ever" deserves our attention, even when the problem seems small to an adult. Christy shares how life in her neurodivergent household shapes her approach to communication and why supporting someone involves both expressing our needs and noticing the needs of others.

We also go behind the scenes of her creative process—from gardening and escaping chickens to a beloved shed character—and hear her refreshingly honest three-day rule for processing feedback.

In this episode, we explore:

• Respecting children as whole people with experiences that matter.

• Asking for help and challenging the fear of burdening others.

• Using picture books to spark conversations and build community.

• Finding characters and creative inspiration in everyday life.

• Making space to process feedback before deciding what comes next.

For educators, librarians, parents, and anyone nurturing creativity, this conversation offers an invitation to notice more, listen closely, and make room for support.

Explore Christy's books and work: https://www.christymandin.com

Discover the Millie Fleur series: https://www.scholastic.com/site/millie-fleur.html

What can a horror novel teach us about friendship—and why might surviving together be its most hopeful message?

Author Ryan La Sala joins Tricia Friedman to explore the queer horror of The Dead of Summer, where estranged childhood friends must decide whether they can hold onto one another when disaster strikes.

Their conversation moves beyond the scares to examine representation, found family, grief, and the surprising relationship between terror and joy. Ryan explains why he writes queer characters whose lives extend beyond coming out, how each novel challenges his creative process, and what it means to see The Honeys adapted for film.

For educators, librarians, readers, and writers, this episode opens up questions about whose stories young people encounter—and how fiction can invite deeper conversations about belonging, loss, and care.

In this conversation:

• Why horror creates room for creative experimentation and queer storytelling.

• How friendship and community shape survival in The Dead of Summer.

• How humor and joy coexist with fear.

• Exploring grief across The Honeys, Beholder, and The Dead of Summer.

• Anticipatory grief: how fear of future loss can interrupt the present.

• Ryan's collaborative role in the film adaptation of The Honeys.

Explore the books: The Dead of Summer, The Honeys, and Beholder by Ryan La Sala. Ryan also discusses Bodies of Water, the sequel to The Dead of Summer.

A question to carry forward: Which stories help young people imagine that they don't have to face difficult things alone?

Share this episode with a reader or educator who would appreciate a different perspective on horror.

Content note: Discussion of grief, sibling death, cancer, and fictional horror.

What does it take to build a firm around the needs of people facing some of life's most difficult circumstances?

Tricia welcomes the founder of USA4ALL to explore the purpose behind its work, including serving survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. The conversation begins with the firm's origin story and the question of what makes its approach distinctive.

For educators and community leaders, this episode invites reflection on how compassion shapes the organizations we build—and how we recognize whose needs deserve greater attention.

As you listen, consider:

• What can an organization's origin story reveal about its values?

• How does compassion influence everyday decisions about whom we serve and how?

• Whose needs might be overlooked by the systems we work within?

• What would it take to strengthen connections between our communities and people who can offer informed support?

Learn more about Renata Castro and USA4ALL, and use this conversation as a starting point for thinking about what purposeful, compassionate leadership can look like in practice.

What if your next assessment asked students to pitch a board game—and explain when they chose to use AI?

In this episode, Tricia Friedman explores how game design can bring together research, persuasive writing, creativity, collaboration, and AI literacy. The central challenge: help students make thoughtful decisions about where AI supports their learning and where they want to work without it.

You don't need time to develop an entire board game. Tricia introduces a smaller game-pitch challenge, using the history of the Spokane River as an example that educators can adapt to their own curriculum and local context.

Together, we explore:

• A task that asks students to choose three moments to use AI and two to work without it—and justify those decisions.

• How matching game mechanics to a researched theme creates opportunities for testing, feedback, and revision.

• Connections to ELA, humanities, art, and mathematics through persuasive pitches, visual design, pricing, and material costs.

• How game reviews, playthrough videos, and crowdfunding pitches can become texts worth studying.

• What it means to approach assessment redesign with both boldness and humility.

A question to bring to your next planning meeting: How could an assessment make students' judgment about AI as visible as their final product?

Explore Tricia's free GAMES framework and consider where a game-pitch challenge could fit into an upcoming unit.

https://shifting-schools-games.netlify.app/

Reach out: [email protected]

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 vice president of Programs at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, to discuss One Nation, Overcharged. The nationwide campaign brings people together to call for more affordable healthcare.

The challenge is widespread, but it is not shared equally. In this conversation, Tricia and Dr. Busette examine what the data reveals about healthcare costs, whose experiences are too often overlooked, and how sharing those experiences can help communities push for change.

Learn more about the campaign: https://onenationovercharged.org/

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 time, leaders are asking a harder question: How can schools protect students from cyberbullying, data theft, AI-enabled scams, distraction and online harm without cutting them off from the learning, creativity and connection technology can provide?

In this episode, Tricia speaks with Harrison Parker, Executive Vice President at Linewize, about the shift from reactive restrictions toward a more coordinated approach to student digital safety and well-being.

Harrison explains why this work cannot sit solely with a district's technology department. Effective digital safety connects IT leaders, educators, safeguarding teams, administrators, students and families. It also brings together prevention, early detection, intervention and education rather than treating each new platform or threat as a separate problem.

Their conversation examines three changes taking place across K–12 education:

• Moving beyond screen-time bans toward digital-health strategies that address distraction and burnout while preserving useful learning • Replacing panic-driven AI bans with practical guardrails for privacy, safety and classroom use • Managing the "3 PM hand-off" by helping families understand and supervise what happens on school-issued devices after students leave campus

Harrison also discusses how districts can identify concerning online behavior earlier, understand which applications students are actually using and give families greater visibility into children's digital experiences.

In this episode:

• Why banning the latest technology rarely provides a lasting solution • What schools need to know about student screen time and app use • How AI is changing online risks for students and districts • Why data privacy must be part of classroom AI decisions • How schools can distinguish productive technology use from distraction • What early detection and intervention can look like • Why digital safety should not belong exclusively to the IT department • How responsibility shifts when students take school-issued devices home • Ways schools and families can develop a more coordinated approach • How districts can protect students without abandoning technology-supported learning

Questions for your leadership team:

• Who owns digital safety in our school or district right now? • How well connected are our technology, safeguarding, instructional and family-engagement teams? • Do we know which digital tools students are using and how they are using them? • Are our policies teaching students to navigate digital environments, or only restricting access? • What happens to our duty of care when a school-issued device goes home? • Are our AI policies based on specific risks, or on a general fear of the technology? • How quickly could our current approach respond to a new digital threat?

About Harrison Parker

Harrison Parker is Executive Vice President at Linewize, the K–12 online safety division of Qoria. He works with district leaders across North America on digital safety, student well-being, technology management and family engagement.

Learn more:

Linewize: https://www.linewize.com/ Harrison Parker on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harrison-parker-02951921

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Topics: student digital safety, screen time in schools, AI in education, cyberbullying, student mental health, online safety, data privacy, school-issued devices, digital citizenship, family engagement, educational technology and K–12 leadership

#StudentSafety #AIinEducation #DigitalCitizenship #SchoolLeadership #EdTech