Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators

Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators

By Jeff Utecht & Tricia FriedmanEducationCourses
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Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators episodes

  • The Importance of Trauma-Informed Philanthropy & Advocacy

    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 care in supporting youth who have experienced trafficking. She highlights the necessity of a collective effort in addressing these complex issues and the role of policy in protecting victims. The discussion also touches on the importance of teaching consent and navigating relationships, as well as how the public can support change through awareness and advocacy.

    Erin Williamson is the Chief Programs & Strategy Officer at Love146, where she's spent over a decade fighting child trafficking through trauma-informed care, prevention education, and survivor advocacy. With 20+ years in the field, Erin brings deep insight into protecting vulnerable youth and driving policy change—while balancing her role as a parent and education advocate. Erin holds a Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) from American University & is also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

    Learn more

    https://www.facebook.com/love146.org/

    https://love146.org/

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-williamson-5b88b58b

    https://x.com/Love146

    Chapters

    00:00 Defiant Hope and Unfiltered Joy in Action

    05:03 The Importance of Trauma-Informed Care

    09:13 The Collective Effort in Addressing Trafficking

    15:42 Navigating Complex Relationships and Boundaries

    21:26 Teaching Consent Across Generations

    27:58 Rethinking Child Autonomy and Rights

    33:11 The Role of Policy in Supporting Victims

    39:50 How the Public Can Support Change

    46 min
  • Overcoming Barriers with Universal Design for Learning

    In this conversation, Dr. Loui Lord Nelson discusses the connections between technical theater and Universal Design for Learning (UDL), emphasizing the importance of intentional design in educational environments. The conversation explores barriers to implementing UDL, the significance of emotional connections in learning, and the necessity of fostering collaboration and community among learners. Dr. Nelson highlights the role of educators in creating inclusive and supportive learning spaces that cater to the diverse needs of all students. In this conversation, Loui Lord Nelson, Ph.D., discusses the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and how to make learning more accessible and engaging for all students. She emphasizes the importance of context in learning, the use of metaphors like sunsets to explain UDL, and provides practical resources for educators looking to implement UDL strategies. The discussion also touches on the significance of designing for barriers and fostering learner agency, as well as the iterative nature of design in educational settings.

    Ready to learn more from our guest?

    https://theudlapproach.com/

    Chapters

    00:00 The Intersection of Technical Theater and UDL 04:09 Intentional Design in Learning Environments 11:14 Barriers to Implementing UDL 17:44 Emotional Connections in Learning 22:14 Fostering Collaboration and Community 30:33 Accessible Learning Resources 31:33 The Sunset Analogy for UDL 36:10 Starting Points for UDL Implementation 40:31 Understanding UDL Gears 46:42 Designing for Barriers and Agency 52:44 The Design Workflow and Reflection

    58 min
  • Insights on the future of restorative justice
    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 justice in education, the training and engagement strategies for teachers, and the current trends in school management and student engagement. Nicholas shares insights on the future of restorative justice, emphasizing the need for empathetic approaches in handling student conflicts and the importance of community engagement through conferences and workshops.

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Restorative Justice in Education 05:35 Trends in School Engagement and Management 11:31 Future of Restorative Justice in Education 17:26 Conferences and Community Engagement

    Meet our guest:

    With over 15 years of experience in the field, Nicholas has worked extensively to promote belonging, culture change, and accountability through restorative justice. He is the founder of the National Center for Restorative Justice and the author of A Real-World Guide to Restorative Justice for Schools. His work is informed by a unique blend of personal insight, academic expertise, and a 24-year career in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, making him a dynamic and deeply knowledgeable voice in this space.

    https://www.nationalcenterforrestorativejustice.com/

    24 min
  • The Future of AI in Trade Classrooms

    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 conversation where Jeff Utecht explores the integration of AI in trade classrooms, focusing on material selection, safety simulations, and the pedagogical benefits of using AI tools. He emphasizes the importance of preparing students for a future where AI is prevalent in the workforce, advocating for a collaborative approach where AI acts as a co-pilot in education. Through practical examples and insights, Utecht illustrates how AI can enhance learning experiences and improve efficiency in trade education.

    Chapters

    00:00The Future of AI in Trade Classrooms 02:59Material Selection and Optimization with AI 05:52AI-Driven Safety Simulations and Briefings 08:50Integrating AI into Classroom Practices 12:11Preparing Students for a Sustainable Future 15:00AI as a Co-Pilot in Education
    22 min
  • AI in CTE Classrooms: A New Era Is Here

    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 how generative AI tools can enhance learning and efficiency, providing real-world applications and examples. The conversation emphasizes the importance of preparing students for a future where AI plays a crucial role in skilled trades, highlighting the need for critical thinking and verification of AI-generated information.

    Chapters

    00:00 AI in CTE Classrooms: A New Era 04:49 Generative AI in Construction and Welding 10:03 Building Information Management Software 14:45 Computer Vision in Welding Education 19:55 Preparing Students for the Future of Trades

    Takeaways

    AI is revolutionizing CTE classrooms, making learning more interactive. Generative AI can optimize construction designs and processes. Students must learn to verify AI-generated information. There is a significant shortage of skilled labor in construction. AI tools can provide instant feedback in welding education. Building Information Management (BIM) software is essential for modern construction. Computer vision technology can enhance quality control in welding. Educators should pilot AI tools in their classrooms. Safety and critical thinking are paramount when using AI. Preparing students for the future of trades is essential.

    23 min
  • Can AI help us share our stories?

    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 personal stories as a means of reflection for educators and introduces a new generative AI bot designed to assist in this process. The episode encourages listeners to engage with the provided resources and share their experiences.

    Ready to check out the bot?

    https://chatgpt.com/g/g-680fda72d2b88191b55ebf3c763d5dbb-crafting-your-story-as-an-end-of-year-reflection

    Wanna check out the free guide?

    https://shiftingschools.lpages.co/crafting-the-story-of-our-learning/

    Takeaways

    This May, we invite you to get playful and curious. Crafting stories can help educators reflect on their year. The free guide helps educators share their stories. Generative AI can enhance storytelling activities. The bot assists in building a narrative structure. Listening to each other's stories is valuable. Feedback from the community is essential for growth. The challenge aims to foster community engagement. Experimenting with tools can boost confidence in storytelling. Sharing stories can strengthen team dynamics.

    7 min
  • The 'sexy broccoli' episode with Dr. Michael Greger

    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 COOKBOOK: 100+ Recipes for Getting Healthier and Living Longer is a fully illustrated cookbook filled with recipes to make you healthier as you age.

    In The How Not to Age Cookbook, decades of scientific research are put to use in over a hundred recipes that will leave readers feeling nourished for years to come. Each of these simple, nutrition-packed dishes (like chickpea and tempeh breakfast burritos, edamame bisque, pinto bean spread, or mushroom hummus wraps) uses ingredients that have been proven to promote a healthy lifespan drawing on inspiration from the places around the world where people traditionally live the longest.

    Grounded in the latest nutrition science, The How Not to Age Cookbook is chock-full of delicious meals, snacks, and beverages that will keep the body both nourished and youthful. In addition to discussing interventions to regulate the eleven aging pathways, Dr. Greger will also share tricks for taking unpalatable powders and tips on how to cook legumes on the stovetop.

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Healthspan and Cooking 03:00 The Role of Legumes in a Healthy Diet 05:51 Practical Tips for Healthy Eating on the Go 08:58 The Gap in Medical Nutrition Education 12:13 The Importance of Communication in Nutrition 14:54 Marketing Healthy Eating and Social Influences 18:01 The Social Aspect of Healthy Eating

    Thank you to our show sponsor:

    https://www.neulight.io/?utm_source=shiftingschool&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=fallsponsorship&utm_id=1

    24 min
  • Five challenges for fostering media and algorithmic literacy with friends and family
    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 co-learning activities over the summer. The guide emphasizes emotional health and community engagement through various challenges that encourage participants to explore media's impact on their lives and relationships.

    Grab the link to the free guide:

    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yA8cP21EaM7mTUqEH_7BfyxWnEbRZQdr/view?usp=sharing

    Thank you to our show sponsor:

    https://www.neulight.io/?utm_source=shiftingschool&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=fallsponsorship&utm_id=1

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Media Literacy and Algorithms 01:12 Attunement Informed Media Literacy 04:33 Engaging Challenges for Media Literacy 08:25 Conclusion and Call to Action

    11 min
  • The AI and Social Media Link

    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 his journey as a high school social studies teacher and how he began using AI tools like ChatGPT in his classroom. They explore the importance of teaching AI literacy, the need for structured learning environments, and the challenges of ensuring equitable access to technology for all students. The conversation emphasizes the significance of prompt engineering and the various levels of AI integration in assignments, ultimately advocating for a more informed and adaptable approach to technology in education. In this conversation, Jeff Utecht and Aaron Makelky explore the evolving landscape of education, particularly focusing on the integration of AI and digital tools in learning environments. They discuss the historical context of search tools, the importance of teaching students to leverage technology effectively, and the need to redefine traditional notions of cheating in the context of AI. The conversation emphasizes the necessity for educators to adapt to new technologies and prepare students for a future where these tools are commonplace.

    Aaron Makelky is a husband, father, teacher, tech enthusiast, and leader. Passionate about helping professionals learn AI skills. Over 15 years of instructional experience, simplifying complex topics and making learning approachable and enjoyable. Expertise as an AI Integration Consultant guiding individuals, schools, and law, and SMB through the evolving world of artificial intelligence.

    Focused on streamlining workflows, enhancing content creation, and building foundational understanding of AI. Committed to making technology accessible, human-centered, and effective for everyone.

    Content creator with a track record of engaging tens of millions through videos, blog posts, and social media content. Known for experimenting with new ways to connect and inspire others. (Thanks TikTok for the viral videos).

    Connect with him:

    https://www.aaronmakelky.com/links

    Huge thanks to our show sponsor:

    https://www.neulight.io/?utm_source=shiftingschool&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=fallsponsorship&utm_id=1

    45 min
  • A new free guide for Earth Day

    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 the intersection of AI and sustainability, encouraging a comprehensive approach to environmental education. Additionally, Tricia highlights a student competition for designing a new logo for Shifting Schools, promoting creativity and collaboration among students. The conversation also touches on the Earth Species Project, which uses AI to understand interspecies communication, and the importance of considering the ethical implications of technology in our daily lives.

    Ready to download the free guide now?

    https://shiftingschools.lpages.co/seed-free-guide/

    Ready to learn about the student design competition?

    https://www.shiftingschools.com/rebrand

    Discussed this week:

    • Sustainability should be integrated across the curriculum.
    • AI can help address environmental challenges.
    • The Earth Species Project explores interspecies communication.
    • Students should consider the ethics of AI use.
    • Understanding technology's environmental impact is crucial.
    • The guide includes resources for various engagement levels.
    • Reader questions inspired the creation of the guide.
    • Feedback from educators is encouraged for future resources.

    Connect with us:

    info (at) shiftingschools.com

    9 min

About Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators

From the publisher's feed

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.

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