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Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Jeff Utecht & Tricia Friedman
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- Today16 min
Dr. Brittney Cooper on Picture Books, Collaboration, and Love
This week, Tricia Friedman welcomes Dr. Brittney Cooper to the podcast to talk about her new picture book, Mama Says I'm Fine, illustrated by Tamisha Anthony. The conversation explores the story behind the book, the emotional weight of the phrase "you're fine," and how children's literature can hold care, resilience, identity, and family love. Dr. Cooper also reflects on what it means to write with intention and to collaborate with artists, editors, and readers in mind. Known for her work as a New York Times bestselling author, cultural critic, professor, and public thinker, Dr. Cooper brings a layered perspective to writing for young readers and the adults who read alongside them. Mentioned in this episode Mama Says I'm Fine by Brittney Cooper, illustrated by Tamisha Anthony. Dr. Brittney Cooper's Rutgers faculty profile. Dr. Brittney Cooper's TED Talk, "The racial politics of time."
- 1 weeks ago17 min
Why Patricia Cornwell Still Believes in Stories
Patricia Cornwell joins Tricia Friedman for a conversation about memory, writing, curiosity, forensic science, and the memoir she never expected to write. In this episode, Cornwell reflects on the childhood experiences that shaped her imagination, including the early encouragement that helped her begin to see herself as a writer. She talks about learning to "populate the world with imagined characters," the role of journaling and archival memory in writing memoir, and why finding the opening hook still begins with one question: what am I seeing in my head? The conversation also turns to the ethical weight of writing about violence. Cornwell explains why crime is not abstract to her, why she refuses to treat death as entertainment, and how her work through Kay Scarpetta has influenced readers, forensic science, law enforcement, and public awareness. This is also a conversation about curiosity. Cornwell discusses her need to see, study, and understand things for herself, from forensic settings to archaeology, mummies, research trips, and the physical details that help stories come alive. The episode closes with a reminder that feels especially timely: even as the forms of storytelling change, humans will always need stories. In this episode Patricia Cornwell discusses: How childhood imagination became a survival tool and a writing foundation Why a fourth-grade teacher's encouragement still matters decades later How she finds the "hook" for a book, including her memoir The journals and early autobiographical writing that helped her reconstruct memory Why writing about crime requires moral care, not exploitation How Kay Scarpetta influenced forensic science, law enforcement, and reader behavior Why curiosity keeps driving her research and creative life The story behind the Annie Leibovitz photograph used for the memoir cover Why stories will continue to matter, even as formats change
- 2 weeks ago36 min
The Questions Students Are Asking About AI: and the Mindsets that help Answer Them
Tricia and Jeff talk about what AI literacy actually looks like in K-12 — past the policy memos, past the vendor pitches, past the "ban it or adopt it" debate that keeps stalling schools out. They were very excited to receive questions from a student, and they used those as the structure for this conversation. The conversation uses the Shifting Schools BAKE framework as a loose map: Balance, Adaptability, Knowledge-sharing, Empathy. A mindset-first approach for leaders who want to think clearly instead of react fast. What Jeff and Tricia get into: How to explain AI to a 10-year-old without overcomplicating it (and why metaphors help) Where kids still need to struggle on their own — and why productive friction is identity-forming work The first habits to teach when a child gets AI access: check it, don't trust it; notice when your thinking shuts down Whether AI can actually make education more inclusive, and what has to be in place before it does The mistakes schools and parents are making right now: banning instead of teaching, adopting without training, treating AI like an IT rollout instead of a relationship shift Check out the free one-pager: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17ny-mD1QY450NdG5J4gVZzZE01qyFfOM/view?usp=sharing
- 2 weeks ago21 min
Great gifts for Teacher Appreciation Week
This week Jeff and Tricia share their five top gifts to celebrate the special educator in your life. They take you through why these five gifts celebrate creativity, learning, wellness, and show personal recognition during Teacher Appreciation Week. Featured on the show: WoofPack https://woofpacks.ca/ SketchBox https://getsketchbox.com/ PlantWave https://plantwave.com/en-ca/products/plantwave Back To The Roots https://backtotheroots.com/collections/organic-mushroom-kits Waking Up App https://dynamic.wakingup.com/
- 3 weeks ago16 min
What we learn when we listen to students
What happens when you stop talking about students and start talking with them? In this episode, Jeff Utecht sits down with high schoolers and asks a question most adults skip: what do you actually need from school right now? Not what teachers think they need. Not what the policy documents say. What the students themselves would name if someone gave them the mic. What they share is honest, specific, and worth slowing down for. Some of it will confirm what you already suspected. Some of it will catch you off guard. All of it is a reminder that the people closest to the experience of learning have been telling us things we haven't always made room to hear. If you're a school leader, classroom teacher, or anyone shaping the conditions students learn inside, this is a conversation worth bringing into your next team meeting. What would shift in your school if student perspective wasn't a survey question, but the starting point?
- 4 weeks ago34 min
The Business of You with Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio
This week Jeff talks with Nick and Marnie about why we want to help students stop waiting for permission and start building a bridge to a career on your their own terms. In this episode, Jeff Utecht is joined by Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio, authors of The Business of You, a book that reframes career growth, personal branding, and leadership through a simple but demanding idea: you are already running a business, and that business is you. Using the story of Sydney, a young professional trying to stand out in a crowded job market, Marnie and Nick explore what it means to move from passive applicant to active architect of your future. We talk about why so many people do everything "right" and still feel invisible, and what it looks like to become more intentional about the way you tell your story, build relationships, and create opportunities. This conversation will be useful for college students, early-career professionals, career changers, and anyone who has ever felt stuck between doing what's expected and figuring out how to actually get noticed. In this episode, we discuss: What it means to think like a CEO of your own life and work How to tell your story in a way people remember The difference between networking and building real relationships Why personal branding is really about clarity, not self-promotion How to stay visible, strategic, and ready for what comes next A few questions at the center of this episode: Why do so many capable people struggle to stand out? What makes someone memorable in a crowded field? How can students and professionals build a network that actually matters? What does "personal branding" look like when it's done with honesty and substance? How do you stop chasing the next role and start attracting the right fit? About the book: The Business of You follows Sydney as she begins to see that career success is not just about credentials or checking the right boxes. It is about ownership. Through her story, Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio offer a practical framework for building a career with more intention, more confidence, and more agency. Why listen: This is a conversation about career strategy, but it is also about identity, voice, and self-direction. If you have ever wondered how to make your experience matter more, how to build a network without feeling transactional, or how to stop blending into the pile, this episode gives you a strong place to start. Find the BAKE eBook: https://www.shiftingschools.com/ Learn more about our guests: https://blueapp.ai https://thebusinessofyou.ai social media: @bluethebusinessofyou Amazon: https://amzn.to/4sFfpWI Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marniestockman/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-coniglio-5b62153/
- Apr 13, 202624 min
Sara Amini: The Stories We Carry and the Friends Who See Them
What can a graphic novel teach educators about belonging, friendship, and the inner lives of young people? Sara Amini is an actor and author whose semi-autobiographical middle grade graphic novel Mixed Feelings started as a collection of essays before finding its real form. In this conversation, she and Tricia dig into why the graphic novel gave her a sharper way to tell a story about not fitting neatly into any one category, and what that means for the kids (and adults) who read it. They talk about humor as a way into hard topics like racism, xenophobia, puberty, and loneliness. Sara explains how she thinks like a director when writing visually, and why graphic novels open up something different in classrooms that text alone doesn't reach. The conversation keeps circling back to a question worth sitting with: what are students carrying that we're not seeing, and what kinds of stories help us notice? Want a free copy of Mixed Feelings? Email tricia@shiftingschools.com a screenshot of your podcast rating by April 15th to enter.
- Apr 6, 202624 min
Why Friendship Is Serious Business for Kids and Adults
Alyson Gerber joins Tricia Friedman to talk about The Liar Society, why friendship is serious business, and what mystery stories can teach young readers and adults about belonging, trust, competition, and connection. In this conversation, Alyson shares why friendship sits at the center of her work, how middle grade fiction can help readers think more deeply about loneliness and identity, and why the best friends are the ones who cheer for your growth. They also go behind the scenes of writing a mystery series. Alyson explains how she outlines her novels, why she uses the Save the Cat beat sheet, how she thinks about first scenes, pacing, chapter length, and twists, and what it takes to build a story that keeps readers turning pages. For teachers, librarians, and student writers, this episode also includes a practical prompt for helping young people start thinking like mystery writers. This episode is a strong listen for anyone interested in middle grade books, children's literature, YA-adjacent reading culture, literacy, creative writing, mystery writing, friendship skills, belonging, and how stories help readers take themselves more seriously. Alyson also reflects on the people who encouraged her early in life, the role creativity can play in self-restoration, and why books can help readers step outside the boxes they have been placed in. In this episode: Alyson Gerber on why friendship is foundational The Liar Society and the appeal of mystery for middle grade readers Belonging, competition, and power dynamics in youth friendships The loneliness epidemic and what fiction can teach us about connection Why adults and kids are co-reading this series How Alyson Gerber plots a mystery novel Save the Cat, outlining, pacing, and suspense A simple exercise for teaching students to think like mystery writers Audiobooks, reading habits, and the creative life of a working author Who this episode is for: Teachers, literacy leaders, school librarians, middle grade readers, parents, writers, and anyone thinking about friendship, belonging, and the kinds of stories that help young people feel seen.
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About Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators
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
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