Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators

AI literacy in the classroom looks like students practicing judgment, sense-making, and self-awareness while working alongside AI, not replacing thinking with tools. It emphasizes mindset before mechanics.
In this episode of Shifting Schools, Jeff Utecht and Tricia Friedman frame AI literacy through the BAKE Mindset:
Balance – Knowing when AI helps and when it doesn't

Adaptability – Updating learning practices as tools change

Knowledge Sharing – Making thinking visible and collective

Empathy – Designing learning with student experience in mind

How Does AI Change Research in Schools?
AI changes how research starts and what counts as learning.
Instead of:
Finding information

Rewriting sources

Formatting citations

Students now practice:
Comparing perspectives

Identifying bias and heuristics

Deciding what matters and why

Research becomes an exercise in judgment, not retrieval.
The episode traces this shift historically—from card catalogs to microfiche to Google—and positions AI tools as the next evolution rather than a rupture.
The conversation highlights several skills that remain human-led:
Judgment – Evaluating ideas, not accepting outputs

Question Formation – Using AI to clarify what to ask next

Bias Awareness – Recognizing anchoring and confirmation effects

Metacognition – Noticing learning gaps and strengths

AI supports these skills but does not perform them on a learner's behalf.
What Does "AI as a Co-Learner" Mean?
AI as a co-learner means:
Students remain responsible for decisions

AI offers scaffolding, variation, or clarification

Learning paths stay human-directed

This mirrors patterns already familiar in education, including IEPs, 504 plans, and differentiated instruction.
How Does AI Literacy Connect to SEL?
AI literacy intersects with social-emotional learning by strengthening:
Self-awareness of strengths and gaps

Confidence in asking questions

Comfort with uncertainty and revision

As students work with AI, they gain clearer insight into how they learn—not just what they produce.
Who Is This Episode For?
Classroom teachers rethinking research and assessment

School leaders shaping AI literacy strategy

Instructional coaches and curriculum designers

Educators focused on mindset, SEL, and learning design

Series Context
This episode is part of the BAKE Mindset series from Shifting Schools.
Ready to learn more:
https://www.shiftingschools.com/
Do you love the way this show is edited and produced?
If you are looking for an amazing producer, learn more about connecting with our very own, Sagheer M.
https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/~01a20f0c0c32996d55

In this episode of Shifting Schools, hosts Jeff Utecht and Tricia Friedman discuss their personal experiences over the holidays, leading into a broader conversation about the importance of mindset in education, particularly in relation to AI literacy. They introduce the 'BAKE Framework' as a tool for educators to navigate AI discussions, emphasizing the need for adaptability, empathy, and open communication. The conversation highlights the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in educational settings, encouraging educators to embrace change and foster a culture of experimentation and learning.
 
Takeaways
The importance of personal gifts and experiences in shaping our perspectives.

Mindset plays a crucial role in how we approach AI in education.

The Bake Framework offers a structured way to think about AI literacy.

Addressing concerns about AI requires empathy and understanding.

Adaptability is key for leaders navigating technological changes.

Misinformation about AI and its impacts must be addressed thoughtfully.

Conversations about AI should focus on perspectives and experiences.

Time is necessary for understanding and shifting opinions on AI.

Playfulness in experimentation can lead to better outcomes.

Educators should foster a culture of open dialogue and consideration. 
Chapters
00:00 New Year Reflections and Personal Gifts
03:07 Mindset and AI in Education
05:47 The Bake Framework for AI Literacy
08:20 Addressing AI Concerns in Education
12:29 Adaptability and Playfulness in Leadership
17:46 Navigating Change and Misinformation
22:31 Conversations and Perspectives on AI
Learn more about Crayola Creativity Week
https://www.crayola.com/learning/creativity-week
Send Jeff and Tricia your questions and feedback:
[email protected]
Learn with us in 2026
https://www.shiftingschools.com/

In this episode, host Tricia Friedman sits down with Dr. Michael Greger, bestselling author and founder of NutritionFacts.org, to explore why non-commercial, evidence-based health guidance matters more than ever. They discuss lifestyle medicine, plant-based nutrition, scientific integrity, cannabis research, and how small, testable behavior changes can dramatically improve long-term health.
What This Conversation Is Really About
Health advice is everywhere — but trustworthy guidance is not. This conversation slows things down and examines how to make informed choices in a noisy, commercialized health landscape, without absolutism, hype, or fear-based messaging.
Dr. Greger shares:
Why he donates 100% of book proceeds to charity

How lifestyle medicine transformed his own family's health

What the science actually says about cannabis — both risks and benefits

Why updating guidance as evidence evolves is a strength, not a weakness

How social support, not willpower, determines whether health changes last

Key Topics Covered
Why non-commercial health information matters How financial incentives distort nutrition and medical guidance — and how to recognize bias.

Lifestyle medicine in practice Diet, movement, and daily habits as powerful tools for disease prevention and reversal.

Plant-based eating (defined clearly) What "plant-based" actually means — and what it doesn't.

Cannabis: separating evidence from ideology What newer human studies reveal about cancer risk, pain management, and safer use.

Scientific uncertainty and misinformation How peer-reviewed research works, where it fails, and how to interpret studies responsibly.

Behavior change that sticks Why short-term "experiments," bodily feedback, and social support outperform rigid rules.

Who This Episode Is For
Listeners overwhelmed by conflicting health advice

Educators, parents, and caregivers navigating cannabis conversations

Anyone curious about plant-based nutrition without extremism

People interested in evidence-based, non-commercial wellness guidance

Listeners looking for sustainable, realistic behavior change

About the Guest
Dr. Michael Greger is a physician, internationally recognized speaker, and New York Times bestselling author of How Not to Die. He is the founder of NutritionFacts.org, a nonprofit providing free, evidence-based nutrition research, and a leading voice in lifestyle medicine.
Chapters
Introduction and Non-Commercial Guidance
- 0:00
Dr. Greger's Personal Story and Motivation
- 3:15
Importance of Repeated Guidance and Lifestyle Changes
- 6:30
Updated Book Topics: COVID, Cannabis, and Misinformation
- 10:45
Science Communication and Challenges
- 15:00
Plant-Based Diet and Personal Health Experiments
- 19:15
Social Support and Sustainable Lifestyle Changes
- 23:30
Closing Thoughts and Positive Messages
- 27:45

What does it look like when creativity becomes a global learning movement—not an add-on, but a connector across every subject?
In this episode of Shifting Schools, Tricia Friedman is joined by Cheri Sterman to explore Crayola Creativity Week, a free, cross-curricular program designed to help educators spark collaboration, confidence, and creative thinking in classrooms around the world.
Together, they unpack how Creativity Week connects creativity to every subject and career, why celebrity partners—from the Property Brothers to NASA astronauts—volunteer their time to inspire students, and how this year's themes emphasize social-emotional skills like collaboration and confidence in one's own ideas.
You'll also hear how:
over 13 million students across 122 countries participated last year—and why participation is projected to exceed 20 million

educators can access low-prep, high-impact resources available in multiple languages

families are invited into the learning through at-home creative challenges and shared student galleries

teachers can enter global sweepstakes, school grants, and creativity retreats designed to restore educator energy

Whether you're a classroom teacher, librarian, school leader, or parent, this conversation offers a practical and hopeful look at how creativity can unite learning communities—and why it matters now more than ever.
Explore printable thinking sheets, educator guides, and activity downloads designed to support creativity, collaboration, and confidence across grade levels and subject areas.
https://www.crayola.com/learning/creativity-week

This special Shifting Schools holiday episode isn't about trendy gadgets or generic gift lists.
Instead, Jeff Utecht and Tricia Friedman share seven thoughtfully chosen gifts for educators—each matched to a specific kind of person and a specific kind of need. Some gifts are playful. Some are reflective. Some are deeply practical. All of them offer a meaningful boost during a season when educators are often running on empty.
This episode asks a practical question: "What might actually support someone through their days?"
Whether you're shopping for a colleague, a school leader, a family member, or yourself, this episode helps you gift with attention, care, and intention.
🎧 What You'll Hear in This Episode
1️⃣ TekXYZ Reflex Ball
A surprisingly powerful wellness tool for educators stuck in back-to-back meetings. Jeff and Tricia explore why quick movement resets attention, boosts mood, and even brings a little playfulness into staff spaces.
Perfect for: colleagues, teens, or any educator who needs a fast energy reset.
2️⃣ Letters by Lantern Light
A slow-burn, story-driven mystery told through monthly letters. This gift invites patience, curiosity, and narrative thinking—qualities educators value deeply but rarely get to savor themselves.
Perfect for: grandparents, ELA teachers, reflective readers, or monthly gatherings with friends.
3️⃣ Rocketbook Smart Notebook
A bridge between handwriting and digital organization. Tricia and Jeff unpack why this tool works so well for teachers, leaders, students, and creatives who think best with pen and paper.
Perfect for: note-lovers, journalers, sketchers, and idea-catchers.
4️⃣ Tune Up Fitness Alpha Ball & Yoga Tune Up Therapy Balls
The gift for people who say they "don't have time for self-care." These small tools fit under desks and into real workdays—encouraging somatic awareness and tension release in minutes.
Perfect for: administrators, teachers, staff lounges, and anyone carrying stress in their body.
5️⃣ Makedo Cardboard Construction Tools
A maker favorite that proves creativity doesn't require expensive materials. Jeff and Tricia highlight how this kit supports problem-solving, collaboration, and playful design—for kids and adults alike.
Perfect for: families, makerspaces, staff retreats, and rainy-day creativity.
6️⃣ INQ Smart Pen
For analogue thinkers who want digital power. This pen syncs handwritten notes in real time, making it ideal for deep learning, graduate work, and idea remixing.
Perfect for: master's students, researchers, and lifelong learners.
7️⃣ TheraBox Monthly Subscription
A recurring reminder that someone is seen and appreciated. Tricia calls this her most universal gift—one that says "thank you" again and again.
Perfect for: anyone who gives a lot to others.
💡 Why This Episode Matters
This conversation goes beyond shopping lists. It models intentional gifting—a practice that mirrors great teaching itself: noticing, listening, and responding to real needs.
If you're feeling overwhelmed by last-minute holiday decisions, this episode offers clarity, warmth, and ideas that actually fit educators' lives.
🛒 Official Gift Links 
TekXYZ Reflex Ball → https://tekxyz.com

Letters by Lantern Light → https://lettersbylanternlight.com

Rocketbook Smart Notebook → https://getrocketbook.com

Alpha Ball & Yoga Tune Up Therapy Balls → https://www.tuneupfitness.com

Makedo Cardboard Tools → https://www.make.do

INQ Smart Pen → https://www.inqfactory.com

TheraBox Subscription → https://www.mytherabox.com

We'd love to know—which gift would you give, and to whom? Join the conversation by sharing this episode or tagging @ShiftingSchools. Subscribe to the podcast for more thoughtful conversations about learning, leadership, and the future of education.