Holiday Gifting for Teachers: Tools for Wellness, Creativity, and Reflection
Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators
Release Date: 12/22/2025
Sara Amini: The Stories We Carry and the Friends Who See Them
Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators
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...
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Why Friendship Is Serious Business for Kids and Adults
Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators
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...
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Living at the edge of emerging technology
Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators
What happens when we stop asking AI to do everything faster and start asking how it might help us understand people better? In this episode, Jeff sits down with Andy Sitison, CTO of , for a conversation about empathetic AI, story collection, and why trust may be the real differentiator in the next phase of technology. Andy shares how his work uses AI not just as a productivity tool, but as a way to surface patterns in human experience by gathering and analyzing stories from real people. Together, they explore what gets lost when efficiency becomes the main goal, why intent matters so much in...
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Human Still Required: out now!
Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators
Jeff Utecht is back with a brand new book for schools looking to understand what to prioritize in the era of AI. Human Still Required is available for purchase, and you can get chapter one free: Learn all about it in this special bonus episode.
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Billy Ray on Writing Hope in Dark Times, and Building Future Worlds
Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators
What does it take to write a story that faces darkness without surrendering to it? In this episode, Tricia speaks with acclaimed screenwriter Billy Ray about his move into YA fiction with Burn the Water, a future-set story shaped by Shakespeare, political urgency, and a deep belief in young people’s capacity to lead us forward. Their conversation explores community, imagination, hope, and the discipline of creating when the world feels bleak. Billy also offers a sharp look at his writing process, including what changed when he moved from screenwriting to novel writing, and why he sees...
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Why Kids Need Stories About Belonging and Friendship Right Now | Jasmine Warga
Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators
What can a cheetah and a rescue dog teach us about trust, friendship, and belonging? In this episode, Tricia Friedman sits down with bestselling author Jasmine Warga to talk about her newest book and the powerful themes at its heart: vulnerability, unlikely friendships, and the courage it takes to let someone truly see you. Inspired by a real program in zoos where rescue dogs are paired with anxious cheetahs, Warga’s story explores how connection can help both animals—and humans—feel less alone. Through the voices of a cheetah and a dog, the book opens up conversations about anxiety,...
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Tui T. Sutherland on Creativity, World-Building, Empathy, and Writing for Young Readers
Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators
In this episode, we sit down with Tui T. Sutherland, bestselling author of the Wings of Fire series, for a rich conversation about creativity, writing, world-building, empathy, and storytelling for young readers. Tui shares how play, curiosity, and even dogs can support focus and imagination, why world-building starts with better questions, and how writers can balance community feedback with their own creative vision. She also reflects on the role of empathy, diversity, and self-exploration in storytelling, offering practical insights for aspiring writers, educators, and anyone interested in...
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Dream Big, Start Small: A Conversation with Peter H. Reynolds
Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators
In this episode, we sit down with beloved children's book author and illustrator Peter H. Reynolds to explore how educators can ignite creativity and self-discovery in young learners. Peter shares why a single question can transform how we teach, and why imagination and dreaming big aren't luxuries but essentials. What We Cover: How teachers activate creativity through authentic, feeling-driven questions Encouraging kids to explore many interests instead of choosing just one path The vital role of imagination and dreaming big in personal growth Chapters 00:00 The Impact of Educators...
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Character First Writing: Practical Mini Lessons from Deborah Goodrich Royce
Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators
Deborah Goodrich Royce, author of literary psychological thrillers and a former actor, unpacks how she builds tension without forcing the outline. You will hear how sensory observation from her New York Botanical Garden work feeds scene-level detail, why she prefers a “reveal” that feels earned over a twist that feels gimmicky, and how an actor’s training translates into characters with layered motives and believable self-deception. What you will learn How to pace a psychological thriller so the reader feels pulled forward, not pushed. Character-first plotting: letting voice,...
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How to Turn Real History into Fiction: Lessons from Steve Berry
Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators
In this conversation, author Steve Berry discusses his deep-rooted love for history, the intricate process of crafting thrillers that intertwine historical facts with modern narratives, and the importance of research in his writing. He also shares insights into his philanthropic efforts through the History Matters initiative, which focuses on preserving local history, and hints at future adventures for his protagonist, Cotton Malone, in unexplored regions of the world. Takeaways Steve Berry's love for history began in childhood. His writing combines action, history, and conspiracies. The...
info_outlineThis 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
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TekXYZ Reflex Ball → https://tekxyz.com
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Letters by Lantern Light → https://lettersbylanternlight.com
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Rocketbook Smart Notebook → https://getrocketbook.com
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Alpha Ball & Yoga Tune Up Therapy Balls → https://www.tuneupfitness.com
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Makedo Cardboard Tools → https://www.make.do
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INQ Smart Pen → https://www.inqfactory.com
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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.