{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"AI in Schools Is Changing: What Leaders Need Now","description":"In this episode of Shifting Schools, Jeff and Tricia reflect on the 2025\u20132026 school year and what they are seeing as schools move into a more mature phase of AI work. The conversation moves beyond tools and prompt tips into the deeper questions now facing educators and school leaders: AI companions, student wellbeing, shadow AI use, schoolwide expectations, sustained professional learning, and the need to rethink pedagogy for a world shaped by information overload. Jeff and Tricia discuss why AI support in schools can no longer be limited to one-off workshops. They share what they are hearing from school leaders, counselors, teachers, support staff, and districts that are beginning to ask for longer-term help. The episode also explores why honest, nonjudgmental conversations matter, especially when students and adults are already using AI in personal, social, and emotional ways.   00:00 \u2014 Opening reflection on the 2025\u20132026 school year Jeff welcomes listeners and invites Tricia to reflect on the year in AI and schools. 00:37 \u2014 AI companions become a serious school conversation Tricia shares why this was the year more school leaders became open to talking about AI companions. 02:39 \u2014 Companionship, loneliness, and parasocial relationships Tricia connects AI companion use to broader human patterns of connection, including parasocial relationship theory. 04:54 \u2014 Why school counselors need to be part of the AI conversation Jeff and Tricia discuss students turning to AI for advice and support, and how counselors can respond without dismissing students\u2019 experiences. 06:23 \u2014 Shadow AI use in schools Jeff explains why schools need to name the AI use already happening among staff, students, and support teams. 08:58 \u2014 Honesty, openness, and nonjudgmental conversations Tricia highlights what has not changed: the need for trust, honesty, and open dialogue. 09:18 \u2014 The \u201clarge breed puppy\u201d problem Tricia explains why waiting to address AI is risky, using the analogy of training a large dog while it is still small. 10:00 \u2014 From one-off PD to sustained AI support Jeff describes a shift in what districts are asking for: longer-term cohorts, yearlong support, and multi-year planning. 11:49 \u2014 What can schools retire now? Tricia and Jeff discuss the chance to move away from outdated practices and ask more complex questions. 12:57 \u2014 From information scarcity to information overload Jeff argues that schools were built for a world where information was scarce, but students now need to be assessed on sense-making. 15:00 \u2014 New possibilities for learning Tricia points to opportunities for students to tell familiar stories in new ways and work with more complex problems. 15:28 \u2014 Summer episodes and favorite replays Jeff previews upcoming summer reflections and replays from the past year. ","author_name":"Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators","author_url":"http:\/\/www.shiftingschools.com","html":"