Live in the Lab Schools

Ep #16: TLC - More like a Teacher Lounge Reset with UHigh Faculty

We sit down with three faculty members for a teacher lounge chat as May winds down, reflecting on how this year shaped us and what we want to carry into summer. We talk candidly about growth, solidarity, burnout, and the student moments that remind us why we do the work.  • one-word reflections on the year and how AI pressures real classroom change  • trying new projects, scrapping old favorites, and learning in public  • the student moments that stay with us long after finals week  • what we would fix next time, including attention, workload, and saying no  • the unseen parts of teaching, from guilt to constant hat-switching  • why we keep coming back, including the lab school ripple effect  Connect with us on Facebook or Instagram at Live in the Lab Schools. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2551463/fan_mail/new]

Ep #15: TLC - A Transformative Learning Community at Metcalf

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Ep # 14: New Hires, Real Reflections

We talk with three new hires about what their first year at the Lab Schools feels like, from the surprises to the support that makes the work sustainable. We share the student moments that stick, the mentoring lessons we are still learning, and the advice we would give anyone joining our schools next year.  • Choosing one word to describe the year and what it reveals about school culture  • Learning what to ask for, what students need, and using the freedom to try new ideas  • Adjusting to mentoring clinical students and giving meaningful feedback  • Noticing how involved students are across activities, clubs, and sports  • Favorite student moments from forest school Fridays to a Hamilton watch party  • Advice for new hires about confidence, collaboration, and rolling with the flow  • And lots of shout-outs to colleagues who made the year better! Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2551463/fan_mail/new]

Ep #13: AI Invited - Responsible AI Use In Schools Without Offloading Learning

We dig into what AI is actually solving in schools and why “just because you can” is a bad rule for classroom tech. We share real classroom moments, practical guardrails, and the skills students need so AI supports learning instead of replacing thinking.  • AI as a tool that reveals weak assessments rather than “creating” cheating  • research projects and why Copilot is not a source  • credible sources, verification, and the problem of fake citations  • Magic School sandboxes that ease cognitive load without giving answers  • transparency and academic integrity when teachers and students use AI  • banning AI versus the calculator comparison and why outright bans fail  • student privacy, contracts, and deliberate rollout over rushing adoption  • AI literacy as critical media literacy including bias awareness and emotional manipulation  • real workflow example using multiple AI tools • guardrails as shared values and consistent expectations across teachers  Reach out, message us on the Facebook, the Instagram, shoot us an email. We love the fan-mail and thought about next season's topics!  [Transparency Note: This full episode description was created via CoHost AI through Buzzsprout, proofread by a human] Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2551463/fan_mail/new]

Ep #12: Traditions! How School Traditions Shape and Stick in the Lab Schools

No Bells And A Bagpiper Walk Into School... start of a funny joke or something else? On this Episode, we dig into the traditions and everyday quirks that define our Lab Schools culture, from no bells and open campus to the big community events that create core memories. We also wrestle with what should evolve, what we miss, and how to honor tradition without blocking innovation or equity. • why daily systems like no bells shape student independence  • how lunch schedules and building constraints change adult and student life  • open campus as a privilege tied to safety, behavior, and academics  • Metcalf signature experiences like Move In, outdoor ed, the musical, and the circus  • U-High traditions like the Greek Olympics, Mr U High, and Class Night  • traditions we miss, including more cross-building community time  • reclaiming leadership in education technology, one-to-one devices, and AI readiness  • alignment and equity questions in the Metcalf to U-High transition  • healthy friction when traditions turn into rigid scripts  If you think there’s something we need to feature next season, when we hit the ground running in August, tell us. We want to know. Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2551463/fan_mail/new]