Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jeff Utecht. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jeff, appreciate you joining us today. So, let’s start with a hypothetical – what would you change about the educational system?

We’re living in an ever-changing world where the job market of tomorrow is impossible to predict. Degrees were once the golden ticket, but they’re just not enough anymore. We’re moving away from a diploma driven workforce to a skill-based one. You see, skills not diploma’s are the new currency for a generation of workers.

Our current education system is, in many ways, archaic. We’re talking about a structure that was designed during the industrial age, and let’s be honest, it hasn’t seen a radical update since. What we’ve got are kids funneled through a pipeline focusing on memorization, test scores, and ultimately, college degrees. But ask yourself, are we really preparing them for the real world? Are we equipping them with the skills they need to navigate a complex, ever-shifting landscape?

If I had the chance to make significant changes, I’d pivot towards a skill-based system of learning. We need to expose kids to a wide variety of skills—both hard and soft—early on. Sure, math and science are important, but what about emotional intelligence, adaptability, or critical thinking? Let’s not forget digital literacy, which is becoming as fundamental of a skill as reading and writing.

The key is to integrate these skills into the learning process from the get-go. I’m talking about project-based learning, experiential learning—stuff that takes you out of the textbook and into the real world. Students should be encouraged to find their passions and pursue them, with academic subjects serving as a means to that end. In this model, assessment also needs a serious revamp. Let’s replace traditional grading with competency-based assessments that truly reflect a student’s abilities and growth.

What’s fantastic about focusing on skills is that it allows for more customization in education. Not everyone is going to be a mathematician, and that’s okay! We’re all wired differently, and a skill-based system acknowledges and celebrates that diversity. It prepares students for a more fulfilling life by giving them the tools they need to carve their own paths, whether that’s as an entrepreneur, an artist, a scientist, or something entirely different.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m a bit of a blend between an educational technologist, consultant, and writer. My journey into the world of education began as a 4th grade teacher, but I quickly realized that the traditional model wasn’t cutting it for our digital-native students. That’s where my fascination with edtech blossomed. I saw firsthand the power that technology could have in transforming the learning experience, and I knew I had to be part of that wave.

What really sets me apart, and what I’m incredibly passionate about, is this idea of “shifting schools.” The education landscape is in dire need of a makeover, and I work with educators, school districts, and educational leaders to help make that shift happen. Through long term partnerships and my website, Shifting Schools, I provide a range of resources from customized trainings and webinars to full-on professional development programs that help educators effectively integrate technology into their classrooms.

You see, the problem isn’t just about bringing tech into schools. It’s about how to use it effectively to foster a more personalized, skill-based learning experience for students. We’re not just throwing tablets and smartboards at schools; we’re helping teachers redesign the learning experience around this new digital ecosystem. That involves a blend of critical thinking, collaboration, and of course, tech-savviness, that our students need to thrive in this fast-paced world.

What am I most proud of? That’s a tough one. I guess it would have to be the communities of forward-thinking educators that have sprung up around these conversations. I’ve been fortunate to witness real change, schools moving from an outdated model into something that truly prepares our kids for the world they’re going to inherit. There’s nothing more rewarding than that.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Ah, the art of the pivot. Being in the edtech space—or really, any rapidly evolving field—you’re no stranger to it. In fact, the ability to pivot, to adapt, and to reorient yourself is paramount.

Take my journey, for example. I initially found my stride in 2012 helping schools with their 1-to-1 laptop programs. It was groundbreaking stuff back then, bringing an entirely new dynamic to the classroom. We were moving away from smartboards and diving into a realm where each student had the world’s information at their fingertips. But just as we were starting to feel comfortable, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and boy, did that shake things up.

Schools were suddenly transitioned to online learning, and educators were scrambling to adapt to remote teaching. That’s where the first significant pivot came in for me. I had to take my understanding of in-person tech integration and shift it into a framework that would work for emergency online learning. The focus moved from not just tech in the classroom, but to using tech to sustain educational continuity. Webinars, online workshops, and tons of virtual consults later, I could see that the teachers were not only adapting but also finding new, creative ways to engage students remotely.

Just when you think you’ve caught a break, as schools open back up and students come back to class in person, another wave comes. Most recently, there’s been a lot of buzz around AI in education. So, what do you do? You pivot again. This last year has been all about supporting schools and educators in integrating AI into their ecosystems. From personalized learning algorithms to AI-powered analytics, the potential is awe-inspiring.

The power of the pivot is understanding what is happening in one sector often has tremendous value elsewhere. That’s been one of the most intriguing developments in my own journey. As I moved deeper into supporting schools with AI, I started to see how these insights and strategies could be applied to the business world as well, particularly in HR and Marketing departments.

The art of the pivot isn’t confined to your initial area of expertise; it often propels you into new arenas you hadn’t even considered. In my case, I found myself consulting with businesses, helping their HR teams utilize AI for talent acquisition, employee engagement, and even professional development. On the marketing side, the focus was on leveraging AI for consumer insights, personalized campaigns, and data-driven decision-making. The fascinating part is that many of the strategies for effective AI utilization are remarkably similar, whether you’re in a classroom or a boardroom.

So here’s the thing: A well-executed pivot doesn’t just adjust your course; it often broadens your horizons. When you’re willing to adapt and explore, you not only find new opportunities within your primary field but also discover entirely new landscapes where your expertise can make a meaningful impact.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

Ah, managing a remote team, now that’s a topic close to my heart. You see, this isn’t just about logistics and workflows; it’s about human relationships, and those are far more complex. However, there are some key ingredients that I’ve found to be indispensable.

First off, be constant in your praise. A simple “thank you” or “great job” goes a lot further than you might think, especially in a remote setting where those non-verbal cues are absent. Affirmation is the glue that holds a remote team together. It creates a culture of appreciation that can have a cascading effect throughout your organization. Don’t underestimate the power of gratitude; it can really elevate the morale and overall vibe of the team.

If there’s one thing that’s crucial in a remote setting, it’s a system that is both flexible and easily adaptable. We’re living in a world of rapid changes, and your team needs to be agile enough to navigate that. Whether it’s project management software, communication platforms, or decision-making protocols, make sure they can bend without breaking. Adaptability is the name of the game here, folks. It’s not about creating a rigid framework but about setting up a resilient one that can adapt as your needs evolve.

You also want to empower your team. When your team members feel they have agency, they’re more invested in their work. Create an environment where people feel free to voice their ideas, knowing they’ll be taken seriously. This involves both synchronous and asynchronous communication—scheduled team meetings are important, but so are those one-off Slack and Voxer messages, or emails. The point is to make everyone feel heard and valued, irrespective of the physical distance.

The beauty of a remote team is that it embodies the notion of “shifting”—shifting away from the traditional way of doing things and embracing new paradigms. Remote work is essentially a pivot in the world of employment, and just like any pivot, it comes with its own set of challenges and rewards. Embrace it wholeheartedly, layer it with constant praise, and anchor it in flexibility and adaptability, and you’ll find that you’re not just managing a remote team—you’re leading one. And that makes all the difference.

Contact Info:

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