Oct. 18, 2026 ~ Host Dr. Robert Livernois explores some of the biggest issues shaping education today, from the growing role of artificial intelligence in the classroom to student well-being and the future of Michigan’s educator workforce. The program begins with a conversation on how Ypsilanti Community Schools is helping teachers and students responsibly integrate AI into teaching and learning, with an emphasis on innovation, ethics, and preserving the human connections that remain at the heart of education. The discussion then turns to school climate and student support, as Redford Union School District highlights its involvement in the statewide “Be a Buddy, Not a Bully” campaign and the work of its Hope Squad program to promote kindness, inclusion, and peer-to-peer support. Finally, the show examines efforts to strengthen and retain Michigan’s educator workforce, featuring insights on teacher preparation, collaboration, and policy advocacy from leaders working to ensure schools have the talent needed to meet future challenges. Guests for this edition include Carlos Lopez of Ypsilanti Community Schools, Lyn Adolfo of Redford Union School District, and Jack Elsey of the Michigan Educator Workforce Initiative alongside Jen DeNeal of the Skillman Foundation.