Friday Institute

The Friday Dive

Education EN ↓ 5 episodes

Across North Carolina, wonderful things are happening every day in our public schools: students overcoming challenges, educators innovating in their classrooms, and communities rallying around learning. Too often, though, these stories go unheard. At the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation, we believe that changing the conversation about public education begins with listening to the people at its heart. Inspired by William Friday’s lifelong commitment to education and public service, we recently launched a new initiative: a statewide podcast designed to elevate authentic, first-hand st...

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Friday Institute

Episodes

Episode 4 - AI in Education 29.05.2026 51:57

In this episode of the Friday Dive, we spoke with Dr. Matt Reynolds, a teaching professor at NC State University and Duke University, and two of his students about their experiences using AI in their teaching practice. They give us their thoughts about AI in education, how AI has impacted their teaching and students, and why they think AI won't replace teachers in the near future.

Episode 3 - Bits, Bytes, and Cybersecurity 24.04.2026 50:09

Tune in for a conversation between the Friday Institute's Amir Lawrence and Reedy Creek Magnet Middle School's Stephanie Raeman as they talk about the importance of teaching students the fundamentals of cybersecurity, AI, and computer science, especially at the middle school level.

Episode 2 - "Stick with it" 27.03.2026 39:37

In this episode of The Friday Dive, we spoke to two educators about how they motivate and encourage students to persist in the computer science field. Holly Laird, a computer science teacher in Wake County, and Russell Dirgo, a former computer science teacher and current employee at the Friday Institute, share their thoughts about the computer science and AI landscape, interactions they've had wit...

Episode 1 - Computer Science: It's Definitely Elementary 27.02.2026 27:09

In this episode of The Friday Dive, Dr. Ellie Ebrahimi, an Associate Professor from University of North Carolina Wilmington, and Kristin Calhoun-Minnis, a STEM teacher at Clinton City Schools, share insights on how early exposure to computer science builds problem-solving skills, creativity, and confidence in young learners—and why it’s never too early to start.

The Friday Dive - Pilot Episode 23.02.2026 26:01

In our pilot episode of The Friday Dive, we invited Dr. Krista Glazewski, the Executive Director of the Friday Institute, to talk to us about the legacy of Bill & Ida Friday on North Carolina public education. She also shares her thoughts on the current educational landscape in North Carolina and how the Friday Institute has been collaborating with educators across the state. This podcast i...