What happens when creativity is seamlessly woven into every aspect of a classroom and school day? The possibilities are endless. In this episode, Nat sits down with Peter Nilsson—educator, thought-leader, musician, and advocate for AI as a creative partner. Peter is also the mastermind behind A Boarding School Musical and is currently developing his second production, Schooled. Join us for a fast-paced, inspiring hour as we explore how creativity lies at the heart of great teaching. Prepare to be inspired and “tricked” into learning through Peter’s unique take on relational creativity.

Mr. Peter Nilsson is the founder of Athena Lab and the editor of the weekly education newsletter The Educator’s Notebook. He has served as head of school, administrator, teacher, tutor, and coach in schools for over 20 years. Most recently, he returned in the summer of 2023 from overseas as Head of School at King’s Academy, a coeducational boarding school in the Middle East founded by King Abdullah II of Jordan. Before that, he taught, coached, and served in a variety of administrative capacities at Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts.

Also a musician, Peter practiced in New York City for four years, where he composed and performed with a jazz trio, funk band, hip-hop performers, classical ensembles, off broadway theater, and musical theater. At Deerfield, he produced A Boarding School Musical, in which 25 faculty and staff members surprised the student body with a one act, Hamilton-style performance at a school meeting. This production is the source inspiration for Schooled: the Musical, presently in development.

Peter serves on the advisory boards for SXSWedu and the Center for Curriculum Redesign, both of which drive innovation in education across the United States and around the world. He also serves on the advisory team for the Middle States Association Responsible AI in Learning endorsement. He is a trustee at the Canterbury School. To learn more about Peter’s work, you can subscribe to the Educator’s Notebook, in which he circulates education and learning related news from around the web for the purpose of promoting innovation in education, or visit www.peternilsson.us.

He lives in Fort Wayne with his wife Crystal and their two children.