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In this episode of PodcastPD, hosts Chris Nesi and AJ Bianco take a deep dive into the wild world of Reddit’s teacher community — reacting to real posts from educators about burnout, parent conferences, grading policies, and the reality of work-life balance in education.
From heartfelt burnout confessions to debates about deducting points for missing names, Chris and AJ bring their signature mix of humor, honesty, and professional insight to each post. They also tackle questions about AI tools for teachers, new educator struggles, and what happens when “a rich guy wants to be a teacher.” Whether you’re a veteran educator, a new teacher, or just curious about what really happens in schools, this conversation is equal parts entertaining and enlightening.
Key Topics Discussed:
Mentioned in Episode:
“From now on, you are my Elite Performance Coach. Your role is to help me optimize my daily habits, time management, and productivity like a top-performing leader in education. Ask clarifying questions to understand my goals, responsibilities, and schedule. Then, create realistic daily and weekly plans that prioritize focus, balance, and recovery. Hold me accountable with specific check-ins, and suggest tools or methods (like time blocking, reflection, or task batching) that align with my personality and workload. Keep your feedback direct, encouraging, and practical.”
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In this episode of PodcastPD, Chris Nesi and AJ Bianco welcome Christina Hidek, veteran PTO leader and founder of PTO Answers, to discuss the power of effective parent-school collaboration. With over 15 years of experience building strong PTOs and supporting educators, Christina shares practical strategies for bridging communication gaps, strengthening trust, and creating meaningful partnerships between parents, teachers, and administrators.
From defining the difference between PTO and PTA to addressing challenges in high school parent engagement, this episode explores how school leaders can move beyond bake sales and truly leverage parent involvement to improve culture, communication, and community. Christina also offers actionable steps for principals and teachers to start, rebuild, or revitalize their own parent organizations.
Key Topics Discussed:
Resources Mentioned:
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In this milestone episode of PodcastPD (Episode 150!), Chris and AJ welcome longtime friend and educator, Kathy Kersznowski, author of The Educator's Guidebook for Teaching AI Literacy and Ethics. Kathy shares why AI literacy is the new literacy and how educators can navigate AI responsibly and confidently. She dives into the motivation behind her book, the importance of ethics, and why scenarios and discussions—not fear—are key to helping students use AI well.
Listeners will learn practical ways to introduce AI concepts in any classroom, discover strategies for modeling ethical AI use, and explore why transparency and discussion matter more than ever. Plus, Kathy reveals her favorite AI tools, tips for overwhelmed teachers, and the behind-the-scenes story of her book cover design.
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In Episode 149 of PodcastPD, host Chris Nesi flies solo to help educators wrap up the school year with intention and head into summer feeling empowered and inspired. From meaningful end-of-year classroom strategies to practical and rejuvenating summer professional development ideas, this episode is packed with actionable advice for teachers at any grade level.
Chris shares seven thoughtful tips for closing out the school year—from celebrating student growth and collecting feedback, to documenting success and preparing your future self for the fall. He also outlines seven summer PD ideas, including books to read, tech tools to explore, conferences to attend, and the importance of simply resting and rediscovering your “why.” Whether you’re finishing the school year or planning your summer, this episode has something for every educator.
Key Topics Discussed:
7 end-of-year classroom wrap-up strategies
7 summer PD ideas to fuel your growth
Resources & Mentions:
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Becoming a school administrator is both a rewarding and challenging journey. It requires resilience, leadership, and an ability to foster a strong school culture. Todd Bloomer, an experienced educator with over 29 years in the field and more than a decade as a principal, has shared his insights on how administrators can navigate this demanding role. His book, The Blueprint: How to Survive and Thrive as a School Administrator, provides valuable guidance on leadership, culture-building, and mindset. Drawing from his experiences, this episode explores key strategies to help school administrators transition from merely surviving in their roles to truly thriving.
Many new administrators struggle with the transition from teaching to leadership. Common obstacles include:
Successful administrators clearly define their mission and values and communicate them consistently to staff and students. Transparency fosters trust and alignment within the school community.
Delegation is crucial in preventing burnout. Effective administrators prioritize instructional leadership and delegate operational tasks to assistant principals, counselors, or department heads when possible.
Leaning into Leadership – Hosted by Darren Peppard, this podcast focuses on leadership in education, offering insights and strategies for school administrators. Todd Bloomer is a frequent guest on this podcast.
One by Willie – A podcast by Texas Monthly, where different artists discuss one Willie Nelson song that has significantly impacted their lives. It explores the deeper meaning of music and its cultural influence.
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AJ and Chris kick off the first episode of 2025 by diving into some important education topics, including inspiring students and addressing hate symbols in schools. They also tackle the challenge of dealing with students who refuse to do their work and share some of their own experiences and thoughts on the matter.
Episode Highlights:
What Are We Listening To:
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In this episode of PodcastPD, we welcome Walter McKenzie, a veteran educator with over 40 years of experience and the founder of The Worthy Educator. Walter shares his journey and discusses how his initiative supports mid- and late-career educators by building community, offering tailored professional development, and fostering legacy-building.
Join us as we explore:
If you’re an educator or leader seeking inspiration and practical advice to navigate the evolving landscape of education, this episode is a must-listen!
Resources & Links:
Share Your Thoughts:
What resonated most with you about Walter McKenzie's approach to leadership in education? Let us know!
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In this episode, Chris and Dr. Tani Farran dive into the innovative ways Rubi AI can support teachers with lesson planning, student engagement, and personalized learning. They discuss the importance of guiding students to use AI tools responsibly, encouraging them to be the primary creators of their work while leveraging AI for feedback and enhancement.
Key Discussion Points:
Ruby AI Features for Educators:
Customizing Lessons: Tania shows how teachers can modify AI-generated content to better fit their curriculum goals, including adjusting lesson modules based on specific class needs.
Practical Classroom Applications: Examples include using Rubi AI to create study guides for special education, generate multimedia resources for homeschooling, and support high school business students in projects like competitor analysis.
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In this episode of PodcastPD, Chris Nesi and AJ Bianco dive into a mix of professional development topics, from school community participation to the challenges of dealing with verbally abusive parents. The hosts share personal experiences, offer insights into the complexities of the teaching profession, and discuss how to maintain professionalism in difficult situations.
Complete show notes: https://podcastpd.com/144
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Chris Nesi and AJ Bianco catch up after a hectic summer. AJ reveals his exciting career move from Vice Principal to Principal in a new school district. The duo discusses the challenges and emotions involved in making such a significant decision, the interview process, and AJ's vision for his new role. They also explore how AJ’s family and mentors influenced his decision, and what he hopes to accomplish in his first 90 days as a principal. Whether you're an aspiring leader or an experienced educator, this conversation is packed with insights into educational leadership, personal growth, and the transition into a top administrative role.
Complete show notes: https://podcastpd.com/143
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PodcastPD founder Stacey Lindes joins Chris while AJ is away. We dive into educational topics pulled from Reddit, offering practical advice for educators.
Complete show notes: https://podcastpd.com/142
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In this episode, we have the pleasure of hosting Tom Pesce, a unique educator who blends his passion for teaching with the art of magic. Tom shares his journey and insights on how educators can engage students by incorporating elements of surprise and personal interests into teaching.
Complete show notes: https://podcastpd.com/140
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In this episode of PodcastPD, hosts Chris Nesi and AJ Bianco dive into a range of questions sourced from the internet to offer invaluable insights for educators. Episode 139 explores themes such as salary negotiation for new teachers, the logistics and emotions of changing classrooms, supporting partners who are teachers, and coping with a challenging year professionally. Join us for a blend of practical advice and thoughtful discussion aimed at enhancing your professional journey.
Complete show notes: https://podcastpd.com/139
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In this episode of PodcastPD, AJ and Chris explore a range of educational topics sourced from across the internet. They debate the effectiveness of professional development, particularly when it feels disconnected from classroom realities, and share insights on how long is reasonable to decide on a job offer. The duo also addresses technology failures in the classroom, offering advice on bouncing back from a challenging observation experience. Plus, they weigh in on the age-old New Jersey debate: pork roll or Taylor ham? Tune in for reflections on resilience, personalized PD, and learning from tough experiences.
Complete show notes: https://podcastpd.com/138
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In the latest episode of Podcast PD, AJ and Chris engage in a compelling conversation with guests Kevin and Jason from the 2Principals Podcast. The episode delves into the unique challenges educators face in achieving mental well-being and a healthy work-life balance.
Complete show notes: https://podcastpd.com/137
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In this episode of PodcastPD, Chris and AJ are joined by Glenn Robbins and Danny Bauer to explore the application of stoic philosophy in educational leadership. The discussion delves into how stoic virtues like wisdom, justice, courage, and temperance can help school leaders navigate everyday challenges. Daniel and Glenn share their personal experiences and offer insights from their book Calm in the Chaos: Ancient Stoic Wisdom for Successful School Leadership. The conversation covers practical applications of stoicism, real-life case studies, and strategies for maintaining resilience and calm in tough situations.
Complete show notes: https://podcastpd.com/136
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In this final episode of 2023, Chris Nesi and AJ Bianco engage in a lively discussion around the critical question: Is professional development (PD) broken? As they navigate through various aspects of PD, from its current state in education to personal experiences, they offer insightful perspectives and pose thought-provoking questions about the future of PD in the education sector.
Complete show notes: https://podcastpd.com/135
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In episode 134 of PodcastPD, Dr. Adam Schoenbart joins Chris and AJ for an insightful discussion on the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education, particularly from an administrative perspective. Key topics include AI’s potential to enhance learning, streamline administrative tasks, and improve communication. They explore Chappaqua Central School District's approach to AI integration in professional development and discuss ethical considerations, such as privacy and academic integrity. The episode also highlights practical uses of AI in school management and encourages educators to embrace AI as a tool for efficiency and innovation in the classroom.
Complete show notes: https://podcastpd.com/134
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In this episode of PodcastPD, Chris and AJ tackle the complexities of using artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models in K-12 classrooms. They discuss critical topics such as data privacy, addressing bias and ensuring fairness in AI, and the evolving role of teachers as AI becomes more integrated into education. Additionally, they explore how schools can prepare students for a future shaped by AI, emphasizing the importance of ethics, accessibility, and responsible use in the learning environment. Tune in for a thoughtful conversation on the implications of AI in education.
Complete show notes: https://podcastpd.com/133
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