Ambitious: the MBIT podcast

Middle Bucks Institute of Technology

Welcome to “Ambitious - the MBIT Podcast,” a gateway into the world of Career and Technical Education (CTE). 

  1. MBIT Alumni John Gemmi, owner of Gemmi Construction Inc. pays it forward

    05/16/2025

    MBIT Alumni John Gemmi, owner of Gemmi Construction Inc. pays it forward

    In this episode, we’re joined by John Gemmi, owner of Gemmi Construction Inc., a full-service remodeling firm over 27 years in business. John credits MBIT as a key influence in his success. A proud alum, he pays it forward by hiring directly from MBIT’s co-op program and serving on the school’s Advisory Committee for over 20 years. John also discusses the impact of the MBIT Educational Foundation and MBIT Alumni Association. Listen to the podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1JkzpoUxvt3IA0ZLgCWNAl?si=xI4TjosHQ7iso6_g8iTEdA Learn more about the Gemmi Construction Inc.: https://www.gemmiconstruction.com/about/ https://www.facebook.com/gemmiconstruction https://www.instagram.com/gemmiconstruction Learn more about the MBIT Education Foundation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1374724160181948 Learn more about the MBIT Alumni Association: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1438998403746765 Learn more about Middle Bucks Institute of Technology: www.mbit.org MBIT on Facebook MBIT on TikTok MBIT on X (formerly Twitter) MBIT on Instagram MBIT on YouTube Learn more about Dr. Mark Covelle: Dr. Covelle on X (formerly Twitter) The opening and closing music is “Bright Wish” by Kevin MacLeod, used under the Creative Commons By Attribution 3.0 License. The audio branding was created by MBIT student Anders Jacobson. This episode was edited by Anders Jacobson. #aMBITious #aMBITiousPodcast #aMBITion

    34 min
  2. Teacher of the Year Finalist Sherry Appleton

    03/14/2025

    Teacher of the Year Finalist Sherry Appleton

    In this episode, Dr. Covelle talks with Health and Medical Professions teacher Sherry Appleton.  Ms. Appleton was recently recognized as a 2025 finalist for the National State Teacher of the Year for Pennsylvania (NSTOY-PA), one of only 12 finalists in the state. She reflects not only on the innovative practices that led to her nomination and subsequent recognition but also the process of becoming an NSTOY finalist.  Hear about her background as a registered nurse, her innovation and ingenuity in the classroom, and more in this episode.   Learn more about Middle Bucks Institute of Technology: www.mbit.org MBIT on Facebook  / middlebucksinstitutetech   MBIT on TikTok  / midbuckstech   MBIT on X (formerly Twitter)  / middlebucks   MBIT on Instagram  / middle_bucks   MBIT on YouTube   / @middle_bucks     Learn more about Dr. Mark Covelle: Dr. Covelle on LinkedIn  / mcovelle   Dr. Covelle on X (formerly Twitter)  / mcovelle     The opening and closing music is “Bright Wish” by Kevin MacLeod, used under the Creative Commons By Attribution 3.0 License. The audio branding was created by MBIT student Anders Jacobson.

    52 min
  3. Lessons in Leadership with Dr. Darin Van Norman

    01/16/2025

    Lessons in Leadership with Dr. Darin Van Norman

    Dr. Darin Van Norman is an educational leader, an adjunct professor, and a huge advocate for career and technical education.  His background in both traditional and career education allow him to provide insights and observations about the ways in which career and technical education can impact the student experience.  He leads a large team of CTE administrators in one of the largest career centers in the country.  Hear about his experiences and perspectives in this episode.   Socials: Learn more about the Dr. Darin Van Norman Dr. Darin Van Norman on LinkedIn Dr. Darin Van Norman at LCTI  Listen to the podcast on Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/episode/3uDrNp9dnf4U3i2fhxN6S4?si=2ec9a9015d1c46fa Learn more about Middle Bucks Institute of Technology: www.mbit.org MBIT on Facebook  / middlebucksinstitutetech   MBIT on TikTok  / midbuckstech   MBIT on X (formerly Twitter)  / middlebucks   MBIT on Instagram  / middle_bucks   MBIT on YouTube   / @middle_bucks     Learn more about Dr. Mark Covelle: Dr. Covelle on LinkedIn  / mcovelle   Dr. Covelle on X (formerly Twitter)  / mcovelle     The opening and closing music is “Bright Wish” by Kevin MacLeod, used under the Creative Commons By Attribution 3.0 License. The audio branding was created by MBIT student Anders Jacobson. This

    1h 9m
  4. Advocacy in Action with Dr. Scott Rogers

    01/15/2025

    Advocacy in Action with Dr. Scott Rogers

    Live from the ACTE National Policy Seminar in Washington, D.C., Dr. Covelle and Dr. Rogers sit down to discuss the importance of advocating with state and federal lawmakers.  Dr. Rogers says, “all politics are local” and he explains his roots and interest in politics growing up in Vermont.  Dr. Rogers, as the leader of a comprehensive technical center in central Pennsylvania, shares his insights on how all leaders can engage with policy makers to improve education.    Socials: Learn more about the Dr. Scott Rogers  Dr. Scott Rogers on LinkedIn   Dr. Scott Rogers at York Tech Listen to the podcast on Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Yr1RvEsrip3HI3eX2LoGD?si=JytzykweSRqK-_ew2eAPFw Learn more about Middle Bucks Institute of Technology: www.mbit.org MBIT on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MiddleBucksInstituteTech MBIT on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@midbuckstech MBIT on X (formerly Twitter) https://twitter.com/middlebucks MBIT on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/middle_bucks/ MBIT on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb_DFtwI83phpYiqK2wW6kw?view_as=subscriber   Learn more about Dr. Mark Covelle: Dr. Covelle on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcovelle Dr. Covelle on X (formerly Twitter) https://twitter.com/mcovelle   The opening and closing music is“Bright Wish” by Kevin MacLeod, used under theCreative Commons By Attribution 3.0 License.

    9 min
  5. Engineer to Educator: Dr. Payne’s Pathway to CTE

    01/13/2025

    Engineer to Educator: Dr. Payne’s Pathway to CTE

    In this episode Dr. Covelle talks with Dr. Tony Payne, a career and technical center director from Central Pennsylvania who shares his unique pathway to becoming an educator.  With a background as an engineer, Dr. Payne talks about his transition to educator and educational leadership.  He reflects on his time in classic K12 education and the lessons that traditional education spaces could learn from CTE.  Socials: Learn more about the Dr. Tony Payne  Dr. Tony Payne on LinkedIn Dr. Tony Payne at HCCTC    Listen to the podcast on Spotify:   Learn more about Middle Bucks Institute of Technology: www.mbit.org MBIT on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MiddleBucksInstituteTech MBIT on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@midbuckstech MBIT on X (formerly Twitter) https://twitter.com/middlebucks MBIT on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/middle_bucks/ MBIT on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb_DFtwI83phpYiqK2wW6kw?view_as=subscriber   Learn more about Dr. Mark Covelle: Dr. Covelle on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcovelle Dr. Covelle on X (formerly Twitter) https://twitter.com/mcovelle   The opening and closing music is “Bright Wish” by Kevin MacLeod, used under the Creative Commons By Attribution 3.0 License. The audio branding was created by MBIT student Anders Jacobson. This episode was edited by Anders Jacobson.   #aMBITious #aMBITiousPodcast #aMBITion

    34 min
  6. Building Bright Futures: Partnerships for student success with Carla Zapotek

    04/03/2024

    Building Bright Futures: Partnerships for student success with Carla Zapotek

    Explore the world of Career and Technical Education (CTE) with “Ambitious - the MBIT podcast” In this episode, we’re joined by Carla Zapotek, the vice president of the Home Builders Association of Bucks and Montgomery County. She’s the host of the MBIT/HBA career fair, recognized as a national model for pairing students with potential employers. Carla reflects on the craft of sculpting high-performing employees and insightful innovators through CTE with host Dr. Mark Covelle. Listen to the podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0aK314led0f9ruGpIwT1P8 Learn more about Carla Zapotek and the HBA: Carla Zapotek on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/carla-zapotek-470a8822 HBA Website https://www.hbahomes.com/ HBA on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hbabucksmontgomery/?ref=bookmarks HBA on X (formerly Twitter) https://twitter.com/hba_bucksmont HBA on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hbahomes/ Learn more about Middle Bucks Institute of Technology: www.mbit.org MBIT on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MiddleBucksInstituteTech MBIT on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@midbuckstech MBIT on X (formerly Twitter) https://twitter.com/middlebucks MBIT on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/middle_bucks/ MBIT on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb_DFtwI83phpYiqK2wW6kw?view_as=subscriber Learn more about Dr. Mark Covelle: Dr. Covelle on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcovelle Dr. Covelle on X (formerly Twitter) https://twitter.com/mcovelle The opening and closing music is “Bright Wish” by Kevin MacLeod, used under the Creative Commons By Attribution 3.0 License. The audio branding was created by MBIT student Anders Jacobson. This episode was edited by Anders Jacobson. #aMBITious #aMBITiousPodcast #aMBITion

    18 min
  7. Connecting students with their passion : a conversation with Justin Horwitz

    03/26/2024

    Connecting students with their passion : a conversation with Justin Horwitz

    Explore the world of Career and Technical Education (CTE) with “Ambitious - the MBIT Podcast!” In this episode, we’re joined by Justin Horwtiz, sales director at “Find Your Grind,” a company looking to modernize the process of matching students with work that supports their passions and goals. Mr. Horwitz discusses how CTE can empower students to forge their own career paths with host Dr. Mark Covelle. Listen to the podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0aK314led0f9ruGpIwT1P8 Learn more about Justin Horwitz and Find Your Grind: Justin Horwitz on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-horwitz-635425?trk=public_post_feed-actor-name findyourgrind.com http://findyourgrind.com Find Your Grind on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/findyourgrind/?hl=en Find Your Grind on X (formerly Twitter) https://twitter.com/findyourgrind?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor Find Your Grind’s Linktree https://linktr.ee/findyourgrind Learn more about Middle Bucks Institute of Technology: www.mbit.org MBIT on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MiddleBucksInstituteTech MBIT on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@midbuckstech MBIT on X (formerly Twitter) https://twitter.com/middlebucks MBIT on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/middle_bucks/ MBIT on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb_DFtwI83phpYiqK2wW6kw?view_as=subscriber Learn more about Dr. Mark Covelle: Dr. Covelle on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcovelle Dr. Covelle on X (formerly Twitter) https://twitter.com/mcovelle The opening and closing music is “Bright Wish” by Kevin MacLeod, used under the Creative Commons By Attribution 3.0 License. The audio branding was created by MBIT student Anders Jacobson. This episode was edited by Anders Jacobson. #aMBITious #aMBITiousPodcast #aMBITion

    13 min
  8. School Storytelling via Social Media, a conversation with PR Expert Andrea Gribble

    03/19/2024

    School Storytelling via Social Media, a conversation with PR Expert Andrea Gribble

    Explore the world of Career and Technical Education (CTE) with “Ambitious - the MBIT Podcast!” In this episode, we’re joined by Andrea Gribble, the owner of SocialSchool4EDU and the author of Social Media for Schools. Andrea Gribble draws on years of experience to explore how you can tell your school’s story with host Dr. Mark Covelle. Listen to the podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0aK314led0f9ruGpIwT1P8 Learn more about Andrea Gribble: Andrea Gribble on LinkdeIn Andrea Gribble on Instagram Andrea Gribble on Threads Andrea Gribble on X (formerly Twitter) SocialSchool4EDU Social Media for Schools on Amazon Learn more about Middle Bucks Institute of Technology: www.mbit.org MBIT on Facebook MBIT on TikTok MBIT on X (formerly Twitter) MBIT on Instagram MBIT on YouTube Learn more about Dr. Mark Covelle: Dr. Covelle on LinkedIn Dr. Covelle on X (formerly Twitter) The opening and closing music is “Bright Wish” by Kevin MacLeod, used under the Creative Commons By Attribution 3.0 License. The audio branding was created by MBIT student Anders Jacobson. This episode was edited by Anders Jacobson.

    39 min
See All (14)

About

Welcome to “Ambitious - the MBIT Podcast,” a gateway into the world of Career and Technical Education (CTE). 

Information

  • Creator
    Middle Bucks Institute of Technology
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Ambitious: the MBIT podcast
  • Show Website
    Ambitious: the MBIT podcast