SupportED Learning Podcast

Dr. Joseph Sebestyen III

On a mission to speak with global education experts on how we can revolutionize the education system, especially in the dawn of AI.

  1. 1D AGO

    Episode 23 - Why School Leadership Matters More Than Test Scores | Principal Baruti Kafele

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the SupportED Learning Podcast, Dr. Joe Sebestyen sits down with Principal Baruti Kafele, Milken National Educator, NABSE Hall of Fame inductee, and bestselling author, to explore why school leadership is the driving force behind student success, school culture, and long-term educational transformation. With four decades of experience as a teacher, principal, speaker, and author, Principal Kafele shares how his journey from struggling student to nationally recognized education leader shaped his belief that every child has brilliance waiting to be unlocked. Dr. Joe Sebestyen and Principal Kafele discuss the difference between the achievement gap, opportunity gap, and what Kafele calls the “attitude gap”—the gap between students who have the will to achieve excellence and those who have not yet been convinced of their own potential. The conversation explores how principals and educators can transform school culture, speak life into students, build belief, strengthen instructional leadership, and stop relying on poverty, home life, or neighborhood challenges as excuses for school failure. This episode is especially valuable for parents, educators, school leaders, and families who want to understand what truly drives student achievement beyond grades and test scores. Whether navigating high school readiness, college preparation, school culture, or leadership development, Principal Kafele offers a powerful framework for helping students build confidence, purpose, and the mindset needed to succeed. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations on academic strategy, college prep, and the future of student success. 📲 Connect with them: principalkafele.com, facebook.com/principalkafele, instagram.com/principalkafele 📲 Learn more about us: supportedtutoring.com, @dr_joe_ap_exams Thanks for tuning in to the SupportED Learning Podcast with Dr. Joe Sebestyen. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe for more insights on education, critical thinking, and AI integration in learning. Visit our website at supportedtutoring.com Remember to share this podcast with fellow parents and educators who are passionate about reimagining education for tomorrow's world. Until next time, keep supporting learning!

    40 min
  2. 5D AGO

    Episode 22 - Cracking AP Biology with Insider Scoring Strategies | Tiffany Jones, AP Biology Teacher and AP Reader

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the SupportED Learning Podcast, Dr. Joe Sebestyen sits down with AP Biology expert Tiffany Jones, creator of APBioPenguins, to break down what actually works on the AP Bio exam. From her experience grading and writing AP exams to building one of the most widely used AP Bio resources online, Tiffany shares insider strategies that most students never hear—including why traditional studying methods fail and how to approach the test like a grader. Tiffany dives into the biggest mistakes students make on free-response questions, how to use scoring guidelines to your advantage, and why understanding national averages matters more than perfection. She also reveals her proven classroom systems—from peer grading and weekly FRQ practice to long-term review strategies starting months before the exam—that consistently produce high scores. Along the way, she shares how she built her teaching approach from scratch, even “learning just one day ahead” of her students, and still delivered top-tier AP results. This episode is essential for AP Biology students, parents, and educators who want a smarter, more effective approach to exam prep without burnout. Whether you're aiming for a 5 or just trying to improve your score, this conversation gives you a clear, actionable roadmap grounded in real AP exam insights. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations on academic strategy, college prep, and the future of student success. 📲 Connect with them: apbiopenguins, @apbiopenguins 📲 Learn more about us: supportedtutoring.com, @dr_joe_ap_exams  Thanks for tuning in to the SupportED Learning Podcast with Dr. Joe Sebestyen. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe for more insights on education, critical thinking, and AI integration in learning. Visit our website at supportedtutoring.com Remember to share this podcast with fellow parents and educators who are passionate about reimagining education for tomorrow's world. Until next time, keep supporting learning!

    34 min
  3. 6D AGO

    Episode 21 - Addressing Skill Gap: Ace AP Chemistry Exams | Abigail Giordano, Educator & Creator

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the SupportED Learning Podcast, Dr. Joe Sebestyen sits down with Abigail Giordano, Chemistry instructor and creator of @GiordanoAPChemistry to uncover why traditional study methods are failing AP Chemistry students—and what to do instead. With one of the lowest pass rates of any AP exam, Abigail explains why success has less to do with how much content you know and more to do with how well you can apply it. They explore the gap between knowledge and execution, emphasizing how the AP exam measures application, analysis, and evaluation—not memorization. Abigail shares how overreliance on passive learning strategies like watching videos leads to poor performance, while focused practice on FRQs and core math skills creates measurable gains. Designed for students, parents, and educators, this episode provides a clear framework for approaching AP Chemistry with intention and strategy. If you're tired of studying harder without seeing results, this conversation will change how you prepare. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations on academic strategy, college prep, and the future of student success. 📲 Connect with them: @GiordanoAPChemistry 📲 Learn more about us: supportedtutoring.com, @dr_joe_ap_exams  Thanks for tuning in to the SupportED Learning Podcast with Dr. Joe Sebestyen. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe for more insights on education, critical thinking, and AI integration in learning. Visit our website at supportedtutoring.com Remember to share this podcast with fellow parents and educators who are passionate about reimagining education for tomorrow's world. Until next time, keep supporting learning!

    35 min
  4. APR 29

    Episode 20 - The Confidence Gap: Human Error, AI, and the Future of Education | Faraz Ishaq, Senior Director at Cohesity

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the SupportED Learning Podcast, Dr. Joe Sebestyen sits down with Faraz Ishaq, Senior Director of Advanced Services at Cohesity, to explore why the biggest vulnerabilities in modern systems are not technological, but human. Drawing from his experience in cybersecurity, data protection, and disaster recovery, Faraz shares how real-world failures often come down to lack of preparation, training, and confidence under pressure. Dr. Joe Sebestyen and Faraz Ishaq discuss the rise of ransomware attacks, data breaches, and cyber threats, particularly in high-risk environments like schools. The conversation introduces the concept of the “confidence gap,” where organizations fail not because systems are weak, but because people are not equipped to use them effectively. From crisis simulation to AI-driven security, the episode highlights how preparedness and human behavior determine outcomes in high-stakes situations. This episode is especially valuable for students, educators, and professionals navigating a rapidly changing world shaped by technology and AI. It offers a clear perspective on cyber resilience, decision-making under pressure, and how to better prepare for the future of education, careers, and digital security. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations on academic strategy, college prep, and the future of student success. 📲 Connect with them: https://www.linkedin.com/in/farazishaq/, Cohesity.com 📲 Learn more about us: supportedtutoring.com, @dr_joe_ap_exams  Thanks for tuning in to the SupportED Learning Podcast with Dr. Joe Sebestyen. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe for more insights on education, critical thinking, and AI integration in learning. Visit our website at supportedtutoring.com Remember to share this podcast with fellow parents and educators who are passionate about reimagining education for tomorrow's world. Until next time, keep supporting learning!

    43 min
  5. APR 28

    Episode 19 - Designing Learning That Works in Modern Classrooms | Jason Kennedy, Author

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the SupportED Learning Podcast, Dr. Joe Sebestyen sits down with Jason Kennedy, a 25-year educator, district curriculum director, instructional coach, and author of Let’s Quit Teaching – Designing Learning for All Classrooms, to explore how instructional design must evolve to meet the needs of today’s students. Jason shares insights from decades of experience across elementary through college education, focusing on what truly drives meaningful learning. Dr. Joe Sebestyen and Jason Kennedy discuss the limitations of traditional teaching models and why intentional design, not delivery, is the key to student success. From curriculum development to professional learning systems, the conversation highlights how educators can create environments that support deeper understanding, engagement, and long-term retention. This episode is especially valuable for educators, school leaders, and parents looking to rethink how learning happens. It offers a clear perspective on improving instruction, designing more effective classrooms, and creating systems that support all learners. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations on academic strategy, college prep, and the future of student success. 📲 Connect with them: https://letsquitteaching.com/ 📲 Learn more about us: supportedtutoring.com, @dr_joe_ap_exams  Thanks for tuning in to the SupportED Learning Podcast with Dr. Joe Sebestyen. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe for more insights on education, critical thinking, and AI integration in learning. Visit our website at supportedtutoring.com Remember to share this podcast with fellow parents and educators who are passionate about reimagining education for tomorrow's world. Until next time, keep supporting learning!

    50 min
  6. APR 25

    Episode 18 – ACT Prep That Actually Works: Faster Score Gains | Carson Weekley, Head ACT Coach at Boosted Brains

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the SupportED Learning Podcast, Dr. Joe Sebestyen sits down with Carson Weekley, Head ACT Coach at Boosted Brains, to uncover the truth about ACT preparation and why most conventional approaches fall short. Carson reveals how students can significantly improve their scores in just a matter of weeks by focusing on high-impact strategies rather than time-intensive study routines. Carson shares a results-driven framework focused on precision, strategy, and efficiency rather than brute-force studying. The conversation highlights common mistakes students make, including over-practicing without feedback, misunderstanding test patterns, and failing to optimize timing. Carson also explains how targeted interventions, data analysis, and test-specific techniques can dramatically accelerate score improvement in a short timeframe. This episode is essential for high school students, parents, and educators navigating the college admissions process. Listeners will gain actionable insights into maximizing ACT performance, avoiding costly prep mistakes, and implementing smarter, faster strategies to achieve competitive scores. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations on academic strategy, college prep, and the future of student success. 📲 Connect with Carson: boostedbrains36.com, @boostedbrains36 📲 Learn more about us: supportedtutoring.com, @dr_joe_ap_exams  Thanks for tuning in to the SupportED Learning Podcast with Dr. Joe Sebestyen. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe for more insights on education, critical thinking, and AI integration in learning. Visit our website at supportedtutoring.com Remember to share this podcast with fellow parents and educators who are passionate about reimagining education for tomorrow's world. Until next time, keep supporting learning!

    42 min
  7. APR 23

    Episode 16 – Anna Klinger on Perfect SAT Scores, Test Prep Strategy, and Cracking the College Admissions Code

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the SupportED Learning Podcast, Dr. Joe Sebestyen sits down with Anna Klinger, a UC Berkeley PhD student and perfect 1600 SAT scorer, to break down what it really takes to achieve top SAT scores and stand out in today’s competitive college admissions landscape. Anna shares how she approached the test strategically and why most students rely on inefficient study methods that limit their results. Dr. Joe Sebestyen and Anna Klinger explore the psychology of high performance, the inefficiencies in traditional test prep, and how the digital SAT is reshaping the competitive landscape for students. From time management and pattern recognition to strategic studying and avoiding costly prep programs, this conversation reveals what actually works when aiming for top-tier scores and competitive college placement. The discussion also highlights how self-directed learning, access to the right resources, and understanding the structure of the test can dramatically improve outcomes. This episode is especially valuable for students, parents, and educators looking for effective SAT prep strategies, stronger academic performance, and a smarter path to college admissions success. Free SAT resources mentioned in this episode: Khan Academy: https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/sat College Board Bluebook (Digital SAT Practice): https://bluebook.collegeboard.org/ SAT Subreddit (r/SAT): https://www.reddit.com/r/Sat/ Desmos Calculator (Digital SAT tool): https://www.desmos.com/calculator Anna’s Universe (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/@annas-universe Thanks for tuning in to the SupportED Learning Podcast with Dr. Joe Sebestyen. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe for more insights on education, critical thinking, and AI integration in learning. Visit our website at supportedtutoring.com Remember to share this podcast with fellow parents and educators who are passionate about reimagining education for tomorrow's world. Until next time, keep supporting learning!

    49 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

On a mission to speak with global education experts on how we can revolutionize the education system, especially in the dawn of AI.