PodcastPD

Education Podcast Network
  • 4.4 (35)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
PodcastPD

Join AJ Bianco and Christopher J. Nesi as they explore professional development for educators, featuring expert insights on teaching strategies, technology integration, and educational policy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Closing Out The Year and SummerPD - PPD149

    JUN 4

    Closing Out The Year and SummerPD - PPD149

    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 Celebrate growth beyond gradesStudent feedback surveysClassroom cleanup and organizationDocumenting student and professional successReflective teaching practicesRecognizing colleagues and collaboratorsWriting a message to your future self7 summer PD ideas to fuel your growth Read a professional or personal development bookTry a new edtech tool (ex: Canva, Padlet, MagicSchool)Attend conferences (ISTE, Edcamp NJ, ASCD, ACTE)Listen to educational podcasts (House of #EdTech, Education Podcast Network)Enroll in a course or earn micro-credentialsRedesign curriculum with UDL or SEL integrationTake time to relax, recharge, and rediscover your "why"Resources & Mentions: Edcamp New Jersey – August 14, 2025 at Monmouth UniversityHouse of #EdTech podcastStart with Why by Simon SinekEducation Podcast NetworkCanva for EducationPadlet Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    26 min
  2. Surviving and Thriving as a School Admin - PPD148

    MAR 20

    Surviving and Thriving as a School Admin - PPD148

    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. The Challenges of School AdministrationMany new administrators struggle with the transition from teaching to leadership. Common obstacles include: Building Trust – Staff members may be hesitant to embrace a new administrator, especially if communication is unclear.Time Management – Balancing meetings, classroom visits, and administrative work is demanding.Decision-Making Pressure – The responsibility of making impactful decisions can be overwhelming.Work-Life Balance – Long hours and school-related responsibilities often interfere with personal life.Key Strategies for Thriving1. Develop a Clear Vision and Communicate EffectivelySuccessful administrators clearly define their mission and values and communicate them consistently to staff and students. Transparency fosters trust and alignment within the school community. 2. Build Strong RelationshipsEngage with teachers, students, and parents regularly.Foster a culture of collaboration and open dialogue.Be visible and approachable—presence in hallways, classrooms, and school events matters.3. Manage Time and Delegate ResponsibilitiesDelegation is crucial in preventing burnout. Effective administrators prioritize instructional leadership and delegate operational tasks to assistant principals, counselors, or department heads when possible. 4. Maintain a Positive School CultureRecognize and celebrate achievements.Support teacher growth through mentorship and professional development.Promote student engagement by encouraging extracurricular participation.5. Balance Professional and Personal LifeSet boundaries to protect personal time.Make time for family and personal well-being.Engage in hobbies and self-care to maintain mental and physical health.What We're Listening ToLeaning 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 hr
  3. Motivating Students and Classroom Challenges - PPD147

    FEB 5

    Motivating Students and Classroom Challenges - PPD147

    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: Inspiring Students: How can we better engage students in a meaningful way and inspire them to do their best?Addressing Hate Symbols in Schools: AJ and Chris discuss strategies for handling hate symbols in the school environment and fostering a more inclusive atmosphere.Dealing with Resistance to Work: The duo explores what to do when students refuse to do their work, including strategies for encouragement, accountability, and support.Chris’s Soapbox Moment: Chris shares his frustrations with a popular education podcast that uses AI-generated voices for its content but fails to disclose it to listeners, sparking a conversation about ethics in podcasting and AI in education.Reflections on Education Post-Pandemic: Both hosts reflect on the state of education today, questioning its relevance and effectiveness in a post-pandemic world, and whether education, as we know it, is broken.What Are We Listening To: AJ: Smash Boom Best is a debate show for kids and families from the makers of the award-winning podcast, Brains On! Every episode takes two cool things, smashes them together and lets you decide which is best. Our debaters use facts and passion to make their case -- teaching listeners how to defend their own opinions along the way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    58 min
  4. Supporting Leaders in Education - PPD146

    12/05/2024

    Supporting Leaders in Education - PPD146

    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: The unique challenges faced by mid-career and veteran educators.Strategies for authentic leadership at the classroom, district, and national levels.How The Worthy Educator provides a lifeline for education leaders through collaboration and advocacy.Walter’s reflections on the importance of relationships, innovation, and mentorship in creating a lasting impact.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: Visit The Worthy Educator: TheWorthyEducator.comShare Your Thoughts: What resonated most with you about Walter McKenzie's approach to leadership in education? Let us know! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    40 min
  5. Rubi AI for Lesson Planning and Classroom Engagement - PPD145

    11/06/2024

    Rubi AI for Lesson Planning and Classroom Engagement - PPD145

    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: Empowering Student Ownership with AI: Chris and Tania emphasize that students' work must reflect their own voice and understanding. They discuss how AI can support but shouldn't replace students’ critical thinking and creative process.Ruby AI Features for Educators: Lesson Planning: Demonstration of Rubi AI’s lesson and unit planning capabilities, including pre-built modules for various subjects. Educators can quickly generate lesson outlines, objectives, and activities tailored to their needs.Document Anchoring: Rubi’s ability to “anchor” to specific documents (like PDFs) allows teachers to use existing materials as data sources for AI-generated summaries, questions, or content insights.Topic Research and Content Generation: Rubi’s modules can assist with topic research, providing structured information and summaries, which can be transformed into lesson plans, presentations, or study guides.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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    55 min
  6. Verbally Abusive Parents - PPD144

    10/02/2024

    Verbally Abusive Parents - PPD144

    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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    56 min
  7. Leadership Transition: From VP to Principal - PPD143

    09/05/2024

    Leadership Transition: From VP to Principal - PPD143

    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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    48 min
  8. Classroom Management Tips - PPD142

    08/07/2024

    Classroom Management Tips - PPD142

    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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 12m
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Hosts & Guests

4.4
out of 5
35 Ratings

About

Join AJ Bianco and Christopher J. Nesi as they explore professional development for educators, featuring expert insights on teaching strategies, technology integration, and educational policy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Channel
    Education Podcast Network
  • Creator
    AJ Bianco, Christopher J. Nesi - Education Podcast Network
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2025
  • Episodes
    190
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2017-2025
  • Show Website
    PodcastPD

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