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In this kickoff episode of PodcastPD’s 2026 monthly series, Chris Nesi and AJ Bianco launch a year-long conversation around one big, loaded question: What does it actually mean to “fix” education? Drawing from their perspectives as a classroom teacher and a building administrator, they unpack why education feels broken—and why quick fixes and political talking points miss the point. The conversation dives into student engagement, burnout, technology overload, cell phone policies, professional development, and the lingering effects of the pandemic. Rather than offering silver bullets, Chris and AJ focus on what is within educators’ control: mindset, instructional choices, leadership decisions, and how we grow as professionals. This episode sets the tone for a thoughtful, honest series focused on meaningful, sustainable change—one classroom and one school at a time. Key Topics DiscussedWhat people really mean when they say “education is broken”The post-pandemic reality vs. the promise of changeStudent apathy, grit, and cognitive enduranceTeachers caught between engagement and exhaustionAdministrators navigating mandates, data, and human needsThe pendulum swing of educational technologyCell phone bans, Chromebooks, handwriting, and balanceWhy professional development needs a resetWhat educators can actually control right nowGrowth mindset, experimentation, and learning out loud What Are We Listening to?AJ: The Mindset Mentor podcast, hosted by Rob Dial. AJ describes it as a mindset and personal growth podcast that blends psychology, neuroscience, habit-building, and goal setting, and notes that he’s been especially into recent episodes focused on preparing for 2026, habits, anxiety, and self-improvement. Chris: Instead of a traditional podcast recommendation this month, Chris is spotlighting a daily short-form video series he’s been creating throughout January focused entirely on how to start a podcast.

Chris Nesi and A.J. Bianco sit down with educator, author, and school leader Rich Czyz to discuss his latest book, Autopilot: Practical Productivity for School Leaders. Rich shares insights drawn from his experience during the pandemic, emphasizing the importance of delegating, automating tasks, and setting boundaries in a busy educational environment. Listeners will gain valuable strategies to combat burnout, improve communication, and foster a more productive culture within their schools. Topics Discussed: Techniques for Enhancing Productivity in Education: Rich emphasizes the need for school leaders to adopt effective strategies that emerged particularly during the pandemic. He discusses how educators are often overwhelmed by numerous responsibilities, which can lead to burnout. The conversation emphasizes the importance of prioritizing essential tasks and refining processes to foster a more productive environment. Addressing Common Pain Points for School Leaders: Throughout the episode, Rich identifies specific pain points that many school leaders face, such as managing an overwhelming influx of emails and addressing the myriad requests from staff and students. He suggests that school leaders recognize these challenges and prioritize their time by setting boundaries, such as designated times for checking email. The Importance of Delegation and Creating a Supportive School Culture: Rich advocates for the power of delegation as a means of reducing workload and empowering others within the school environment. He discusses how school leaders can and should share responsibilities with staff and even students. This not only alleviates pressure on leaders but also fosters a sense of ownership and collaboration among the team. Strategies for Managing Email and Communication Effectively: Rich shares his "B.O.A.T." strategy—Blocked Off Answering Times—where he designates specific times in the day to focus on emails, allowing him to better manage interruptions and maintain productivity throughout the day. By doing this, he sets expectations for his communication style and encourages others, including staff and parents, to respect these boundaries. Insights from Rich's Book and Its Origins: Rich delves into the many strategies that were developed during his efforts to lead effectively in a challenging educational landscape marked by the pandemic. Creating a Vision for Work-Life Balance: Rich highlights the importance of fostering a culture that respects individual boundaries and promotes personal well-being. By advising school leaders to occasionally close their doors and protect their time, he highlights a crucial aspect of effective leadership—maintaining a healthy work-life balance for both themselves and their staff. What Are We Listening ToAJ: Cold Blooded: Mystery in Alaska & The Hand in the WindowChris: House of EdTech SmackDownRich: Cal Newport’s A Deep Life Podcast & How I Write

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: Teacher burnout and finding balance in year fourThe role of AI in easing educator workloadEffective communication during parent-teacher conferencesAccountability vs. empathy in grading (the “no-name paper” debate)A millionaire’s dream: Should rich professionals become teachers?Tips for surviving the first year of teachingUsing time management and boundaries to avoid burnoutCommunity comments from live listeners and former students Mentioned in Episode: Get PD certificates for listeningMilestone Events 🧠 AJ’s “Elite Performance Coach” ChatGPT Prompt“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.”

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: Understanding the difference between PTA and PTO organizationsWhy strong parent partnerships are vital for student successHow administrators can build and sustain relationships with PTOsCommon pitfalls in school-parent communication—and how to avoid themStrategies for creating a healthy PTO culture and setting boundariesThe evolution of parent involvement from elementary to high schoolHow educators can foster inclusivity, transparency, and collaboration Resources Mentioned: PTOAnswers.comThe Principal’s Parent Group Playbook by Christina Hidek

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. Topics DiscussedThe inspiration behind Kathy’s book and why educators need AI literacy now.What AI literacy means and why it’s as critical as digital literacy.Scenarios and discussion prompts: engaging students in real-world AI dilemmas.How teachers can model ethical AI use in the classroom.Overcoming misconceptions and fears about AI.Graphic organizers and resources included in the book.Why transparency and modeling AI use is a game-changer for educators.Kathy’s personal favorite AI tools: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and more.The story behind the symbolic book cover design. What We’re Listening ToMe Here, You There – Steve Somers’ legendary monologues and New York sports talk.The Mindset Advantage – JW Hillier on leadership, resilience, and personal growth.Teacher Nerdz Podcast – Educational conversations on maker spaces, STEM, global education, and more.

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 self 7 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

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.

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.

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.com Share Your Thoughts: What resonated most with you about Walter McKenzie's approach to leadership in education? Let us know!

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.

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

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

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

In this lively episode of PodcastPD, Chris Nesi and AJ Bianco wrap up the end of June with reflections on the past school year, discuss the emotional graduation of a key student, delve into the ongoing debate about assigning zeros in education, and ponder the benefits and drawbacks of homework for primary school children. Complete show notes: https://podcastpd.com/141

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