As the school year wraps up, your TPR hosts Erin, Pete, and Fred gather one last time before summer to reflect on the amazing guests, meaningful conversations, and memorable moments from Seasons 8 and 9. From music-based coding and AI in the classroom to embracing play and student-centered learning, this episode revisits the stories and ideas that inspired us all year long. We talk about the power of curiosity, how the show continues to bring clarity and purpose to our roles as educators, and sh...
May 10, 2025•59 min•Season 9Ep. 130
What happens when cutting-edge tech meets creative expression? In this episode of The Teacher’s Pep Rally , we sit down with innovators Dr. Brian Magerko and Jason Freeman from Georgia Tech—the minds behind EarSketch , a free, web-based platform that teaches coding through music composition. With over a million students reached, EarSketch is not only transforming how we teach Python and JavaScript—it's also opening doors for blind and visually impaired students through inclusive design and AI-po...
May 04, 2025•42 min•Season 9Ep. 129
In this special episode of The Teacher’s Pep Rally , we invite educators to get the inside scoop on Main Street PD , an inspiring professional development experience happening this summer in Orlando, FL! 💡 Hosts Erin and Pete (Fred was there in spirit!) welcome an incredible lineup of session leaders, including Marnie Stockman & Nick Coniglio (authors of Lead It Like Lasso ), Thomas Hummel (co-creator of Eduaide.AI), and Dave Tarnoff (computer science professor and Intermation creator). Tog...
Apr 13, 2025•40 min•Season 9Ep. 128
🎙️ New Episode! Coaching in the Classroom - A Student-Centered Approach with Dr. Linda Hopper What if the secret to transforming your classroom isn’t more test prep—but more heart ? 💡 In this inspiring episode, we welcome Dr. Linda Hopper, former teacher turned business coach and author of Coaching in the Classroom , who shares her powerful message: when we empower students to become self-aware and emotionally intelligent, real learning happens. Dr. Hopper reveals how shifting from a tradition...
Apr 07, 2025•52 min•Season 9Ep. 127
Get ready for an inspiring, energizing, and crucial conversation on the Teacher’s Pep Rally Podcast ! This episode features a powerhouse panel of passionate changemakers working to reshape the future of education. Join hosts Erin, Fred, and Pete as they sit down with: Demetrius Dove – National advocate and future educator representing over 44,000 aspiring teachers. Karmen Lemuel – Georgia’s Aspiring Educator State President fighting for paid student teaching. Dr. Jacob Hackett – Equity-driven pr...
Mar 23, 2025•53 min•Season 9Ep. 126
We’re back! After a jam-packed season, the Teacher’s Pep Rally Podcast crew—Erin, Fred, and Pete—are catching up on life, learning, and laughter. This episode is a behind-the-scenes reality check as we share the chaos, triumphs, and daily grind of being educators. Pete’s world is a whirlwind with school theater productions, music festivals, and an incredible Finding Nemo production that’s taking creativity to the next level. Fred reflects on a career fair experience , highlighting how impactful ...
Mar 16, 2025•36 min•Season 9Ep. 125
On this episode of The Teacher’s Pep Rally Podcast , we’re diving into the high-energy world of middle school band with the incredible Rachel Allen ! A dedicated band director since 2005, Rachel doesn’t just teach music—she builds a community of young musicians , ignites their passion, and helps them find their rhythm both in and out of the classroom. From teaching multiple instruments to navigating hilarious band mishaps (yes, we’re talking about spit valves and mystery objects stuck in tubas!)...
Mar 02, 2025•54 min•Season 9Ep. 124
In our latest episode of The Teacher’s Pep Rally , we had the privilege of speaking with Max Gertz, an educator and EdTech enthusiast who believes in the transformative power of equity in education. Max shared his journey—from an English teacher captivated by the potential of technology to his role in shaping virtual learning opportunities for thousands of students. His passion for ensuring that every learner has access to the resources and support they need was both inspiring and thought-provok...
Feb 17, 2025•44 min•Season 9Ep. 123
In this exciting episode of the Teacher’s Pep Rally Podcast , we turn the spotlight on our very own Fred Aebli as he shares his passion for helping students learn to code ! 🖥️💡 Fred takes us on an inspiring journey through his tech-filled career —from falling in love with Star Wars as a kid to becoming a Marine, a computer science educator, and the mastermind behind Get Me Coding . 🚀✨ His mission? To break down barriers and show that coding isn’t just for math wizards—it’s a language of creat...
Feb 02, 2025•52 min•Season 9Ep. 122
In this episode of the Teacher's Pep Rally Podcast , we had the honor of speaking with Arturo Guajardo, Director of K-12 Partnerships at Pocketalk . With over 31 years of experience as a bilingual educator and educational technology expert, Arturo shared his personal journey as an English language learner and his passion for creating inclusive learning environments. His heartfelt anecdotes highlighted the importance of connection and communication, particularly for students and families navigati...
Jan 26, 2025•45 min•Season 9Ep. 121
Get ready for an inspiring episode of the Teacher's Pep Rally Podcast as we tackle the mid-year slump that educators everywhere know all too well! Hosts Erin King, Pete Bush, and Fred Aebli dive into the challenges of recharging motivation and maintaining momentum in the second half of the school year. With honesty, humor, and heartfelt advice, they share practical strategies for navigating this “gray period,” from creating achievable goals to incorporating movement, music, and fun into the clas...
Jan 13, 2025•42 min•Season 9Ep. 120
As we close out an incredible 2024 on The Teacher's Pep Rally Podcast , Erin, Fred, and Pete gather to reflect on a season filled with heartfelt conversations, inspiring guests, and impactful moments. From exploring the vital role of early childhood education to the power of design thinking in solving real-world problems, this season delivered rich discussions that resonated with educators and listeners worldwide. Fred shares his journey through an exciting tech incubator program, highlighting l...
Dec 29, 2024•56 min•Season 8Ep. 119
Calling all educators, aspiring mentors, and lifelong learners! 🎙️ The latest episode of the Teacher's Pep Rally Podcast is here, and it's one you can't afford to miss: "Mentors in Education" with the inspiring Earl Foster! In this episode: ✨ Earl shares heartfelt stories about the mentors who shaped his journey and how he’s paying it forward to guide new teachers. ✨ We dive into the power of building trust, offering supportive honesty, and celebrating wins (big and small) in our schools. ✨ Dis...
Dec 08, 2024•45 min•Season 8Ep. 118
In this heartfelt episode, the Teacher's Pep Rally welcomes Natalie Legg, a dedicated pre-kindergarten teacher and advocate for early childhood development. With six years of experience, Natalie shares her passion for teaching young learners and emphasizes the critical role of play in education. She delves into how play not only nurtures creativity and social-emotional skills but also lays a foundation for lifelong learning. From sensory activities like exploring pumpkin guts to fostering social...
Dec 01, 2024•40 min•Season 8Ep. 117
In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with Chris Shearer, a seasoned principal with over 22 years of experience in educational leadership. Currently leading a high-performing high school, Chris shares his passion for challenging the status quo, fostering inclusivity, and helping students unlock their potential. Together, we explore what school looks like in 2024 and how education can evolve to better serve diverse student needs. Chris delves into innovative approaches like experiential ...
Nov 17, 2024•51 min•Season 8Ep. 116
This week on the Teacher’s Pep Rally Podcast , we’re thrilled to share a conversation with Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio from Lead It Like Lasso . We recently hosted a special webinar with them and fellow educators on Leading With Purpose – a deep dive into building a “personal operating system” for intentional leadership. Missed the webinar? No problem! We’re sharing the recording so our friends can still learn and grow together. Tune in to discover practical tips and insights on purposeful...
Nov 11, 2024•38 min•Season 8Ep. 115
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and we just dropped an essential episode of the Teacher's Pep Rally Podcast featuring the amazing team from i-Tech for Schools ! In this must-listen episode, we’re joined by experts Evelyn McCulloch, Senior Director, and Michael Rinyu, Education Design and Instructional Lead, to break down cybersecurity essentials for educators, students, and parents alike. Tune in to discover: Eye-opening "Fact or Fiction" cybersecurity myths that reveal how even small ...
Oct 27, 2024•48 min•Season 8Ep. 114
In this episode of The Teacher's Pep Rally , motivational speaker and educational consultant Kyle A. Greene shares his inspiring journey and the power of believing in one's potential. From personal experiences of overcoming challenges to motivating students and educators across the country, Kyle emphasizes the importance of storytelling, mindset, and authentic connections in education. He also discusses how teachers can help students unlock their greatness by breaking barriers of self-doubt. Thi...
Oct 20, 2024•42 min•Season 8Ep. 113
In this lively and insightful episode of the Teacher's Pep Rally Podcast , Erin and Pete dive into the challenges and rewards of professional development in education. Whether you're a brand-new teacher or a seasoned pro, this episode offers inspiration and practical advice to help you grow. Discover the value of relevant, engaging PD tailored to educators' needs, hear personal experiences from Erin and Pete, and learn why professional learning should be fun, collaborative, and meaningful . Plus...
Oct 14, 2024•32 min•Season 8Ep. 112
In this episode of the Teacher’s Pep Rally , we welcome Kim Strobel, the inspirational author of Teach Happy: Small Steps to Big Joy . Kim shares her personal journey through anxiety and her transformation into a motivational speaker and educator dedicated to empowering teachers and school leaders. Listen as she dives into the science of happiness, how to create boundaries for personal and professional growth, and practical ways to bring joy into the classroom. Discover how small changes can lea...
Sep 29, 2024•42 min•Season 8Ep. 111
Join the hosts of the Teacher’s Pep Rall y, as we kick off Season 8 with a lively and heartfelt reunion! In this episode, we reflect on our summers, discuss exciting personal adventures, and dive into the joys and challenges of returning to school. With over 100 episodes behind us, we gear up for another season full of inspirational guests, meaningful discussions on education, and strategies for staying positive in the profession. Whether you're a seasoned educator or just getting started, this ...
Sep 23, 2024•47 min•Season 8Ep. 110
🎉 Welcome to the Teacher's Pep Rally! 🎉 Join us as we discuss our state of mind, while we switch gears towards summer break. We continue to cheer on our fellow educators who have had another school year supporting students and staff in life and learning. We took some time to review what it has meant to continue these conversations with you. This year we reached over 100 episodes and for that we are thankful for your support and conversations. If you have something you want us to talk about or ...
May 19, 2024•47 min•Season 7Ep. 109
We had the pleasure of welcoming Thomas Hummel and Thomas Thompson, two passionate middle school teachers who are revolutionizing the educational landscape with their innovative platform, Eduaide.AI . With a shared dedication to easing the burdens faced by educators, they've channeled their passion into creating a solution tailored to save teachers valuable time while enhancing the quality of education. Eduaide.AI serves as a cutting-edge AI platform designed to support teachers in instructional...
May 13, 2024•55 min•Season 7Ep. 108
In our latest podcast episode, we had the pleasure of chatting with Dr. Drew Cowell, a dedicated high school music teacher and the Director of Vocal Music & Choirs at Belleville East High School. Dr. Cowell shared his unwavering passion for supporting music and performing arts programs, reflecting on his 18 years in music education. Throughout our conversation, Dr. Cowell offered valuable advice for aspiring educators, emphasizing the importance of nurturing a genuine connection with student...
May 05, 2024•58 min•Season 7Ep. 107
In this episode of the Teacher's Pep Rally , hosts Erin, Pete, and Fred reunite to share their recent endeavors and upcoming plans. Pete kicks off the conversation, exhilarated from overseeing multiple productions with his young students, including renditions of Moana Jr. and Peter Pan Jr . He eagerly anticipates the upcoming summer performing arts camp under PSB Creative Arts Education . Fred delves into his deepening interest in artificial intelligence (AI) and its implications for education. ...
Apr 21, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 7Ep. 106
In this episode, we delve into the art of leadership with special guests Dr. Marnie Stockman and Nick Coniglio, the brilliant minds behind Lead It Like Lasso . Their book introduces 11 essential rules for effective leadership, drawing inspiration from the beloved character Ted Lasso. We explore three of these rules, offering actionable insights for aspiring and seasoned leaders alike. Our hosts, Erin, Pete, and Fred, embark on a journey of self-discovery by taking the leadership assessment provi...
Apr 14, 2024•59 min•Season 7Ep. 105
In this episode, educators Erin, Fred, and Pete delve into the challenges faced by both educators and students during the notorious month of March. As March rolls around, maintaining focus and motivation becomes increasingly difficult with the anticipation of Spring Break followed by the impending testing season and the long stretch before summer vacation. To shed light on strategies for navigating this challenging period, the hosts engage in a survival scenario game, drawing on insights from Ma...
Mar 04, 2024•52 min•Season 7Ep. 104
From a Galaxy (or School) Far, Far, Away....our friend, Dan Zehr, from Coffee With Kenobi joined us to talk about pedagogy and Star Wars . Two of our favorite topics. Dan Zehr is an ELA teacher who also has designed a platform that built an amazing community and conversation about Star Wars . His ability to blend critical thinking and intellectual honesty with a sense of humor has served him well as the host and brand director of the popular podcast, Coffee With Kenobi . Dan Z is a longtime cont...
Feb 25, 2024•48 min•Season 7Ep. 103
Our friend, Heidi von Marbod, from the Cheney School District came back to visit and share with us more tips and lifts for supporting student transitions into the community and vocational opportunities. Heidi is a leader in supporting special education students who typically have an IEP due to a developmental disability. Students ceremoniously walk across the graduation stage with their peers and then continue for another 2-3 years. Her particular transition program is unique in that it is a sta...
Feb 11, 2024•51 min•Season 7Ep. 102
We just wanted to have some fun with our good friend and fellow educator, Dave Tarnoff. Dave is a computer science professor who has created a library of educational videos to help students easily understand high level concepts inside or outside of a classroom. Join us as we explore how to create a learning environment that supports the goals and objectives of a course, as well as the needs and preferences of the students. We share our insights and experiences on topics such as: How to assess th...
Jan 22, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Season 7Ep. 101
