The Teacher's Pep Rally

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...

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 JavaScrip...

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-c...

🎙️ 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 a...

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 Aspi...

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...

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 navigat...

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...

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 miss...

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 highlig...

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 "...

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 lis...

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 bu...

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 fou...

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 evol...

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 fri...

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...

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 dis...

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 Er...

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 profes...

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...

🎉 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...

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 edu...

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 f...

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 del...