The Balancing Act

Whether it's grading, studying, or even navigating google classroom, organized systems don’t really exist for our students. How can we expect them to succeed when they have to adapt and change every hour of the day? Joe and Jamie discuss their methods for teaching and learning with middle schoolers as well as their frustrations with lack of uniformity in schools.  — We want to hear from you! Shoot...

Jennifer Mazzochi joins the pod this week to discuss co teaching connections. Special education teacher and coteaching aficionado Jennifer Mazzochi explains how to make the unique relationship between co teachers thrive in the best interest of the partnership and the students in their charge.  — We want to hear from you! Shoot over an email and say hi: podthebalancingact@gmail.com Don’t forget to...

Learned helplessness and lack of perseverance and grit are plaguing our schools and children across America, but why? Join Jamie and Joe as they explore possible reasons and solutions to the very big questions that keep many educators and parents awake each night. — We want to hear from you! Shoot over an email and say hi: podthebalancingact@gmail.com Don’t forget to subscribe! Leave us a comment!...

Joe and Jamie welcome Insta sensation AnnaK, also known as ReadAwaywithMissK, as they share their love of teaching, reading, and being funny.  Anna shares her experiences in the classroom beginning in the Bronx and continuing all the way down to Louisville.  Anna shares with us her love of teaching, teachers, and the profession she “never wants to leave.” — We want to hear from you! Shoot over an...

Jamie and Joe are all about balance… and sometimes you need to bark out all your pettiest complaints to a friendly and compassionate ear to find your sense of zen. Listen to their hysterical banter as they swat things that drive each of them nuts both in and out of school. — We want to hear from you! Shoot over an email and say hi: podthebalancingact@gmail.com Don’t forget to subscribe! Leave us a...

Director Edward DeShazer joins us to discuss teacher well being, how to maintain boundaries and his latest book, Closing the Believe’ment Gap. His powerful belief in positive behaviors, teacher support and pouring it back into the teachers of America will inspire even the most critical cynic.  — We want to hear from you! Shoot over an email and say hi: podthebalancingact@gmail.com Don’t forget to...

Being a part of the sandwich generation means having to spread your love and care between your children, spouse and your elderly, aging parents. Jamie and Joe know and live these challenges all too well, and want to update listeners on hospice care, estate planning and balancing their daily life challenges as members of this not so super fun club. — We want to hear from you! Shoot over an email an...

Join Instagram and TikTok teacher/ comedian Courtney Varner as she waxes poetic on all things she loves about teaching middle school. Straight from the snowy streets of Missouri, hi_its_me_mrs._v joins forces with our hosts to share her secret to laughing her way through middle school.  — We want to hear from you! Shoot over an email and say hi: podthebalancingact@gmail.com Don’t forget to subscri...

Listen as our hosts discuss their “no tech teaching experience” when their boss challenged them to discard their student chromebooks for weeks. Hear their open and honest reviews of their time without tech in their classrooms. We want to hear from you! Shoot over an email and say hi:  hello@thebalancingactpod.com Don’t forget to subscribe! Leave us a comment!  www.thebalancingactpod.com Follow  Fa...

In this episode, we delve into child development with Dr. Danielle Dick, professor at Rutgers University and author of "The Child's Code." She discusses the genetic and environmental factors influencing children's behaviors, drawing from her experience as a mother of a high-risk child. We want to hear from you! Shoot over an email and say hi:  hello@thebalancingactpod.com Don’t forget to subscribe...

In this episode of the Balancing Act podcast, we humorously discuss our personal food favorites, including nostalgic tomato soup. The conversation shifts to the impact of recent cold weather in New York on societal behavior and local traditions like Groundhog Day. We address NJ Governor Murphy's proposed cell phone restrictions in schools, examining the challenges of technology in education. We al...

Join Joe and Jamie as they gab it up with fellow educator Tyler Tarver, and watch as they fan-girl over every bit of wisdom he has to share about his vast educational experiences. Whether it's YouTube teaching, administration experience or  A.I. in the classroom, keep all eyes and ears focused toward your favorite tech-spert, Dr. Tyler Tarver. Check out the 60 minutes segment that we watched and d...

Lack of respect for teachers is an ongoing issue for most of us in our daily classroom experiences. Are there any tips or tricks to help change relationship habits when it comes to mean students? Join Jamie and Joe as they hash out what it means to them when students are just not buying what they are trying to sell. Starting in February, The Balancing Act will be part of Human Content's network of...

Recently in New Jersey there has been discussion of the elimination of a step toward your teaching certificate. Where do tests begin and where should they end? Join our hosts as they discuss testing, personal and professional ones, and listen as they share their fears associated with failing them. Big announcement on today's episode!  Can't wait for you all to hear the news!  Exciting things are h...

New Year’s Resolutions? Are they a thing of the past, or a goal setting achievement? Join co-hosts Jamie and Joe as they recap their winter holiday vacations spent with family and friends, and listen in as they discuss what is coming up in 2025. Big announcments are on tap for 2025!  Stay tuned friends...can't wait to share! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join co-hosts Jamie and Joe as they discuss their favorite holiday traditions from ornaments to dinners to gift giving galore. In the last episode of 2024, the Balancing Act podcast wishes you and yours a happy and healthy holiday season and a very Happy New Year. We will return in 2025 with regular episodes on January 14th, 2025!  Exciting things are coming from The Balancing Act.  Stay tuned.......

Join our hosts as they get some great guidance and advice from their new pal Charley Burley, who comes to the pod all the way from across the pond. Known as the.teachers.health.coach Charley, an educator himself provides advice and methods that are applicable to ensure our listeners make their way through this holiday season with less stress. Give Charley Burley a follow on Instagram at @the.teach...

Join our hosts as they speak to a fellow New Jersey teacher and influencer getting to the root of the root and the bud of the bud of this thing called, Money.  Teacher Pay with K talks about all things pension, contracts and what a strong union means to the teaching profession. Check out @teacherpaywithK on Instagram and TikTok for all things pension related and ways that you can get involved in t...

Can you guess what was the first Thanksgiving food to be grown in space? How much did the largest pumpkin pie weigh? Join our hosts as they review their favorite parts and pieces for the upcoming holiday. Jamie and Joe talk sides, turkey, balloons and their plans for their Thanksgiving holidays with their favorite people. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listen in as marketing and hiring expert Jodie Edwards sits with our hosts to provide insight into developing employable teens. The best generation? It's quite possible that you might be underestimating the wide open spaces your teen has yet to conquer.  Co-owner of the popular New Jersey ice cream chain of small batch handcrafted ice cream, Jodi Edwards graciously meets with us to talk about all...

We are discussing the town of Kenilworth, New Jersey, who recently implemented a tech free school day. All educators continually discuss the implications of tech on students and wonder if it is causing more harm than help. Listen in as we applaud Kenilworth public schools for trying something different and wonder if it is something we should all be trying out in the not so distant future. Check ou...

Dawn Wiseman is officially our first international guest. Bonjour to our new amie (that’s French for friend) Dawn Wiseman who has been teaching for 17 years, and has morphed into an AI enthusiast. Her tips and tricks for teachers on how to maximize their AI experience with multiple platforms will have you running to the computer to try them all. Check out a full live demo from this episode on The...

Jamie and Joe wax poetic about Halloween past, and what it was like to be a Mom in the 80’s before the invention of Trunk o Treat. Should schools promote Halloween activities or not? Favorite candy and memories of the holiday make us all nostalgic for the romanticized version of this fall festival. Check out videos of our episodes on our Youtube Channel! The Balancing Act Podcast Youtube Channel L...

Our hosts discuss coworkers: true friends or trauma bonded? Which is a topic close to their hearts. Are your co-workers really your true friends, or are you just not that close?  Listen as they share their point of view and experiences in different schools with various groups of coworkers who became their lifelong friends. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us for an enthralling conversation with relationship and Mean Girl Mom expert Dr. Noelle Santorelli as we unravel the generational issues faced by those in the know, how to navigate being a mom, or a dad in today's culture parenting of exclusivity.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices