Z-Rated Success: The Decision Lab for Education Leaders

AI is changing education, but many educators are still trying to figure out where to begin. In this episode, Kimberly A. Freeman joins Z-Rated Success to discuss how educators can leverage AI without fear, reclaim time, and use technology in ways that support teaching and learning. Kimberly shares why AI literacy matters, especially for ESL and multilingual students, and why educators need clear s...

Student leadership is more than a title. It is how students communicate, make decisions, handle conflict, build community, and grow under pressure. In this conversation, Hanan Allen, MPA, Assistant Director of Student Activities at the University of Rochester, shares what she has learned from advising student organizations and supporting student leaders. She discusses the behind-the-scenes work of...

Today’s college students are carrying more than many education leaders realize. In this episode of Z-Rated Success, Nick “The Zebra” Zizi sits down with Brittany Blackwell Broussard, Director of Culture and Climate and Psychology Instructor at Northwestern State University, to talk about culture, climate, belonging, empathy, and what it really means to help students feel safe, seen, supported, and...

Community college is not the end of the road. For many students, it can be the beginning of a bigger academic journey. In this episode of Z-Rated Success, Nick “The Zebra” Zizi sits down with Dr. Tiffany Paige, Director of the McNair Scholars Community College Program at Jackson State University, to talk about helping students move from simply trying to finish a semester to seeing themselves as sc...

In this episode of Z-Rated Success: The Decision Lab for Education Leaders , Nick Zizi sits down with Brittany Jackson , Director of Orientation and New Student Programs at North Carolina A&T State University. Brittany shares why orientation is not just a checklist or a schedule of events. It is often the first real experience students and families have with a campus community, and it can shap...

In this episode of Z Rated Success , Nick “The Zebra” Zizi sits down with Bennie Williams for a powerful conversation about fear, opportunity, student success, and what it means to help students become comfortable being uncomfortable. Bennie brings over 12 years of experience in higher education, student affairs, multicultural education, diversity, equity, and inclusion work, and now K–8 education...

Students are carrying more than many people realize, and education leaders have an opportunity to help them feel seen, supported, and challenged to grow. In this episode of Z-Rated Success , Nick Zizi sits down with Robert Johnson , Executive Director of the Agape Center for Human Dignity at Sacred Heart University, for a powerful conversation on student belonging, leadership, campus culture, and...

In this episode of Z-Rated Success: The Decision Lab for Education Leaders , Nick Zizi sits down with Dan La Bar , a seasoned K-12 public charter school leader, to explore how leadership decisions shape student outcomes. Dan shares one of the most practical leadership lessons from his career: too fast, too slow . Move too fast, and you may leave out important voices, feedback loops, and stakeholde...

In this episode of Z-Rated Success: The Decision Lab for Education Leaders , Nick Zizi sits down with Amanda Jeppesen , Student Employment Specialist in Career and Student Employment Services at Western Michigan University . Amanda works closely with students, supervisors, and campus partners to help student employment become more than just a paycheck. In this conversation, she explains how on-cam...

Dr. Angell Howard went from high school dropout to earning her doctorate. Now she helps education leaders and organizations navigate culture, leadership, and necessary change. In this episode of Z-Rated Success: The Decision Lab for Education Leaders , Nick Zizi sits down with Dr. Angell Howard , Associate Director of Professional Development and Staff Recognition at Illinois State University and...

#36 - How do you as an educator relate to your teenage students and form mutual respect? Hunter Prinz has a national leadership role with the FCCLA, where he shines as the national president while allowing others to lead him. The Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America, or FCCLA, is the only student-led career and technical organization with family as its main focus. It has an underlying...

#35 - Did you know that the first days of school set the tone for the rest of the school year? In today's episode, you will learn the ten big ideas from the First Days of School book by Harry and Rosemary Wong. I like to revisit the big ideas every year to help me better prepare for the new school year.  Whether you are on your first day or first month of school you can still use the ideas to...

#34 - Are you feeling overwhelmed? Burnout is real. In today's episode, Nick Zizi shares five powerful strategies that are easy to follow to help you crush burnout. Don't go another day without getting relief. You can beat this. Listen now. If you receive value, please consider subscribing and sharing. Contact Nick: Website: https://nickzizi.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/nickzizi Ins...

#33- What's next for the Z-rated Success Podcast? We are approaching the one-year mark since we have launched our podcast. Listen to today's podcast to learn what the future holds and the bonus segment that has four keys needed to grow as a leader. These keys will help you to learn more so that you can grow more which will accelerate your success in whatever you do.  If you receive value...

#32 -Today on Z Rated Success, I share with you initiatives you can take on how to lead when your boss won't. In this episode, I help you recognize the importance of leading yourself first, define your job's expectations, and how you can use these concepts to develop influence without overstepping, all while keeping your motives aligned with the actions you want to represent.     “Unders...

#31- How much is your time really worth? In today's episode Nick Zizi, shares proven time management strategies to maximize your life by maximizing your time. Every second, every minute that goes by will never be replenished. Making your time count is making your life count. Listen now. If you receive value, please consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving a review. Contact: info@nickzizi.co...

#30-  What do stress, zebras, and teachers have in common? It's not what you think. Did you know that stress is the number one reason why teachers quit? In episode #30, Nick Zizi shares how to cope with stress like a zebra. You will learn seven sure-fire ways to reduce and manage stress. Don't let another day go by letting stress take over your life.  If you receive value, consider subsc...

Ep #29 - What strategies are you employing as an educator to meet your students’ needs? For your students to be successful, you have to engage different appropriate strategies that work for each of your students.  Culturally responsive teaching is using the cultural knowledge, prior experience, and performance styles of diverse students to make learning more effective and appropriate. It is essent...

Ep #28 - Are you frustrated with the lack of parent involvement? In this episode, Nick Zizi shares five sure fire ways you can boost parent engagement. Studies show that students do better when parents are involved in their education. Contact Nick: www.zratedsuccess.com Join our Facebook group for zebra educators  here: www.facebook.com/groups/zebraeducators We lift as we climb.  Learn more about...

#27 - Do you have any disengaged students in your virtual classroom? Do you have any students who are MIA? In this episode, Nick Zizi shares some of the very best strategies you can use today to engage your students. Virtual learning is difficult because we don’t have the face to face interaction. But there are ways to maximize learning to increase engagement of the disengaged.  Please consider su...

#26 - Educators light the path. We help our students see the possibilities. Just imagine for a moment how many students you have imparted wisdom with over the years. Your words, your example have left an indelible mark in their lives. In episode 26, Nick Zizi shares three keys plus a powerful exercise that you can do with your students to help them dream big. All progress begins with the ability t...

#25- Did you know that most people fail to achieve their New Year's Resolutions? Setting a new goal doesn't mean you will be guaranteed success to achieve it. There are three powerful steps that I call the three Ps that will enable you to stick with your goals throughout the year. Better yet, you will have a greater chance of achieving your goals this year by following these three surefi...

#24- Have you thought of a way to engage your students by getting to know what they want? How about asking them questions to understand them so you can better make the needed change.  Business Professionals of America (BPA) is a career and technical student organization that’s been around for about 53 years. They focus on business, marketing, entrepreneurship, digital communications, and IT.  BPA...

#23 - Do you ever find it challenging to stay positive when your students may not be performing at their best? Staying positive in a negative world can be very challenging. It won't happen automatically. Think of a garden that is left untended. Over a short period of time, the weeds will begin to take over and will destroy the garden. Our minds are like a garden. As educators, people of influ...

#22- The 3 Rs of an Attitude of Gratitude.  Do you want to be happier? Do you want to build strong relationships? There are so many benefits of having an attitude of gratitude. Just imagine you can better cope with adversity when you are grateful. In this episode, you will learn the 3 Rs that will not only make a powerful impact in your life but also in the lives of your students and everyone else...