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 grades
• Student feedback surveys
• Classroom cleanup and organization
• Documenting student and professional success
• Reflective teaching practices
• Recognizing colleagues and collaborators
• Writing a message to your future self

7 summer PD ideas to fuel your growth

• Read a professional or personal development book
• Try 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-credentials
• Redesign curriculum with UDL or SEL integration
• Take time to relax, recharge, and rediscover your "why"

Resources & Mentions:

• Edcamp New Jersey – August 14, 2025 at Monmouth University
• House of #EdTech podcast
• Start with Why by Simon Sinek
• Education Podcast Network
• Canva for Education
• Padlet

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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.

Many 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.

Successful administrators clearly define their mission and values and communicate them consistently to staff and students. Transparency fosters trust and alignment within the school community.

• Engage 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.

Delegation is crucial in preventing burnout. Effective administrators prioritize instructional leadership and delegate operational tasks to assistant principals, counselors, or department heads when possible.

• Recognize and celebrate achievements.
• Support teacher growth through mentorship and professional development.
• Promote student engagement by encouraging extracurricular participation.

• Set 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.

Leaning 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.

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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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.