ClassCast Podcast -- Ep.042 -- Joe Pizzo -- 47 Year Veteran Teacher & AMLE 2020 Educator of the Year

Ep.042 -- Joe Pizzo -- 47 Year Veteran Teacher & AMLE 2020 Educator of the Year

9/24/2020

ClassCast Podcast Episode 042 features Joe Pizzo, the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) 2020 National Educator of the Year, sharing his thoughts about education, progress, project-based learning, classroom dynamics, and much, much more as he begins his remarkable 47th year teaching middle school English in Chester, New Jersey. Joe talks with host Ryan Tibbens about adjusting to pandemic conditions, supporting young teachers, creating "real world" and project-based opportunities for students, publishing, and more -- including why he hasn't retire yet! Joe is one of the busiest people we've met on the ClassCast Podcast, from winning multiple state and national level awards to serving on professional organizations' boards, from teaching middle school and college to volunteering with the Boy Scouts of America and at his local church. In this wide-ranging, intimate conversation, Joe shares what keeps him motivated, how to connect with students, and even why a comfort note or sincere consolation can help someone through personal tragedy and loss. Given that 50% of teachers leave the profession within five years and that the national average career length is currently around 14 years (and dropping steadily in recent decades), Joe Pizzo offers a refreshing look at what makes teaching great and why great teachers stick around.

Check out some of his students' published writings: Project Moirai and Entre Dos Mundos.

You can contact Joe on Twitter at @ProfJPizzo and via his LinkedIn.

Table of Contents

0:00 - 7:40 -- Intro/Why Not Retire?
7:46 - 17:39 -- Changes during 47 Year Career?
17:40 - 24:15 -- Pandemics & Tough Discussions in School
24:30 - 32:25 -- Joseph Pizzo: the Student & Young Teacher
32:26 - 36:15 -- Advice for Young Teachers (continued below)
36:16 - 43:57 -- A Case Study in Patient, Persistent Education
44:07 - 53:44 -- Pizzo's Ideal School (plus Standardized Testing & Accountability)
53:45 - 1:01:12 -- 9/11 Ceremony & Project-Based Learning
1:01:13 - 1:02:33 -- Advice for Young Teachers (continued)
1:02:33 - 1:04:06 -- PBL & Real World Opportunities
1:04:15 - 1:07:23 -- AMLE 2020 Educator of the Year
1:07:24 - 1:11:54 -- Power Skills, Soft Skills, & Personal Development
1:11:54 - 1:25:00 -- Book & Movie Recommendations
1:25:00 - 1:32:18 -- Writing Can Change Everything & Comfort Notes
1:32:18 - 1:39:40 -- Final Thoughts

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