A student once told me they’d “worry about their future in 12 years.”

This episode is about why that mindset is exactly why CTE teachers do what we do — and why the lessons that matter most often get ignored until it’s almost too late.

We talk about teaching beyond projects and grades, preparing students for real clients, real bosses, real pressure, and real crossroads. It’s about protecting students from learning everything the hardest way, even when they don’t realize we’re doing it.

I also share how I use AI — not as a shortcut or replacement — but as a way to simulate real-world situations inside a classroom, helping students practice professional communication, career paths, and decision-making before the stakes are real.

If you’ve ever tried to warn students about what’s coming — and watched them laugh it off — this episode is for you.

Finally, PD that’s personal.

After 23 years of teaching art and design, I faced the most disengaged, unbothered, creativity-resistant group of students I’ve ever had. Basic figure drawing? Nope. Participation? Hard pass. Failing? Totally fine by them.

In this episode, I’m telling the full story — the frustration, the accountability pressure, the moment halfway through the second marking period when I realized I wasn’t just failing one student… I was failing twelve.

But it’s also about the shift. The moment I realized this wasn’t about transforming the kids — it was about protecting my program, my sanity, and my job. With documentation, clearer structure, and a surprising ally: ChatGPT.

You’ll hear how AI helped me break assignments down, communicate professionally (even when I was not feeling professional), and build a system that kept the year from completely derailing.

And yes — we end with why this year feels so much better.

If you’ve ever had a class that drained your soul, this one’s for you. And if you haven’t yet… buckle up. Your time is coming.

Keep creating—because this is finally PD that’s personal.

Steven shares the story of how ChatGPT and Base44 became essential tools for teaching intuitive cooking. This episode explores how AI prompts, structured learning, and conversational guidance can turn complex techniques into simple, approachable steps. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at how modern tools can elevate the way we teach, learn, and practice culinary skills at home. Checkout the app - www.cookingwithskillet.com - Still has a long way to go, but its a great start!

In this episode, we dig into one of the most exhausting and misunderstood parts of teaching: modifying lessons for 504 and IEP students. Instead of pretending it’s a “quick” task, we get real about the pressure, the paperwork, and the way new CTE teachers often get blindsided by their first big meeting.

I share the moment everything changed for me — the near-disaster that pushed me toward Universal Design for Learning, reverse planning, and building a structure that actually supports students and protects teachers.

You’ll hear a real example of how a clear, step-by-step workflow saved me in a tough meeting, and how building systems up front can stop you from scrambling later.

Most importantly, we talk about why this matters on a human level: reducing panic, increasing clarity, and helping teachers breathe again when student needs get heavy.

The episode ends with a simple, practical action step you can try tomorrow to make your lessons clearer, more accessible, and easier to adapt — without adding hours to your workload.

If you’re a new teacher, a CTE teacher, or anyone trying to keep your head above water with accommodations and planning, this one’s for you.

Keep creating—because this is finally PD that’s personal.

In this special episode, I’m bringing you behind the scenes of a presentation I gave to graduate students at the University of Pennsylvania — a room full of future teachers wrestling with the fear, excitement, and chaos of AI in education.

If you don’t know my story, here’s the short version: I’m a dyslexic CTE teacher who can barely spell “accommodations,” yet somehow AI became the most powerful tool I’ve ever used in the classroom.

In this episode, I share:

• the real backstory I told U. Penn students
• how AI helped me overcome a lifelong writing struggle
• the mindset shift: AI isn’t cheat — it’s chat
• how I build a full one-week project in minutes
• why AI makes teaching more human, not less
• and how ANY teacher can use AI to make life easier

This isn’t a tech demo. This is a human conversation about burnout, creativity, and finding confidence again.

And yes — the presentation itself was turned into this podcast episode using AI… because that’s the whole point.

Keep creating—because this is finally PD that’s personal.

This episode walks CTE teachers through how to take a single project idea — starting with the prompt “I want to create a…” — and build it into a complete one-week, eight-hour lesson plan. Listeners learn how to structure each day, create admin-ready documentation, and build student-friendly materials like vocabulary lists, quizzes, and rubrics.

The episode ties back to the previous one (“Using the Task List to Plan the Year”), showing how to move from long-term planning to classroom-ready execution.

Planning your CTE year doesn’t have to start with a blank calendar. In this episode, host Steven Bross breaks down how to turn your program task list into a full-year plan that actually works — from estimating time per task to creating a natural flow from beginner to advanced.

You’ll learn how to:

• Organize your task list into teachable chunks
• Estimate how long it really takes to cover each skill
• Build a clear path for multi-year or single-year programs
• Map out your course calendar with real instructional hours
• Set up your systems and routines before the content begins
• Use ChatGPT to streamline every step of the planning process

Whether you’re a brand-new instructor or a seasoned teacher ready to simplify, this episode will help you plan with confidence — and maybe even get your weekends back.

Restorative practices don’t have to mean circles, scripts, or forced conversations that don’t fit your class culture. In this episode, I share how using AI chat reshaped my approach to community, accountability, and trust — not by replacing relationships, but by helping me build them better.

From co-writing class expectations to running critiques, organizing student leadership, and even producing podcasts with my students — AI became a quiet partner in helping me connect with them on their terms while still holding space for growth and responsibility.

If you’ve ever felt like restorative practices didn’t fit your teaching style, this episode might give you a new way in — one that feels real, creative, and true to who you are as a teacher.

Keep creating — because this is finally PD that’s personal.