Listen Now

#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 foundation of family Consumer Sciences. Members enjoy the Competitive Events Program because it allows them to actively use what they learn in the classroom in the real world and also encompasses all of the organization’s elements.  Hunter explains why it is important for educators to understand and relate with their teenage students to make them feel recognized and form mutual respect. Listen in to learn why it is important for you as a teenager to have integrity while being completely yourself.  Key Moments: ·       [0:35] Hunter defines FCCLA and how he got involved with the organization.  ·       [1:21] Why the competitive events program is the most enjoyed in the FCCLA.  ·       [2:51] How to relate to teenagers and form mutual respect as an educator.  ·       [4:19] How to effectively make a difference as a team member as you allow leaders to take charge.  ·       [6:29] How to be your full self as a teenager, plus how Hunter became his true self.  ·       [8:22] The importance of finding people who resonate with you as a teenager. Quote: “Do the right thing when no one’s watching, and if you’re not able to do what you want to do when someone’s watching, then you’re not able to be yourself.”- Hunter [6:33] Relevant Links: Website: https://fcclainc.org Contact Hunter:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hunter.prinz/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FCCLAPresident Contact Nick: Website: https://nickzizi.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/nickzizi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickzizi/?hl=en

#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 put you in a better position to succeed in the new school year. If you receive value, please consider subscribing and leaving a review.Contact Nick:info@nickzizi.comwww.instagram.com/nickzizi 

#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 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickzizi/?hl=en Let’s continue the conversation in our Facebook group. Join our dazzle of educators from around the country here https://facebook.com/groups/zebraeducators

#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, please consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving a review. Contact: info@nickzizi.comwww.zratedsuccess.com 

#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.     “Understand this, you are a problem solver” “Your credibility is developed through your competence” “Your work will be evaluated with only you in mind” “Honor the position, even if the person leading isn’t doing his/her job well”   TIMESTAMPS: [00:40] How to lead when your boss won’t/can’t [01:46] Lead ourselves first [02:52] Leadership is about solving problems [03:14] What are the expectations of your job? [05:01] Your work will be evaluated with only you in mind [06:05] Developing your influence  [07:42] Do what you need to get the job done  [09:00] What can you do without overstepping to get the job done? [10:19] The Don’ts [11:24] Check your motives [12:54] What you should do [14:17] What to do if change is not possible [15:16] Recap [15:51] Outro Contact: info@nickzizi.comwww.zratedsuccess.com  

#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.comwww.zratedsuccess.com Show Notes: In this episode, we're going to discuss the true value of time and proven time management strategies that you can implement today to get the most from your time.   How much is your time worth?    [1:08]  They've said I don't like wasting time because time is money. The truth is time isn't money. We need to change our philosophy, our mindset, our understanding of time management that time isn't money; time is not equated to money.   What is time really worth?  [1:35]  It's worth everything. It is priceless. There's no price tag that you can put on your time.  [2:56]   When you think about time, you've got to think about it more than just money. So managing your time is managing your life.    What is really important for you?   [3:30]   Is it working two jobs? Is it working your main job, and you have two side hustles? Is it you spending hours and perhaps even countless hours and days away from your family where you don't have that quality time with your children, with your spouse? Is that what it is? Or is there more to it?   [4:11]   If we spend our entire lives work more hours, working hard, we'll never have time to spend or invest in the lives of the people we love. Just keep in mind that time management is life management.  Strategies to help you manage your life and time better   [4:45]   The first strategy is to plan your day. It's been said that if you fail to plan, you're planning to fail. If you fail to plan your day, you're planning to have an unproductive day.   [7:20]   And when you're working on that plan, you have a list of tasks you have to do. These are things that you want to get done that day, and you work on it. You want to make sure that you work from top to bottom.   [8:02]   Time wasted is life wasted. If someone wants to waste their lives, the way you do it is by wasting your time.   [11:51]   Teach people how to treat you.    [13:10]   The second strategy is to prioritize. Use the 80 20 principles. 20 principle is a popularized term for discovery by an Italian economist named Vilfredo Pareto. he Notice that 80% of the wealth and income was produced, possessed by 20% of the population, but he also noticed the rule in many other places, like 80% of his garden peas were produced by 20% of the plants. So what does this mean? Think about the 20% of the tasks that you do or the things you do, which account for 80% of the results you have in your life or the results you want to see in your life. [15:17]   Focus on those you prioritize. Focus on the 20% that accounts for the 80%. This will change the game for you as it relates to your time management.  [19:02]    The next strategy is to say no. You don't have to say yes to every request. Learn to say no to the things that you can't do.   For the complete show notes email info@nickzizi.com with the subject line "show notes"

#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 subscribing and sharing with a friend. Contact Nick:info@nickzizi.comwww.zratedsuccess.com 

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 essentially teaching to and through the student. The educator makes sure that the instructional strategies and methodologies that you’re using are going to help the student be successful- you make it about the student and not you. This method helps educators meet the needs of their students, which goes beyond instructions but building and maintaining relationships with them and their families. Teachers need to identify the cultural background of their students and understand the processes that are going to work to meet their needs. You have to use different things to ensure all students’ needs are met and that they become successful. Learn the concept of meeting all your students where they are by engaging appropriate strategies that they understand. You have to look at your students’ cultural knowledge, the experiences they bring, and then add spice to it so they understand and perform at their highest level.  Stop being afraid of your students so your strategies can work! Dr. Shonta explains how as an educator, you can get to know your students and effectively build and maintain relationships with them. She also gives some tips on how to approach lesson planning to give your student and yourself ownership of the time available.  Key Moments:  [1:54] Defining culturally responsive teaching and its effectiveness.    [3:14] The importance of culturally responsive teaching in building and maintaining relationships between students and teachers.  [5:54] Dr. Shonta explains the importance of identifying and understanding your students. [7:55] How to use multiple different modalities to teach your students.  [8:13] Just teach! How to employ engaging strategies that your students understand.  [14:18] Why you should stop being fearful to be successful in teaching your students.  [16:47] The ways you can get to know your students and maintain relationships with them.  [20:19] She states a few things an educator should keep in mind when planning a lesson. [23:55] Why Dr. Shonta chose a path in education over any other career.  Quotes: ·       “What works for one student might not necessarily work for another student.”- Dr. Shonta [3:01] ·       “To be successful, you have to make sure you’re engaging in successful practices.”- Dr. Shonta [4:31] ·       “If you’re not experiencing success with the students, then what you’re doing is not effective and efficient.”- Dr. Shonta [12:49] Relevant Links: Website: https://www.drshontasmith.org/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrShontaSmithInternational Book: The Essence of Education by Dr. Shonta Smith  Contact Nick: Website: https://nickzizi.com/ Linkend: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-zizi-12a6aa8/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickzizi/?hl=enLet's continue the conversation in our Facebook group. Join our dazzle of educators from around the country here https://facebook.com/groups/zebraeducators  

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.comJoin our Facebook group for zebra educators  here: www.facebook.com/groups/zebraeducators We lift as we climb. 

#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 subscribing and sharing with a friend who needs to hear this episode if you receive value. Join our Facebook group for educators. Go to Facebook.com/groups/zebraeducators to join today. You will not learn from others in the field but also get support from zebras like yourself. We lift as we climb. Join today. Contact Nick Zizi www.nickzizi.com.

#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 to dream. If you receive value, consider subscribing to Z-Rated Success Podcast today. Join the dazzle here: Facebook.com/groups/zebraeducators Contact Nick:www.nickzizi.cominfo@nickzizi.com 

#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 surefire steps to have the best year ever. If you receive value, consider subscribing and leaving a review. Also, join our dazzle of educators across the nation here www.facebook.com/groups/zebraeducators Contact Nick:www.zratedsuccess.cominfo@nickzizi.com

#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 is a three-legged stool in the areas they focus which are; academic excellence, leadership development, and a community service component. Educators get to work with well-rounded and dedicated students preparing them for the future.  It is important to know what people need by asking questions to make an impact. Learn to keep your eyes and ears in the trends and align them with what people want to see in their lives.  Be the educator that asks their students what they want and then strategically implement their answers. The method of asking questions helps you understand what your students want to be able to meet them where they are and to engage them in the classroom.  Dr. Ross believes that leaders develop other leaders, which is her role as a servant leader. Leadership development at BPA is about those in leadership, developing others to be leaders.  There’s a need for student equity right now which will be solved by having ongoing conversations intentionally at the national level.  Key Moments: ·       [2:17] The lessons this pandemic has given us as teachers to continue being creative and committed. ·       [4:02] Dr. Ross defines BPA, what it does for students, and how to join. ·       [6:10] The benefits of the BPA program to educators.  ·       [5:48] Dr. Ross narrates how she came from executive leadership in nonprofits to finding a passion in education leadership at BPA. ·       [8:21] She explains how the idea of the ‘purpose to potential’ tagline at BPA came about.  ·       [10:36] How to bring change by raising questions to understand what’s affecting people.  ·       [12:17] Learn to ask your students to get their honest answers and to engage them.  ·       [15:47] Some of the events like conferences and summits they’ve had this year and the past years.  ·       [19:11] The meaning of true leadership in all areas of life.  ·       [21:17] How passion and resilience make educators stand out from others.  ·       [22:44] The importance of having intentional and continuous conversations about student equity to bring change.  ·       [24:48] Dr. Ross answers some random questions.  Contact Dr. Ross: Website: https://bpa.org LinkedIn:   Contact Nick: Website: https://nickzizi.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/nickzizi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickzizi/?hl=en   If you receive value, consider subscribing and leaving a review. Also, join our Facebook group for educators here: www.facebook.com/groups/zebraeducators

#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 influence we must remember that how and what we think affects every area of our lives. Focusing on fruits will not solve the problem. We must dig deep into the roots to make the changes from a seed thought level. If you receive value from today's episode please consider doing the following:1. Subscribe 2. Leave a review3. Join our Facebook Group for Educators www.facebook.com/groups/zebraeducators 

#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. If you receive value, please consider subscribing. Join the dazzle today, for more insights from educators across the country. Go to facebook.com/groups/zebraeducators Contact:info@nickzizi.comwww.zratedsuccess.com 

#21- Effective Behavior Management StrategiesDo you have any off-task students? Do you find correcting a misbehaving student challenging? In today's episode, Nick Zizi shares his best behavior management strategies that will yield instant results. The wrong approach will never produce the right results. If you receive value, please consider subscribing and sharing.Contact: www.nickzizi.com email: info@nickzizi.com 

#20- Have any of your students ever asked what's your political view? How did you answer? The election is still in the news. Emotions are high. The nation is split. As educators, we must show up for our students. Putting our heads in the sand is not showing up. In this episode, Nick Zizi shares what educators on both sides of the fence think about sharing their positions with their students and he also shares his personal take on the topic. Please share your thoughts with us in the group. Join our Facebook community Zebra Educators to continue the conversation here; facebook.com/groups/zebraeducators Contact Nickwww.zratedsuccess.com

#19- Do you find it hard to connect with your students online? It's already challenging enough to connect with them in person. Online makes it even more challenging. For the past few months, I have learned a few strategies that have helped me to better connect with my students online that I lay out in this episode. These simple but powerful strategies that any teacher, whether you are a veteran or just starting, can get immediate results in your classes. If you have received value from today's episode, please consider subscribing and leaving a review. Also, please share this with someone who needs to hear it. Join our Facebook group for educators today www.Facebook.com/groups/zebraeducators 

#18 - Storms come and go. It's a stormy time on a global, national, and local level. The educators who get on in this world all have one thing, one habit in common that set them apart from all the rest. In this episode, you will learn how to respond properly during this time that will enable you to be a stand-out educator. Please consider sharing today's episode with someone who needs to hear it and subscribing and leaving a five-star review if you receive value. Unleash You Zebra! 

#17- How to Manage It All: Doing What Matters Most Can you emulate a juggler and do more? Remember that the more you have to juggle, the more difficult it will be.We often find ourselves busy being busy which does not mean success.  You have to learn how to manage your time doing what matters most in your life not what doesn’t. Think of what matters most and focus on it.  The truth is that you cannot manage time, but you can manage your life to make it desirable to you. Time wasted is a life wasted! The three 3 Ps of time management: Plan and identify what you should work on and in this case, what matters most. The 80/20 rule: how 20 percent of what you do accounts to 80 percent of your results.  Prioritize- this means identifying the tasks or goals to do now, next, or never. We as teachers love to help and serve others, but we have to learn to say no and focus on what is important because time is limited. Perform: It is one thing to plan, but a completely different one to execute. Taking action will set you apart from other teachers and help you grow.  Balancing your home and work life is a challenge and it is important to cherish the season where you spend more time in one over the other.  Here are a few tips on how to create a home-work life balance: Ø  Share the vision of what you do with your family. Ø  Teach your children to work hard at school and at home.  Ø  Teach your children to love work by taking them to your work and allowing them to see what you do. Ø  Participate in career day in school. Ø  Bring positive stories of work heroes’ home. Ø  Be aware of what family members are doing and keep in touch. Ø  Involve your family in your work projects.  Key Moments: ·       [2:08] How to manage with concentration and effort like a juggler. ·       [4:41] The busy trap- being too busy for what is important in your life.  ·       [5:39] What matters most to you? How to manage your life, not time.  ·       [7:47] The importance of planning what you should work on. ·       [9:20] How to prioritize what you need to work on first, second, or never.  ·       [11:58] Learning to perform by focusing on what matters most.  ·       [14:37] Tips on how to create a home-work life balance.        Quotes: ·       “Managing your time is about doing what matters most.”- [5:31] ·       “We have to learn to say no to many of the requests that are made of us so that we can focus on what matters most.” [10:42] Let's continue the conversation with other zebra educators from around the nation. Join our Facebook group for educators today here: www.facebook.com/groups/zebraeducatorsContact Nick:www.nickzizi.com