South Allegheny Tech-Cast

00:00 - Introduction & Welcome

01:15 - Arianna’s Journey to Education

02:25 - Setting Up the Classroom & First Day Feels

03:45 - Life as an SA Alumna & High School Memories

05:15 - Covid Interrupted

08:10 - Student Becomes the Coworker

09:40 - Building a Thinking Classroom in 6th Grade Math

13:15 - Finding the Tech vs. Traditional Math Balance

15:45 - Go-To Apps & Mentor Teacher Shoutouts

19:00 - Hobbies Outside the Classroom

20:50 - The Rapid-Fire Question Round!

24:05 - Wrap-Up & How Staff Can Get Involved 

In this episode of the South Allegheny Tech-Cast, host Jeffrey Nobili sits down with Arianna Ewing, a first-year 6th-grade math teacher and South Allegheny alumna. Arianna shares her unique journey to education - from initially studying political science to discovering her passion for middle school math at Slippery Rock University - and what it feels like to step back into her hometown district as an educator and assistant cheerleading coach.

The conversation dives deep into modern classroom instruction and technology integration:

• Building a Thinking Classroom: Arianna explains how she fosters collaborative, multi-approach problem-solving so students learn math in ways that suit their individual learning styles.

• Balancing Tech & Traditional Learning: The two discuss finding the right balance between digital platforms (like Aleks, Canvas, Blooket, and Canva) and hands-on methods like whiteboards, pencil, and paper.

• Personal Journey & Insights: Arianna reflects on how her high school years were impacted by COVID-19, how she adapted in college, and the supportive community among SA's newest group of teachers.

The episode wraps up with a fun Rapid-Fire Round covering everything from her first MacBook and favorite movies (Matilda and Harry Potter) to her take on whether a hot dog is a sandwich.

0:00 Introduction and Welcome to a Special Edition of the South Allegheny Tech-Cast. Part 1 of this discussion focuses on the South Allegheny Gladiator Academy Cyber Program.

1:21 Platforms: Accelerate and Buzz

2:28 Daily Student Expectations 

4:51 What if Student have Program Issues?

6:51 Video Conferencing: Google Meet

8:11 Student Technology Troubleshooting  

10:36 Wrapping Up: Coursework

11:36 Wrapping Up: Google Meet

11:56 Wrapping Up: Student Issues

12:36 Cyber Program Coffee and Conversation with Mr. Michael

13:20 Mr. Michael Contact Information

13:50 Thank You and Part 2 Coming Soon!

Title: South Allegheny Tech Cast: Gladiator Academy Cyber Program

Description: Welcome to Part 1 of a special two-part series on the South Allegheny Tech Cast! Host Jeffrey Nobili is joined by Chuck Michael, Director of Special Education and Principal of the South Allegheny Gladiator Academy, to break down everything students and families need to know to succeed in the district's cyber program.

Tune in as they discuss:

• Platforms & Tools: How students use Buzz (Accelerated Education) and Google Suite to access coursework, view assignments, and stay connected.

• Daily Expectations: What a typical asynchronous day looks like, including the requirement to average 2.5 hours of daily work for attendance.

• Parent Involvement: How parents can log in using Skyward information to monitor progress, view assignments, and receive auto-CC'd emails.

• Support & Communication: Tips for reaching out to teachers, mandatory weekly Google Meet wellness checks, and who to contact for technical support

• Upcoming Event: Details on the October 28th "Coffee & Conversation" open house at the Gladiator Academy!

Whether you're establishing daily routines or troubleshooting login issues, this episode makes online learning clear, organized, and manageable.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where we take a deep dive into the IEP process, procedures, and responsibilities. Don't forget to subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube!

0:00 -  Welcome & Introduction

1:36 - The Gladiator Gauntlet

2:30 - First Year Impressions

3:34 - Building Rapport & “Normal”

5:10 - Integration the District Framework into Life Skills classrooms

6:45 - Finding Balance with Technology

9:45 - Joining South Allegheny

11:50 - Getting to Know Grace

14:00 - Rapid-Fire Question Round

17:05 - Wrap-Up & How to connect with the SA Tech-Cast

Season 2, Episode 1: Welcome to Season 2 with Grace Bradley

Welcome back to the South Allegheny Tech Cast! Host Jeffrey Nobili kicks off Season 2 by stepping out of the server room and sitting down with one of South Allegheny’s newest educators, Grace Bradley - a first-year Middle School Life Skills teacher.

In this episode, Grace shares her journey into special education, the chaos and excitement of setting up her first classroom, and how she connects the district’s "Framework for the Future" directly to her students' daily lives. They dive into the reality of technology in the classroom - discussing the crucial balance between digital tools and paper-and-pencil learning - and her first impressions of South Allegheny's impressive facilities.

Stick around until the end for a lively rapid-fire round covering everything from podcast favorites and wedding planning to hot dogs, music, and the one app she’d delete forever!

00:00 -  Introduction & Welcome

01:18 - Jenna’s Gladiator Gauntlet

02:45 - The Story of the Podcasting Studio

04:13 - 25 Years of Educational Evolution

05:22 - Why We Still Show Up

06:13 - Balancing Screen Time.

07:45 - The Role of Director of Innovation

09:15 - The Shift to "Durable Skills"

10:23 - Exciting New Grants & Campus Upgrades

12:51 - Transitioning Roles

14:10 - Changing Campus Spaces

15:40 - The Kindness Campaign

17:16 - Student-Led Onboarding

22:00 - Rapid Fire Round

25:32 - Outro & How to Get Involved

In this episode of the South Allegheny Tech Cast, host Jeffrey Nobili steps out of the server room and sits down with a true powerhouse of the South Allegheny community: Jenna Whitney, the Director of Innovation and Digital Learning. From her roots growing up in the SA community to her 25-year journey from a middle school science teacher to a central administrative leader, Jenna shares how education has evolved from textbook-heavy learning to hands-on, project-based experiences.

Jeff and Jenna pull back the curtain on:

• The Origin of the Podcast Studio: How a simple professional development trip turned into a Moonshot grant and the creation of SA's very own podcasting spaces.

• Balancing Technology: Why tech should be viewed as a tool to make life easier rather than just a source of screen time.

• The "Framework for the Future": Why the district is shifting away from calling collaboration and communication "soft skills" and instead focusing on them as "durable skills" that stand the test of time.

• New Initiatives on Campus: Exciting details on the brand-new welcoming lobby project and a $30,000 ceramics lab grant featuring indoor/outdoor spaces and community classes.

• Cultivating Empathy: How the student-led "Kindness Campaign" and the new student onboarding program are changing how new Gladiators feel welcomed on day one.

• Stick around until the end for a hilarious "Rapid Fire" round where Jenna weighs in on the great hot dog debate, nostalgia for the Century III Mall, why she wants to delete Snapchat, and her love for 90s hip-hop!

* Intro/Outro music by Travis Nobili (AARCAUDIO)

*Recorded at the South Allegheny School District Gladiators Podcast Studio

00:00 - Introduction & Welcome

01:35 - The Gladiator Gauntlet: Mr. Michael’s Journey into Education

04:05 - Why Special Education?

05:35 - What Keeps Him Excited Every Day

06:00 - Moving Away from "Teaching to the Test"

07:42 - The Evolution of EdTech 

09:21 - Finding the "Sweet Spot" in Tech

09:50 - Looking Ahead: The Next 5 to 10 Years in Education

11:50 - South Allegheny’s Framework for the Future

14:16 - Missing the Classroom & Serving as a Lifeline

15:52 - Sports, Faith, Family, and Community

16:55 - The Rapid Fire Round!

19:40 - Outro & How to Listen

Episode SummaryAfter a short break, the South Allegheny Tech Cast is back! In this episode, host Jeffrey Nobili steps out of the server room and sits down with Mr. Chuck Michael, SA's Director of Special Education and the leader behind the Gladiator Academy.

Chuck shares his unique journey into education - from a former coal miner’s son guided into teaching, to a seasoned principal, to finding his true passion in special education administration. Together, Jeff and Chuck tackle the big questions facing modern schools: 

• How do we find the perfect "sweet spot" for technology without letting it become a classroom distraction? 

• What does a future without standardized testing look like? 

• And how is South Allegheny's Framework for the Future preparing students with the actual life skills they need to succeed?

• Stick around until the end for a rapid-fire round where Chuck reveals his favorite movies, his thoughts on The Oregon Trail, and his absolute deal-breakers for airplane seating!

Plug in with us and discover where the future is taking our Gladiators!

• Follow the show: Don't forget to subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube so you never miss an episode!

• Connect with us: Have feedback or want to be a guest? Reach out and let's talk tech, school, and life!

* Intro/Outro music by Travis Nobili (AARCAUDIO)

*Recorded at the South Allegheny School District Gladiators Podcast Studio

00:00 - Introduction & Welcome student guests: Anthony, Ryan, Gino, and Ryder from the SA Middle School Podcast, Between the Bells

01:20 - The Story Behind "Between the Bells"

02:18 - Tech vs. Paper: How Seventh Graders Prefer to Learn

04:30 - Math in the age of digital learning

06:10 - Tech Directors for a Day

07:15 - Dream Podcast Guests: Local and Celebrity

09:00 - Sports Talk & The GOAT Debate

10:15 - Looking to the Future: 8th Grade and Beyond

11:00 - Podcast goals for audience

12:15 - Future plans for our middle school panel

13:35 - The Rapid Fire Round

17:30 - Words of Wisdom & Outro

What happens when the students become the guests? In this episode of the South Allegheny Tech cast, host Jeffrey Nobili steps out of the server room and into the high school's Gladiator Studios to welcome four very special guests: seventh graders Anthony, Ryan, Gino, and Ryder. As the masterminds behind their own middle school podcast, Between the Bells, these students are used to asking the questions—but today, they are in the hot seat.

Tune in as the boys give their brutally honest takes on:

• The Reality of Modern Classrooms: A candid debate on why some of them still prefer traditional paper and notebooks over digital devices, and how instant digital grading takes away all the suspense.

• Tech Directors for a Day: The unanimous, laugh-out-loud demand they have for the district's technology department (hint: it involves the Wi-Fi).

• Dream Guests & Ultimate Debates: From wanting to interview world leaders and sports icons like Shohei Ohtani to settling the eternal Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James debate.

• "Ancient" Tech Trivia: A hilarious Rapid Fire Round where the boys try to decipher what a fax machine is and what it actually means to "burn a CD".

The future is bright for our Gladiators! From future crane operators and military officers to engineers and shoe entrepreneurs, these seventh graders prove that South Allegheny students are thinking big, chasing dreams, and leading the conversation.

Listen now! 

*Recorded at the South Allegheny School District Gladiators Podcast Studio

* Intro/Outro music by Travis Nobili (AARCAUDIO)

00:00 - Introduction

01:00 - The Gladiator Gauntlet: Laura’s Career Journey

03:30 - Then vs. Now: The Era of Neighborhood Schools

06:20 - Finding Purpose: What Keeps an Educator Excited?

07:45 - Getting Students in Front of Employers

09:50 - Building the Workforce Development Program

14:30 - Speaking the Language of Workforce

16:45 - Connecting Gladiators to Opportunities

19:40 - "Power Skills" and Alternative Paths to Success

22:30 – Local Partnerships and High-Paying Careers

24:45 – Technology’s Role in the Modern Classroom

27:32 – What’s Next? Laura’s Retirement Plans

31:00 – Rapid Fire Round!

34:10 – Outro & Final Remarks

In this episode of the South Allegheny Tech Cast, host Jeffrey Nobili steps out of the server room and into the main podcast studio to sit down with a true district legend, Laura Thompson. After an incredible 33-year career at South Allegheny—spanning roles from second-grade teacher and PR director to her current position as Workforce Development Coordinator—Laura is officially entering retirement.

Tune in as Laura shares fascinating stories from the early days of neighborhood schools, discusses how she built a wildly successful workforce program from the ground up, and explains why "power skills" like loyalty and attendance matter just as much as a high school transcript. We also dive into the evolution of classroom technology, preview her upcoming retirement adventures (including biking across Idaho and working with the zoo), and put her on the spot with our rapid-fire lightning round. It’s a heartfelt, insightful conversation celebrating a career very well spent!

*Recorded at the South Allegheny School District Gladiators Podcast Studio

* Intro/Outro music by Travis Nobili (AARCAUDIO)

00:00 – Introduction

01:15 – Joanne’s Journey to Education

03:30 – Finding a Home at South Allegheny

05:25 – From Ditto Machines to ChatGPT

06:47 – What Drives a Kindergarten Teacher?

07:45 – Balancing Technology with Tactile Learning

10:45 - The youngest learners adapting in a world of short attention spans

11:40 – Framework for the Future & "Collaborating" with our youngest learners

13:50 – When the Wi-Fi Drops: Pivoting with Play-Doh

15:00 – Joanne’s Educational Magic Wand

16:30 – Retirement Plans & August Expectations

18:30 – Rapid Fire Round!

21:40 – Outro & Final Reflections

Episode Description: On this episode of the South Allegheny Techcast, host Jeffrey Nobili sits down with retiring kindergarten teacher Joanne Cloherty. Reflecting on an incredible 33-year career at South Allegheny, Joanne shares her journey from a PR major to the classroom, how teaching has evolved from ditto machines to ChatGPT, and the fine balance of introducing technology to our youngest learners. Plus, don't miss a hilarious Rapid Fire round where she reveals her true feelings about Canvas!

Congratulations to Joanne on her retirement!

*Recorded on location at the South Allegheny Elementary School Studio

*Intro/Outro music by Travis Nobili (ARCAUDIO).

00:00 Introduction 

01:08 Gladiator Gauntlet: The Early Days of Ed-Tech 

02:45 Flipped Maps & Overhead Projectors

03:35 Still Getting Excited to Teach

04:05 Virtual Labs & Budget Hacks 

05:09 Light Bulb Moment

05:50 Adapting to the TikTok Era 

07:04 The Magic Wand: Grading 

08:30 Next Stop: September Vacation 

10:12 Rapid Fire Segment 

12:35 Closing Thoughts & A Big Thank You 

In this retirement special of the South Allegheny Tech-Cast, host Jeffrey Nobili sits down with veteran SAHS Science Teacher Joy Wyler as she wraps up a remarkable 29-year teaching career (including 27 years as a Gladiator!). Mrs. Wyler looks back at her education journey, tracing the massive evolution of educational tech from the days of word processors and threading film projectors to today's virtual labs and short-form video clips. She shares how virtual tools helped bypass budget limitations to create memorable "light bulb moments" for students, reveals the one non-teaching task she wishes she had a magic wand to fix, and shares her exciting plans to finally take a vacation in September. 

We congratulate Mrs. Wyler on her retirement from South Allegheny, thank her for all of her incredible work with our Gladiators, and wish her and all her fellow retirees the best as their calendars become more clear! 

Listen now and find out exactly where the future is taking our Gladiators!

* Intro/Outro music by Travis Nobili (AARCAUDIO)

*Recorded at the South Allegheny School District Gladiators Podcast Studio

00:00 - Welcome & Introductions

02:00 - Communication & the 110-Person Chat

03:29 - Tech vs. Paper: The One-to-One Environment

05:10 - Tech-Free Memories

07:00 - Digital Headaches & Changing Platforms

09:05 - The Digital Time Capsule

11:40 - Real-World Skills & AI Fears

14:00 - Pro-Tips for Freshmen

16:25 - Future Horizons & Rapid Fire

22:15 - Final Thoughts & Sign-OffIn this graduation special episode of the South Allegheny Tech-Cast, host Jeffrey Nobili sits down with the 2026 Senior Class Officers: Taylor, Ayla, Isaac, and Addison. The student leaders pull back the curtain on digital life at South Allegheny, sharing the reality of managing a 110-person class group chat on Snapchat , their nostalgic love for physical pen and paper , and how they are navigating the onset of AI. They offer indispensable tech survival tips for incoming freshmen , reveal their future career plans , and face off in a rapid-fire "this or that" finale.

Congratulations to the South Allegheny Class of 2026! We cannot see what you all bring to the world!

* Intro/Outro music by Travis Nobili (AARCAUDIO)

*Recorded at the South Allegheny School District Gladiators Podcast Studio