That "CTE" Guy - CHAT-CTE: Finally—PD That’s Personal

In the first full episode of Season 2, I share the story of wiping the slate clean—twenty-three years of curriculum, archived on a drive—and how I rebuilt from scratch with the help of a custom GPT assistant and restorative practice training. From faster planning to deeper connections with students, this is what it looks like when a teacher steps out of the comfort zone and into something new.

After 23 years of playing it safe, I pulled the plug on my old curriculum and started fresh. Why? Because CTE students—and the world they’re stepping into—are changing faster than ever. In this new season of Chat-CTE, I’m diving into what happens when you reset, rethink, and let AI + creativity help us build classrooms that actually meet students where they are. Ten minutes, one teacher’s brain dump at a time.

In this raw and reflective episode of CHAT-CTE, I get honest about what burnout really looks like after 22 years in the classroom.

When I realized I was just going through the motions—and my students were too—I did something drastic: I threw out my entire curriculum. What followed was a complete reset of how I teach, how I connect, and how I take care of myself as an art and design educator.

What happens when you’re the only shop teacher in the building? No team meetings. No pacing guides. Just you, 30 kids, and a buzzing classroom full of projects and potential. In this heartfelt episode, we unpack the emotional weight and everyday hustle of teaching solo—whether you're in art, auto, culinary, or cosmetology.

From daily chaos to creative wins, this one’s for every trade teacher running a one-person program. We share practical survival tips, mental health check-ins, and the importance of finding (or forming) your crew. Because even if you're teaching alone, you don't have to feel alone.

So, you’ve got 30 students, no curriculum, and a pile of state standards staring at you. Sound familiar? Welcome to the first week of teaching a trade. But what if you had a planning assistant that never sleeps and actually listens? That’s where AI comes in—and today, we’re gonna show you how to use it without losing your shop vibe.

In this debut episode of CHAT-CTE—Finally, PD That’s Personal—we explore the emotional and professional journey every trade teacher walks: the 5-Year Arc. From white-knuckling your first lessons to reinventing your program a decade in, this episode unpacks the real stages of CTE teaching: Survival, Emerging Confidence, Burnout Risk, and Reinvention.

Whether you're new to the classroom or deep into your legacy years, this is your permission slip to reflect, breathe, and grow. With real talk, story-driven insights, and a touch of sarcasm, this episode is for anyone trying to teach a trade while staying human.

Like what you hear? Leave a review, hit that follow button, and share your story—because you're not just teaching a skill, you're shaping a future.

"Finally—PD that’s personal. In this trailer episode, we’re setting the stage for what’s coming: real talk, real tools, real survival strategies for CTE teachers who are building futures (and occasionally birdhouses out of duct tape and good intentions). Meet your host, hear why AI is now a trusted sidekick, and get ready for professional development that actually fits your shop floor life. Subscribe now—and let’s build something better together."