In this Season 2 premiere of The Educator Experience, I sit down with industry professor and marketing powerhouse Paul Tedesco to talk about something close to both our hearts: the overlooked brilliance of sessional instructors.

With over 30 years in marketing and more than a decade teaching at McMaster’s DeGroote School of Business, Paul shares the winding journey from agency life to academia—along with the barriers, breakthroughs, and quiet contributions sessionals make every day. From navigating the lack of onboarding to pushing for official recognition as “industry professors,” Paul opens up about what it means to truly be seen—and how institutions can better engage this underutilized group.

We explore:

• Why real-world experience in the classroom matters more than ever
• How institutions can better support and collaborate with sessionals
• The power of community, alumni engagement, and… improv?

Whether you're a sessional instructor yourself or someone who works alongside them, this conversation shines a light on the passion, resilience, and potential of the educators who often fly under the radar—but deserve a seat at the table.