

Teaching Python
Sean Tibor and Kelly Paredes
Welcome to "Teaching Python Podcast,” the go-to podcast for anyone interested in the intersection of education and coding. Hosted by Kelly Paredes and Sean Tibor, this podcast dives into the thrills and challenges of teaching middle school computer science through the engaging and versatile Python programming language.
About the Hosts:
Kelly Paredes brings a wealth of global experience in curriculum design and currently inspires sixth and eighth graders at Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Celebrating her seventh year of integrating Python into her teaching, Kelly has a knack for making complex concepts accessible and exciting.
Sean Tibor, a Senior Cloud Engineer at Mondelez International, draws from a rich background that spans marketing, database design, and digital agency leadership. Having taught Python to seventh and eighth graders at Pine Crest School, Sean now extends his expertise by supporting interns and tutoring students in Python.
Explore with Us:
* Engaging Lessons: Discover how we make Python programming both fun and accessible for young learners, equipping them with the skills to tackle real-world problems.
* Classroom Insights: Experience our journey through both triumphs and trials in the classroom, and learn what it takes to foster a vibrant learning environment.
* Expert Interviews: Gain valuable perspectives from interviews with fellow educators and industry experts, who share their top strategies and success stories in coding education.
About the Hosts:
Kelly Paredes brings a wealth of global experience in curriculum design and currently inspires sixth and eighth graders at Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Celebrating her seventh year of integrating Python into her teaching, Kelly has a knack for making complex concepts accessible and exciting.
Sean Tibor, a Senior Cloud Engineer at Mondelez International, draws from a rich background that spans marketing, database design, and digital agency leadership. Having taught Python to seventh and eighth graders at Pine Crest School, Sean now extends his expertise by supporting interns and tutoring students in Python.
Explore with Us:
* Engaging Lessons: Discover how we make Python programming both fun and accessible for young learners, equipping them with the skills to tackle real-world problems.
* Classroom Insights: Experience our journey through both triumphs and trials in the classroom, and learn what it takes to foster a vibrant learning environment.
* Expert Interviews: Gain valuable perspectives from interviews with fellow educators and industry experts, who share their top strategies and success stories in coding education.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 28, 2024 • 1h 6min
Episode 130: Coding is Dead?
In this episode, we grapple with the provocative question: Is coding still relevant in a rapidly evolving world dominated by generative AI? Our engaging panel discussion features insights from Sean Tibor and Kelly Schuster-Paredes, hosts and creators of the renowned Teaching Python podcast, along with a lineup of distinguished guests. Each voice adds a unique perspective on how AI is reshaping the landscape of coding and education.
Joining the discussion, we have Michael Kennedy from the Talk Python To Me podcast, known for his expertise in Python and its applications across various domains. Next, Blake Rayfield, a professor at Northern Arizona University, shares his perspective on the role of AI in higher education and research. The episode is rounded out with Brian Okken, host of the Python Test podcast, who provides a critical look at how AI is influencing software testing and development practices.
Together, this panel navigates the complex terrain of AI's role in coding and education, sparking insightful debates and offering viewpoints that reflect the diverse spectrum of thought in the tech community.Special Guests: Blake Rayfield, Brian Okken, and Michael Kennedy.Support Teaching Python

Mar 29, 2024 • 26min
Episode 129: Quickbite: Live Coding and Codealongs
Join Sean and Kelly in this QuickBites episode as they explore the technique of live coding presentations in education. They highlight the cognitive benefits, such as active learning and enhanced understanding, as well as the engagement and communication fostered through this teaching method. The conversation covers the importance of error normalization, metacognition, critical thinking, and student participation, emphasizing the role live coding plays in empowering students to solve problems and build confidence in their coding abilities.Support Teaching Python

Mar 24, 2024 • 42min
Episode 128: From Blocks to Code with PickCode
In episode 128 of Teaching Python, hosts Sean Tibor and Kelly Schuster-Paredes dive into the world of coding education, focusing on the journey from block to text coding. They are joined by Charlie Meyer, co-founder and CEO of Pick Code, to discuss strategies and tools that make learning to code an engaging and enjoyable experience for students. The conversation also covers personal anecdotes from the hosts and guest, emphasizing the balance between fun and learning in coding education.
Today's Topics:
Making Coding Engaging
Personal Coding Stories and Teachings
Tools and Strategies for Coding Education
Special Guest: Charlie Meyer.Support Teaching PythonLinks:Pickcode | The coding platform for education — Pickcode's online editor is the easiest way to teach and learn programming

Mar 2, 2024 • 26min
Episode 127: Setting Goals
This episode of Teaching Python is a quick bite about setting goals. Sean Tibor and Kelly Schuster-Paredes discuss the importance of goal setting and how it can lead to personal and professional growth. They explore different types of goals, such as accomplishment goals and transformative goals, and share strategies for setting and achieving them. The episode emphasizes the benefits of goal setting in education, including improved academic outcomes, increased motivation, and the development of critical life skills. Sean and Kelly also provide tips for creating a culture of goal setting within the classroom or workplace.Support Teaching Python

Feb 19, 2024 • 26min
Episode 126: Projects and Portfolios
In Episode 126 of the "Teaching Python" podcast, hosts Sean Tibor and Kelly Schuster-Paredes delve into the fascinating realm of projects and portfolios for young coders. Expanding on the importance of showcasing coding skills, they explore how portfolios act as a powerful tool to demonstrate creativity, discipline, and coding standards. By creating a portfolio, students can present a comprehensive view of their work, allowing others to peek into their coding thought process and evaluate their unique voice as programmers.
Sean and Kelly discuss how portfolios can give young coders a competitive edge when it comes to college admissions and job applications. They emphasize the significance of going beyond traditional academic achievements, such as grades and test scores, and highlight the value of tangible evidence of their coding prowess. By curating a collection of their projects, students not only provide a window into their technical abilities but also provide important context about their inspirations, intentions, and the thought process behind each project.
Moreover, the hosts discuss the benefits of contributing to open-source projects and sharing code on platforms like GitHub. They acknowledge the initial discomfort, but encourage young coders to take the leap and submit contributions, highlighting how these experiences can enhance their portfolios and provide valuable talking points in interviews. Additionally, they discuss the emerging trend of universities and employers conducting online background checks, making a well-crafted online presence, including portfolios and LinkedIn profiles, essential for young coders.
In this insightful episode, Sean and Kelly provide practical advice, personal anecdotes, and valuable insights, helping young coders understand the significance of projects and portfolios in their educational and professional journeys. Tune in to gain valuable tips on standing out, showcasing your skills, and navigating the world of coding portfolios and projects!Support Teaching Python

5 snips
Feb 5, 2024 • 37min
Episode 125: Microlearning
Discover the transformative power of microlearning and how it caters to modern learners' needs. Bite-sized segments not only enhance comprehension but also create lasting memory retention. Explore the balance between micro and macro learning strategies, and the impact of active learning and immediate feedback. The hosts delve into gamification and diverse educational experiences, sharing personal anecdotes that emphasize growth through stepping outside comfort zones. A must-listen for those looking to revolutionize their learning approaches!

Jan 14, 2024 • 49min
Episode 124: Motivated with Coding in the World of AI
In this episode, Sean and Kelly focus on maintaining engagement in a pedagogical and professional setting during interaction with AI. They share meaningful anecdotes from their respective fields, offering a variety of methods to increase productivity and interest. Kelly, as an educator, discusses including the students in the technology integrations by letting them understand and contribute to the process. Sean, from a developer perspective, emphasizes on the importance of accountability, leaning into external relationships, having more concrete definitions of tasks, and stepping away when needed for better productivity.Support Teaching Python

Jan 2, 2024 • 39min
Episode 123: Five Year Anniversary
In this commemorative episode, Kelly and Sean celebrate their fifth year at Teaching Python. They reflect upon the origins of the podcast, how it has evolved, successes and challenges they've faced, and valuable lessons learned over the years. This episode underscores the importance of embracing continued learning, of staying persistent, and validates the magic of teaching and learning alongside students.Support Teaching Python

Dec 16, 2023 • 33min
Episode 122: Ethics of Artificial Intelligence
In Episode 122 of Teaching Python, hosts Sean Tibor and Kelly Schuster-Paredes, explore the multifaceted role of AI in society together with their special guest, Cecilia Danesi. An expert in AI ethics and social impact, Cecilia shares in depth knowledge and interesting insights on the influence AI wields in different aspects of society. The episode covers a broad range of topics underlining the importance of AI in education, the concerns around algorithmic bias, the hard-hitting implications of irresponsible AI usage, the challenges and responsibilities shouldered by educators, among others. Tune in for an eye-opening episode ensuring a broader understanding of AI and the ethical standards required in its use.Special Guest: Cecilia Celeste Danesi.Support Teaching PythonLinks:The Empire of Algorithms — In today's world, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly central role in our lives.Abstract, ubiquitous and opaque: The challenges of AI regulation — Prof Cecilia Danesi discusses the ethical governance of AI and the difficulty of balance in AI regulation.El imperio de los algoritmos | Cecilia DanesiInteligencia Artificial y Derecho | Cecilia Danesi

Nov 24, 2023 • 17min
Episode 121: The Board of Knowledge
In this episode of Teaching Python, hosts Sean Tibor and Kelly Schuster-Paredes dive into the world of teaching coding with their special guest, the Board of Knowledge. This unique teaching tool, a large whiteboard spanning the back wall of their computer science classroom, is a visual representation of coding concepts and serves as a valuable resource for sixth graders. Sean and Kelly explore how the Board of Knowledge reduces cognitive load, scaffolds learning, and utilizes dual coding techniques to enhance students' understanding of coding principles. They also discuss the benefits of having a communal set of shared knowledge and the impact it has on students' learning experience. Tune in to discover how this innovative teaching tool can transform your coding lessons!Support Teaching PythonLinks:Online Python Tutor - visualize, debug, get AI help for Python, Java, C, C++, and JavaScript — Python Tutor helps you do programming homework assignments in Python, Java, C, C++, and JavaScript. It contains a unique step-by-step visual debugger and AI tutor to help you understand and debug code.Welcome - Barbara Oakley