What I Learned Planning My Father's Funeral + The Reality of AI in the Classroom

In Episode 42 of Season 4 of The Teacher CES Podcast, Sess shares a deeply personal experience about planning her father's funeral and the unexpected lessons that came with it. After navigating grief and the responsibility of organizing a funeral for the first time, Sess walks through what she learned about the process, the surprising costs involved, and practical ways families can reduce expenses when planning a funeral. She also shifts into a reflection on teaching during the AI era—discussing how tools like ChatGPT are affecting student work, academic integrity, and the modern classroom. This episode blends personal storytelling, practical life advice, and real talk about education, boundaries, and navigating adulthood. Topics covered include: Planning a funeral for a loved one Hidden funeral expenses and ways to save money Grief and responsibility after losing a parent AI and cheating in the classroom Reflections on 25 years in education Investing and financial lessons learned along the way If you're navigating loss, teaching in the age of AI, or simply trying to make smarter life decisions, this episode offers honest insight and perspective.