PODCAST · business
PCTA FYRE Podcast
by Brennen Pickett
The Florida’s Young Remarkable Educators discuss ways to organize, communicate news, and encourage their colleagues to join and get involved with their local union. Solidarity is fine and all, but it’s more about the friends they make along the way. Email us at [email protected]
Episodes
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A Conversation with School Board Member, Eileen Long
In this episode, we sit down with Eileen Long to discuss her achievements as the elected board member of Pinellas County School District 4 and her plans if re-elected for another term. Eileen is endorsed by PCTA for the upcoming August 20th election. Her opponent is proudly supported by Moms for...
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Tales from the Legislature: FYRE Goes to Tally!
We're joined by fellow FYRE activists Emily Griest and Heather Fox to talk about their recent lobbying efforts in Tallahassee. During our conversation, we hear some funny stories while questioning the importance of the teacher's voice while the legislature is in session.
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FYRE Reviews: Lean on Me
On this episode of the podcast, the gang takes on the role of film critics to analyze "Lean on Me," starring Morgan Freeman, exploring its message on the career of teaching and the underappreciation of educators in late-stage capitalist society. Join us as we make some laughs, gaffes, oopsies and...
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State of the Union: January 2024
Happy New Year, everyone! Philip and Brennen are joined by PCTA President Lee Bryant and Executive Director Lindsey Blankenbaker for another important update regarding union leadership, union recertification, and our collaboration with the Common Good Campaign. The state of our union is stronger...
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Everybody's Naughty, No Nice.
Brennen and Philip meet with two fellow executive board members, Paula Stephens and Tracey McConnell, to discuss behavior problems and discipline procedures that happen in the Pinellas County School District. During the discussion, we look at behavior issues as they apply to K-12 students, talk...
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State of the Union: November 2023
On this State of the Union, Brennen and Lee discuss some critical action steps all members and nonmembers need to follow through to save the PCTA from decertifying in January. In what may seem like another doomsday message is actually some really great news about our union's plan to remain active...
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Jeff Mann on Americonned: Exposing Economic Inequality and the Role of Unionism
In this episode, we interview executive producer Jeff Mann about the inspiration behind his latest documentary, "Americonned": a "David vs. Goliath story" that pits the working class against corporate giants. During our discussion, we reflect on the documentary's relevance in regard to recurring...
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State of the Union: September 2023
Brennen, Philip, and Dr. Anna get together with PCTA President Lee Bryant for their monthly update. Tune in for for updates concerning our membership deadlines and progress in bargaining. Also, stick around to hear about local community outreach events PCTA has participated in to spread awareness...
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Mark Doesn't Like Coats
After a hellish School Board meeting in August, the hobbits organized with their union and marched onward to get to the meeting an hour early; thus, finally destroying the one ring of power into the fiery depths of Mount Doom... ...Or at least before the Mom's for Liberty could arrive and not…
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The "S-Word"
**STIRKING IS NOT ENDORSED BY PCTA OR FEA** Brennen, Ramsey, Kelsey, Anna, and Philip debate about the history and concept of striking in Florida. During this episode we discuss the nuances and common frustrations that anyone would hear a young educator air out about their standing in the...
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State of the Union: August 2023
Welcome to the State of the "Union"! Word play... get it? Join Brennen Pickett, Dr. Anna Margiotta (they/them), and Ramsey Aziz as they talk about the current state of affairs of the Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association with the president himself, Mr. Lee Bryant. In this series, Lee will…
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A Rumble in the Jungle
It's time for our school year kick off! We're back with Dr. Anna Margiotta (they/them), Philip Belcastro, Ramsey Aziz, and Kelsey Donegan to discuss the recent school board meeting on August 1st as well as reflect on where we are, mentally, as educators. Spoilers: Florida is a dumpster fire being...
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2023 NEA Convention: Part 2
This is part 2 of a multipart mini-series. Join Brennen Pickett (he/him), Dr. Anna Margiotta (they/them), and Kelsey Donegan (he/him) travel to the National Education Association Representative Assembly and share their experiences as first-time delegates. In this series, we are centered around...
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2023 NEA Convention: Part 1
In this mini-series, Brennen Pickett (he/him), Dr. Anna Margiotta (they/them), and Kelsey Donegan (he/him) travel to the National Education Association Representative Assembly and share their experiences as first-time delegates. In this series, we are centered around explaining the following...
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Ep. 23 - DeSantis v Birkenstock
Small man, big mouth. In this episode, we are joined by alumni Brandi (she/her) and student activist Josh Epstein (he/him) to discuss the ongoing challenges faced by faculty and students at New College of Florida, located in Sarasota, since Governor DeSantis's overhaul of the board of directors…
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Ep. 22 - The Union's Not AAA
In this episode, we are joined by Rob Kriete (he/him), President of the Hillsborough Classroom Teacher Association, along with our friend from across the bay, Emily Griest (she/her). During our discussion, Kriete and Griest enlighten us on the details of their recent labor victory—a two-year...
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Ep. 21 - "Rules to Win By: Power & Participation in Union Negotiations" With Abby Lawlor
In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Anna Margiotta (they/them) to interview Abby Lawlor (she/her), co-author of the bestselling book "Rules to Win By: Power & Participation in Union Negotiations." During our discussion, we explore various strategies and approaches that unions can adopt to…
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Ep. 20 - We Did It With Cars
What do a couple of Schmoes and a cop think about gun violence? In this episode, we're joined by Ken Afienko (he/him) and Lee Bryant (he/him) to discuss gun violence in American culture. We touch on gun safety, mental health, and the role of public servants in addressing mass shootings. While...
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Ep. 19 - Andrew Spar
What's the state of our "union"? In this episode, we examine the existential crisis teachers face in organized labor with the president of the Florida Education Association, Andrew Spar (he/him) and the president of the Pinellas Classroom Teacher Association, Nancy Velardi (she/her). During our...
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Ep. 18 - Q&A with HCTA
*EXPLICIT LANGUAGE AND MATURE THEMES ARE DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE* Surprise! We have a "lost episode" for you today. Enjoy an unedited conversation we have with the Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association's finest, Emily Griest (she/her) and Rob Kriete (he/him). Our discussion floats around…
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Ep. 17 - Nobody Cares About the Woods Anymore
The band is back together! In this episode, we're joined by our friends Dr. Anna Margiotta (they/them) and Kelsey Donegan (he/him) to discuss the recent school board meeting on April 25th. During our discussion we delve into the nuances of the recent business conducted concerning the district…
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Ep. 16 - Only Alphas and Chads
Gotta go F.A.S.T! In this episode, we're joined by Tracey McConnell (she/her) and Ramsey Aziz (he/him) to discuss the role of standardized testing in elementary schools, with a particular focus on the new roll out of the Florida Assessment for Student Thinking (FAST). We explore the social and...
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Ep. 15 - Nothing is Real
"Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees" or WOKE or "We Thought of a buzzword First" or WTF? Uhh... In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Anna Margiotta (they/them) and the United Faculty of Florida's UCF President, Robert Cassanello (he/him), as we discuss the decades long "History Wars" in the state…
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Ep. 14 - Because the Governor Said So
We've heard of Florida's teacher shortage, but what does this look like in practice? In this episode, we are joined by mathematics teacher Stephanie Rozell (she/her) and ESE support Mary Gressle (she/her) to discuss the impact of the lack of personnel in their field on their day-to-day work. We...
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Ep. 13 - Aziz on the Streets 2: The Electric Boogaloo
The Educator Strikes Back! In this episode, Ramsey Aziz (he/him) hits the streets once again to interview a variety of demonstrators at "The Rally to Defend Public Education" in St. Petersburg that took place on April 1st. We reflect on the demonstration with Stephanie Rozell (she/her) while...
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Ep. 12 - A Good Guy With a Drone
When will it end? In this episode, we are joined by Hayley Hamblin (she/her) and Emily de la Paz (she/her) to discuss the issue of gun violence in schools. Hayley shares her personal experience as a witness to the 1988 shooting at Pinellas Park High School, where an assistant principal was shot…
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Ep. 11 - I Would Be a Happy Sheep Farmer
Kids these days... Am I right? Brennen and Philip continue their discussion on teacher burnout by exploring the cultural apathy that is developing within the public school system. They are joined by Shannon Vincent (she/her) and Dr. Anna Margiotta (they/them), who share their own experiences with...
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Ep. 10 - Bilbo Bargains
In this episode, we are joined by former PCTA President Mike Gandolfo (he/him) and Ramsey Aziz (he/his) to discuss role unions play in collective bargaining for teachers. We explore the definition and legislative history of collective bargaining in Florida and discuss the benefits of union...
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Ep. 9 - We Do It For The Kids
In this episode, we're joined by two HCTA teachers, Emily Griest (she/her) and Nicole Teagarden (she/her), to discuss the harmful impact of the "do it for the kids" mentality on teacher burnout and the exacerbation of the teacher shortage crisis. We delve into what this mentality entails and why…
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Ep. 8 - Approaching Eyeroll Status
In this episode, we will be joined by returning guests, Kelsey Donegan (he/his) and Dr. Anna Margiotta (they/them), to give a wrap-up of the school board meeting that took place on February 28th. During our discussion, we will explore the various agendas from the interest groups and stakeholders...
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Ep. 7 - Aziz on the Streets
In this episode, we had a conversation with Anita Green (she/her) and Ramsey Aziz (he/him) about the recent protest at TD Ballpark during the Governor's Baseball Dinner. Our discussion focused on exploring the identities of the protesters, their concerns, and ways in which the public can engage...
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Ep. 6 - Magic Mike's Restorative Practices
In this episode, we sat down with veteran teacher Brandt Robinson (he/him) and Lee Bryant (he/him) to discuss the issue of political extremism in our school curricula and the targeted attacks on equity-based components within our education system. Our conversation centered around gaining a deeper...
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Ep. 5 - Buc-ee's Employees Make More Than Teachers
In this episode, we had the opportunity to speak with veteran teacher Shannon Vincent (she/her) and first year teacher Dr. Anna Margiotta (they/them) about the challenges posed by standardized testing in public schools. Our discussion centered around the effects of excessive testing on school...
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Ep. 4 - Union Dad
In this episode, we sat down with first-year teacher Dr. Anna Margiotta and veteran teacher Lee Bryant to discuss their reasons for joining the union and how they maintain strong union membership at their school. Our conversation explored the question of how to effectively organize at a worksite....
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Ep. 3 - Who Coaches the Coachman?
In this episode, we chat with first-year teacher Ramsey Aziz (he/him) and Mr. Teacher-Trainer-Coach Joey D'Alessandro (he/him) about the nuances driving the teacher shortage in the state of Florida. We speculate on the question, "Is it just the low salary?" Our discussion only scratches the...
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Ep. 2 - Teacher Cop Doesn't Have a Union
In this episode, we chat with first-year teacher Dr. Anna Margiotta (they/them) and veteran teacher Shannon Vincent (she/her) about the recent PCTA town hall meeting on February 1st and the "Empower Educators" agenda proposed by the DeSantis administration for the next legislative session. We...
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Ep. 1 - The Genderbread Man Isn't a Real Book
In this episode, we speak with first year teachers Kelsey Donegan (he/his) and Dr. Anna Margiotta (they/them) about their experiences at the recent school board meeting on January 24th. During our discussion, we explore the question, "Why must the community rally behind teachers in support of...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Florida’s Young Remarkable Educators discuss ways to organize, communicate news, and encourage their colleagues to join and get involved with their local union. Solidarity is fine and all, but it’s more about the friends they make along the way. Email us at [email protected]
HOSTED BY
Brennen Pickett
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does PCTA FYRE Podcast have?
PCTA FYRE Podcast currently has 37 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is PCTA FYRE Podcast about?
The Florida’s Young Remarkable Educators discuss ways to organize, communicate news, and encourage their colleagues to join and get involved with their local union. Solidarity is fine and all, but it’s more about the friends they make along the way. Email us at [email protected]
How often does PCTA FYRE Podcast release new episodes?
PCTA FYRE Podcast has 37 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to PCTA FYRE Podcast?
You can listen to PCTA FYRE Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts PCTA FYRE Podcast?
PCTA FYRE Podcast is created and hosted by Brennen Pickett.
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