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PODCAST

The Balancing Act

Joseph Vitale and Jamie Wanko

Fun Fact: If you draw a venn diagram of the circus and being an educator you get a perfect circle! At least, that’s what Jamie and Joe have learned. Straight out of Central New Jersey, join two seasoned teachers as they try to make sense of balancing their teaching careers with parenting multiple children, helping with aging parents, supporting their loving spouses, and navigating the very strange landscape of education in a post-Covid world. With guest interviews, deep dive explorations on

education how to

All Episodes

47:05

Work-Life Balance for Educators: Parenting Teens,...

The Balancing Act ·

2026/03/31

In this episode of The Balancing Act, we blend humor and real life as we swap stories—from a much-needed raspberry Snapple boost to saying goodbye to a trusty old car and even a beloved classroom pencil sharpener. We dive into the emotional rollercoaster of parenting teens through the college decision process, sharing both the stress and the perspective we try to keep. Along the way, we lighten things up with memories from our own college days and how different things feel for students today. We

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47:46

Teaching Multilingual Learners: Why NJ Teacher of the...

The Balancing Act ·

2026/03/24

In this episode, we engage with Gillian Ober, the 2026 New Jersey Teacher of the Year, as she shares her inspiring journey from undecided college student to passionate educator. We delve into her experiences teaching abroad in Spain and Thailand, which ignited her commitment to education and shaped her teaching philosophy, particularly concerning multilingual learners. Jillian discusses the complexities of teaching English Language Learners (ELLs) and the importance of changing mindsets among

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49:49

Teachers Are Burning Out—And Self-Care Isn’t the...

The Balancing Act ·

2026/03/17

In this episode, we examine the challenges of self-care for educators, particularly women, as they juggle multiple roles at home and in the classroom. We discuss the mental load and guilt associated with prioritizing personal well-being amidst end-of-year responsibilities. Highlighting systemic issues like weaponized incompetence, we share personal stories of finding joy while navigating demands. Ultimately, we stress the importance of recognizing mental load, advocating for better support, and

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53:08

Teacher Burnout Crisis with Dr. Allison Hitchens

The Balancing Act ·

2026/03/10

In this episode of the BalancingAct podcast, our hosts speak with Dr. Allison Hitchens, a doctoral graduate specializing in teacher burnout and mentoring novice educators. We discuss the challenges faced by teachers, particularly during the pandemic and in rural areas, and the systemic issues contributing to high attrition rates. Dr. Hitchens advocates for redefined mentorship that focuses on emotional support and resilience rather than just instructional methods. The episode also addresses the

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50:55

Grind My Gears 2: Teacher Pet Peeves, Parent Drama &...

The Balancing Act ·

2026/03/03

In this episode of the Balancing Act podcast, Jamie Wanko and Joe Vitale engage in a candid discussion that merges personal anecdotes with educational reflections. They kick off by celebrating Joe's milestone birthday, sharing humorous insights on aging and societal perceptions shaped by social media. As seasoned educators, they delve into frustrations surrounding classroom management and the challenges of maintaining student engagement amidst distractions. Highlighting their experiences, Jamie

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46:04

Talking with @Balancedmindsedu Jamie Ruffner, your...

The Balancing Act ·

2026/02/24

Jamie Ruffner breaks down the reasons she has decided to step away from the classroom, all while keeping her mind on education and how to make things better for all classroom teachers and students. Executive functioning tips for parents and teachers come through during each and every segment of this week's chat. Follow Jamie Ruffner's hysterical take on teaching, and empathize with her real world struggles to balance motherhood and teaching. Season 3 is brought to you by our principal sponsor,

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48:24

Lack of Developmental Norms are a Societal Issue...

The Balancing Act ·

2026/02/17

Our hosts are siding with other teachers on the issues that seem to be shared with teachers across America. Teachers have collectively been scratching their heads with students' lack of common developmental norms. Kids are not coming to school on time, not able to complete basic tasks like cutting, coloring or following multi step directions, and everyone wants to know why. Check out the posts we referenced in today’s episode! @mattbeaudreau on

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43:27

Teacher Friends and Tik Toks with the Math Girls

The Balancing Act ·

2026/02/10

Meeting Morgan and Nicole at the NJEA convention in the fall meant that our hosts just widened their New Jersey teacher friend group, and in the meantime basked in the glow of that newer teacher energy they so desperately seek. “The Math Girls” as they have affectionately come to be called, are giving our hosts a refresher course on how to tackle middle school teaching and why teacher- friends make all the difference. Season 3 is brought to you by our principal sponsor, Teachers' Insurance Plan

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46:21

Guidance Counselors and College Bound High School...

The Balancing Act ·

2026/02/03

Having a high school senior can be an overwhelming process, and our hosts have three of them between them. How do you pay for college? How do you apply to college? How do you choose a college? How can we balance the stress of parenting senior students through this process? Questions parents ask themselves all the time. Listen as they navigate the mid year college update for their own kids in real time. Season 3 is brought to you by our principal sponsor, Teachers' Insurance Plan. Check out their

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46:57

Learned Helplessness with “The Well Seasoned...

The Balancing Act ·

2026/01/27

As a classroom teacher for nearly 30 years, Melissa Antinoff has experience and boots on the ground with every type of student, and she has a brilliant point of view on education and learned helplessness. Questioning her experience and background was thrilling and beyond eye opening for the hosts and the listener needs to hear more of her perfect brand of wisdom and practical applications in the present day classroom.Season 3 is brought to you by our principal sponsor, Teachers' Insurance Plan

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46:41

Gambling, Mental Health Awareness, and Seasonal...

The Balancing Act ·

2026/01/20

Jamie and Joe discuss their personal experience with S.A.D or seasonal affective disorder and mental health issues that arise in the winter months and how to combat them. Both long time teachers try to rely on their humorous levity to get through some tough times together. Join them to celebrate Joe’s big win in his 2025 fantasy football league and look to the future for some sweet action. Season 3 is brought to you by our principal sponsor, Teachers' Insurance Plan. Check out their website below

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46:22

Educator, Author, Speaker, NJ Teacher of the Year...

The Balancing Act ·

2026/01/13

Stand up and clap for the amazing New Jersey educator, Stefanie Lachenauer. Winner of the 2025 NJ State Teacher of the Year award, mindfulness expert, passionate published author of Let the Glitter Settle, and current middle school teacher Lachenauer joins the pod to share her wisdom, experience, and positive energy setting the bar way up high for the second half of season 3 guests.Season 3 is brought to you by our principal sponsor, Teachers' Insurance Plan. Check out their website below for more

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48:48

Choosing Intention: Our Word of the Year

The Balancing Act ·

2026/01/06

For the first episode of 2026, our hosts will explore their podcasting year in review as they look back on all the highlights from the past year, like interviews with Nick Ferroni, Tyler Tarver, Noelle Santorelli, Mo Lapus, Courtney Varner and Courtney White. Listen for their 2026 words of the year and how choosing intention can set up the year for success. Season 3 is brought to you by our principal sponsor, Teachers' Insurance Plan. Check out their website below for more information and to get a

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46:29

Executive Functioning tips for Teens and Adults with...

The Balancing Act ·

2025/12/16

Join our hosts as the talk all things executive functioning with Dr. Lethco, an expert in the field of research and daily applications of researched tools that can improve executive functioning for those individuals that are neurodivergent and really so many of those that are just trying to make their way through the daily chore of existing.Season 3 is brought to you by our principal sponsor, Teachers' Insurance Plan. Check out their website below for more information and to get a

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45:41

Proper Holiday Greetings and Some Happy Meetings

The Balancing Act ·

2025/12/09

Joe and Jamie talk about the current holiday season and all the trimmings to boot! Listen as they talk about what it means to teach during this hyper- busy season and how much stress can come your way in and out of the classroom. These two veteran educators discuss their tips on successfully making it through as a teacher in December. Season 3 is brought to you by our principal sponsor, Teachers' Insurance Plan. Check out their website below for more information and to get a

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49:59

On the Road at the 2025 NJEA Convention

The Balancing Act ·

2025/12/02

Hosts Joe and Jamie hit the road all the way to Atlantic City, New Jersey to the 2025 New Jersey Educators Association Conference. Speakers, teachers, leaders, companies and the one and only Malala Yousafzai were highlights of this year's convention and Joe and Jamie were there to cover all of it. Listen as they speak to County Teachers of the Year winners, former NJ Teachers of the Year and so many other enthusiastic educators like themselves. Season 3 is brought to you by our principal

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44:52

We are Grateful, but not for Learned Helplessness in...

The Balancing Act ·

2025/11/25

Leaning into the gratitude of the season, our hosts play a fun game of Thanksgiving: Would you Rather. The hilarity of that is just a twist and turn onto the street of the newest learning challenge for teachers everywhere: learned helplessness. Season 3 is brought to you by our principal sponsor, Teachers' Insurance Plan. Check out their website below for more information and to get a quote. http://bit.ly/4mQC27G Teachers' Insurance Plan: auto insurance that brings exclusive educator savings

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47:16

Hey Jealousy - Four Day School Work Week with...

The Balancing Act ·

2025/11/18

Listen as our hosts speak to four day work week teacher Courtney White. Straight from the Dallas Fort Worth area of Texas, teacher sensation Courtney White shares all the benefits and positive outcomes she has encountered in her four day work week school district as a teacher and as a parent. Season 3 is brought to you by our principal sponsor, Teachers' Insurance Plan. Check out their website below for more information and to get a quote. http://bit.ly/4mQC27G Teachers' Insurance Plan: auto

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45:24

Parenting High School Seniors; Fall Update

The Balancing Act ·

2025/11/11

Join Joe and Jamie as they talk about parenting their three high school seniors through the steps of visiting, applying, waiting and stressing. When our hosts went to college way back in the 1900’s paper and pen was the only option, but now there are codes and apps and portals too. Listen as they update their collective journeys to graduation, 2026. Season 3 is brought to you by our principal sponsor, Teachers' Insurance Plan. Check out their website below for more information and to get a

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50:57

2024 New Jersey Teacher of the Year, Joe Nappi

The Balancing Act ·

2025/11/04

Joe and Jamie talk to NJ Teacher of the Year, Joe Nappi. Between these three teachers they have nearly 70 years of collective teaching experience. Tune in to their “shop talk” about the changes in education and their up to the minute response to those changes. Mr. Nappi has an incredible back story that will inspire all with his impact and influence on the students and colleagues that have the pleasure to hear his journey to being the 2023-2024 New Jersey Teacher of the Year. Season 3 is brought

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