About the show
Teaching Python is a podcast about Python programming, computer science education, AI literacy, software development, cloud computing, cybersecurity, data, and how people learn technical skills.
Hosted by Kelly Schuster-Paredes, Sean Tibor, and Julian Sequeira, the show is for educators, developers, technology leaders, and lifelong learners who want to better understand how Python connects to the wider world of computing. Episodes explore not only how people learn to code, but also how they build technical judgment, understand systems, evaluate AI-generated code, work with data, think about security, and move from beginner programming into real-world software development.
About the Hosts
Kelly Schuster-Paredes is a teacher who codes whose work has expanded from classroom computer science into AI strategy, curriculum design, professional learning, educational technology, and responsible technology adoption. Her background in Python and computer science education shapes her focus on learning, AI literacy, computational thinking, and what people need to understand in an AI-shaped world.
Sean Tibor is Vice President of Infrastructure and Cloud at Pfizer and a former computer science teacher. He brings expertise in cloud computing, infrastructure, engineering operations, and technical leadership, connecting what people learn about computing with how large-scale systems are actually built, operated, secured, and maintained.
Julian Sequiera is a technologist, Fractional CTO, and Senior Program Manager with more than 20 years of experience in infrastructure, cloud, engineering operations, and large-scale technology programs. He is also the co-founder of PyBites, a Python learning platform and community that has helped thousands of developers improve their Python and software development skills.
What We Cover
- Python Programming and Computer Science Education: Learning Python, teaching programming, computational thinking, debugging, code literacy, and helping beginners build strong mental models.
- AI and AI Literacy: AI-assisted programming, evaluating AI-generated code, responsible AI use, human judgment, and what learners still need to understand when AI can produce code.
- Cloud, Infrastructure, and Cybersecurity: Systems, networks, deployment, security, reliability, architecture, and the operational side of software.
- Data and Software Engineering: APIs, databases, testing, maintainability, version control, software design, and moving from simple scripts to real-world applications.
- Learning and Technical Growth: How people learn difficult technical concepts, get unstuck, build confidence, and develop the judgment needed to use technology well.
- Expert Interviews: Conversations with educators, developers, engineers, researchers, technology leaders, and others shaping the future of computing and technical education.
Teaching Python remains grounded in Python, but the conversation extends beyond syntax. The podcast explores the knowledge, skills, systems, and judgment people need to learn, build, and make responsible decisions with technology.
Teaching Python on social media
Episodes
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Episode 7: Teaching with the BBC micro:bit
January 14th, 2019 | 42 mins 57 secs
microbit, python, teaching
In this week's episode, Kelly and Sean discuss one of the tools that we like to use in class: the BBC micro:bit. Thanks to the instant feedback and physical/tactile nature of the device, this inexpensive little IoT device makes the process of learning Python more intuitive for students. It's also an easy starting point for those teachers who are new to coding.
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Episode 6: Gaining a Deeper Understanding of Python With Coding Challenges
January 9th, 2019 | 37 mins 1 sec
coding, makecode, python
Kelly and Sean are back in this week's episode to talk about the role of coding challenges for student understanding. Coding challenges are teacher-defined coding problems that students tackle individually or in groups with more than one possible solution. The advantages of these challenges compared to passive learning include deeper retention of skills and knowledge, opportunities for social and emotional education, and increased student confidence through subject mastery.
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Episode 5: Building Resilience
December 31st, 2018 | 28 mins 55 secs
education, python, resilience
Co-hosts Kelly and Sean discuss their top eight methods for building resilience in students. Whether you call it grit, perseverance, persistence, determination, or something else, it's important to help students get through the hard and often frustrating moments of learning a new language so that they can become self-sufficient.
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Episode 4: Top Python Books For Teachers
December 24th, 2018 | 31 mins 13 secs
books, programming, python
In this episode, Sean and Kelly go through their top books for teachers to learn about Python and teach students. With everything from coding your own games in Python, to automating the boring stuff, there's something for every teacher here.
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Episode 3: Anticipating the Click and Flow
December 17th, 2018 | 34 mins 14 secs
education, flow, metacognition, python
Kelly and Sean discuss the importance of the 'click' when learning Python and identify strategies for encouraging a state of flow in classrooms. What is the click moment? How do you know when flow is achieved?
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Episode 2: The First Week of Python
December 10th, 2018 | 29 mins 54 secs
getting started, mu editor, newbies, python
What does the first week of Python look like for new coders? Where do you start? Is it better to jump right in or give them a softer start? We'll talk about everything from what exercises work best, how to get new Python coders started with an IDE like Mu Editor, and more.
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Episode 1: Hello World
December 5th, 2018 | 31 mins 30 secs
coding for everyone, coding zen, differentiated learning, education, embracing what is uncomfortable, figuring things out, freedom to make mistakes, getting started, goal setting, information learning, iterative processes, mindset, problem-solving, python, reading for understanding, robotics, setting up your classroom, tynker, vr
Our very first episode! Kelly and Sean talk about how to get started teaching Python, including how to set up a room for computer science, what books and podcasts were most useful, the joys of Tynker, and how to set your own expectations for how to teach Python for others.