What does it really mean to be "techie"? Sean, Kelly, and guest Amelia Hough-Ross dig into the labels we put on ourselves and others — and why curiosity and persistence matter more than credentials. From imposter syndrome to productive struggle, this episode redefines what it means to be technical in a rapidly changing world.

Show Notes

Wins of the Week

• Amelia: Getting both kids to all their activities this week — taekwondo, Chinese language classes, and a piano competition where her oldest did very well
• Kelly: Running a series of well-attended trainings at school, including a Canva AI session that drew 60 attendees across two campuses, with new audiences (kindergarten and first grade teachers) showing up for the first time
• Sean: Finally getting fiber internet installed at his house after over a decade of waiting — a major upgrade from cable with latency dropping from 20-30ms to 3ms, at half the cost

Links & Resources Mentioned

• vBrownBag — Tech community show that Amelia is preparing to present at and Sean is scheduled for later in the year
• PyCon US 2025 — Pittsburgh, May 2025; Education Summit on Thursday, May 14
• LEGO Mindstorms — Referenced in Amelia's story about building a vending machine in 4th grade
• Architects of Intelligence — Book Kelly is currently reading (dense but informative, structured as short stories/interviews)
• How to Winter by Kari Leibowitz — Book Amelia is reading about mindset and how people approach difficult things
• Lars von Trier / Bjork / Catherine Deneuve film — Referenced in Amelia's story about visiting a film set in Denmark at age 18 (the film Dancer in the Dark, 2000)
• Chris Williams / vBrownBag — Mutual connection who introduced Sean and Amelia at AWS re:Invent

Announcements

• PyCon US 2025 — Pittsburgh, PA. Education Summit is Thursday, May 14. Proposals still open at time of recording.
• Kelly will be attending PyCon with her youngest son, who will spend the weekend with family at Disneyland
• Sean will be supporting from home this year as his wife has a conflicting travel commitment

Key Quotes

"It's hard to think outside of the box when you don't know what's inside of the box." — Kelly, quoting a conference in Tampa

"The difference between viewing yourself as technical and not technical is getting those successes... even just once, where something really cool happens that you weren't expecting to work." — Sean

"It's much harder to believe that someone has that greatness in them and help them achieve it... It's easy to say someone's hopeless. The harder part is figuring out how to support them to get to that next level." — Amelia

Special Guest: Amelia Hough-Ross.

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Julian Sequeira from PyBites joins Sean and Kelly to share their top holiday gift picks for coders, makers, and educators. This episode features 15+ gift ideas ranging from budget-friendly maker tools to classroom robots—plus book recommendations, coding platforms, and a few surprises.

Show Notes

Wins of the Week

• Julian: Staying focused on "the one thing" at PyBites, plus 3D printing a custom cappuccino stencil for his local café
• Kelly: Surviving a muddy, clay-covered hill in North Carolina while on vacation
• Sean: Designing and 3D printing a custom bracket for his screen door using Fusion 360

Holiday Gift Ideas

Julian's Picks

1. Hoverboard with Go-Kart Attachment (~$299 AUD) - Two-wheeled self-balancing boards that can convert to a go-kart with a third wheel attachment. Available at Hoveroo in Australia.

2. Secret Coders Book Series (~$10-20 USD each) - A six-book graphic novel series that wraps coding puzzles and concepts into mystery stories. Recommended by Faye Shaw from the Boston PyLadies community. Great for ages 8-15.

3. 3D Printer (~$200-300 USD) - Entry-level printers like the Bambu Lab A1 Mini or Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro have dropped significantly in price. Look for auto bed leveling as a key feature.

4. Duolingo Chess (~$13/month with subscription) - A new addition to Duolingo that teaches chess tactics, strategy, and formal terminology through structured lessons. Great for building problem-solving skills.

5. Classic Video Games (Zelda, Pokémon) - Story-driven games that build resilience and problem-solving skills, as an alternative to dopamine-heavy platforms like Roblox.

Kelly's Picks

1. Soccer Bot (~$59.99) - An indoor soccer training robot that challenges footwork skills. Works best on hard floors.

2. "The Worlds I See" by Dr. Fei-Fei Li - Memoir of the computer scientist behind ImageNet and modern image recognition, covering her immigrant journey and rise in AI. A must-read for anyone interested in AI.

3. LEGO Retro Radio Building Set (~$99) - A 1970s-style radio that you build, then insert your phone to play music. Features working dials that create authentic radio crackle sounds.

4. Spydroid Loco Hex Robot (classroom investment) - A large spider-shaped robot that codes in Python and block programming. Features LIDAR and AI-based mapping. Seen at ISTE.

5. Richtie Mini from Hugging Face ($299-$449) - An adorable AI desktop companion robot with onboard models. Two versions: one that connects to your computer and one that's self-contained.

Sean's Picks

1. LED Pucks (LED 001 Kit) (~$6-13) - Small USB-powered LED discs perfect for 3D printed projects like planet lamps. Available from Bambu Labs or Amazon. RGB versions include remote controls.

2. Daily Desk Calendar (~$15-20) - A throwback gift that provides daily doses of humor, trivia, or inspiration. Suggestions include The Far Side, "They Can Talk," or "How to Win Friends and Influence People."

3. PyBites Coding Platform (subscription) - Bite-sized Python challenges for sharpening coding skills. Great for teachers, students, and professionals looking for practical coding practice.

4. Digital Calipers (~$40-50) - USB-rechargeable precision measuring tools essential for 3D printing and maker projects. Great for teaching geometry and measurement concepts.

5. Deburring Tool (~$10) - A small tool with a curved swiveling blade for cleaning up 3D prints. A quality-of-life improvement for any maker's toolkit.

Links Mentioned

• PyBites - Python coaching and coding challenges
• Hoveroo - Hoverboards (Australia)
• Bambu Lab - 3D printers and LED pucks
• Printables - 3D printing models
• MakerWorld - 3D printing models
• Hugging Face Richtie Mini - AI companion robot
• Duolingo - Language learning app with chess
• Secret Coders book series - Available on Amazon
• "The Worlds I See" by Dr. Fei-Fei Li - Available at bookstores

Upcoming Events

• PyCon US 2026 - Long Beach, California
• Education Summit - Proposals open after the holidays, deadline around March/April
• Submit proposals when the website opens!

Special Guest: Julian Sequeira.

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In this episode, we sit down with Quincy Tennyson, who teaches an impressive four-year computer science pathway at Fern Creek High School. Quincy's background in the Marine Corps and as a network engineer brings a unique perspective to CS education. He discusses his curriculum progression from introductory courses through AP Computer Science Principles (heavily inspired by UC Berkeley's CS61A), AP Computer Science A (Java), and a culminating Project-Based Programming course. We dive deep into his philosophy of being a "warm demander" - setting high expectations while providing intensive coaching and support.

The conversation touches on several compelling topics including teaching agile methodology to high school students, the importance of transparency about failure, and how behavioral economics concepts (from thinkers like Daniel Kahneman) inform his approach to helping students understand their own thinking processes. Quincy also shares insights on supporting underserved students, running a successful Girls Who Code chapter, and navigating the integration of AI tools in the classroom. His students' enthusiasm at PyCon 2024 was infectious, and this episode reveals the thoughtful pedagogy behind their success.

Key resources mentioned include CS61A from UC Berkeley, CodeHS, Code.org, Sandra McGuire's book "Teach Students How to Learn," Eric Matthes' Python Crash Course, and Al Sweigart's educational resources including his new Buttonpad library for Tkinter.

Special Guest: Quincy Tennyson.

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In this episode, Sean and Kelly welcome Pritesh Patel, a computer scientist specializing in AI who brings over 20 years of experience from companies like Turner Broadcasting, Walmart, and GE to his current role at Fisher Phillips law firm. Pritesh shares fascinating insights about implementing AI in knowledge-based industries, from automating his parents' frozen yogurt shop to helping lawyers transform their workflows.

The conversation explores crucial concepts like the "Jobs to Be Done" framework, which emphasizes focusing on outcomes rather than getting stuck in existing processes. Pritesh explains how he approaches AI education through playfulness and intuition-building—whether that's getting Batman to sing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" in ChatGPT or creating AI personalities that debate humans. The discussion touches on the importance of maintaining accountability while delegating responsibility to AI tools, the power of curiosity in adoption, and how reinforcement learning might shape the future of AI integration.

Key resources mentioned:

• Strategyn Jobs to Be Done Framework - Tony Ulwick's innovation methodology
• NotebookLM - Google's AI-powered research tool
• Suno.ai - AI music generation platform
• OpenAI's Real-time API for voice interactions

Special Guest: Pritesh Patel.

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In this milestone 150th episode, hosts Kelly Schuster-Paredes and Sean Tibor sit down with Simon Willison, co-creator of Django and creator of Datasette and LLM tools, for an in-depth conversation about artificial intelligence in Python education.

The discussion covers the current landscape of LLMs in coding education, from the benefits of faster iteration cycles to the risks of students losing that crucial "aha moment" when they solve problems independently. Simon shares insights on prompt injection vulnerabilities, the importance of local models for privacy, and why he believes LLMs are much harder to use effectively than most people realize.

Key topics include:

• Educational Strategy: When to introduce AI tools vs. building foundational skills first
• Security Concerns: Prompt injection attacks and their implications for educational tools
• Student Engagement: Maintaining motivation and problem-solving skills in an AI world
  
• Practical Applications: Using LLMs for code review, debugging, and rapid prototyping
• Privacy Issues: Understanding data collection and training practices of major AI companies
• Local Models: Running AI tools privately on personal devices
• The "Jagged Frontier": Why LLMs excel at some tasks while failing at others

Simon brings 20 years of Django experience and deep expertise in both web development and AI tooling to discuss how educators can thoughtfully integrate these powerful but unpredictable tools into their classrooms. The conversation balances excitement about AI's potential with realistic assessments of its limitations and risks.

Whether you're a coding educator trying to navigate the AI revolution or a developer interested in the intersection of education and technology, this episode provides practical insights for working with LLMs responsibly and effectively.

Resources mentioned:

• Simon's blog: simonwillison.net
• Mission Encodable curriculum
• Datasette and LLM tools
• GitHub Codespaces for safe AI experimentation

Special Guest: Simon Willison.

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Description

In this episode, we're thrilled to welcome Sheena O'Connell, an educator and developer from South Africa who has been making waves in the Python education community. Sheena shares her journey from electrical engineering to founding Prelude, where she runs advanced Django learning sprints and teamwork training courses.

We explore the critical importance of soft skills in technical education, diving into Google's Project Aristotle and the five key factors that make teams effective: psychological safety, dependability, structure and clarity, meaning, and impact. Sheena provides fascinating insights into how cultural concepts like Ubuntu ("I am because we are") influence collaborative learning and professional development.

The conversation covers practical strategies for teaching both technical and soft skills to adult learners, the challenges of helping students transition from learning to professional environments, and how to build psychologically safe spaces that promote growth and learning.

We also discuss upcoming events including Django Con Africa in Tanzania and PyCon Africa in Johannesburg, South Africa, which Sheena is chairing.

Whether you're an educator, team leader, or developer interested in fostering better collaborative environments, this episode offers valuable insights into the intersection of technical education, cultural awareness, and team dynamics.

Key Topics Discussed

• Transitioning from technical roles to education
• Building effective coding bootcamps and adult learning programs
• The importance of soft skills in technical careers
• Google's Project Aristotle and team effectiveness
• Psychological safety and stereotype threat
• Cultural influences on learning and teamwork (Ubuntu philosophy)
• Managing the "desperation mindset" in learning environments
• Professional development and career transitions
• PyCon Africa and Django Con Africa
• Cross-cultural team dynamics and communication

Guests

Sheena O'Connell - Founder of Prelude, former educator at Umuzi, and chair of PyCon Africa 2025

Resources Mentioned

• Google's Project Aristotle
• The Culture Map (book on cultural differences in teams)
• Prelude Tech - Sheena's platform for Django courses and teamwork training
• PyCon Africa 2025 (Johannesburg, South Africa)
• Django Con Africa (Arusha, Tanzania)
• Ubuntu philosophy
• Umuzi (South African coding bootcamp)

Connect with Sheena

• Personal blog: sheenaoc.com
• Courses and training: Prelude TV
• PyCon Africa 2025: October, Johannesburg, South Africa

Wins and Fails of the Week

Sheena

• Win: Successfully running a teamwork course for Canonical with an international team
• Fail: All her plants fell onto the couch (and the subsequent cleanup)

Kelly

• Win: Attending ISTE conference in San Antonio, meeting previous podcast guests, and co-hosting a presentation
• Fail: Losing momentum on Anthony Shaw's GitHub course due to summer break

Sean

• Win: Being interviewed by media about AI coding tools and AWS Amazon Q
• Fail: Home server power supply failure during a lightning storm, breaking all home automations

Episode Notes

This episode provides valuable insights for educators at all levels, from K-12 teachers to corporate trainers. The discussion of soft skills, cultural awareness, and team dynamics offers practical strategies that can be applied in classrooms, coding bootcamps, and professional development settings.

The conversation highlights how technical education must go beyond coding skills to prepare students for successful careers, emphasizing the importance of communication, collaboration, and cultural competency in today's global technology landscape.

Special Guest: Sheena O'Connell.

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In this special episode of Teaching Python, hosts Sean Tibor and Kelly Schuster-Paredes convene an open space discussion at PyCon US 2025 in Pittsburgh. Surrounded by a diverse group of educators, developers, and learners, they hand the mic to the community to answer two key questions: How are you using AI personally, and how do you see AI shaping education?

Listeners will hear firsthand accounts from university lecturers, high school teachers, industry professionals, and volunteer mentors. Topics include the impact of AI tools on coding productivity, the challenges of assessing genuine learning in an AI-rich environment, and strategies for teaching critical thinking alongside technical skills. The episode also delves into the tension between embracing AI as an educational aid and ensuring students develop foundational problem-solving abilities.

Whether you’re an educator, developer, or simply curious about the future of learning, this episode offers a nuanced, multi-perspective look at AI’s growing influence in the classroom and beyond.

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In Episode 147 of Teaching Python, Sean Tibor and Kelly Schuster-Paredes focus on the importance and power of teaching APIs to coding students. They share personal stories and practical strategies for engaging students with APIs, from simple use cases to more complex projects. Join them as they discuss how to make lessons fun and relevant, leveraging LLMs (Large Language Models) for code explanations, and teaching through trial and error. This episode also touches on the broader applications of APIs in today's technological landscape, examining how learning APIs can open up new possibilities for students and equip them with essential skills for the future. Whether you're a teacher, student, or coding enthusiast, there's something valuable in this episode for you.

Support Teaching Python

In episode 146 of Teaching Python, hosts Sean Tibor and Kelly Schuster Perez delve into the newly established Python Education and Outreach Work Group, featuring guests Cheuk Ting Ho and Keith Murray. The group, aimed at enhancing Python education within the community, outlines its mission to gather feedback on educational resources and support initiatives like the Education Summit at PyCon US. Keith and Cheuk discuss their backgrounds and roles within the Python Software Foundation, emphasizing the need for fresh educational content and community engagement.

The episode also explores the work group's goals, which include:

• Seeking and receiving feedback on Python educational resources
• Consolidating and improving existing Python education materials
• Supporting and expanding the education summit at PyCon US

Additionally, the hosts share personal 'wins of the week,' highlighting the importance of accountability and community in the educational journey. Kelly and Sean discuss their past experiences with the Education Summit and encourage listeners to get involved by submitting talk proposals or joining in interactive sessions. The episode concludes with practical advice on how educators and enthusiasts can engage with the group to further Python education and outreach.

Special Guests: Cheuk Ting Ho and Keith Murray.

Support Teaching Python

Links:

• PyOhio 2025 — Summer 2025 in Cleveland, OH
• PythonEduWGCharter - PSF Wiki — The Education & Outreach Workgroup's (EOW) purpose is to support the Python Software Foundation’s mission to promote the Python programming language, especially in supporting and enhancing the education of Python. The Education & Outreach Workgroup is a workgroup of the Python Software Foundation’s (PSF).
• - Education Summit - PyCon US 2024 — In 2024, PyCon US held its 12th annual Python Education Summit in person!

In episode 145 of Teaching Python, Sean Tibor and Kelly Schuster-Paredes celebrate their six-year podcast anniversary and discuss the shifts within computer science education and the growing influence of AI. They both reflect on the podcast’s journey, their experiences with Blue Sky, and the milestone of over 500,000 downloads. The conversation delves into the changing landscape of tech roles, emphasizing the importance of foundational coding skills and computational thinking, regardless of emerging technologies like AI. They underline how coding remains a key skill that enables personal growth and opens vast opportunities, even in the face of fast-evolving tech sectors.

Our hosts also highlight their exciting upcoming engagements, including the FETC conference and the Pine Crest Innovation Institute, encouraging listeners to remain adaptable and open to new learning avenues. Furthermore, they discuss the concept of adapting computer science curriculums to reflect real-world applications and evolving job markets, focusing on how to better prepare students for future careers. With a mix of personal anecdotes and professional insights, this episode offers a heartfelt look at the impact of teaching coding and the continuous evolution in education and technology.

Support Teaching Python

Links:

• Learn VIM while playing a game - VIM Adventures — Learning VIM while playing a game
• Teaching Python Podcast (@teachingpython.fm) — Bluesky — Teaching Python on Bluesky
• Sean Tibor (@seantibor.com) — Bluesky — Sean's profile on Bluesky
• Kelly Paredes (@kellypared.bsky.social) — Bluesky — Kelly's profile on Bluesky
• Future of Education Technology Conference | FETC 2025
• Pine Crest School's Innovation Institute
• Bett UK: Leading EdTech Event | 22-24 Jan 2025, ExCeL London
• Top announcements of AWS re:Invent 2024 | AWS News Blog

In episode 144 of Teaching Python, hosts Sean Tibor and Kelly Schuster-Paredes are joined by special guest Kudzayi Bamhare from Zimbabwe. They dive into the important topic of Python education as a driver of innovation in Africa, focusing specifically on the challenges and opportunities in Zimbabwe. The conversation covers how coding communities are forming and thriving despite various hurdles, and how inclusive environments can foster learning and growth in the tech industry.

Kudzayi shares his inspiring journey into the world of coding, beginning with his initial exposure to Python and how attending Python conferences like PyCon Namibia have been pivotal in his growth. He emphasizes the importance of community, collaboration, and support in helping budding coders overcome challenges and stay motivated. The discussion also highlights the need for more initiatives and workshops to bridge the gap in tech education across the continent.

The episode concludes with insightful ideas on how to create effective learning environments and the role of educators in nurturing future tech talents. Sean and Kelly, alongside Kudzayi, discuss the significance of making coding accessible and engaging, especially in underrepresented regions. They call on listeners to support initiatives that bring Python education to Africa, encouraging a global collaboration to drive technological progress and innovation.

Special Guest: Kudzayi Bamhare.

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