Teaching Python

Episode 149: Guiding Education with Sheena O'Connell

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.Support Teaching Python

Episode 148: PyCon 2025 AI Education Open Space

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.Support Teaching Python

Episode 147: The Power of Teaching APIs

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

Episode 146: PSF Education Outreach Workgroup and the Education Summit

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 PythonLinks:PyOhio 2025 — Summer 2025 in Cleveland, OHPythonEduWGCharter - 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!

Episode 145: The Bigger Picture of Teaching Python

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