March 11, 2025
Teaching, Parenting, Life in the Real World... Can You Really Balance It All?
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 contemporary topics, and so much more – we’re here to look at the highs and the lows that come with being an educator. Whether you’re fresh to the job or a seasoned vet, we can’t wait to share in this journey together!
Contact: podthebalancingact@gmail.com
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March 4, 2025
Middle School Maniacs with Courtney Varner
Join Instagram and TikTok teacher/comedian Courtney Varner as she waxes poetic on all things she loves about teaching middle school. Straight from the snowy streets of Missouri, @Hi_Its_Me_Mrs._V joins forces with our hosts to share her secret to laughing her way through middle school.
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About the Hosts
Joseph Vitale
Educator / Parent / Podcaster
Joe Vitale is a passionate middle school teacher with 26 years of classroom wisdom. Joe has been married to his incredible wife, Tracy, since 2003, and together they are navigating the thrilling journey of raising twins who are currently juniors in high school. Parenting teens is an adventure all its own, and the podcast shares relatable moments and insights that come with it.
Outside the classroom and the podcast studio, Joe enjoys soaking up the joys of summertime, exploring new places, hitting the golf course, and staying active by running. Life has a way of keeping him on his toes—whether it’s engaging with students, spending quality time with his family, or finding moments of self-care.
Jamie Wanko
Educator / Parent / Podcaster
Jamie Wanko is a public school teacher with 24 years classroom experience, and will freely admit she still loves her day job. Married since 2005 to fellow educator Jason, she is deeply invested in exploring how to balance work, home, caring for aging parents, and all that goes along with managing the “crazy” that life has to offer. Proud Mom to a high school son, and identical twin middle school daughters, each day in the Wanko house is a revolving door of art projects, car pools, and the always eager question of “What’s for dinner?”
A self proclaimed beach bum, Jamie loves reading, flying down the bay on her jet ski, annual trips to Disney World, and the joy of sliding into deep social media and TV binging holes with her beloved Shih Tzu, Jingle, by her side. Educational theory junkie and devoted observer of humans, Jamie mixes humor, curiosity, and wide eyed enthusiasm into this podcast adventure.