Z-Rated Success: The Decision Lab for Education Leaders
Z-Rated Success: The Decision Lab for Educational Leaders is where educators, leaders, and student success professionals unpack the decisions that shape students, teams, campuses, and communities.
Hosted by Nick “The Zebra” Zizi, this podcast goes beyond surface-level success stories to explore the real choices, turning points, leadership lessons, and even the “knuckleheaded decisions” that help us grow. Each conversation is designed to be insightful, practical, and engaging—giving educational leaders fresh perspective, useful takeaways, and better questions to bring back to their work.
Because in education, every decision is a direction.
Better decisions. Better outcomes.
Episodes
40 episodes
Students Need Advocates and Translators with Robert Johnson
Students are carrying more than many people realize, and education leaders have an opportunity to help them feel seen, supported, and challenged to grow.In this episode of Z-Rated Success, Nick Zizi sits down with Robert Johnso...
Too Fast, Too Slow: Leadership Decisions That Shape Student Success with Dan La Bar
In this episode of Z-Rated Success: The Decision Lab for Education Leaders, Nick Zizi sits down with Dan La Bar, a seasoned K-12 public charter school leader, to explore how leadership decisions shape student outcomes.Dan s...
Overwhelmed by Options: Amanda Jeppesen on Student Employment, Career Decisions, and Real-World Learning
In this episode of Z-Rated Success: The Decision Lab for Education Leaders, Nick Zizi sits down with Amanda Jeppesen, Student Employment Specialist in Career and Student Employment Services at Western Michigan University.
From High School Dropout to Doctorate: Dr. Angell Howard on Leadership, Change, and TRIO
Dr. Angell Howard went from high school dropout to earning her doctorate. Now she helps education leaders and organizations navigate culture, leadership, and necessary change.In this episode of Z-Rated Success: The Decision Lab for Ed...
How to Better Connect With Your Students | FCCLA Hunter Prinz
#36 - How do you as an educator relate to your teenage students and form mutual respect?Hunter Prinz has a national leadership role with the FCCLA, where he shines as the national president while allowing others to lead him. The F...
10 Big Ideas from First Days of School Book Harry and Rosemary Wong
#35 - Did you know that the first days of school set the tone for the rest of the school year? In today's episode, you will learn the ten big ideas from the First Days of School book by Harry and Rosemary Wong. I like to revisit the big ideas e...
5 Powerful Ways to Beat Burnout
#34 - Are you feeling overwhelmed? Burnout is real. In today's episode, Nick Zizi shares five powerful strategies that are easy to follow to help you crush burnout. Don't go another day without getting relief. You can beat this. Listen now. If ...
What’s Next for the Z-Rated Success Podcast?
#33- What's next for the Z-rated Success Podcast? We are approaching the one-year mark since we have launched our podcast. Listen to today's podcast to learn what the future holds and the bonus segment that has four keys needed to grow as a lea...
How to Lead When Your Boss Won’t
#32 -Today on Z Rated Success, I share with you initiatives you can take on how to lead when your boss won't. In this episode, I help you recognize the importance of leading yourself first, define your job's expectations, and how you can use th...
Strategies For Time Management: How to Focus on What Matters Every Day
#31- How much is your time really worth? In today's episode Nick Zizi, shares proven time management strategies to maximize your life by maximizing your time. Every second, every minute that goes by will never be replenished. Making your time c...
7 Simple Ways to Manage and Reduce Stress
#30- What do stress, zebras, and teachers have in common? It's not what you think. Did you know that stress is the number one reason why teachers quit? In episode #30, Nick Zizi shares how to cope with stress like...
The Key to Building A Culturally Responsive Classroom with Dr. Shonta Smith
Ep #29 - What strategies are you employing as an educator to meet your students’ needs? For your students to be successful, you have to engage different appropriate strategies that work for each of your students. Culturally respo...
5 Sure-Fire Strategies to Increase Parent Involvement
Ep #28 - Are you frustrated with the lack of parent involvement? In this episode, Nick Zizi shares five sure fire ways you can boost parent engagement. Studies show that students do better when parents are involved in their education. C...
How to Engage the Disengaged Students in Remote Learning
#27 - Do you have any disengaged students in your virtual classroom? Do you have any students who are MIA? In this episode, Nick Zizi shares some of the very best strategies you can use today to engage your students. Virtual learning is difficu...
3 Keys to Helping Your Students Dream Big
#26 - Educators light the path. We help our students see the possibilities. Just imagine for a moment how many students you have imparted wisdom with over the years. Your words, your example have left an indelible mark in their lives. In episod...
The 3 Ps of Sticking to Your New Year’s Goals and Why Most People Fail
#25- Did you know that most people fail to achieve their New Year's Resolutions? Setting a new goal doesn't mean you will be guaranteed success to achieve it. There are three powerful steps that I call the three Ps that will enable you to stick...
Purpose to Potential: Asking Questions That Make an Impact with Dr. LouAnn Ross BPA
#24- Have you thought of a way to engage your students by getting to know what they want? How about asking them questions to understand them so you can better make the needed change. Business Professionals of America (BPA) is a care...
5 Ways To Build A Positive Mindset
#23 - Do you ever find it challenging to stay positive when your students may not be performing at their best? Staying positive in a negative world can be very challenging. It won't happen automatically. Think of a garden that is left untended....
The 3 Rs of an Attitude of Gratitude
#22- The 3 Rs of an Attitude of Gratitude. Do you want to be happier? Do you want to build strong relationships? There are so many benefits of having an attitude of gratitude. Just imagine you can better cope with adversity when you ar...
Effective Behavior Management Strategies
#21- Effective Behavior Management StrategiesDo you have any off-task students? Do you find correcting a misbehaving student challenging? In today's episode, Nick Zizi shares his best behavior management strategies that will yield insta...
Should Teachers Share Their Political Views With Students
#20- Have any of your students ever asked what's your political view? How did you answer? The election is still in the news. Emotions are high. The nation is split. As educators, we must show up for our students. Putting our heads in the sand i...
7 Strategies For Connecting With Your Students Online
#19- Do you find it hard to connect with your students online? It's already challenging enough to connect with them in person. Online makes it even more challenging. For the past few months, I have learned a few strategies that have helped me t...
How To Choose Your Response In A Crazy World
#18 - Storms come and go. It's a stormy time on a global, national, and local level. The educators who get on in this world all have one thing, one habit in common that set them apart from all the rest. In this episode, you will learn how ...
How to Manage It All - Creating Work-Life Balance
#17- How to Manage It All: Doing What Matters MostCan you emulate a juggler and do more? Remember that the more you have to juggle, the more difficult it will be.We often find ourselves busy being busy which does not mean s...
The Power of Investing in The Hearts of Your Students | FFA National Advisor Dr. James Woodard
#16 - What is the one thing that you could do to help your students reach their potential and achieve whatever they want in life? What about an agriculture program that will help them succeed not only in class but also in their li...