The Boy and the Pepperoni Pizza Pirates

Where It All began

Back in 2009, I looked up at the moon and didn’t see a glowing orb — I saw a bubbling wheel of cheese, tomato-sauce volcanoes erupting across its surface. In my mind, a crusty, melty world appeared, ruled by a greasy pizza-faced villain (think Pizza the Hutt) who’d locked away every topping that wasn’t meat. Broccoli? Behind bars. Mushrooms? Gone. Bell peppers and olives? Banished. That ridiculous tyrant sparked the idea for the Pepperoni Pirates… and, years later, The Boy and the Pepperoni Pizza Pirates was born.

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Who I AM

I’m Dan Corrieri—a communications technology educator, creative producer, and children’s book author who believes learning and storytelling should feel like an adventure.

Before teaching, I spent over a decade in the entertainment industry working with larger-than-life personalities and production teams that taught me the art of chaos, creativity, and collaboration. Today, I bring that same energy to the classroom, guiding students in film, design, audio, and emerging technologies, helping them turn curiosity into craft.

When I’m not teaching or writing, you’ll probably find me cooking something bold, testing new ideas for applied AI in education, or helping students discover that storytelling isn’t just what we do, it’s how we understand the world. I’m also passionate about reimagining how schools teach creativity and ethics in the age of AI, blending artistry with emerging technology to prepare students for the future.

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Why I Write

I turn everyday meals into epic adventures to nudge picky eaters, spark imaginations, and give families a laugh before lights-out.