The Teachers Lounge

In a world where classroom demands are higher than ever, clutter—both physical and mental—can silently drain creativity and focus. This episode explores how embracing minimalism can lead to a more intentional, efficient, and inspiring learning environment. By removing what no longer serves you or your students, you make space for what truly matters. Our days are tough enough as it is. Why not use the end of the year to get rid of things that are serving no real value to you or your students?Mentioned on the program: Tiny Houses & the Quest to De-Clutter As most of us conclude a challenging school year, this will be the final show for this season.

In this inspiring episode, I'm joined by Erin Gruwell whose powerful teaching journey became the foundation for "The Freedom Writers Diary" and the major motion picture "Freedom Writers". Erin shares how she transformed a classroom of students once labeled "unteachable" by embracing diversity, challenging stereotypes, and fostering a culture of empathy and critical thinking. With her unwavering belief in her students, they not only wrote their own stories but also became published authors. Erin reflects on the impact of their bestselling book and the lasting legacy of the Freedom Writers. For more about the Freedom Writers foundation visit http://www.freedomwritersfoundation.org

While complaints about failing schools and negativity within the profession are common—sometimes even from teachers themselves—we’re diving into what keeps educators going. What fuels your passion when you walk into the classroom each day? In this episode, we explore the heart of teaching, the moments that inspire us, and the reasons we stay committed.

Every teacher has faced that one unmotivated student—the one who just won’t engage, no matter what strategy you try. Parents have given up, and you're left wondering: is this my fault? Could a better teacher have reached them? In this episode, I challenge that mindset and address the excuses that often shapes today’s classrooms. Instead of getting frustrated, educators are encouraged to rise above the noise, do the best you can, reject the excuses, and get creative.

As teachers, it’s easy to fall into the comparison trap—especially in the age of social media, where we see picture-perfect classrooms and educators who seem to have it all together. But constantly measuring ourselves against others isn’t always healthy, and yet, we do it anyway. In this episode, I share insights from Joshua Becker’s blog post "Stop Comparing Your Life. Start Living It," exploring why comparison holds us back and how we can shift our focus to living with purpose and contentment. Tune in for a refreshing perspective on embracing your unique teaching journey. Read the original blog post here: [http://www.becomingminimalist.com/stop-comparing-your-life-start-living-it]

For this episode, we're joined by Robert Wilder, author of Tales From The Teachers Lounge—a humorous and brutally honest collection of essays about what it really means to be a teacher today. After leaving a lucrative advertising career in New York, Robert took a teaching job at an alternative school in Santa Fe—and never looked back. Now, he shares his sharp-witted, laugh-out-loud insights as a teacher, parent, and former student, revealing the absurd, challenging, and rewarding realities of education.http://robertwilder.com/ 

It's my birthday month and that has put me in a reflective mood. I'm reminded that I'm getting older.  I have more years behind me than in front of me. This reflection has led me to look back over my long teaching career and offer some of what I have found to be effective for my classroom experience. 

For this episode, I dive into the tough decisions many teachers are facing—should you stay in education or explore new opportunities? With so many educators feeling uncertain or even fearful about making the perfect choice, we’re here to provide insight and support. Today, we’re joined by special guest Dr. James Hughey, who will share valuable guidance on navigating this crossroads and offer practical strategies for protecting your mental health as we close out the school year.  For blog posts, podcasts, and videos from Dr. Hughey visit pfpl.us.

For this episode, we’re diving into a video role-play that features a scenario we can all relate to—an angry student disrupting the learning environment. Classroom management is one of the biggest challenges educators face, and how we handle these moments can shape the entire atmosphere of our classrooms. As we watch this video together, let’s analyze the teacher’s response—was it effective? Could it have been handled differently?

With the rising cost of living and the immense challenges of the teaching profession here at home, many teachers are exploring opportunities abroad; seeking a fresh start where their work is better respected and their stress levels are lower. One popular destination is South Korea, known for its appreciation of educators and unique cultural experiences. We’ll be speaking with a young teacher currently working in South Korea, who shares valuable insights into the pros and cons of teaching overseas.

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I thought it’d be the perfect time to celebrate the passion and love we have for our work as educators. It’s easy to get caught up in the challenges and negativity surrounding the teaching profession, but today, we’re flipping the script. I’ll be sharing what I enjoy about being in the classroom and the overall profession.

While many educators are searching for ways out of the classroom, Ernie took the opposite path, transitioning from a successful legal career to teaching. In this episode, he’ll share practical strategies that worked for him, along with motivational insights to inspire fellow teachers to reignite their passion for education.

In this episode, we explore a crucial question many teachers are grappling with: When is it time to quit teaching? I'll be reading the insightful article "When Is It Time to Quit Teaching" by former guest Vicki Davis. Deciding whether to step away from something you love is never easy, but this episode will guide you in evaluating if you simply need a break to recharge or if it’s time to move on to a new chapter. Whether you're considering leaving the classroom or looking for clarity on your teaching journey, this episode is here to help. The full article can be found at http://www.coolcatteacher.com/when-is-it-time-to-quit-teaching/ Original NBC news clip https://youtu.be/c6i2U6dRhgs    

On this episode, acclaimed author Lewis Buzbee join us to discuss his insightful book, "Blackboard: A Personal History of the Classroom". He shares his reflections on classrooms of the past, evaluates the current state of schools, and imagines the possibilities for the future of education. For more from Lewis Buzbee, visit his website at https://www.lewisbuzbee.com/index.htm.  

Take a nostalgic journey back to 1947 with a classic educational training video. This fascinating glimpse into the past highlights how teaching practices and classroom dynamics have evolved over the years—and how some timeless advice still holds true today.

Happy New Year, teachers! Welcome to the podcast where educators come together to inspire, learn, and grow. I'm thrilled to kick off the year with a special guest, Vicki Davis—a passionate teacher and successful podcaster. In this episode, Vicki shares invaluable teaching strategies, motivational insights, and lessons from her remarkable journey as an educator. Whether you're looking for fresh ideas or a dose of inspiration, this conversation is packed with actionable tips to energize your teaching practice. Be sure to visit Vicki's site at (https://www.coolcatteacher.com) for even more resources!

This time of year, we often pause to reflect on the past and plan for the year ahead, but have you ever wondered—what advice would the older version of yourself give you today? Imagine your future self, nearing the end of life, offering insights to you in the present. Would your future self encourage you to stay with teaching? Would they encourage you to take a risk and try something else? In this episode, we'll consider the invaluable messages from those who have walked before us and how their perspective can guide our resolutions as we begin a new year.

Feeling guilty about leaving education? In this video, I dive into why it’s okay to transition out without guilt. While you may love the kids and cherish your co-workers, the truth is that they’ll adapt and move on just fine. Kids are resilient, and your co-workers will adjust to new dynamics. You need to prioritize your well-being because staying in an unhealthy situation doesn’t serve anyone, especially not you. Leaving doesn’t mean you don’t care—it means you’re choosing to take care of yourself. Tune in for reassurance, encouragement, and a reminder that it’s okay to put yourself first.

Teachers, may your holiday break be merry and bright!  It's Christmas time in the city, and that means we not only get to enjoy the holiday season but also some much needed time off.  Bryan shares some inspiring stories from teachers to remind you that we as educators are a big deal.

Child abuse is an incredibly difficult subject to confront, especially during a season traditionally filled with hope and joy. However, the painful truth is that sexual abuse of children is happening even now. As educators, we often receive training on this issue at the start of the school year—a time when our plates are already overflowing, and we haven’t yet had the chance to truly know our students. Now, as we approach the midpoint of the academic year and have developed relationships with our students, it may be a good time to revisit this critical topic with the help of expert guests from Darkness to Light(www.d2l.org). This organization is dedicated to empowering adults to protect children from sexual abuse and supporting those affected. In this episode, we tackle the myths surrounding child sexual abuse, discuss the vital role educators play in identifying and responding to concerns, and share practical strategies for addressing this sensitive issue. Join us as we shine a light on this difficult