Episode 29: Teaching is like an Abusive Relationship
Teacher Misery
It is confusing and hard to find a job outside of teaching; the system makes you feel like you are the problem for not being able to stay; people who stay have unhealthy coping mechanisms; why do administrators bully teachers during such a bad shortage; it’s hard to get rid of feelings of anger after being bullied at work, teaching takes away your creativity and wild spirit, how hard it is to leave a dependable job and leap into what you really want to do with no security net! Visit teachermisery.com and teachermiseryshop.com for more!
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Episode 28: She Quit After Three Months
Teacher Misery
On this episode, we interview a drama teacher (who prefers to remain anonymous) about her first teaching job, which she quit after three months. We talk about the toxic working conditions, violent, criminal behavior of the students, and lack of support from the administration. Then, we play a game where DeAndre and our guest have to guess which of two crazy news headlines about school is real and which is made up. Don't forget to rate us 5 stars and visit TeacherMisery.com and TeacherMiseryShop.com!
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Episode 27: Put on Administrative Leave for Yelling?
Teacher Misery
Should teachers be allowed to carry concealed guns? Why don’t more schools have metal detectors? Districts are begging teachers to drive buses and offering a pathetic incentive; riding the school bus is a crazy experience as a kid; in Florida, they want to take back brand new pay raises; many teachers make so little money they qualify for welfare and use a food pantry; should teachers have to pay for their own appreciation dinner? Potlucks are gross; should teachers be considered first responders? Giving CPR is scary and hard; people like to get mad over everything; kids’ creepy questions;...
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Episode 26: Cow Shit BINGO Fundraiser, etc.
Teacher Misery
Librarians in Texas all have to reapply for their jobs; librarians are a great resource who are experiencing a lot of pressure; do we need computer or tech teachers? Shortages are the biggest stressor for teachers right now; crash course on crazy-ass Betsy DeVos; what happened to the separation of church and state? We talk about shitty billionaires a bit; the meaning of being “woke;” book ban chat; religious and political arguments keep us from being mad about taxes; big discussion about crazy weird school fundraisers such as toe licking!
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Episode 25: Teaching in America is Almost Impossible
Teacher Misery
We briefly discuss the ruling on Nex’s cause of death; we take a deep dive into the proposed bill in Missouri that would make teachers who “support” transgender students have to register as sex offenders; Is there anything in the bible about gender identity? What it’s like being black and gay in America; what it’s like when other teachers are racist; should students who see another student with a gun and don’t alert anyone be expelled? Parents who reward their kids when they get suspended; what is it like teaching in a juvenile detention center? Lauren talks about being a brand new...
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Episode 24: Behavior Expert/Counselor Zack Kasabo
Teacher Misery
Episode 24: Behavior Expert/counselor Zack Kasabo We talk with school counselor and behavior expert Zack Kasabo about kids relying too heavily on accommodations and not learning to adapt, schools not having the resources to give a lot of the suggested accommodations, parents of younger kids refusing to accept IEPs, kids who play the system and use IEPs/504s not to do work, admin not wanting teachers and counselors to tell the truth in front of parents, why schools are so afraid of parents, the problem with clearing the room during a tantrum and equity for the other students, how differently...
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Episode 23: The Kids Are Not Alright
Teacher Misery
We discuss recent news stories involving schools, such as the naked high school student who tried to kill an elderly janitor, how challenging working in SPED has become, parents who don’t want their kids in SPED, kids who take advantage of accommodations, whether or not you should tell your own kid’s teacher that you are/used to be a teacher, the mom who snuck into her kid’s school to beat the crap out of a teacher; annoying sayings like “fill your cup,” Lauren’s humor makes some teachers uncomfortable, inequality when it comes to teachers’ schedules, racist teachers and the...
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Book Teaser: Chapters 2, 5, 6, 12, 16 from More Teacher Misery
Teacher Misery
For something a little different, Lauren reads a few chapters from my second book More Teacher Misery. These include Chapter 2: Disgruntled Debbie & Other Teachers You'll Find in Any School; Chapter 5: “Your Ass is Getting Huge” & Other Things Kids Said to Me during Pregnancy; Chapter 6: Butt Chugging & Other Fun Activities; Chapter 12: Interview Questions & What They Are Really Asking; and Chapter 16: “Sorry for the Incontinence:” Real Notes & Emails.
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Episode 22: Briefly Missing Teaching But Not Really
Teacher Misery
Lauren has nostalgic feelings about teaching for the first time in a year... how graduation used to make us feel important and emotional, but is it really honorable anymore considering all those kids who shouldn’t graduate? Is teaching college any different/better than secondary school? Is eaching grad. school the answer? What it’s like being a corporate trainer and how the money outweighs the boring stuff... how weird and awful remote teaching was... We need consequences for violent behavior... Is ODD a real thing? How does everyone have ADD/ADHD? Unbelievable things kids do with no...
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Episode 21: Teachers Are Human Too!
Teacher Misery
Lauren welcomes Jaclyn Kirby, author of Teachers Are Human Too. They discuss why she decided to leave the classroom after only two years, how there need to be a lot more opportunities for natural SEL to occur in the class, how teachers cannot have any reaction to trauma, how they destroy the things we spend money on, the time a fart made Lauren cry; there’s no right way to handle a student fight, how sometimes you have to laugh during horrible situations, the weight of not being able to help kids with terrible home lives, and how hard it can be to be the young, new teacher. If you like what...
info_outline4th-grade teacher Karen discusses why she wrote a book and started an IG (@hilariouslyinfertile) about infertility, and the emotional struggle of not being able to get pregnant and working with kids who aren't being taken care of; we discuss gossip and inappropriate/insensitive comments made by coworkers and even students; getting shamed by admin for using sick days; funny, inappropriate names teachers have been called; awkward sex ed questions; moms who breastfeed older kids during conferences; and teaching kids to wipe themselves and blow their noses properly.
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