Teacher Misery
Bestselling author Jane Morris joins DeAndre Rashard and various guests to discuss the comical misery that has become the teaching profession. From outrageous parents who want you to re-chew their kid's food, to psychopathic administrators, to students who don't get in trouble for setting the school on fire, this hilarious podcast tells it like it is! Find out more at https://teachermisery.com/ Support us by rating us 5 stars, subscribing, and telling a friend!
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Episode 43: Sex Ed. and 3rd Graders in Diapers
10/01/2024
Episode 43: Sex Ed. and 3rd Graders in Diapers
Lauren and DeAndre discuss all the threats schools are getting now and what police are doing about it, the states where it’s legal for teachers to carry guns, what it’s like teaching kids in their homes, grown-ass kids still wearing diapers and sucking on pacifiers, sex ed. in Florida is now abstinence only, kids watch porn at young ages now, how to explain sex to very little kids (or not), why it’s so important to teach kids about consent and looking out for each other at parties, life is too expensive, and kids don’t know how to cross the street!
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Episode 42: Open House Blues
09/10/2024
Episode 42: Open House Blues
Teaching with cancer; open house needs structure or parents will annoy the crap out of the teacher; is open school night even necessary? The benefits of teaching elementary kids and how memorable you are for them, the shooting at Apalachee High School and the warning signs that are always there; how much we wanted to help start mental health programs but didn’t get much support; how ineffective the drug and alcohol prevention programs are; we play a game where DeAndre guesses who said an insane quote: a parent or admin.
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Episode 41: Can you go back to teaching after running for your life?
09/04/2024
Episode 41: Can you go back to teaching after running for your life?
Lauren and DeAndre discuss the job search outside of teaching and the thoughts that creep in about finding a school with supportive admin. and decent student behavior to work at. Is this even a possibility or wishful thinking? Are we too damaged from past experiences and literal PTSD? We also share experiences from teaching in fancy private schools then we talk about the administrator who was blinded by a student and the school staff who thought dressing up as Mexican stereotypes was a good idea.
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Episode 40: Teaching While Queer
08/26/2024
Episode 40: Teaching While Queer
On this episode, we talk to Bryan, a teacher with teaching experience both in secondary settings and post-secondary schools. As a queer teacher, Bryan has faced many challenges with acceptance and understanding while teaching in Los Angeles, Texas, and New York City. These experiences led him to create an organization and podcast called Teaching While Queer. The goal is to create safe schools and communities where every educator can teach, every family can belong, and every child can learn regardless of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. The podcast tells the personal stories of dozens of queer teachers and school staff members. You can find out more at .
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Episode 39: Burned Out Teacher Creates AI for Teachers
08/20/2024
Episode 39: Burned Out Teacher Creates AI for Teachers
Lauren and DeAndre talk to Zohar, a teacher with multiple certifications, including Special Ed., who moved to NYC from the Middle East and ended up leaving before the end of her first year. The pressure and pace at the elite private school she taught at took a significant toll on her mental and physical health, and she found herself wondering if there was a way to make all the paperwork included in teaching easier. After being unexpectedly forced out of the country, Zohar decided to pursue the idea of AI specifically for teachers. After winning a scholarship to develop her product in Italy, she is ready to share Zozo, the teacher's AI assistant, with the world. Visit zozosolutions.com to learn more and use code TEACHERMISERY15 for 15% off!
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Episode 38: Is The Way We Teach Reading Completely Wrong?
08/13/2024
Episode 38: Is The Way We Teach Reading Completely Wrong?
On this episode, Lauren and DeAndre talk to Dr. Irene Daria, a developmental psychologist and author of the new book I Didn't Believe Him. Irene is a reading specialist for children of famous stars such as Kate Winslet and Tom Brady. We talk about how she realized her younger son was not being taught how to read properly at one of the most elite private schools in NYC, leading her to research how children learn to read independently. What she discovered is shocking and quite alarming. According to Irene, the way most schools teach young children how to read is completely wrong, and many Special Ed. kids are misdiagnosed because of it. If you love our podcast, please rate us five stars, and visit teachermisery.com and teachermiseryshop.com. You can find out more about Dr. Irene Daria at stepstoreading.com.
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Episode 37: Dumb Comments from Admin.
08/05/2024
Episode 37: Dumb Comments from Admin.
First, DeAndre and Lauren discuss the mix of feelings that come with a new school year starting and no longer being a teacher. Then Lauren shares ridiculous, dumb, insulting, baffling, and outrageous comments made by administrators to teachers, and DeAndre reacts hilariously! Look out pregnant women, childless teachers, and newly married teachers! There are some moronic comments coming your way! Support us by rating us 5 stars, visiting , see fun gifts at , and get the Teacher Career Change course () for 20% off using coupon code Teacher Misery!
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Episode 36: Outrageous Parent Requests
07/29/2024
Episode 36: Outrageous Parent Requests
Lauren and DeAndre discuss some of the most outrageous requests that parents have made to teachers, including getting copies of the test and answer key before the test, teaching a student how to use a tampon, making specific lunches every day, helping students poop in various and strange ways, and even not teaching about gravity because a family doesn’t believe in it! This is one of the most hilarious episodes of the Teacher Misery Podcast! Support us by rating us 5 stars, visiting teachermisery.com, see fun gifts at teachermiseryshop.com, and get the Teacher Career Change course (teachercareercoach.com) for 20% off using coupon code Teacher Misery!
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Episode 35: School Psych Memes
07/02/2024
Episode 35: School Psych Memes
We discuss what this school psychologist thought the job was going to be versus what it actually is; how administrators affect so much of the job; parents who won’t accept a diagnosis versus parents who want their kids to have a disability so they get extra services; parents and kids who use ADHD as an excuse; how hard it is to remember all the different accommodations; accommodations are becoming crutches and kids can’t cope when they get into the real world; odd accommodations and weird things to test for; the lack of attention span and affect phones are having on development; the human brain wasn’t built to handle how much teachers have to do and think about. If you like what we’re doing, you can support us by rating us 5 stars, subscribing, and telling a friend! Also visit and I just opened a gift shop, !
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Episode 34: What would YOU do?
06/18/2024
Episode 34: What would YOU do?
Lauren and DeAndre discuss teachers’ what would you do scenarios, such as… what would you do if a student put poop on your desk and said, “This was in my pants;” nostalgic memories are knocked out by reality; weird things kids bring to school like live and dead animals, sex toys, and even the skull of a missing person! We play a game where DeAndre has to guess which awful quotes are from an administrator and which Lauren made up. Topics range from money concerns, to demeanor, to health concerns, to teaching methods, and even family planning! Visit teachermisery.com for more information and teachermiseryshop.com for fun gifts!
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Episode 33: Don't Hug Your Students!
06/10/2024
Episode 33: Don't Hug Your Students!
Lauren and DeAndre dive deep into the story of the middle school teacher who was fired for having students undo his braids. Is this more about race than the act itself? Is this worth firing a teacher over, or could it have been a warning? We discuss how teachers can’t hug students for fear of being accused of being inappropriate. We talk about teachers being put on administrative leave without being told why; kids lie about teachers, and they believe the kid; just a little bit of warmth and encouragement from a teacher can change a life; you have to come out the gate as scary in high school or you're screwed; Lauren is not good at potty training kids or dogs; funny hall passes that teachers use. If you like what we’re doing, you can support us by rating us 5 stars, subscribing, and telling a friend! Also visit and I just opened a gift shop, !
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Episode 32: Horrible yet Entertaining Emails
05/29/2024
Episode 32: Horrible yet Entertaining Emails
Is it okay to share a clip of a teacher properly handling a difficult situation with a special ed. student or is it not for social media? Why summer reading assignments are the bane of an English teacher’s existence; corporal punishment in schools is still legal in 19 states, 15 of those include special ed. students; stories from What It’s Really Like: Foot fetish kid, H.S. kids who don’t understand how a map or time works; angry email from a 7th grader, inappropriate but cheerful student email, student payment request, an insulting thank you letter, shocking parent and student messages; student comments on teacher evaluations. Visit teachermisery.com and teachermiseryshop.com for snarky gifts!
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Episode 31: To Paddle or Not to Paddle?
05/22/2024
Episode 31: To Paddle or Not to Paddle?
Lauren was in charge of “frogger” at kindergarten field day, and a kid grabbed her chest; little boys can’t stop scratching down there; the corn vat; random business ideas; is it okay for admin. to paddle a very misbehaved student? Does it actually deter bad behavior? What should a parent do if their kid spits at a teacher? Where are the truancy officers? What is the “Teachers’ Bill of Rights” and will it actually be adhered to? Old discipline and late policies that actually worked; the only way to get rid of bullies; why boys bully girls they like; is there anyone who didn’t have a traumatic middle school experience? What if adults acted like middle schoolers? Visit teachermisery.com and shop fun gifts at teachermiseryshop.com!
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Episode 30: Kindergarten Teachers Are Angels On Earth
05/14/2024
Episode 30: Kindergarten Teachers Are Angels On Earth
Lauren was in charge of 5 kindergarteners on a field trip and it was crazy; should Sunday secrets be censored so they don’t offend anyone or are they a prompt for conversations? Why the law exists in some states that you can’t share a student’s preferred gender or pronouns with their parents; secrets have gotten so extremely sad and never fun or funny anymore; suicidal messages and teachers who are forced on mental health leave; it’s asking too much to leave sub plans for 6 weeks leave; do subs really need detailed lesson plans? Update on the student who tackled an aide for taking his Nintendo Switch; most of the time kids act out because there is a deeper problem going on; money in schools is spent so poorly! If you like what we’re doing, you can support us by rating us 5 stars, subscribing, and telling a friend! Also visit and I just opened a gift shop, !
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Episode 29: Teaching is like an Abusive Relationship
04/30/2024
Episode 29: Teaching is like an Abusive Relationship
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
04/23/2024
Episode 28: She Quit After Three Months
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?
04/17/2024
Episode 27: Put on Administrative Leave for Yelling?
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; it is so hard traveling with students and being a camp counselor; they only tip counselors in N.Y.? Which gift cards are best to give the teacher? Don't forget to visit teachermisery.com and teachermiseryshop.com!
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Episode 26: Cow Shit BINGO Fundraiser, etc.
04/08/2024
Episode 26: Cow Shit BINGO Fundraiser, etc.
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
03/19/2024
Episode 25: Teaching in America is Almost Impossible
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 teacher and working at a lockdown psychiatric center; how do you get a job as an educational consultant who makes a shit ton of money? If you like what we’re doing, you can support us by rating us 5 stars, subscribing, and telling a friend! Also visit and I just opened a gift shop, !
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Episode 24: Behavior Expert/Counselor Zack Kasabo
03/12/2024
Episode 24: Behavior Expert/Counselor Zack Kasabo
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 kids are parented now as opposed to when we were growing up, kids who take their lousy work ethic to college, how ADD is often just mismanaged anxiety… and so much more! If you like what we’re doing, you can support us by rating us 5 stars, subscribing, and telling a friend! Also visit teachermisery.com and I just opened a gift shop… teachermiseryshop.com! Follow DeAndre @ItsDeAndreRashard and Zack @CoachKasabo.
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Episode 23: The Kids Are Not Alright
03/06/2024
Episode 23: The Kids Are Not Alright
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 school experience for students of color If you like what we’re doing, you can support us by rating us 5 stars, subscribing, and telling a friend! Also visit teachermisery.com and I just opened a gift shop… teachermiseryshop.com!
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Book Teaser: Chapters 2, 5, 6, 12, 16 from More Teacher Misery
02/26/2024
Book Teaser: Chapters 2, 5, 6, 12, 16 from More 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
02/13/2024
Episode 22: Briefly Missing Teaching But Not Really
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 consequence at school... If you like what we’re doing, you can support us by rating us 5 stars, subscribing, and telling a friend! Also, visit teachermisery.com, and I just opened a gift shop… teachermiseryshop.com!
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Episode 21: Teachers Are Human Too!
01/30/2024
Episode 21: Teachers Are Human Too!
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 we’re doing, you can support us by rating us 5 stars, subscribing, and telling a friend! Also visit teachermisery.com and I just opened a gift shop at teachermiseryshop.com!
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Episode 20: Awful PD and Batshit Crazy Teachers
01/23/2024
Episode 20: Awful PD and Batshit Crazy Teachers
Lauren and DeAndre discuss the most useless and humiliating professional development sessions they had to endure, such as a 4-hour-long training on Microsoft, including how to send an email, country line dancing, and reading from a kindergarten book while in a parrot costume. They also discuss batshit crazy teachers who are completely ineffective yet can't be fired and students who look up their teachers on the internet and how damn creepy it can get!
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Episode 19: Teen Slang and Sex Ed. Questions
01/16/2024
Episode 19: Teen Slang and Sex Ed. Questions
In episode 19, Lauren and DeAndre review various slang terms provided by middle and high school teachers and try to identify them. Then, we discuss some of the dumbest and weirdest sex education questions that students had the audacity to ask their teachers. This is a very inappropriate and hilarious episode! If you like what we’re doing, you can support us by rating us 5 stars, subscribing, and telling a friend! Also visit teachermisery.com and I just opened a gift shop… teachermiseryshop.com!
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Episode 18: Sarcastic School Psychologist
01/11/2024
Episode 18: Sarcastic School Psychologist
We talk with Dr. Julia, a former school counselor and psychologist, who runs the @sarcasticschoolpsychologist Instagram. We discuss teacher stress and anxiety before and after COVID, how bad admins keep their jobs in a state with no tenure, the lack of options for teachers outside of the teaching field, how much SPED teachers are expected to do and keep track of, the lack of creativity in teaching, how there’s no support after a serious tragedy (trigger warning: suicide), teaching brings out your deepest psychological issues, teachers don’t get any grace as far as mental health, teachers are held to impossible standards in society, the abuse that Special Ed. teachers have to take, teachers need more resources and compassion for the heavy load they carry! If you like what we’re doing, you can support us by rating us 5 stars, subscribing, and telling a friend! Also visit teachermisery.com and I just opened a gift shop… teachermiseryshop.com!
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Episode 17: Nightmares about Admin.
01/02/2024
Episode 17: Nightmares about Admin.
Nightmares about school, what DeAndre learned in his educational leadership classes and, more importantly, what he didn’t learn, kids in mainstream classrooms who have violent outbursts and how there is no protocol or solution other than evacuating the class, the 1st grader in Virginia who shot his teacher and how that situation unfolded, a creepy kid who gave Lauren’s kid a bloody nose and how to handle that, kids should be required to take pre-k, too many kids are given melatonin to sleep, and we react to outrageously inappropriate comments on observation reports. You can support us by rating us 5 stars, subscribing, and telling a friend! Also visit teachermisery.com and TM just opened a gift shop… teachermiseryshop.com!
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Episode 16: Before the World Broke
12/26/2023
Episode 16: Before the World Broke
We recorded our first podcast in February of 2020, and didn’t record again until the middle of 2023. Here we talk about teachers in elementary school who had a positive impact on us, the lack of options for handling badass kids, how kids get expelled and reenroll in other schools, why teachers aren’t allowed to know a student’s mental health history, how frustrating negative observations are, and lots of other teacher misery-related topics that haven’t changed at all! Dont forget to follow @Teachermisery on Instagram and Facebook and check out teachermisery.com. Also, TM has a gift shop! Teachermiseryshop.com!
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Episode 15: Insane Grading Policies
12/19/2023
Episode 15: Insane Grading Policies
On this episode, Lauren and DeAndre discuss ridiculous grading policies they have had to implement and other rules that Teacher Misery followers have shared. These policies include the very popular no student gets a zero rule, low scoring assignments (or non-existent ones) getting rounded up to 50% , a 20% passing rate, 50% equaling an A (yes, you read that correctly), incentives other than grades we've tried to get kids to do their work and whether or not they worked, and a few parent requests that are so crazy we had to discuss about them! (Warm the toilet seat for your kid? Absolutely not!) Follow Teacher Misery on Instagram and Facebook and check out teachermisery.com and Lauren's new gift shop TeacherMiseryShop.com!
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