The "Net Neutrality" Lesson

A new poll reveals the political beliefs of teachers. The real question is, how should whether a teacher is Democrat or Republican affect their work in class? Also, we've marked a sad anniversary: five years since the Sandy Hook school shooting. We ask our teachers what the legacy of that tragedy is still today. Finally, are teachers as worried as the rest of the internet about Net Neutrality?

Music used in this episode is Inspiring Corporate and Scottish Indie by Scott Holmes; Modes by Primary Color Music

The "CHIP Funding" Lesson

Washington D.C. is crazy right now, but we draw your attention to an emerging problem that could affect your kids: federal CHIP funding. Plus, the Senate passes its version of a massive tax overhaul, and they not only keep the teacher classroom supplies deduction but double it. Our teachers say, nice try. Also, a new study from Stanford gives us a school evaluation tool that our teaches say is better than test scores.

Music used in this episode is Inspiring Corporate and Scottish Indie by Scott Holmes; Modes by Primary Color Music

The "Power Dynamics" Lesson

Sexual harassment allegations have rocked America from Washington D.C. to Hollywood. But has the conversation trickled down into schools? Are schools going through their own #MeToo reckoning? Plus, a high school's inflated graduation rate shocks many, but not our teachers. They say that kind of fakery happens all the time.

Music used in this episode is Inspiring Corporate and Scottish Indie by Scott Holmes; Modes by Primary Color Music

The "Republican Tax Plan" Lesson

The GOP tax plan has one provision that could have a big impact on teachers. We discuss what it would mean to lose the yearly deduction for materials. Plus, what are the pay structures to determine teacher salaries? Our team says schools should ditch the traditional salary schedule. Then, an educational game asks students to role-play a slave girl trying to escape to freedom. Our teachers say—what the hell?

Music used in this episode is Inspiring Corporate and Scottish Indie by Scott Holmes; Modes by Primary Color Music

The "F Word" Lesson

Students these days are skeptical of authority, so why are they so bad at being skeptical of what they read online? Plus, our teachers say in-school suspensions are generally ineffective, so why do we keep giving them? And, is saying the F word acceptable in class? You may be surprised what our teachers think.

Music used in this episode is Inspiring Corporate and Scottish Indie by Scott Holmes; Modes by Primary Color Music

Extra Credit: Teaching English In The Age Of Alternative Facts

On this Extra Credit, we bring you an episode recorded live in Wichita at the Kansas Association of Teachers of English. We discuss how english educators specifically are adapting to teaching under the Trump administration. Have they changed what books they read and what writing assignments they give to students? Listen and subscribe!

Music used in this episode is Inspiring Corporate and Scottish Indie by Scott Holmes

The "#MeToo" Lesson

As #MeToo is still prominent in the news, we ask our teachers how the ongoing conversation about sexual harassment and assault is affecting how they interact with their students. Also, what do you do when a white student says something racist in class? Our teacher's answers aren't as simple as you might think. Plus, another edition of the Betsy Breakdown. 

Music used in this episode is Inspiring Corporate and Scottish Indie by Scott Holmes and All Hot Lights by Poddington Bear

The "To Kill A Mockingbird" Lesson

A Mississippi school district's decision to take To Kill A Mockingbird out of its curriculum sparked an internet uproar after it went viral. Our teachers have opinions about how this historic book should be taught in classrooms. Plus, we discuss another internet outrage after a New Jersey teacher told students to "speak American". Finally, we end with a slightly unnerving conversation about the increase in time students spend with screens. 

Music used in this episode is Inspiring Corporate and Scottish Indie by Scott Holmes; and Back Stairs by Podington Bear; all have been edited.

The "Too Many Tests" Lesson

One state chooses to cut it's United States history tests. Bad idea, right? Not so fast say our teachers. Plus, should schools be held accountable for when their students miss school? And, as always we end with "kids these days".

The "Talking About Tragedy" Lesson

This is a heavy episode. First, we discuss how to talk to students in the wake of tragedy following the Las Vegas massacre. Then, we take on white supremacy in schools. Sure, giving kids an assignment in which they pretend to be a KKK member is bad, but our teachers say that's not the worst part.

The "Take-A-Knee" Lesson

It was inevitable that our country's national anthem protest controversy would come to the schoolhouse. How should teachers react when students refuse to stand for the anthem or the pledge of allegiance?

The "Per-Pupil Spending" Lesson

Students at a high school hold a sit-in demanding action against other students who wrote transphobic things in a group chat. How should teachers respond to both students? Plus, a look at per-pupil spending in the United States compared to other countries. What can we learn from international education spending?

The "Virtual Reality" Lesson

Virtual reality isn't just for gamers anymore. Some people think it could be the next big innovation in teacher training, but our teachers have questions. Plus, in the latest Betsy Breakdown, our teachers get heated over the idea of whether a school should host the Secretary.

Extra Credit: Teaching After A Hurricane

When Hurricane Harvey hit Texas, many people had more existential problems than sending their kids to school. But in the immediate aftermath, some educators volunteered to continue teaching classes at shelters around Huston. This is a story from one of those teachers.

Music used in this episode is Inspiring Corporate and Scottish Indie by Scott Holmes;  all have been edited.

The "DACA" Lesson

Trump's DACA decision is a big one for students and schools. You may have questions as teachers, we have some answers. Plus, we talk about Chance The Rappers new award show for teachers, and another edition of the Betsy Breakdown.

Music used in this episode is Inspiring Corporate and Scottish Indie by Scott Holmes; Back Stairs by Podington Bear; and The Big Ten by Blue Dot Sessions; all have been edited.

The "How Far Is Too Far" Lesson

A video of high school cheerleaders being forced to do the splits goes viral. Our teachers ask, how do you know when you're truly pushing kids and when you're going to far? Plus, research shows that kids with a few close friends may do better later in life than popular kids. And another round of Ask A Teacher. 

Music used in this episode is Inspiring Corporate and Scottish Indie by Scott Holmes also Tiny Putty and The Big Ten by Blue Dot Sessions; all have been edited.

The "Grade Inflation" Lesson

Some are saying Charlottesville was a turning point. Do our teachers feel the same way? Plus, new research suggests grade inflation is the newest form of the achievement gap. And, a new segment: Ask A Teacher.

Please join the conversation about this episode and the education landscape on our Community Forum page! And, help us shape this show into what you want it to be:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DO8OEJszFtsV2Nohe0W7Rg_xbH9RkjTxjfT0wLuVwOw/edit

Music used in this episode is Inspiring Corporate and Scottish Indie by Scott Holmes also Sunday Lights and The Big Ten by Blue Dot Sessions; all have been edited.

The "Charlottesville" Lesson

On this episode: our teachers discuss strategies for addressing Charlottesville with teachers and students in school. Plus, how much say should parents have over the classroom, and it's back...The Betsy Breakdown.

Please join the conversation about this episode and the education landscape on our Community Forum page! And, help us shape this show into what you want it to be:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DO8OEJszFtsV2Nohe0W7Rg_xbH9RkjTxjfT0wLuVwOw/edit

Music used in this episode is Inspiring Corporate and Scottish Indie by Scott Holmes also Waterbourne by Blue Dot Sessions and All Hot Lights by Poddington Bear

The "Dress Code Discrimination" Lesson

Many schools include hair in their dress codes, and that's gotten some black students in trouble. Our teachers discuss whether dress codes can be racist. And confidence in police is up overall in America, but dropping among young people. What's it like to teach about law enforcement in this age of police shootings and protests?

Music used in this episode is Inspiring Corporate and Scottish Indie by Scott Holmes also all have been edited.

The "Close Family" Lesson

The Trump Administration has its definition of close family, but how do our teachers define who their student's close family are. And new research says that smart phones are distracting even when we're not using them...should schools ban them altogether? 

Music used in this episode is Inspiring Corporate and Scottish Indie by Scott Holmes; all have been edited.