The "Sanitized History" Lesson

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The "Sanitized History" Lesson

Most kids in America still can't name slavery as the primary cause of the Civil War. Our teachers say the problems with the way we teach slavery go even deeper than that. It's time to get uncomfortable. Plus, school councilors have caseloads approaching 500 students. One councilor says there's not enough time in the day.

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

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The "Citizenship Test" Lesson

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The "Citizenship Test" Lesson

In this #MeToo moment, what are we saying to boys to help them understand things like sexual harassment and consent? Also, we get the behind the scenes scope of an infamous “blacklist” of former employees an Arizona school district secretly kept for decades. And, should students be forced to pass the US citizenship test?

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

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The "Affordable Housing" Lesson

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The "Affordable Housing" Lesson

Indianapolis is offering cheap housing in order to entice teachers to stay. Hear why our teachers think that's not such a good idea. Also, The Betsy Breakdown is back: our Secretary of Education has been laying low, but we have a lot to talk about in this new year. Those topics plus, how are our teachers staying healthy during this flu season? Those answers and more on this edition of the podcast. 

Music used in this episode is Inspiring Corporate and Scottish Indie by Scott Holmes; Modes by Primary Color Music; and All Hot Lights by Poddington Bears

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Extra Credit: What NPR's Education Reporter Is Expecting In 2018

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Extra Credit: What NPR's Education Reporter Is Expecting In 2018

Above photo from NPR

2017 was by all accounts a crazy year in the news, and by the way 2018 has started it doesn't seem like we're in for much of a break. Earlier this month, NPR Education Reporter Claudio Sanchez made four education predictions for this year, you can find his full article here. We talked to Sanchez about what he's expecting for education in 2018. 

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

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The "Puerto Rico" Lesson

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The "Puerto Rico" Lesson

We talk with staff members and students from a school in Puerto Rico that recently went viral after a video of their power coming back on spread across the internet. We talk with them about what the last few months have been like literally learning in the dark. Plus, a new report shows American schools are still profoundly unequal. Our teachers discuss the infuriating reasons why.

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

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The "S—hole" Lesson

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The "S—hole" Lesson

The President says another offensive thing, but our teachers say this time is incredibly different. Plus, a lot of states are dealing with the same education issues such as teacher shortages and school funding. We get a preview of 2018 from an education reporter who covers statehouses across the country. Then, turns out stress actually changes your student's brains. Our teachers discuss what you can do about that.

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

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The "Union Thug" Lesson

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The "Union Thug" Lesson

What do children of color think about America a year into Donald Trump's Presidency? Their responses paint a bleak picture for our country's future. Plus, outrage over a youtube star's video showing the body of a suicide victim has us thinking: what exactly are kids watching online? And, a conservative political action group goes after a teacher's union in Michigan. The union representative on our show says, bring it on.

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

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The Final Grades For 2017

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The Final Grades For 2017

As 2017 comes to a close, we look back on the moments in education that get As and the moments that get Fs. Also, what we're worried about and excited for going into 2018.

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

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The "Net Neutrality" Lesson

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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

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The "CHIP Funding" Lesson

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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

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The "Power Dynamics" Lesson

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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

 

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The "Republican Tax Plan" Lesson

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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

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The "F Word" Lesson

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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

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Extra Credit: Teaching English In The Age Of Alternative Facts

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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

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The "#MeToo" Lesson

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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

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The "To Kill A Mockingbird" Lesson

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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.

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The "Talking About Tragedy" Lesson

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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.

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