208 Weeks Podcast

Shout out to our dedicated listeners who let us know early this morning that the full episode did not upload. Sorry to spam your feed twice in one day, but if you got the first 20 minutes and would like the final 18, fast forward, and enjoy.

In case you missed the show notes on the first attempt, this is our last episode this season, and we welcome anyone who’d like to record a guest spot for next season! And if you don’t want to be on camera, just send us a write-up of your favorite teacher and we’ll read it for you. We’ll even leave out your last name if you prefer that level of anonymity.

Also, here’s a link to Stueve’s book: available to pre-order now!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit 208weeks.substack.com

It’s our last episode before summer break! We are still looking for guests to talk about their favorite teachers for our next season, and if you are camera shy, please write in and we are happy to read what you have to say instead!

Most important, here’s a link to pre-order Stueve’s book, out June 18. Go get your copy today!

Thanks for reading 208 Weeks! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit 208weeks.substack.com

This week we chat about STEM, and how Ian Malcolm in “Jurassic Park” had it right lo these many years ago. To be crystal clear here in writing, as well as what we say in the podcast—STEM in education isn’t an either/or situation. As with many things in life, it’s a both/and.

As always, we would love to hear stories about your favorite teachers so comment, email, text, or send carrier pigeons to let us know you’d be willing to share!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit 208weeks.substack.com

We could all be a little better at apologizing and accepting consequences, right? Find out how in this week’s episode, and watch us do what all seasoned teachers must learn to do: pivot.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit 208weeks.substack.com

This week we share how we run businesses in addition to our teaching responsibilities—and we aren’t talking about side hustles. We’re talking about the businesses attached to our teaching assignments. Many of the teachers you know are running clubs and sports that function as small businesses in addition to their teaching responsibilities. Did you know that?

Always looking for guests to talk about their favorite teacher, so let us know if you are interested!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit 208weeks.substack.com

We realized we miscounted at some point and today marks the start of Week #11 of the current administration, so we’ve adjusted this week’s title to reflect that. We regret the error.

Here is a link to the bill we reference in this week’s episode, if you are so inclined to read it.

As usual, if you have a favorite teacher you’d like to chat with us about on the podcast, let us know! Leave a comment here, text one of us if you’re lucky enough to have our number, or find us on the socials.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit 208weeks.substack.com

A note about this week’s episode: we recorded on Wednesday March 19. President Trump signed an executive order on March 20 to close the Department of Education. His press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, clarified prior to the signing that critical functions such as student loans and funding for students with disabilities would remain with the department.

After a press conference where a new fighter jet was announced on March 21, he announced that student loans would be moved to the Small Business Administration and IDEA oversight would be moved to HHS. To be fair, he did not name IDEA, he said “Bobby Kennedy, with the Health and Human Services Department, will be handling special needs.”

What does all of this mean? No one knows yet. But if our discussion in today’s podcast feels a bit tone deaf, that’s why. Although, we still think the messaging conversation is one worth having: at the very least, call your elected representative and share your concerns about either or both of these moves and how it might impact you personally. That’s the best messaging out there right now.

Here’s a link to the Pew Research Center article mentioned in the episode.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit 208weeks.substack.com

We’ll be on at least a two-week podcast hiatus as Rowse kicks off the one-two punch of tech week and show week for the school musical. But we hope to be back the week of March 10!

Here’s a gift link to the Washington Post article referenced in this week’s podcast.

If you’d like to be a guest on the pod and talk about your favorite teacher, let us know!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit 208weeks.substack.com

A couple of things you might want to know:

* We meant to have a post before this one but it helps to hit the record button (that’s on me —Rowse. Whoops)

* We meant to have Week Four posted earlier but it helps to not work in a germ factory that needs heavy sage-ing (my fault again—been sick for several days and spinning plates are just falling all over the place)

* In our haste to “just do the thing” we forgot that we each do the equivalent of 4 full time jobs and there will be some weeks that we straight up do not have the time for a 5th. We don’t plan to go another month in between pods but it might happen. We hope you stick with us just the same.

In this episode we mention some creators who do MUCH better analysis of Kendrick Lamar’s show than we do. You’ll have to go back to Feb. 10-15 to find what they say, but I promise it’s worth it. Check them out on Threads:

* keithboykin

* msartsyace

* heymrsbond

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit 208weeks.substack.com

AE Stueve and Julie L. Rowse are teachers and writers and one day Stueve said, “You know what? We should start another podcast!”

And Rowse said, “Okay!”

So they hammered out a rough outline and idea and followed Ira Glass’ advice of “Don’t wait. Just make the thing. Make a version. And then make it better.”

This is our thing. Our first version. We’ll make it better over the next 208 weeks.

We hope you join us.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit 208weeks.substack.com