Busted Pencils

The first Presidential debate was disappointing, but you know what’s always exciting? BustED Pencils Friday, where we chop up the week! Tim and Johnny talk about how they felt watching the debate and their fears about what it portends for public education. We say all the time on Busted Pencils that public education is the heart of democracy, and there was absolutely no discussion of public ed in the debate. But all is not doom and gloom. Listen to hear what we can do to unite and rally for high quality public education!

Busted Pencils is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 6-7 pm across Wisconsin. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X and Instagram to keep up with Dr. Tim, Dr. Johnny and the show!

Is your state lacking public school teachers? Well, we know your state is lacking public school teachers because every state is. One option to fill that shortage is for states to grow their own teachers. That’s right, start with people working full time jobs serving their communities who want to learn how to teach, and get them the training they need to flourish, then realize you have the amazing teachers you need. Samantha Todd, current bus driver and future teacher, is participating in Western Michigan University’s Grow Your Own Teacher program, and today, she’s Busting Pencils.

Busted Pencils is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 6-7 pm across Wisconsin. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X and Instagram to keep up with Dr. Tim, Dr. Johnny and the show!

Join Busted Pencils for an eye-opening discussion with Alan Collinge, the trailblazing founder of StudentLoanJustice.Org. Since 2005, this grassroots organization has been at the forefront of exposing the predatory nature of student loans in the U.S. Alan shares compelling insights into the tangled web of federal and private student loan systems, revealing the conflicts of interest and corporate lobbying that perpetuate student debt crises.

In this episode, Alan delves into the groundbreaking research that inspired The Student Borrower Bill of Rights and led to numerous exposés in major media outlets like 60 Minutes, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. Discover the real stories behind the statistics, the human impact of student loan policies, and the urgent need for systemic reform.

Don’t miss this chance to hear from one of CNN/Money Magazine’s “Financial Heroes” as he discusses his book, The Student Loan Scam, and shares how you can contribute to the fight for student loan justice. Tune in to understand the challenges borrowers face and the solutions that can lead to a fair lending system. Sign onto the petition at

Change.org/cancelstudentloans

Busted Pencils is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 6-7 pm across Wisconsin. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X and Instagram to keep up with Dr. Tim, Dr. Johnny and the show!

Higher Education has a lot of secrets, but this one is pretty shocking: for a long time, educators at the collegiate level have not received formal training in how to teach. So thank goodness for ACUE– the Association for College and University Educators- which has now trained over 40,000 American educators to be effective teachers in its 10 years. Jonathan Gyurko, co-founder and President of ACUE and returning Pencil Buster is here to talk educating educators.

Busted Pencils is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 6-7 pm across Wisconsin. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X and Instagram to keep up with Dr. Tim, Dr. Johnny and the show!

On the Busting Board today is Arizona’s ESA program- vouchers by a new name- exposed in this recent CNN article. Beth Lewis, contributor to the CNN article, seasoned educator, mom, Executive Director of Save Our Schools (SOS) Arizona, and first time Pencil Buster is here to break it down. What’s so bad about these voucher systems and how do they really affect public education? Dr. Tim, Dr. Johnny, and Beth deliver a Voucher 101 lesson.

Busted Pencils is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 6-7 pm across Wisconsin. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X and Instagram to keep up with Dr. Tim, Dr. Johnny and the show!

Dr. Tim Slekar and producer/guest Anya dive into the controversial topic of the 10 Commandments being mandated in Louisiana public school classrooms. They dissect the implications of this new law, questioning its impact on education and exploring the complexities of enforcing religious doctrines in a secular setting. With humor and critical insight, the episode challenges listeners to consider the broader consequences of intertwining religion and public education. Plus, don’t miss their satirical take on the practicality of these commandments in a diverse classroom setting.

Busted Pencils is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 6-7 pm across Wisconsin. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X and Instagram to keep up with Dr. Tim, Dr. Johnny and the show!

Dr. Tim Slekar delves into the unfiltered realities of teaching in today’s politically charged environment with today’s guest, Nancy Flanagan. Known for her fearless blogging and candid discussions, Nancy shares insights from her latest blog, “Ignoring the Real World in the Classroom,” challenging the directives that prevent educators from addressing significant current events with their students.

Nancy recounts powerful moments from her teaching career, including the reactions and administrative challenges during major historical events like the September 11 attacks and the January 6 insurrection. The episode highlights the crucial role of teacher professionalism and the need for courageous administrators who support educators in addressing real-world issues.

Join this engaging discussion as Nancy Flanagan explores the intersection of education, politics, and the essential need for honest classroom conversations.

Busted Pencils is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 6-7 pm across Wisconsin. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X and Instagram to keep up with Dr. Tim, Dr. Johnny and the show!

They’re Educators. They’re Amplified. Together, it’s a great show.

Dr. Tim Slecker and Teacher Halley tackle the significance of Juneteenth in today’s educational landscape. They explore whether schools in 2024 would acknowledge Juneteenth as a holiday and delve into the broader implications of teaching this critical part of American history.

With insightful contributions from listeners, the episode highlights the professional dilemmas of teachers, the influence of school boards, and the importance of fostering critical thinking in students.

Busted Pencils is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 6-7 pm across Wisconsin. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X and Instagram to keep up with Dr. Tim, Dr. Johnny and the show!

In this enlightening episode of Busted Pencils, Dr. Tim Slekar is joined by Curtis Cardine, the accomplished author behind the newly released book “Horace’s Hope: Freedman’s Folly, The Purpose and Promise of Common Schools in a Democratic Republic.” Together, they delve into the profound legacy of Horace Mann, the pioneer of the American public education system. Curtis shares his extensive knowledge and passion for Mann’s visionary principles that continue to shape our educational landscape.

Curtis provides an in-depth exploration of Horace Mann’s six foundational principles for public education, emphasizing their relevance and importance in today’s society. From the critical notion that citizens cannot maintain both ignorance and freedom to the necessity of non-sectarian education provided by well-trained professional teachers, these principles form the bedrock of Mann’s enduring legacy. Curtis also sheds light on Mann’s early advocacy for mental health reform and emancipation, showcasing his broad humanitarian impact.

Listeners are invited to re-examine the current state of public education through the lens of Mann’s principles, as Curtis and Dr. Tim discuss the challenges and deviations introduced by modern privatization movements. The conversation extends to Curtis’s critique of Milton Friedman’s influence on educational choice and the implications for democratic values. This episode is a must-listen for educators, policymakers, and anyone interested in the future of public education.

Busted Pencils is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 6-7 pm across Wisconsin. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X and Instagram to keep up with Dr. Tim, Dr. Johnny and the show!

Resources Mentioned:

In this episode of Busted Pencils, Dr. Tim Slekar and Dr. Johnny Luppinacci dive into the complexities of Milwaukee Public Schools’ recent budget challenges. After a grueling weekend of travel, Tim reflects on his Father’s Day celebrations and the significance of family time before getting down to business. They are joined by Heather DuBoise Bourenane and Jenni Hofschulte from the Wisconsin Public Education Network, who bring their expertise to discuss a pressing issue: the potential $50 million repayment Milwaukee Public Schools may owe due to a reporting mishap.

Heather and Jenni share their experiences and insights, emphasizing the intricate nature of school budgeting in Wisconsin. They shed light on the statutory requirements that force districts to finalize budgets before receiving confirmed state aid amounts, a process fraught with guesswork and uncertainty. The conversation covers the ripple effects of this budgeting process on local schools, highlighting the precarious position of school principals who must make staffing decisions based on tentative estimates.

Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the financial pressures facing public schools, the systemic issues at play, and the advocacy efforts aimed at addressing these challenges. Tune in to hear about the upcoming Wisconsin Public Education Network’s summer summit, an event dedicated to strategizing and organizing around public school funding and policy.

For more info on the Summer Summit July 30-31, visit WisconsinNetwork.org/Summit

Busted Pencils is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 6-7 pm across Wisconsin. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X and Instagram to keep up with Dr. Tim, Dr. Johnny and the show!