This week, we’re presenting stories about times when we’re overwhelmed and feeling alone. Sometimes, in science, we need help. Sometimes that help is hard to find. And sometimes it comes from an unexpected place.

Part 1: As a first-year teacher, Matt Baker feels overwhelmed -- especially when his principal is less than supportive.

Matt Baker is a high school math teacher at The Brooklyn Latin School in Brooklyn, NY. After getting his Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering from Bucknell University, he taught English in Japan for two years and then pretended to use his degree in the private sector for several more. Finally he figured out he should be back in the classroom, so he applied for and received a Math for America fellowship, moved to New York City, and got his Masters of Secondary Math Education. He is currently an MƒA Master Teacher and a Desmos Teaching Fellow, and is very active in the math teacher Twitter community with the handle @stoodle.

Part 2: A graduate student is sexually assaulted by a labmate.

Please note: This story contains description of sexual assault that may be disturbing to some listeners.

This story is appearing anonymously on our podcast. For more on why we made this decision, see our blog post here.

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