How To Survive The Classroom

By Andrea ForcumEducation

How To Survive The Classroom episodes

May 25They Didn’t Have My Subject In School with Steven Rogers
Have you ever booking a show in New York City only to realize there are so many comedy giants there that you can barely sell a dozen tickets ? Because that is exactly the humbling moment I’m bonding over with today's guest, the insanely talented Steven Rogers! Steven works with absolute legends like Nate Bargatze and Brian Regan (who actually produced his special), but he had to cancel a New York show tonight for the exact same reason . Talk about a fast kinship .
We are diving deep into what it truly means to "work clean" in a business that often relies on shock factor, why Steven refuses to change his jokes just to fit a late-night TV slot, and don't worry, we bring it right back to the classroom . Gerry highlights how 13 years of comedy writing mirrors teaching perfectly: if you stick to the exact same routine and refuse to change with the world around you, you lose your connection with your audience.
Plus, Steven shares why he was bored out of his mind in school but always got along best with his teachers, including his 10th-grade math teacher who still comes to his shows !

ORDER MY NEW BOOK (AVAILABLE NOW)!!! — https://bit.ly/49CZ5A0⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Takeaways:
The New York Humbling: Andrea and Steven connect over the brutal reality of trying to sell tickets in New York City, proving that even headliners get beaten up by the market .

The Math of Clean Comedy: Why Steven Rogers chose to write exclusively clean sets from day one, rather than rewriting a joke 200 times just to get a late-night TV slot .

Order and Chaos in Writing: Steven breaks down his loose, structured-yet-chaotic joke writing process, which involves emptying anxieties onto a notebook page so he can observe the world clearly .

The Constant Lesson Plan: Gerry links Steven’s 13-year comedy journey to public education, arguing that teachers constantly have to adapt their frameworks to avoid getting left behind .

Team Cat Content: Andrea tries to convince Steven to turn his hairless cats into viral content superstars because the algorithm is practically begging for it .
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Teachers’ night out? Yes, please! Come see comedian Educator Andrea…Get your tickets at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠teachersloungelive.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Educatorandrea.com/tickets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for laugh out loud Education!
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56 min
May 18The Mental Resilience of Taking Big Swings
I’m wrapping up my semester and Gerry is surviving quarter four, but honestly, we’re both just exhausted from a weekend of comedy. Gerry has been out here opening for Joe Dombrowski and doing guest spots with Josh Johnson from The Daily Show, no big deal!
We’re getting real about the "success through failure" mindset and how that translates to the classroom. Sometimes you take a big swing with a lesson plan and it just... doesn't hit. We dive into the "apathy epidemic" teachers are facing right now and why some of us are just too tired to cajole students who have mentally checked out.
Also, things get a little... messy. Gerry shares the most embarrassing story involving a Target, a classroom chair, and a gamble on a fart that he definitely lost. Plus, my dog may or may not have used my pant leg as a fire hydrant before I went to work. Write in and tell us: what’s the most embarrassing thing you’ve done in public while "surviving" the week?

ORDER MY NEW BOOK (AVAILABLE NOW)!!! — https://bit.ly/49CZ5A0⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Takeaways:
Failing Upward: Why you have to fail more times than you succeed to make it in comedy or in a middle school math class.

The Apathy Epidemic: Andrea and Gerry discuss the struggle of motivating students post-pandemic and why "begging and cajoling" isn't always the answer.

Gerry’s Comedy Streak: From Cleveland to Columbus, Gerry recounts his weekend performing with some of the biggest names in the business.

The Wrong Rental Key: A classic comedy club mishap involving Joe Dombrowski and a car key that looked right but definitely didn't start the engine.

A Messy Situation: Gerry finally tells the full story of his "Target Incident" and why you should never trust a snack-sized bag of Takis.
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Teachers’ night out? Yes, please! Come see comedian Educator Andrea…Get your tickets at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠teachersloungelive.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Educatorandrea.com/tickets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for laugh out loud Education!
—
Don’t Be Shy Come Say Hi: www.podcasterandrea.com
Watch on YouTube: @educatorandrea
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42 min
May 11Raising Gerry: A Mother’s Day Special
We are back with part two of our Mother's Day special, and this time the spotlight is on Gerry’s mom, Melanie Potoka!. Not only is she the woman who raised Gerry, but she’s also a fellow educator who’s been in the game for 10 years teaching fifth-grade math and science. Melanie drops some major truth bombs about Gerry’s childhood, including the fact that she was actually shocked he became a teacher since she figured he’d be a preacher or a sports broadcaster.

We dive into Gerry’s legendary costume phase (Elvis! Pirates! The Situation from Jersey Shore!) and why he currently has five Spider-Man "dolls" within arms reach while we're recording. Plus, Melanie spills the tea on Gerry’s high school days, including the time a teacher threatened to kick him out for saying the book The Giver sucked, and honestly, Gerry still stands by that review.

We also talk about the "gummy bear war" and the "little man" catchphrase that has been haunting their family car rides for years. Happy Mother’s Day to all our teacher moms out there, we hope you're getting some quiet time (and maybe a coloring book) today!

ORDER MY NEW BOOK (AVAILABLE NOW)!!! — https://bit.ly/49CZ5A0⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Takeaways:
The Career Surprise: Why Melanie never saw Gerry's teaching career coming, despite his natural gift for gab and remembering random facts.

"The Situation" at Spirit Halloween: The hilarious story of the year Gerry chose the most "wild" Halloween costume possible and ended up on the local news.

The Giver Debate: Gerry recounts the first time he was almost kicked out of a classroom for his very vocal (and very negative) literary critique.

The Surgery Incident: Melanie and Andrea discuss a "medicated" Gerry post-kidney surgery, involving an exposed hospital gown and some very questionable comments to the nurses.

Mom as the #1 Fan (and Heckler): Why Melanie’s "delayed laugh" and tendency to guess punchlines makes her the most stressful audience member at Gerry’s comedy shows.
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Teachers’ night out? Yes, please! Come see comedian Educator Andrea…Get your tickets at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠teachersloungelive.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Educatorandrea.com/tickets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for laugh out loud Education!
—
Don’t Be Shy Come Say Hi: www.podcasterandrea.com
Watch on YouTube: @educatorandrea
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42 min
May 04Raising Andrea: A Mother’s Day Special
I have a very special guest today, the woman, the myth, the legend: my mom, Candi Neal (aka Mama Neal).
Mama Neal is here to spill all the tea on what I was really like before the PhD and let's just say, eighth grade was a "spicy" season. From my mom literally snitching on my dress code violations to the principal to her calling me out for being a "pill" on a school trip, we are diving deep into my "rule-follower to a fault" childhood. Plus, I finally show off my weirdest special skill: rolling my tongue like an ocean wave.

We also discuss why my husband Steven is basically the real-life Ron Swanson and how my mom used to hide rotten bananas to magically turn them into banana bread. Happy Mother's Day!

ORDER MY NEW BOOK (AVAILABLE NOW)!!! — https://bit.ly/49CZ5A0⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Takeaways:
The Snitch on the School Board: Why Mama Neal didn't just enforce the dress code, she called the principal to make sure Andrea got busted the second she stepped out of the car.

The President of South America: Gerry digs up a "subpar geography" moment from Andrea's past that involves a very embarrassing question about George W. Bush.

The "Worst Student" Overachiever: How Andrea went from a disorganized middle schooler who stuffed her locker until it wouldn't shut to having a PhD and two Master's degrees.

Gerry’s Exit Interview: Why Andrea's daughter gave Gerry a "condolences card" level of shade and asked him to leave their house during a Sunday hang.

The Benjamin Button Finger: Andrea reveals the story behind her "child-sized" pinky and the genetic quirk she shares with her mom and daughter.
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Teachers’ night out? Yes, please! Come see comedian Educator Andrea…Get your tickets at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠teachersloungelive.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Educatorandrea.com/tickets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for laugh out loud Education!
—
Don’t Be Shy Come Say Hi: www.podcasterandrea.com
Watch on YouTube: @educatorandrea
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47 min
April 27We Are Your Mother Now
The box finally arrived. My book is officially here! I’ve worked on it for years, but now that I’m holding it, I’m having a total crisis.. I can’t even look at the pages without feeling nauseous.. Gerry, of course, thinks I should just popcorn read it to my students like it's a fifth-grade class and carry it around like a dictionary..

Speaking of things that make me want to disappear, we’re talking about "insane" professional development.. I’m sharing my trauma of being forced to pass Fruit Loops from person to person using a toothpick during a high school assembly, which, from a distance, looks exactly like you're making out with a 50-year-old colleague.. It was a dark time..

Plus, Gerry is coming for the "anonymous" commenters in his local teacher Facebook group.. If you’re going to talk smack about your school or your coworkers, Gerry has a message for you: put your name on it and stand on business.

ORDER MY NEW BOOK (AVAILABLE NOW)!!! — https://bit.ly/49CZ5A0⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Takeaways:
The Book Paradox: Andrea finally has her book in hand, but the thought of actually reading it out loud or discussing it makes her feel physically sick..

The "Fruit Loop" Assembly: Why Andrea’s first year of teaching included a viral-worthy moment that made her look like she was making out with a stranger in a dusty gym..

Facebook Beef: Gerry explains why posting anonymously in a 9,000-person private forum isn't a "point of view", it’s just slander..

The $43,000 Speaker: Andrea recounts the time her school paid a speaker an entire year's teacher salary for one hour of work, only for her to never return..

Sycamore Summit: Andrea’s vision for a teacher conference that doesn't suck, featuring mimosas, bloody marys, and, hopefully a rage room for stressed educators.
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Teachers’ night out? Yes, please! Come see comedian Educator Andrea…Get your tickets at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠teachersloungelive.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Educatorandrea.com/tickets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for laugh out loud Education!
—
Don’t Be Shy Come Say Hi: www.podcasterandrea.com
Watch on YouTube: @educatorandrea
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46 min
April 20Will Robots Ever Replace Teachers?
Have you heard the news? Apparently, the First Lady thinks we might need a robot in the classroom. Today, Gerry and I are breaking down the "AI humanoid robot" pitch and why we’re a little skeptical that a faceless machine can handle a middle schooler with a paperclip and a dream. Gerry is convinced that unless the robot has lasers to keep the kids in line, it’s basically just an expensive target for classroom chaos.

We also dive into the networking vibes of Gerry’s recent comedy festival, where he successfully dodged seeing any students or parents in the wild. Plus, I’m getting heated about the "subject matter expertise" myth. Just because you have a degree in biology doesn’t mean you know what to do when a student starts crawling under desks or picks a "pee corner" in your room.

Write in and let us know: would you rather have a robot co-teacher or a random person off the street? Because I’m pretty sure the robot would at least follow the safety protocols while the desk is being flipped.

ORDER MY NEW BOOK (AVAILABLE NOW)!!! — https://bit.ly/49CZ5A0⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Takeaways:
Gerry’s Comedy Showcase: How Gerry spent his weekend networking and hosting in Raleigh without getting recognized by a single student's mom.

The "Robot" Teacher: Andrea and Gerry react to the White House's introduction of a humanoid AI tutor and why they think the battery would die before first period ends.

Laser-Focused Management: Gerry’s "devil’s advocate" theory on why a robot with laser eyes might actually be the ultimate classroom management tool.

The "Pee Corner" Reality: Why knowing the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell won't help you when the classroom environment gets... biological.

Subject Matter vs. Teaching: Andrea’s "hill to die on" regarding new state policies that think nine credits are enough to prepare someone for the chaos of K-12.
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Teachers’ night out? Yes, please! Come see comedian Educator Andrea…Get your tickets at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠teachersloungelive.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Educatorandrea.com/tickets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for laugh out loud Education!
—
Don’t Be Shy Come Say Hi: www.podcasterandrea.com
Watch on YouTube: @educatorandrea
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34 min
April 13Knife to the Heart: Kindergartner Insults with Jayson Cross
Have you ever booked a hotel so sketchy that even the Uber driver took one look and canceled the ride? Because that was my weekend in Essington, Pennsylvania. I’m joined by Chicago-based interventionist and comedian Jayson Cross, who, despite being 47, looks like he’s microdosing youth because he hasn’t aged a day since 2001.

We’re settling a major debate: is it worse to bomb in front of 30 paying comedy fans or 30 middle schoolers who have to see your face every day for the next six months?. Jayson breaks down the "cleanup crew" life of an interventionist, and Gerry admits he’s basically a classroom dictator because "whatever gets you to follow me on Instagram" is his new motto.

Also, we’re back on our medical nonsense (sorry, not sorry). Gerry finally learns that he does, in fact, have a prostate, while I try to explain why a kindergartner’s insult feels like a literal knife to the heart

ORDER MY NEW BOOK (AVAILABLE NOW)!!! — https://bit.ly/49CZ5A0⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Takeaways:
The "Crack Den" Hotel: Andrea recounts her harrowing stay in Essington where the hotel room looked like a middle schooler’s backpack and the Uber drivers fled on sight.

The Fountain of Youth: Comedian Jayson Cross reveals he’s 47, leaving Gerry and Andrea spiraling over how he looks twenty years younger than he actually is.

Classroom Weapons: Andrea reveals why the humble stapler is the most dangerous item in a classroom, leading to some truly disturbing "nail bed" stories.

The "Taco" Dealer: Andrea recalls a student who was running a foil-wrapped taco empire in her class—which is a much better alternative to the actual drugs teachers usually find.

Gerry the Dictator: Why Gerry refuses to feel guilty about losing his temper unless he "went too hard," and why he’s leaning into his "dictator" reputation in the comments.
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Teachers’ night out? Yes, please! Come see comedian Educator Andrea…Get your tickets at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠teachersloungelive.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Educatorandrea.com/tickets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for laugh out loud Education!
—
Don’t Be Shy Come Say Hi: www.podcasterandrea.com
Watch on YouTube: @educatorandrea
A Human Content Production

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42 min
April 06The Birds and the Bees Episode
I have a confession to make: I am officially eating my words from last week. My husband, who actually went to Yale for medicine, informed me that basically everything Ms. Dugan and I said about male anatomy was 100% wrong. We had the confidence of straight white men, but we were batting zero.
In this episode, Gerry updates us on his "stroke of thunder" snow day (which was actually just a regular storm) and his new hobby of doing glamor shots for his Spider-Man "dolls", excuse me, action figures. Plus, we dive into the world of "Fuglers," which are quite possibly the most upsetting stuffed animals I’ve ever seen, yet Gerry owns five of them.
We’re also talking about the "food desert" of healthy fast food. Gerry is officially on his health king journey, but he’s ready to crash out over the fact that a side of fruit at Chick-fil-A costs more than a literal chicken combo.

ORDER MY NEW BOOK (AVAILABLE NOW)!!! — https://bit.ly/49CZ5A0⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Takeaways:
The "Dolls" Photoshoot: Jerry spent his afternoon house-sitting and using "cinematic vision" to pose Marvel figurines in empty rooms.

The Anatomy Apology: Andrea sets the record straight after her husband (the Yale-educated PA) completely obliterated her medical "facts" from the last episode.

Winston the Mascot: Get ready for a new addition to the classroom—an English Bulldog puppy named Winston is joining the pod family.

Stranger Danger Sex Ed: Why a certain school district brings in retired teachers to give eighth graders the birds-and-the-bees talk instead of their regular biology teachers.

The $14 Fruit Cup: Jerry’s "hill to die on" involves the literal crime of Chick-fil-A charging $5 extra just to swap fries for grapes.
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Teachers’ night out? Yes, please! Come see comedian Educator Andrea…Get your tickets at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠teachersloungelive.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Educatorandrea.com/tickets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for laugh out loud Education!
—
Don’t Be Shy Come Say Hi: www.podcasterandrea.com
Watch on YouTube: @educatorandrea
A Human Content Production

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38 min
March 30Quality of Life vs The Teaching Crisis with Miss Molly Dugan
PRE-ORDER MY NEW BOOK (OUT MAY 5, 2026)!!! — ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/43BquPd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Today, we're joined by my fellow high school English teacher and total girl’s girl, Miss Molly Dugan. We’re diving into the absolute chaos of being a teacher on the internet, from people trying to pit us against each other to the "sourdough baddie" comments that have basically become an inside joke at this point.
We also get into the trauma of being bullied by our own students. Molly shares a story from her early teaching days about getting "dumped" and having 28 eighth graders basically tell her she’s going to die alone. Plus, Gerry explains why he crashed out in his classroom this week.
Write in and tell us: Have your students ever bullied you into changing your life?
Takeaways:
The Comedy Trap: Andrea explains why being asked to "do a joke" in a room full of 11:00 AM business majors is actually a form of torture.

Medical Mysteries with Gerry: Gerry realizes he might have skipped a few too many units during his time teaching health when the topic of male anatomy comes up.

Sub Day Sabotage: Why coming back to a three-page sub note is the fastest way to make a teacher "crash out" on a Friday.

The "Reverse Spider-Man": Andrea recounts a legendary (and slightly scarring) prank from a senior trip to Europe.

Molly’s Student Roast: How a group of eighth graders managed to turn Molly’s breakup into a "mentor moment" that ended in them suggesting she needs therapy.
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Teachers’ night out? Yes, please! Come see comedian Educator Andrea…Get your tickets at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠teachersloungelive.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Educatorandrea.com/tickets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for laugh out loud Education!
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Don’t Be Shy Come Say Hi: www.podcasterandrea.com
Watch on YouTube: @educatorandrea
A Human Content Production

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
59 min
March 23The Advice Every New Teacher Needs
My kids were sick. My husband was sick. My babysitter got sick. Somehow I was the only one left standing, which honestly felt suspicious.
Meanwhile, I was traveling for shows in Washington, DC and Philadelphia, performing for teachers… and accidentally for a group of 40 people who absolutely did not know who we were.
So naturally Gerry and I had a lot to discuss. We talk about the chaos of teaching during flu season, the truly unhinged things students say to teachers’ faces, and the advice every new teacher should hear before stepping into a middle school classroom.
There’s also a heated debate about movie theater etiquette, a surprisingly philosophical conversation about insults from students, and the passive-aggressive teacher phrases that somehow become second nature after a few years in the classroom.
And somewhere in the middle of all of that… we discover that Gerry’s students think he looks like a thumb.

ORDER MY NEW BOOK (AVAILABLE NOW)!!! — https://bit.ly/49CZ5A0⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Takeaways:
The advice new teachers get before facing middle schoolers for the first time.

The insult students discovered about me that I didn’t even know was a thing.

Gerry’s experience watching a classic movie… with the worst possible audience.

The passive-aggressive phrases teachers secretly love using.

The unexpected comedy audience that had absolutely no idea who we were.
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Teachers’ night out? Yes, please! Come see comedian Educator Andrea…Get your tickets at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠teachersloungelive.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Educatorandrea.com/tickets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for laugh out loud Education!
—
Don’t Be Shy Come Say Hi: www.podcasterandrea.com
Watch on YouTube: @educatorandrea
A Human Content Production

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
42 min