Sheila Jones is a staple in the Southern California education community, as well as Ben's Kindergarten teacher (2001–2002 academic year). The two reconnect in person for the first time since then, Ben asks questions about the teaching profession as he transitions to becoming a teacher, and old memories come up.

Discussed in this episode:

0:00 — Intro 

1:05 — Catching Up / Old Memories 

7:35 — Understanding Your Students (& Making Learning Fun) 

11:43 — Life After the Classroom / Sheila's Retirement 

19:41 — Did Sheila Always Want to Teach? 

24:11 — The Hardest Part About Teaching 

32:43 — How Kids & Parents Have Changed 

39:43 — What's Missing From Education Today 

41:35 — The Costume Story 😄 

43:28 — Wrapping Up

Follow Ben on Instagram here. 

Ben is performing at Guy Reuven’s show May 20 8PM at Eastville Comedy Club in Brooklyn. (Guy is genuinely one of the funniest guys doing it right now.) Tickets can be purchased here.

To advertise on the show, please contact @BenHTuval on Instagram or through the Contact/Press form on Ben’s website.

School Reunion returns April 6, 2026. End of "trailer."

Follow Ben on Instagram @benhtuval for his comedy.

[concept art by ⁠Gripless⁠]

[music: "Evan Finds the Third Room" by ⁠Khruangbin]

Ben reconnects with his 11th grade US history teacher Andrew Thompson after 7 years without contact. Andrew shares something he’s never mentioned to a student before, how teaching can be surprisingly isolating (especially in year one), the importance of travel, and more.

Ben reconnects with his 10th grade history/12th grade AP comparative government teacher, Dr. Kirsten Russell, after 6 years without contact. Kirsten shares stories from her decades-long career prior to teaching, how her son became a source of motivation for her to transition into teaching, what living in China in the ‘80s was like, and more.

Ben reconnects with his 7th grade science teacher Bob Golden after 12 years without contact. Bob shares insights from his 55 years of teaching, what it was like growing up in a tenement in New York City, one noteworthy reunion he had with a particularly challenging former student, his favorite part about teaching, and more.

Ben reconnects with his 8th grade math teacher Matt Timmins after 10 years without contact. Matt talks about starting as a substitute and what his first day teaching was like, how to manage a classroom, what many people misconstrue about teaching, and more.

Ben reconnects with his 5th grade teacher Scott Bedley after 12 years without contact. Scott shares one of his most embarrassing moments as a teacher, how the state of the world impacts curriculum, the disutility of homework, and more.

For more on Scott, find him at scottbedley.com, and learn about his initiative Global School Play Day, which has had a half million participants from over 75 countries.

Ben reconnects with his high school jazz ensemble director Lisa Linde after 6 years without contact. Lisa reflects on her nearly 30 years of teaching and coming up alongside some of the New England jazz greats, imposter syndrome and the lack of female role models she had in her field, and how to manage a classroom while being yourself (and more, obviously).

Ben reconnects with his 3rd grade teacher Hope Benzie after 15 years without contact. Hope shares the difficulties of moving in her teenage years, how she addressed the storming of the Capitol with her students, and more.

Ben reconnects with his 2nd grade teacher Roberta Sagud after 16 years without contact. Roberta shares insights from her 40+ years of teaching, the decades-long associations among teaching and gender and pay, how to make a classroom feel like a family, and more.