Teacher Misery

On this episode, we talk to Bryan, a teacher with teaching experience both in secondary settings and post-secondary schools. As a queer teacher, Bryan has faced many challenges with acceptance and understanding while teaching in Los Angeles, Texas, and New York City. These experiences led him to create an organization and podcast called Teaching While Queer. The goal is to create safe schools and communities where every educator can teach, every family can belong, and every child can learn regardless of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. The podcast tells the personal stories of dozens of queer teachers and school staff members. You can find out more at teachingwhilequeer.org.

Lauren and DeAndre talk to Zohar, a teacher with multiple certifications, including Special Ed., who moved to NYC from the Middle East and ended up leaving before the end of her first year. The pressure and pace at the elite private school she taught at took a significant toll on her mental and physical health, and she found herself wondering if there was a way to make all the paperwork included in teaching easier. After being unexpectedly forced out of the country, Zohar decided to pursue the idea of AI specifically for teachers. After winning a scholarship to develop her product in Italy, she is ready to share Zozo, the teacher's AI assistant, with the world.

Visit zozosolutions.com to learn more and use code TEACHERMISERY15 for 15% off!

On this episode, Lauren and DeAndre talk to Dr. Irene Daria, a developmental psychologist and author of the new book I Didn't Believe Him. Irene is a reading specialist for children of famous stars such as Kate Winslet and Tom Brady. We talk about how she realized her younger son was not being taught how to read properly at one of the most elite private schools in NYC, leading her to research how children learn to read independently. What she discovered is shocking and quite alarming. According to Irene, the way most schools teach young children how to read is completely wrong, and many Special Ed. kids are misdiagnosed because of it.

If you love our podcast, please rate us five stars, and visit teachermisery.com and teachermiseryshop.com. You can find out more about Dr. Irene Daria at stepstoreading.com.

First, DeAndre and Lauren discuss the mix of feelings that come with a new school year starting and no longer being a teacher. Then Lauren shares ridiculous, dumb, insulting, baffling, and outrageous comments made by administrators to teachers, and DeAndre reacts hilariously! Look out pregnant women, childless teachers, and newly married teachers! There are some moronic comments coming your way!

Support us by rating us 5 stars, visiting teachermisery.com, see fun gifts at teachermiseryshop.com, and get the Teacher Career Change course (teachercareercoach.com) for 20% off using coupon code Teacher Misery!

Lauren and DeAndre discuss some of the most outrageous requests that parents have made to teachers, including getting copies of the test and answer key before the test, teaching a student how to use a tampon, making specific lunches every day, helping students poop in various and strange ways, and even not teaching about gravity because a family doesn't believe in it! This is one of the most hilarious episodes of the Teacher Misery Podcast!

Support us by rating us 5 stars, visiting teachermisery.com, see fun gifts at teachermiseryshop.com, and get the Teacher Career Change course (teachercareercoach.com) for 20% off using coupon code Teacher Misery!

We discuss what this school psychologist thought the job was going to be versus what it actually is; how administrators affect so much of the job; parents who won't accept a diagnosis versus parents who want their kids to have a disability so they get extra services; parents and kids who use ADHD as an excuse; how hard it is to remember all the different accommodations; accommodations are becoming crutches and kids can't cope when they get into the real world; odd accommodations and weird things to test for; the lack of attention span and affect phones are having on development; the human brain wasn't built to handle how much teachers have to do and think about.

If you like what we're doing, you can support us by rating us 5 stars, subscribing, and telling a friend! Also visit teachermisery.com and I just opened a gift shop, teachermiseryshop.com!

Lauren and DeAndre discuss teachers' what would you do scenarios, such as… what would you do if a student put poop on your desk and said, "This was in my pants;" nostalgic memories are knocked out by reality; weird things kids bring to school like live and dead animals, sex toys, and even the skull of a missing person! We play a game where DeAndre has to guess which awful quotes are from an administrator and which Lauren made up. Topics range from money concerns, to demeanor, to health concerns, to teaching methods, and even family planning!

Visit teachermisery.com for more information and teachermiseryshop.com for fun gifts!

Lauren and DeAndre dive deep into the story of the middle school teacher who was fired for having students undo his braids. Is this more about race than the act itself? Is this worth firing a teacher over, or could it have been a warning? We discuss how teachers can't hug students for fear of being accused of being inappropriate. We talk about teachers being put on administrative leave without being told why; kids lie about teachers, and they believe the kid; just a little bit of warmth and encouragement from a teacher can change a life; you have to come out the gate as scary in high school or you're screwed; Lauren is not good at potty training kids or dogs; funny hall passes that teachers use.

If you like what we're doing, you can support us by rating us 5 stars, subscribing, and telling a friend! Also visit teachermisery.com and I just opened a gift shop, teachermiseryshop.com!

Is it okay to share a clip of a teacher properly handling a difficult situation with a special ed. student or is it not for social media? Why summer reading assignments are the bane of an English teacher's existence; corporal punishment in schools is still legal in 19 states, 15 of those include special ed. students; stories from What It's Really Like: Foot fetish kid, H.S. kids who don't understand how a map or time works; angry email from a 7th grader, inappropriate but cheerful student email, student payment request, an insulting thank you letter, shocking parent and student messages; student comments on teacher evaluations.

Visit teachermisery.com and teachermiseryshop.com for snarky gifts!

Lauren was in charge of "frogger" at kindergarten field day, and a kid grabbed her chest; little boys can't stop scratching down there; the corn vat; random business ideas; is it okay for admin. to paddle a very misbehaved student? Does it actually deter bad behavior? What should a parent do if their kid spits at a teacher? Where are the truancy officers? What is the "Teachers' Bill of Rights" and will it actually be adhered to? Old discipline and late policies that actually worked; the only way to get rid of bullies; why boys bully girls they like; is there anyone who didn't have a traumatic middle school experience? What if adults acted like middle schoolers?

Visit teachermisery.com and shop fun gifts at teachermiseryshop.com!