Destiny Hudson was in 5th grade when COVID-19 shut down schools back in 2020. Now, she’s finishing up 7th Grade. Devin Snow was a sophomore when it all went down and now he’s graduating high school. They’ve both been through this weird learning experience, but at very different points in their education journey.

The 2022 Illinois Teacher of the Year joins Teachers' Lounge to talk about what it means to her, being a small-town educator, teaching new languages, and much more!

We revisit our conversation with the teacher, author and creator of the class-sourced novel: Jay Rehak!

We revisit our conversation with the teacher, author and creator of the class-sourced novel: Jay Rehak!

University of Illinois music professor Lamont Holden AKA producer TheLetterLBeats talks about crafting the school's new fight song and forging new traditions.

"I remember telling my high school pastor that I thought about being a pastor. I'll never forget his response, actually. He told me, 'Well, I've only known two women in my life who I thought could do this work.' And he said 'You might go from a funeral in the morning to a youth group party in the evening and most women can't navigate those emotional changes.' I looked up to him, he was the pastor. But I should have said, 'That's the biggest bunch of BS I've ever heard!'"

In an episode unlike any we've had before, Dr. Kadi Billman tells us about teaching her class "Caring for the dying and bereaved" at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.

Kevin Beverley is a retired teacher -- and current substitute teacher! We talk a lot about what it’s like as a sub during the pandemic. Unfortunately for weary listeners, no substitute host.

Mark Klaisner tells us how the teacher shortage became personal for many families this year.

Peter and English teacher Erik Czerwin discuss some of the biggest issues in education this year