Hear the latest about the status of the Education News Comedy Quiz in this brief update.

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The new year has arrived -- and it seems someone on our show dropped the ball when it came to inviting guest contestants. But not to worry! Alex and Paul keep things rolling on this month’s quiz by asking each other questions about the latest and quirkiest education news, sharing little known fun facts about schools, and providing follow-ups to stories we originally dug into in prior episodes.

So, laugh some, learn some, and even litigate some as we bring you up-to-date on monumental (and not so monumental) education stories and court rulings related to federal education grants, factually challenged social studies standards, forward-creeping school desks, and more. Plus, recent guest and educator Dr. Katie McKnight turns the tables and poses her own question about the origins of A-F letter grades for students.

WHAT LISTENERS SAY

“I laughed a lot as I learned – this is a fun way to catch up on significant education news – and the insights from the guests are first-rate.”

ABOUT OUR HOSTS

Alex Kajitani is a California Teacher of the Year and author of several books for educators, including Owning It, and You're A Teacher Now. He is an inspiring and engaging speaker, the Rappin' Mathematician, coach, and creator of programs for students and teachers, including Multiplication Nation, Math Success Camp, and the "New Teacher Success" video series.

Paul Richman is a Grammy and Academy Award-winning artist who...Wait, hold on -- that's someone else. Actually, Paul is just an all-purpose education policy guy who has served as a leader for several statewide education associations, coalitions and policy initiatives. He also produced the Adventures in Ed Funding and Budgeting for Educational Equity podcasts, and currently serves as an executive producer of the Inside California Education statewide TV series.  

ABOUT OUR MUSIC

Tommy Dunbar is a musician, songwriter, and producer best known as the founder and lead guitarist of the power pop band The Rubinoos. His music can be heard in many films and TV shows. 

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Play along with this month's quiz as nationally-recognized educators Dr. Katie McKnight and Dr. Richard Cash (and their alter egos) tackle our rigorous (and occasionally ridiculous) questions. Alex and Paul ask about literacy, grading, student vaping, how not to turn-around low-performing schools, special education, test-taking in hot temperatures, teacher oaths, and more. 

So, laugh some, learn some, and grab a few nuggets of knowledge you can pass off as your own at the office water cooler. Plus, don’t miss our brand new game – Fed or Dread? – where we ponder the latest U.S. Department of Education actions.

WHAT LISTENERS SAY

“I laughed a lot as I learned – this is a fun way to catch up on significant education news – and the insights from the guests are first-rate.”

ABOUT OUR GUESTS

Dr. Katie McKnight is a dynamic presenter, dedicated teacher and award-winning author. Among her 26 books, her latest is The Science of Reading, along with Dr. Jennifer French; they also co-host The Science of Reading Podcast in Grades 4-12. Katie's work in educational leadership, literacy and student skill development has resulted in unprecedented academic achievement in many struggling schools. She began her career as an English and social studies teacher in the Chicago Public Schools. She also served as a Distinguished Professor of Research at National Louis University and is the founder of Engaging Learners, an educational company built around her successful Literacy and Learning Center model. 

Dr. Richard Cash is an award-winning educator and author of the just-released book, Strategies and Tools for Self-Regulation in the Classroom, as well as several other acclaimed books. He's also served as a coach and consultant throughout the U.S. and internationally for over 30 years. His range of experience includes teaching, curriculum coordination, and program administration. Richard was recipient of the National Association for Gifted Children’s Early Leader Award (2011), recognizing his leadership in programming for gifted children. He also was honored by the Minnesota Educators for the Gifted and Talented with the "Friend of the Gifted" award. For over 10 years, he also co-directed a children’s theater company in Minnesota, and he has co-authored 4 award winning children’s plays. 

ABOUT OUR HOSTS

Alex Kajitani is a California Teacher of the Year and author of several books for educators, including Owning It, and You're A Teacher Now. He is an inspiring and engaging speaker, the Rappin' Mathematician, coach, and creator of programs for students and teachers, including Multiplication Nation, Math Success Camp, and the "New Teacher Success" video series.

Paul Richman is a Grammy and Academy Award-winning artist who...Wait, hold on -- that's someone else. Actually, Paul is just an all-purpose education policy guy who has served as a leader for several statewide education associations, coalitions and policy initiatives. He also produced the Adventures in Ed Funding and Budgeting for Educational Equity podcasts, and currently serves as an executive producer of the Inside California Education statewide TV series.  

ABOUT OUR MUSIC

Tommy Dunbar is a musician, songwriter, and producer best known as the founder and lead guitarist of the power pop band The Rubinoos. His music can be heard in many films and TV shows. 

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This month Alex and Paul celebrate the release of this, our sixth episode of the Education News Comedy quiz, by looking back at some of our favorite and funniest moments from the first shows. Is it too soon to do a "Best Of" episode? Probably. But why should that stop us?

So, laugh some, learn some and re-live some of the latest – and sometimes not so greatest – public education news stories, as our special guest contestants from around the world of education take the quiz. 

Featuring guests from our first five episodes:

• Teachers of the Year Dorina Ebuwa and Lindsey Jensen [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2505092/episodes/17236474]
• School finance and policy experts Jannelle Kubinec and Kevin Gordon [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2505092/episodes/17415760]
• School leaders Holly Blair and Jose Luis Navarro [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2505092/episodes/17597704]
• Big City School Superintendent Richard Carranza and high school student leader Luisa Sanchez [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2505092/episodes/17790605]
• School counselor Lori Woodley-Langendorff and Utah elementary school teacher John Arthur. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2505092/episodes/17964304]

And, as always, featuring music from our in-show band, Tommy Dunbar and the Number Two Pencils

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How are students doing in class -- and should they be outside more? And who's pulling the carpet out from under public schools? In this month's quiz we tackle these and other timely questions along with special guest contestants Utah Teacher of the Year John Arthur, and school counselor and All It Takes founder Lori Woodley-Langendorff.

We’ve got maverick teachers, social emotional learning, sagging science scores, school desks with minds of their own, capricious budget cuts, kickball, and more. So, laugh some, learn some, and grab a few nuggets of knowledge you can pass off as your own as Alex and Paul lead us through world-famous quiz games like Surfing the Education Headlines and Education Data Points of the Month. Plus, don’t miss our brand new game – Banned or Not Banned? – where we ponder which common items schools have banned. Chapstick anyone?

ABOUT OUR GUESTS

John Arthur teaches sixth grade at Meadow Lark Elementary School in Salt Lake City. He's a National Board Certified Teacher who was honored as the 2021 Utah State Teacher of the Year and National Teacher of the Year Finalist. In 2023, he was also recognized as one of Utah's Most Valuable Educators by the Utah Jazz. John's students have gained national recognition as advocates for themselves and their communities through the digital content they create and share across platforms, such as the YouTube channel 9thEvermore. John also recently authored "The New Digital Project Playbook, A Guide to Empower Students as Creators."

Lori Woodley-Langendorff, MS, PPS, is a school counselor who founded and serves as Chief Visionary Officer of All It Takes, a nonprofit that equips youth and those who serve them with essential emotional intelligence skills. She's also an award-winning docu-training producer of the Trusted Space film series, speaker, writer, trainer, and SEL curriculum developer. Her new book is titled "Social Emotional Learning Muscle Mastery Six, tools for Building Resilience and Connection in Schools and Communities." 

ABOUT OUR HOSTS

Alex Kajitani is a California Teacher of the Year and author of several books for educators, including Owning It, and You're A Teacher Now. He is an inspiring and engaging speaker, the Rappin' Mathematician, coach, and creator of programs for students and teachers, including Multiplication Nation, Math Success Camp, and the "New Teacher Success" video series.

Paul Richman is a Grammy and Academy Award-winning artist who...Wait, hold on -- that's someone else. Actually, Paul is an all-purpose education policy guy who has served as a leader for several statewide education associations, coalitions and policy initiatives. He also produced the "Adventures in Ed Funding" and "Budgeting for Educational Equity" podcasts, and currently serves as an executive producer of the Inside California Education statewide TV series.  

ABOUT OUR MUSIC

Tommy Dunbar is a musician, songwriter, and producer best known as the founder and lead guitarist of the power pop band The Rubinoos. His music can be heard in many films and TV shows, including Revenge of the Nerds, Bachelor Party, Sex Education, Lizzie McGuire. 

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Play this month’s quiz alongside high school senior and student advocate Luisa Sanchez and former big city superintendent Richard Carranza. Both are inspiring leaders and change makers who aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo to improve educational systems. Even so, can any of that prepare them for the types of questions Alex and Paul toss their way about the latest and not-so-greatest education news? Listen and find out.

This month’s quiz covers topics ranging from presidential physical fitness, parents’ attitudes about life after high school, support for English learners, what’s going on with kindergarteners, whether more students participate in band or football, teachers who marry other teachers – and more. 

Laugh some, learn some, and grab a few nuggets of wisdom that you can pass off as your own in our world-famous quiz games. Plus, Richard and Luisa offer terrific insights based on their experiences. 

And of course, we're the only education news comedy quiz with our own in-show band: Give it up for Tommy Dunbar and the Formative Assessments!

“If you’re an educator looking for some laughs, a sense of ‘I feel so seen’ via comedy and real talk on news and policy, THIS is the podcast for you!”

ABOUT OUR GUESTS

Luisa Sanchez is a senior at Boyle County High School in Danville, Kentucky. She serves as board president of the Kentucky Student Voice Team, a statewide organization that empowers students to use their voices to build up an educational system that values and serves them. She is also a journalist and part of her school's academic team and arts academy. Luisa is one of 12 courageous plaintiffs in a lawsuit students in her state have filed to improve opportunities for all students. 

Richard Carranza is an acclaimed educator who has served in virtually every role, including as Chancellor of the New York City Department of Education, the largest school system in the nation. He also served as Superintendent of the Houston Independent and San Francisco Unified school districts. Richard began his career as a high school bilingual social studies and music teacher, and then as a principal in Tucson, Arizona. Throughout his career, he has championed numerous initiatives to empower students, educators, and parents. He currently serves as the chief of strategy and global Development at IXL. 

ABOUT OUR HOSTS

Alex Kajitani is a California Teacher of the Year and author of several books for educators, including Owning It, and You're A Teacher Now. He is an inspiring and engaging speaker, the Rappin' Mathematician, coach, and creator of programs for students and teachers, including Multiplication Nation, Math Success Camp, and the "New Teacher Success" video series.

Paul Richman is a Grammy and Academy Award-winning artist who...Wait, hold on -- that's someone else. Actually, Paul is an all-purpose education policy guy who has served as a leader for several statewide education associations, coalitions and policy initiatives. He also produced the "Adventures in Ed Funding" and "Budgeting for Educational Equity" podcasts, and currently serves as an executive producer of the Inside California Education statewide TV series.  

ABOUT OUR MUSIC

Tommy Dunbar is a musician, songwriter, and producer best known as the founder and lead guitarist of the power pop band The Rubinoos. His music can be heard in many films and TV shows, including Revenge of the Nerds, Bachelor Party, Sex Education, Lizzie McGuire. 

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This month we’re all being sent to the principal’s office! Play alongside educator-leaders Dr. Holly Blair and Jose Luis Navarro as we ask questions about the latest and not-so-greatest education news. 

Laugh some, learn some, and grab a few nuggets of wisdom you can pass off as your own in our world-famous quiz games like Surfing the Education Headlines, and Education Data Points of the Month. Plus, test how many famous school principals you know from TV and movies in a special bonus game. 

Quiz topics range from “Everyone is welcome here” banners, education funding freezes, and the Ten Commandments in schools, to college admissions, school board elections, and touchless salad bars in school cafeteria. Holly and Jose also offer terrific insights into the world of educational leadership. Listen closely – or Holly may sit you down in her office rocking chair and give you “the look.”

“If you’re an educator looking for some laughs, a sense of ‘I feel so seen’ via comedy and real talk on news and policy, THIS is the podcast for you!”

“I laughed a lot as I learned – this is a fun way to catch up on significant education news – and the insights from the guests are first-rate.”

ABOUT OUR GUESTS

Dr. Holly Blair is an educator, speaker, college professor and more. Currently, she serves as Executive Director of the Maine Principals Association, where she influences educational leadership on a statewide scale. She has served as an elementary and middle school-level teacher and principal, including meeting the unique challenges of being a teaching principal in some of Maine’s most remote and under-resourced schools. She’s also the author of You Are Number One – The Science and Reasons Behind Why We Remember Some of Our Teachers, Forever. 

Jose Luis Navarro served for over 25 years in the Los Angeles education system in a variety of positions, including spearheading innovative initiatives to help turn around low-performing schools. He is National Board Certified and was honored as a California Teacher of the Year and Los Angeles Times Latino Educator of the Year. In 2011, he became the founding principal of the Social Justice Humanitas Academy, which earned several prestigious awards, including the National Community School Award and the Teacher Powered Schools National Award for Academic Excellence. He’s also a UC Distinguished Teacher and an adjunct professor at CSU Dominguez Hills, and he serves as a speaker and coach. More information at https://www.jlnavarro.com

ABOUT OUR HOSTS

Alex Kajitani is a California Teacher of the Year and author of several books for educators, including Owning It, and You're A Teacher Now. He is an inspiring and engaging speaker, the Rappin' Mathematician, coach, and creator of programs for students and teachers, including Multiplication Nation, Math Success Camp, and the "New Teacher Success" video series.

Paul Richman is a Grammy and Academy Award-winning artist who...Wait, hold on -- that's someone else. Actually, Paul is an all-purpose education policy guy who has served as a leader for several statewide education associations, coalitions and policy initiatives. He also produced the "Adventures in Ed Funding" and "Budgeting for Educational Equity" podcasts, and currently serves as an executive producer of the Inside California Education statewide TV series.  

ABOUT OUR MUSIC

Tommy Dunbar is a musician, songwriter, and producer best known as the founder and lead guitarist of the power pop band The Rubinoos. His music can be heard in many films and TV shows, including Revenge of the Nerds, Bachelor Party, Sex Education, Lizzie McGuire. 

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Go to our website.

Need an extra serving of laughter to help the latest education news go down a bit easier? In this month's quiz, play alongside special guest contestants Jannelle Kubinec and Kevin Gordon. Both are school finance and policy advocates who’ve played a vital role fighting for more education funding in California and nationally -- and both offer terrific insights into the issues facing public schools.

Laugh some, learn some and grab a few nuggets of wisdom you can pass off as your own in our quiz games like Surfing the Headlines, Education Data Points of the Month, Classroom Management Techniques, and True, False, or Whaaaaat? We ask questions about school vouchers, budget cuts, mobile devices in schools, carrying concealed weapons onto campus, perfect attendance, and more. Oh, and we pick on the State of Oklahoma again in this episode – why not?

“If you are an educator looking for laughs, a sense of “I feel so seen” via comedy and real talk on news/policy, THIS is the podcast for you!”

"I laughed a lot as I learned -- this is a fun way to catch up on significant education news -- and the insights from the guests are first-rate."

ABOUT OUR HOSTS

ALEX KAJITANI is a California Teacher of the Year and author of several books for educators, including "Owning It," and "You're A Teacher Now." He is an inspiring and engaging speaker, the Rappin' Mathematician, coach, and creator of powerful programs for students and teachers, including Multiplication Nation, Math Success Camp, and the "New Teacher Success" video series.

PAUL RICHMAN is a Grammy and Academy Award-winning artist who...Wait, hold on -- that's someone else. Actually, Paul is an all-purpose education policy guy who has served as a leader for several statewide education associations, coalitions and policy initiatives. He also produced the "Adventures in Ed Funding" and "Budgeting for Educational Equity" podcasts, and he currently serves as an executive producer of the Inside California Education statewide TV series.  

ABOUT OUR GUESTS

KEVIN GORDON is widely viewed as one of the top education advocates in California. He is the President and a founding Partner of Capitol Advisors Group. Previously he served as the longtime Executive Director of the California Association of School Business Officials, and as the Chief Lobbyist and Assistant Executive Director of the California School Boards Association. He also served as Chief of Staff to Congressman Robert T. Matsui and as a legislative advocate for the California Building Industry Association (CBIA). 

JANNELLE KUBINEC serves as Chief Executive Officer for WestEd. She brings over 20 years of experience transforming outcomes for children, youths, and their families through research, policy, and technical assistance. She has led major federally funded centers and is nationally recognized for her work related to school finance and effective resource allocation. Notable contributions include guiding California through a once-in-a-generation redesign and transformation of its K–12 funding formula and accountability system and serving as principal architect and manager of a diverse team of researchers and policy experts to craft the California Master Plan for Early Learning and Care. 

ABOUT OUR MUSIC

Tommy Dunbar is a musician, songwriter, and producer best known as the founder and lead guitarist of the power pop band The Rubinoos. His music can be heard in many films and TV shows, including Revenge of the Nerds, Bachelor Party, Sex Education, Lizzie McGuire. 

LEARN MORE: EdSource article on the Federal Education Budget Proposal

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Play the education news quiz alongside special guest contestants Dr. Dorina Sackman-Ebuwa and Dr. Lindsey Jensen -- both State Teachers of the Year (just like Alex!) This month we celebrate graduation season with AI, inquire into recent federal education funding decisions, and contemplate whether the State of Oklahoma has more public schools or pot dispensaries.

So...laugh some, learn some, and grab a nugget or two of knowledge you can pass off as your own to impress your colleagues.

"If you are an educator looking for laughs, a sense of 'I feel so seen' via comedy and real talk on news/policy, THIS is the podcast for you!"

"This first episode was a lot of fun! Loved the enthusiasm and authority of the teachers of the year."

ABOUT OUR GUESTS

Dr. Lindsey Jensen is the 2018 Illinois Teacher of the Year and currently serves as the early career development and student director for the Illinois Education Association. She is a writer, musician, singer, speaker, and more. Reach out to her at [email protected]

Dr. Dorina Sackman Ebuwa, affectionately known by her students as Miss Dorito, is the 2014 Florida Teacher of the Year, an award-winning multilingual learner educator, sought-after speaker, coach, creator of innovative professional development for educators, and more.  Reach out to her via Dorinasackman.com.

ABOUT OUR HOSTS

Alex Kajitani is a California Teacher of the Year and author of several books for educators, including "Owning It," and "You're A Teacher Now." He is an inspiring and engaging speaker, the Rappin' Mathematician, coach, and creator of powerful programs for students and teachers, including Multiplication Nation, Math Success Camp, and the "New Teacher Success" video series.

Paul Richman is a Grammy and Academy Award-winning artist who...Wait, hold on. That's someone else's bio...Paul actually is an education policy guy who has produced the "Adventures in Ed Funding" and "Budgeting for Educational Equity" podcasts, and currently serves as an executive producer of the Inside California Education statewide TV series. Previously he served as a leader for several statewide education associations, coalitions and policy initiatives.  

ABOUT OUR MUSIC

Tommy Dunbar is a musician, songwriter, and producer best known as the founder and lead guitarist of the power pop band The Rubinoos. His music can be heard in many films and TV shows, including Revenge of the Nerds, Bachelor Party, Sex Education, Lizzie McGuire. Additionally, Tommy has composed and produced catchy jingles and music for several major commercial brands.

LEARNING MORE (Because how can we have education in our show title and not provide some helpful resources?)

• One of the questions in this episode relates to U.S. Immigration and Enforcement (ICE) agents showing up at elementary schools in Los Angeles USD in an attempt to question young students. In this recent School ME podcast, Alice O’Brien and Lubna Alam from the National Education Association (NEA) legal team provided information and resources to help educators navigate the complex legal waters of the Trump administration's immigration policies.

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Play along each month with special guest contestants from the world of education as we ask lots of questions about the latest school news and answer -- well, some of them. 

If you want to laugh while you learn and learn while you laugh, this is the show for you!  Plus, hear great insights from the guests and come away with a few nuggets of knowledge you can pass off as your own in our world-famous quiz games like Surfing the Headlines, Education Data Points of the Month, and True, False or Whaaaaattt? We're also the only education news comedy quiz podcast with its own in-show band, Tommy Dunbar and the Number Two Pencils.

“I laughed a lot as I learned – this is a fun way to catch up on significant education news – and the insights from the guests are first-rate.”

ABOUT YOUR HOSTS

Alex Kajitani is a California Teacher of the Year and author of several books for educators, including "Owning It," and "You're A Teacher Now." He is an inspiring and engaging speaker, the Rappin' Mathematician, coach, and creator of powerful programs for students and teachers, including Multiplication Nation, Math Success Camp, and the "New Teacher Success" video series.

Paul Richman is a Grammy and Academy Award-winning artist who...Wait, hold on. That's someone else's bio...Paul actually is an education policy guy who has produced the "Adventures in Ed Funding" and "Budgeting for Educational Equity" podcasts, and currently serves as an executive producer of the Inside California Education statewide TV series. Previously he served as a leader for several statewide education associations, coalitions and policy initiatives.  

IN-HOUSE BAND

We're proud to be the only education news comedy quiz podcast with its own in-show band, led by Tommy Dunbar. Tommy is a musician, songwriter, and producer best known as the founder and lead guitarist of the power pop band The Rubinoos. His music can be heard in many films and TV shows, including Revenge of the Nerds, Bachelor Party, Sex Education, Lizzie McGuire, and more. 

“If you’re an educator looking for some laughs, a sense of ‘I feel so seen’ via comedy and real talk on news and policy, THIS is the podcast for you!”

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Go to our website.