Will This Be On The Test? Teacher Pod

And so...we come to the end of the road.

After much thought and discussion, we have decided that we are at the end of our podcasting journey. Although all three of us loved having the podcast, and loved getting to know and talking to our guests, and loved to know (or hope at least) that we were helping teachers and other folks, podcasting also involves time, and effort. Getting those guests, and doing the editing, and prepping for episodes-it can take up a lot of time, especially if you want to put out something good. And we've all started to feel the strain of doing the work, along with everything else we do-we have jobs, we have kids-something had to give.

Also, life in the education world has become impossibly difficult. Teachers are struggling with the behaviors of kids that are just mind boggling, some communities are dealing with school boards that are shady at best-it's just hard. And while it's super important for people to be aware of all of the crap that's happening, it also began to feel like we were repeating it over and over and over-because it's happening everywhere, over and over-and that maybe that heaviness isn't good for listeners who still need to get up everyday and face this crap. Maybe during the little free time teachers have, they shouldn't be hit over the head about how shitty their work life is.

We would like to thank all of our guests. We've learned so much from you! And just hanging out and talking to the wonderful people who took the time to speak to us was one of the best things about doing this podcast.

And, of course, we would like to thank our listeners. You guys are the best! We hope that we made you laugh, or smile, or gave you information that is helpful in some way.

And with that, it's time to sign off. With love, Yo Miss (Annette), Miss V (Andrea) and Scotty (Bill)

Miss V went camping, Yo Miss and Scotty went to a barbecue and started to clean out 32 years of crap from their house...and we did not record. We will be back next week though!

This is Part 2 of our two part story about Woodland Park, Colorado, a bucolic little town in the shadow of Pikes Peak. A place where the schools have been overtaken by a group of people who know little to nothing about education. They also give zero f*cks about the faculty and staff of the school district.

It's a crazy story that gets worse by the day-mass exodus of teachers, families pulling their kids out, and things like the teachers being made members of a union-ish organization that they didn't give any indication they'd like to be part of. And in Colorado, schools are locally controlled-meaning the state can't intervene. The acting superintendent can run rampant, with the support of the board. The only way out is electing a new board.

We spoke to Logan Ruths, the former records custodian for Woodland Park, who has been embroiled in this situation as it has unfolded, and Matt Gawlowski, parent/activist and developer of the "Support Woodland Park Schools" website (https://supportwpschools.com/). It's a story you don't want to skip.

As the title says-it's a cautionary tale. For every single district out there.

Be sure to check out Miss V's terrific Substack, "Over Drinks!"

Thanks to Max Siskind, of the "Max and Maks in the Morning" podcast, for voicing our intro.

Email: [email protected]

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If you heard of a corporation that had secret meetings, non-disclosure of public documents, and a company policy that included a gag order for employees' personal social media, you might say "wow, that's a pretty toxic environment." Now...suppose you found out it was actually a school district? Shocking, right? Well, not so much these days.

We are talking about the very real Woodland Park, Colorado school district, where the interim superintendent, despite being recalled as a member of a board of education elsewhere, was the ONLY candidate considered. Where administrators and teachers are leaving in droves. Where a charter school has been placed in the middle school building, causing the sixth grade to be moved-without a discussion with building principals or teachers.

And where the Records Custodian-the person who handles all of the Open Records Requests-was unceremoniously terminated. Strangely, after he voiced objections to some of the less-than-open practices of the District, including instructing him to not fulfill requests.

We spoke to Logan Ruths, the former records custodian for Woodland Park, and Matt Gawlowski, parent/activist and developer of the "Support Woodland Park Schools" website. It's a story you don't want to skip.

Because...it could happen to you.

Be sure to check out Miss V's terrific Substack, "Over Drinks!"

Thanks to Max Siskind, of the "Max and Maks in the Morning" podcast, for voicing our intro.

Email: [email protected]

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Website: https://anchor.fm/wtbott-teacher-pod

It always sounds so glamorous, going abroad to teach. You get to travel, learn about a different country and culture, try out different food and clothing...great, right? However, just like everything else that is reality and not a fairy tale, there is two sides to the story. Meet Jessica Graham, an international teacher (up until recently) who has taught in UAE, Vietnam, and China. She tells us all about her experiences-how she started out with this gig, positives and negatives, how she got locked out of China during the pandemic, while her belongings were there. She also tells us about her new career as a copywriter and branding expert-and yes, she uses her teaching skills daily!

If you'd like more information about Jessica's branding/copywriting business, her website is:

We also discuss the dumb things we did as kids (or, in Miss V's case, the thing she didn't do that still haunts her), our first celebrity crushes (I <3 Davey Jones!), and of course, food. Because would this be an episode of WTBOTT Teacher Pod if we didn't talk about food??

Be sure to check out Miss V's terrific Substack, "Over Drinks!"

Thanks to Max Siskind, of the "Max and Maks in the Morning" podcast, for voicing our intro.

Email: [email protected]

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Website: https://anchor.fm/wtbott-teacher-pod

Last season, we spoke to the creator of the Facebook group "Life After Teaching," where teachers looking to get out of the profession can go to get information, support, and people to cheer them on. In this episode, we speak to one of the members of "Life After Teaching," who left teaching after six years and moved on to a related field, but without the BS of public education. Give this episode a listen as we interview our guest-her reasons for leaving will definitely resonate with you, and her description of her new career will make you want to run and re-do your resume!

We also talk about miserable weather conditions, getting old (yeah, Miss V is feeling ancient, which Scotty and Yo Miss think is hilarious), and foods that we love but other people think we are crazy to ingest.

Check out our new artwork, created by Miss V! And because she's multifaceted, she also has a terrific Substack, "Over Drinks!"

Thanks to Max Siskind, of the "Max and Maks in the Morning" podcast, for voicing our intro.

Email: [email protected]

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Reddit:  r/WTBOTT_Teacher_Pod

Website: https://anchor.fm/wtbott-teacher-pod

Education in Florida. What can we say about that? So many things. Book banning, "don't say gay," and the latest, a principal being asked to resign because parents objected to Michelangelo's "David" being shown in an art class. And the leader of this pack, Ron DeSantis, the governor of the Florida and expected presidential candidate, just keeps the hits coming. We talked to Mia, a Florida teacher, and heard all about how the new education policies in Florida have impacted teaching, and job satisfaction. And how having DeSantis as your governor makes a horrible time for teachers even worse.

So yeah, we're jealous of your weather. But hell no, we are not jealous of your governor!!

We also talk about the "delightful" recognition Miss V received on Facebook. What goes on with people??

Check out our new artwork, created by Miss V! And because she's multifaceted, she also has a terrific Substack, "Over Drinks!"

Thanks to Max Siskind, of the "Max and Maks in the Morning" podcast, for voicing our intro.

Email: [email protected]

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Reddit:  r/WTBOTT_Teacher_Pod

Website: https://anchor.fm/wtbott-teacher-pod

Welcome to Season 3 of "Will This Be On The Test? Teacher Pod!" We are super excited to continue on our journey to bring you content that is honest, informative, and hopefully sometimes amusing! On our first episode of this season, we are so excited to have Stacey Ogden, creator of https://sidehustleteachers.com/! Stacey takes us through the process of blogging as a side hustle that actually MAKES MONEY, and doesn't force you to ask your friends to buy candles/makeup/leggings. And guess what? In addition to bringing in some cash, blogging might just give you the outlet you need to feel happier, and less available for the drudgery of extra "teaching" responsibilities (I'm talking to you, door decorating).

Also, check out our new artwork, created by Miss V! And because she's multifaceted, she also has a terrific Substack, "Over Drinks!"

Thanks to Max Siskind, of the "Max and Maks in the Morning" podcast, for voicing our intro.

Email: [email protected]

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Instagram: WTBOTTCast

Twitter: Will This Be On The Test? (Teacher Pod)

Reddit:  r/WTBOTT_Teacher_Pod

Website: https://anchor.fm/wtbott-teacher-pod

So we took a little break between seasons...but we're not just sitting around, we are getting all sorts of interesting guests and content for Season 3! We will see you next week with the first episode of Season 3!

You know how you sit in PD workshops, thinking about how completely out of touch the presenter is with what really takes place in a classroom? You even wonder if they've actually ever taught in a real classroom-or if they did, for how long. 

So you might be thinking, "Ugh, are they really having a behavior management 'expert' on the podcast? Who needs more of that crap!" 

We get it.

But...and we promise you, this isn't BS...this is different. For real.

We interviewed Scott Ervin, of Ervin Educational Consulting, a.k.a "The Kid Whisperer." Scott not only taught (as well as held positions as an administrator and discipline specialist) in urban districts for 10 years; he requested the toughest kids, year after year. And found ways to related to them, to address discipline challenges, and to teach. And when you hear his strategies, you'll be nodding your head, because they are actionable, and they make sense. He's also written a book, "The Classroom Behavior Manual: How To Build Relationships with Students, Share Control, and Teach Positive Behaviors," that gives teachers common sense tactics to put in place. If you've pondered, during these difficult times, how you can possibly get some control over your class(es), give this episode a listen. You can thank us later.

Thanks to Max Siskind, of the "Max and Maks in the Morning" podcast, for voicing our intro.

Email: [email protected]

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Instagram: WTBOTTCast

Twitter: Will This Be On The Test? (Teacher Pod)

Reddit:  r/WTBOTT_Teacher_Pod

Website: https://anchor.fm/wtbott-teacher-pod