Send us Fan Mail Here's what I wish teachers would do to make substitute teachers lives easier.
May 23
16 min
Send us Fan Mail A quick random refresher episode - things I've done wrong.
Mar 18
14 min
Send us Fan Mail All good things must come to an end. After six remarkable years and 301 episodes, I'm closing the door on the Substitute Teachers Lounge podcast. When I started this journey in November 2019, I was simply looking for a podcast that served substitute teachers—and finding none, decided to create one myself. Nearly 100,000 listens later, I'm humbled by how this resource has connected with the substitute teaching community. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. Yo...
Aug 18, 2025
7 min
Send us Fan Mail Reaching the milestone 300th episode, I'm tackling a universal substitute teaching challenge that surprisingly hasn't been the central focus of any previous episode: getting reassigned after you've arrived at school. The moment when administrators approach with that apologetic look, asking if you'd mind switching to a different classroom than the one you accepted, triggers a range of emotions. Drawing from my nearly eight years in substitute teaching, I share two contrasting...
Aug 12, 2025
16 min
Send us Fan Mail Seven years of substitute teaching stories have taught me one crucial lesson: behind every student behavior is a complex inner world most teachers never glimpse. In this anniversary episode, I take you inside the minds of six distinct student archetypes you'll encounter in your classroom this year. Listen as Marie reveals her anxiety about transitioning to high school and losing her hard-won social status. Experience Ben's internal pressure to maintain his athletic reputatio...
Aug 5, 2025
10 min
Send us Fan Mail What happens when a teacher accustomed to older students suddenly faces a classroom of elementary schoolers? Everything changes. From the surprising power dynamics to the unexpected emotional responses, teaching younger children demands an entirely different approach.
Jul 18, 2025
11 min
Send us Fan Mail Money matters in the substitute teaching world, especially when your paycheck doesn't match that of permanent teachers. The eternal question: Should you spend your hard-earned dollars on classroom supplies?
Jul 7, 2025
11 min
Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered what happens when artificial intelligence writes your life story? In this fascinating episode, I dive into the surreal experience of discovering an AI-generated book about my substitute teaching career—written entirely without my input beyond a few basic questions. ge of the AI-generated book cover!
Jun 26, 2025
12 min
Send us Fan Mail A substitute teacher reflects on how Generation Alpha differs from Gen Z and how teachers can adapt their methods accordingly. This light-hearted exploration of generational differences reveals that Alpha students are the first fully digital generation, with distinct learning preferences and world perspectives. • Fourth graders are split between Gen Z and Generation Alpha based on their birth years • Generation Alpha grew up entirely in the digital age, making them extremely...
Jun 10, 2025
11 min
Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered what elementary school students really think about their teachers? In this unique episode, we flip the script by interviewing our youngest guests ever - students from kindergarten through fifth grade - to gain their unfiltered perspectives on education. Our first guest Anna, a fifth-grade graduate with straight A's, shares wisdom beyond her years about academic success. Her advice to take time for projects "even if you have to take time from recess" re...
May 29, 2025
9 min
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