On this episode of Breaking the Fourth Wall of Public Education, Kevin and David delve into the complexities of textbook adoption in education, highlighting the challenges and limitations of traditional textbooks. They explore the impact of reg

What Does Teacher Appreciation Look Like?

11 days ago 42m 49s

Teacher Appreciation Week is often seen as lacking authenticity and genuine appreciation. Many teachers feel that it is just window dressing and lip service from administrators. The timing of Teacher Appreciation Week, at the end of the school

Do Teachers Need to be Armed?

May 22nd, 2024 43m 50s

The conversation explores the topic of arming teachers in schools. The hosts discuss recent developments in states like Tennessee and Alaska that allow teachers to carry firearms. They examine the pros and cons of arming teachers and the potent

Teacher Attrition Continues for Good Reasons

May 22nd, 2024 57m 4s

In this conversation, Kevin and David discuss the reasons why teachers leave the education profession. They highlight several common themes, including the lack of substitutes and secretaries, the absence of work-life balance, low salaries, and

Do These Skills Matter?

May 15th, 2024 44m 38s

In this conversation, David and Kevin discuss the importance of teaching certain skills that are often overlooked in schools. They highlight the significance of teaching students how to read analog clocks, write in cursive, and engage in home e

Public Schools are Akin to the Post Office

Apr 29th, 2024 49m 58s

On this episode of Breaking the Fourth Wall of Public Education, David and Kevin discuss how chronic absenteeism in public schools has become a significant issue, with at least a third of students across the country considered chronically absen

The Transitioning Teacher with Guest Lauren Greener

Apr 29th, 2024 1h 1m

Kevin and David welcome guest Lauren Greener. Lauren is a newly transitioned teacher who left the classroom to explore other options. Together, they explore the stigma and misconceptions surrounding teachers who leave the education field. Laure

Politicians, Teachers, and Student Rights

Mar 25th, 2024 42m 30s

On the latest episode of Breaking the Fourth Wall of Public Education David and Kevin discuss a proposed bill in Missouri that would label teachers as sex offenders for helping transgender students in any way. The role of teachers is to suppor

Return of the Pink Slip + Gross Mismanagement = Teacher Shortage?

Mar 24th, 2024 51m 34s

Welcome back to another season of Breaking the Fourth Wall of Public Education! David and Kevin are excited to be back for this new season after taking some time off to refund the project. We're back and ready for another great conversation abo

Where are the Real Solutions to Teacher Retention

Nov 26th, 2023 47m 24s

On this episode of Breaking the Fourth Wall of Public Education Kevin and David disucss the ongoing teacher retention issue in the US. They explore a myriad of topics from buying teachers townhomes as an incentive to work to the hypycrital stri

Dallas plays Follows the Leader and No One Wins

Nov 13th, 2023 34m 28s

Education and Substance Abuse: A Conversation with Jessica Duenas

Oct 3rd, 2023 47m 57s

Jessica Dueñas, Ed.S., the founder of Bottomless to Sober and 2019 Kentucky State Teacher of the Year, is an educator in recovery who provides coaching services to individuals needing support in accomplishing their goals. In addition, Jessica f

Paying Teachers for Standardized Test Results?

Aug 28th, 2023 44m 12s

Welcome back to Breaking the Fourth Wall of Public Education. On this episode, Kevin and David discuss the terrible idea of paying teachers for standardized test results that Houston, TX has decided to give a whirl. The issues within this idea

An Interview with Eric Franzen from The Ideal School

Aug 24th, 2023 32m 16s

Welcome back to Breaking the Fourth Wall of Public Education. On this mid-week episode, we discuss The Ideal School with Eric Franzen. He is the director of the school and he requested a spot on the show to discuss his vision for education of t

Teachers Resign for Many Reasons - A Conversation With Danielle Marshall

Aug 21st, 2023 1h 3m

Welcome back to another entertaining and insightful episode of Breaking the Fourth Wall of Public Education. On this episode, David and Kevin interview former teacher Danielle Marshall about why she decided to leave education. Her story will re

Why We Decide to Leave Education: An Interview with Yehee Son

Jul 30th, 2023 53m 29s

Welcome back to another entertaining and insightful episode of Breaking the Fourth Wall of Public Education. On this episode, David and Kevin interview former teacher Yehee Son about why she decided to leave education. Her story of teaching wil

How Covid Changed Public Education

Jul 23rd, 2023 43m 57s

Welcome back listeners! Thank you for tuning in and sharing your time with us. On this episode, Kevin and David discuss some of the lasting effects of COVID on public education. Coming back into the classroom after almost two years of distance

Cellphones are Disrupting Education

Jul 23rd, 2023 57m 13s

Welcome back listeners! Kevin and David are back with another controversial topic that teachers and educators deal with every day, cellphones. The collective grown of teachers everywhere can be heard loud and clear at Breaking the Fourth Wall o

The Story of Transitioning Teachers

Jul 5th, 2023 52m 38s

Welcome back to another episode of Breaking the Fourth Wall of Public Education. On this episode, we discuss the many aspects and experiences of teachers transitioning out of the classroom into new careers. Since 2020, over 600K teachers have l

Is Banning Books Really a Good Idea? A Conversation with Carla Goldberg

Jun 20th, 2023 54m 52s

Welcome back to an all new episode of Breaking the Fourth Wall of Public Education. This week we discuss book banning in the U.S. Regardless of your opinion on this topic, this episode will surely inform and entertain you. Carla Goldberg is a f

The Dangers of Social Promotion

Jun 12th, 2023 46m 57s

Social Promotion has been an issue in puiblic schools since they were formed. However, in our ever increasingly competitive world social promotion is something parents and our communities at large should be more concerned about. Listen as Kevin

What is Special Education Really About? An Interview with April Maule

Jun 5th, 2023 55m 38s

In this episode, Kevin and David continue to expose the many reasons for the Teacher Retention Issue with a candid discussion about special education with special guest and former teacher, April Maule. April lives in Pennsylvania and taught the

School Schedule Solutions

May 5th, 2023 53m 42s

In this episode, Kevin and David continue to expose the many reasons for the Teacher Retention Issue with a candid discussion about school scheduling. Your hosts offer some solutions to the issue that will improve outcomes, relieve some anxiety

Your Tax Dollars in Action: Part II of our Discussion about Accountability with Pete Mercier

Apr 28th, 2023 1h 1m

In Part II of our conversation with former teacher turned Learning Specialist, David, Kevin, and Pete discuss the current violence plaguing our public school system. Together, they offer some candid reasons why this upward trend seems to have a

School Shootings, Accountability, & Observations: An Interview with Pete Mercier

Apr 27th, 2023 56m 15s

Join our conversation with Pete Mercier as we discuss the recent shooting of a sixth grade teacher that made national news. Pete taught in the school district where this violence occured and offers his unique perspective on the situation. Kevin