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 Instructor and 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

Send us a text

Support the show

Go to our website.