208 Weeks Podcast

This week we are talking about why teacher stereotypes lean negative so frequently. Here’s a compilation of the Education Department posts we reference in the episode, in all its copyright-infringed glory: Here’s KTLA’s story about Tracy Morgan’s comment about teachers. We haven’t posted a link to the whole Golden Sowers list in a while, so even if you aren’t into a book like “The Scarlet Alchemis...

First and foremost, there is a spoiler in here for “The Pitt,” so listen/watch at your own peril. Social media is all a-chattering about America’s literacy crisis, so we weigh in. If you didn’t know, the Book-It program is back! On a related note to the literacy discussion, we have the Wall Street Journal’s story about how much YouTube students are watching during school (sorry for the paywall—if...

This week we explain our unplanned hiatus and discuss our latest Golden Sower pick, “Give Me A Sign.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit 208weeks.substack.com

This week we are talking about Adam Kirsch’s article in The Atlantic, “Reading is a Vice.” (That’s a gift link for you—please READ it!) We reference a quote attributed to a CBC journalist early in the episode; sadly, I cannot find any actual print or video evidence it was uttered by anyone affiliated with the CBC. Social media strikes again. Here’s a link to our next Golden Sower book, “Give Me A...

This week we have a few pieces of good news and our discussion of “Swarm” by Jennifer D. Lyle. Here’s the stories we reference in the podcast—but beware falling down the Steve Hartman rabbit hole. My advice if you do? Take a box of Kleenex. * This kid who ran against his high school teacher for a board of supervisors position. * This coach who told his team they lost after they thought they won. W...

We figured the time for us to yap about conferences was *not* around the time we are actually having them, so this week, we are sharing our thoughts on ye olde tradition of parent-teacher conferences. Here is the dissertation Rowse references in the episode, if you’re into that sort of thing. Don’t forget—our next episode is when we are discussing Jennifer D. Lyle’s “Swarm,” so you have two weeks...

This week, we address trends we see in the physical health of our students, namely, vaccinations and energy drinks. We reference the Americas losing measles eradication status, due to the number of cases in Canada . One point we talked about was barriers to vaccinations and cost, and someone I follow on Instagram who lives in Alberta posted after we taped this episode that for her family to receiv...

This week we are back at it, talking about teachers’ mental health as our education issue of the week. So please, listen with care. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please reach out to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. Also, you can go to the National Alliance on Mental Illness for a variety of resources. Here’s the link to the Golden Sowers that Rowse talks about. Read our fi...

It took us most of the summer to get around to yapping, but we finally did, and it’s a doozy. We chat about AI and its impact on our day to day life, but also its infiltration into the education space. If you’re a teacher and you’re not sure how to talk about AI beyond “ugh it’s cheating,” we have some ideas for you in the last half of the episode. If you have more ideas, drop them in the comments...

Shout out to our dedicated listeners who let us know early this morning that the full episode did not upload. Sorry to spam your feed twice in one day, but if you got the first 20 minutes and would like the final 18, fast forward, and enjoy. In case you missed the show notes on the first attempt, this is our last episode this season, and we welcome anyone who’d like to record a guest spot for next...

It’s our last episode before summer break! We are still looking for guests to talk about their favorite teachers for our next season, and if you are camera shy, please write in and we are happy to read what you have to say instead! Most important, here’s a link to pre-order Stueve’s book, out June 18. Go get your copy today! Thanks for reading 208 Weeks! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and...

This week we chat about STEM, and how Ian Malcolm in “Jurassic Park” had it right lo these many years ago. To be crystal clear here in writing, as well as what we say in the podcast—STEM in education isn’t an either/or situation. As with many things in life, it’s a both/and. As always, we would love to hear stories about your favorite teachers so comment, email, text, or send carrier pigeons to le...

We could all be a little better at apologizing and accepting consequences, right? Find out how in this week’s episode, and watch us do what all seasoned teachers must learn to do: pivot. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit 208weeks.substack.com

This week we share how we run businesses in addition to our teaching responsibilities—and we aren’t talking about side hustles. We’re talking about the businesses attached to our teaching assignments. Many of the teachers you know are running clubs and sports that function as small businesses in addition to their teaching responsibilities. Did you know that? Always looking for guests to talk about...

We realized we miscounted at some point and today marks the start of Week #11 of the current administration, so we’ve adjusted this week’s title to reflect that. We regret the error. Here is a link to the bill we reference in this week’s episode, if you are so inclined to read it. As usual, if you have a favorite teacher you’d like to chat with us about on the podcast, let us know! Leave a comment...

A note about this week’s episode: we recorded on Wednesday March 19. President Trump signed an executive order on March 20 to close the Department of Education. His press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, clarified prior to the signing that critical functions such as student loans and funding for students with disabilities would remain with the department. After a press conference where a new fighter j...

We’ll be on at least a two-week podcast hiatus as Rowse kicks off the one-two punch of tech week and show week for the school musical. But we hope to be back the week of March 10! Here’s a gift link to the Washington Post article referenced in this week’s podcast. If you’d like to be a guest on the pod and talk about your favorite teacher, let us know! This is a public episode. If you would like t...

A couple of things you might want to know: * We meant to have a post before this one but it helps to hit the record button (that’s on me —Rowse. Whoops) * We meant to have Week Four posted earlier but it helps to not work in a germ factory that needs heavy sage-ing (my fault again—been sick for several days and spinning plates are just falling all over the place) * In our haste to “just do the thi...

AE Stueve and Julie L. Rowse are teachers and writers and one day Stueve said, “You know what? We should start another podcast!” And Rowse said, “Okay!” So they hammered out a rough outline and idea and followed Ira Glass’ advice of “Don’t wait. Just make the thing. Make a version. And then make it better.” This is our thing. Our first version. We’ll make it better over the next 208 weeks. We hope...