Nerducators

This week guest host Cristal Godina joins us as we tackle one of the most misunderstood (and most necessary) parts of teaching: classroom management. What it really is, why it’s not about control, and how consistency, routines, and relationships quietly do the heavy lifting. From Hogwarts metaphors to heckling audiences, filing cabinet fails to Otterbucks victories, we break down what actually wor...

This week we’re diving into one of the biggest game-changers on any campus: school culture. What it is, how it grows, and why it’s really just a fancy word for belonging. From rallies to hallway rituals, chicken-tender nicknames to Batman headbands, we get into the real stuff that makes a school feel like a community. Cool in School: • Leadership love from parents • A surprisingly perfect Chico St...

From slow-claps to GLEAM: grade-level rigor, real talk, and a rainbow pumpkin What happens when two middle-school teachers and their favorite guest crack open UnboundEd’s GLEAM (Grade-Level, Engaging, Affirming, Meaningful) and ask the big question: “Who’s doing the thinking?” Chandler, Russell, and Melissa Robinson-Eagles (aka Mrs. Russell) get candid about teaching at grade level, scaffolding wi...

Ever wondered what would happen if two teachers actually got to rebuild the entire education system? Chandler and Russell throw out grades, bring back recess, and design the perfect school from scratch. Complete with hoodie weather, Mariners magic, and just a touch of chaos. From Hogwarts halls to AVID calls, this is the episode where they fix it all (you’re welcome). Cool in School: Contexto — th...

In this episode, Chandler and Russell explore what happens when artificial intelligence strolls into the classroom...without a hall pass. From AI schools with HUGE tuition tags to ChatGPT lesson planning hacks, they tackle how technology can amplify teaching without replacing teachers. There’s laughter, practical advice, and a healthy reminder that while bots can help, real intelligence still runs...

Joy is contagious in this one. Chandler and Russell swap the moments that keep teachers going from admin who have your back to the everyday magic of the classroom. We celebrate student wins (EL breakthroughs, creative math, and kids who finally beat the teacher at Speed), shout out the WNBA’s Valkyries, and share legendary tales such as: the “ship” incident, the haunted orange wall, and the Great...

When the job swings from rally-day highs to “why am I doing everything?” lows, teacher mental health matters most. We unpack secondary trauma, SEL overload, and the pressure to be everything to everyone—then pivot to doable fixes: permission to set limits, simple play breaks kids actually remember, and low-lift tools (hello, sheet-protector “whiteboards”) that cut stress without cutting learning....

In this episode, Chandler and Russell dive into the wild world of assessments—where grades don’t always measure learning, zeros pack way too much power, and bias sneaks in faster than a kid guessing C on every multiple-choice question. From standards-based grading to standardized testing, floaty potatoes, and why letter grades are the worst alphabet soup, we unpack what assessments are really doin...

What makes professional development inspiring, and what makes it fall flat? Chandler and Russell break down their PD wish list and share how to make sessions actually useful for teachers. They also talk about why the best learning often happens at conferences, which ones are worth the trip, and how to bring those ideas back to your school. Also, you’ll get tall tales of imaginary plant parts, epic...

Chandler and Russell are one foot in their classrooms and one foot still in summer break. In this episode, they talk all things back-to-school—from classroom setup to personal goals. Classroom prep is all about taking care of “Future You,” but let’s be real—Past You wasn’t always helpful. They unpack what’s working, what’s not, and what they hope to pull off this year—without burning out by Octobe...

In this chaotic and cathartic summer check-in, Chandler and Brian catch up on all the things: new dogs, new houses, minor power tool injuries, and major feelings about the year that nearly broke us. Come for the cross-eyed rescue pup and cat soundboard—stay for the real talk on group work, burnout, and why restorative justice matters more than ever. It's part therapy, part comedy, and all summer v...

Chandler and Russell are back—and this time, they’re tackling the monster under the gradebook: traditional grading systems. Join them as they dive into their most spirited (and slightly chaotic) episode yet, featuring meowing soundboards, flying rubber chickens, and the deep truth behind grading for equity. Chandler celebrates not teaching summer school for once, Russell fixes a toilet and feels m...

In this episode of Nerducators, Chandler and Russell dive deep into why teachers are leaving the profession in record numbers—and what real, practical changes could help turn the tide. From shocking statistics on burnout to funny moments about moving trucks and "chicken jockeys," they balance heavy truths with humor, hope, and real talk about rebuilding education from the ground up. Whether you're...

Chandler and Russell go long—like, longer-than-usual long—to answer real questions from students and listeners in a special Q&A episode! From hidden talents to “do you secretly hate other teachers?”, no question is off limits. They swap stories from the classroom, including Russell’s showdown with the ghost living in his classroom wall and Chandler's kindergarten scavenger hunt for leprechaun...

Teachers Chandler and Russell hilariously debate phones, social media, and cursive in a post-COVID world—while Chandler reads historical documents as bedtime stories.

Chandler and Russell dive into the rise of post-COVID apathy in students — why motivation feels so low, what’s really behind it, and how educators can help students reconnect with learning. Plus, Chandler can’t resist pressing all the sound effects (including a perfectly timed cat meow), much to Russell’s delight... or not. Tune in for insight, laughs, and a little bit of chaos!