Breaking the Fourth Wall of Public Education

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 life of its own in modern schools. They point out the fact that decades of de-professionalizing teachers has resulted in fewer young peopole choosing educa...

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, David, and Pete discuss school violence, accountabilty, discipline codes, and defend schools administrators who are also stuck in the middle of a systemic...

Gaslighting teachers and students is one of the leading causes of the systemic Teacher Retention Issue. In this episode, Kevin and David discuss how gaslighting has become normalized within many schools across the country, and how this is one of the most important issues at the heart of the mass exodus of highly qualified teachers from public schools. Funny stories, great examples, and a light-hea...

Welcome back! David and Kevin discuss school data on this episode of Breaking the Fourth Wall of Public Education. Continuing the expsoure of the Teacher Retention Problem currently plaguing the national public education system, your hosts unpack the concerns most teachers have with school data, particularly how it is used within the system. Teachers are data experts that use their own data every...

Kevin and David are back after some health issues interupted production. This week they discuss how absoluelty useless most professional development really is for teachers and school staff. They offer a few suggestions for improving the system ans also dive into a few stories about PD disasters. Thank you for hanging in there with us while we were gone. We are back with all new episodes for seaon...

In this episode, Kevin and David discuss a simple idea that will certainly help schools retain more teachers. Let the teachers teach. Although, this would be only part of the solution to the current Teacher Retention Issue, stepping back from administrative micromanagement and learning from the professionals that are in classrooms every day would go a long way to improving the lives and education...

Welcome back to part two of our interview with award winning teacher and published author, Kimberly Phinney. Kimberly discusses gaslighting and 'gotcha culture' with hosts, Kevin and David, along with the occasional relatable teacher story. Kimberly's perspective on what it means to be a teacher offers solutions to a broken system. We want to thank Kimberly for her appearance as well as for her re...

This episode is part one of a two part interview with published author and former public school teacher, Kimberly Phinney. Kimberly furthers our discussion about work life balance and the teacher retention problem currently plaguing the nation. Feedback loops, teacher burnout and demoralization, facilitaing meaningful change to the system, and the occasional quip are all here for your listening en...

In episdoe six, Kevin and David continue their discussion about the Teacher Retention Issue facing the nation. The subject of this podcast focuses on how recent changes to discipline codes to better align with the Progressive Discipline model are erodong the very fabric of public school culture. Through examples and personal experience, hosts David and Kevin make valid points concerning the extere...

In episode five, Kevin and David discuss teacher burnout from personal experience. They share details about teaching that are often not discussed as they continue to unwrap the reasons for the teacher retention problem plaguing public education today. Kevin opens up about why he left teaching. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/breaking-the-fourth-wall-of-public-e...

Tenure is a highly debated issue in the U.S. today. The media has portrayed public school tenure as "guaranteed lifetime employment", which is so far from the truth it boggles the mind. In episode four, David and Kevin discuss public school tenure law and why due process rights are necessary for teachers to effectively teach their students and to perform their job functions. In addition, they disc...

In this episode, Kevin and David interview former Massachusetts teacher, Stephen Guerriero, about the Teacher Retention crisis. They explore the reasons for the strikes in Massachusetts and how striking opened the door to serious dialogue with school boards about working conditions and work life balance for public school educators. In addition, Stephen contributes a new dynamic to our continuing c...

In episode two, hosts Kevin and David continue their discussion about the teacher shortage myth, which is actually a systemic teacher retention problem. They make direct connections to how a poor work life balance and increasing unrealistic expectations have only served to push more teachers away from the classroom and into other related professions. From the guilt and stress of taking a sick day...

On episode one, hosts Kevin and David introduce what the show is all about and immediately dive into the sham teacher shortage. They discuss the retention problem schools are facing today as the real culprit of the teacher shortage and begin to touch on the systemic problems facing public education that are driving teachers away from their careers by the thousands. Become a supporter of this podca...