Class, we’ve all experienced terrible trainings, right? Modules drier than a desert and handbooks that leave us bored to tears while not providing any actual knowledge of the company’s methodologies or values? Well, thank goodness for educated workplace educator and brand new Pencil Buster Luis Garcia, co-founder and president of PETE-Personalized Education, Training, and Enrichment! […]

Guest: Luis Garcia

Mar 19, 2025

23:39

Happy Monday Class, let’s bust some pencils! In last week’s homeroom, we covered the lawsuit filed by 8 Attorneys General in opposition to the cancellation of hundreds of millions of dollars in teacher training grants. Now, their efforts in suing pay off- at least temporarily- as a federal judge orders those grants reinstated in the […]

Mar 17, 2025

22:20

What makes something a public good? In short, inclusion and access. It cannot exclude anyone- regardless of background, socioeconomic status, or creed. Dr. Jonathan Gyurko, repeat Pencil Buster, joins us to discuss his recent article on higher education’s status as a non-public good. Although our institutions of higher education- even those that call themselves “public”- […]

Guest: Dr. Jonathan Gyurko

Mar 15, 2025

45:32

Pencil Busters, we made it through another week! So let’s take some time to reflect on how essential-curricular activities contribute to the “becoming” of young adults. Two weeks ago, we talked with the managers of WSU Hockey’s award-winning social media team. Today, we hear from Kianna Hamer and Katherine Bresani, members of the team who […]

Guests: Giancarlo Bresani, Katherine Bresani, Kianna Hamer

Mar 14, 2025

21:06

Humanities majors have been in decline for well over a decade. In an age when the two words “liberal” and “arts” are separately hot-button, putting the two together doesn’t sell well to a broad audience. But you know what does? “Marketability” “job-readiness” and “communication skills”. And that’s why schools are beginning to rebrand their humanities […]

Guest: Jon Marcus

Mar 12, 2025

21:37

We apologize for being tardy to Homeroom today, Class! While we don’t have a parent note, we do have trending education news to share with you! Let’s focus in, because policy changes are coming fast, loud, and confusing. First, more labor unions representing educators join the AFT in their lawsuit against the federal Department of […]

Mar 10, 2025

22:46

Happy Saturday, Pencil Busters! Today, we catch up with the incredible work the Wisconsin Public Education Network is doing, led by Executive Director Heather DuBois Bourenane. With 86 of Wisconsin’s 421 public school districts already going to referenda in the spring elections, WPEN’s been busy. They held a Day of Action at the state capitol […]

Guest: Heather DuBois Bourenane

Mar 8, 2025

45:33

Pencil Busters, can you believe we’re in the playoffs for winter sports already? Today, we catch up with Chad Holmes, host of the WXCO morning show and Civic Media sports broadcaster. He’s been extremely busy covering playoffs for wrestling, hockey, and basketball. With the end of the season upon us, he shares updates, surprises, and lessons […]

Guest: Chad Holmes

Mar 7, 2025

20:42

Welcome to class, Pencil Busters! Today, we’re discussing “Dear Colleague” letters, following up on our Homeroom session from Monday. Last week, the Office of Civil Rights within the federal Department of Education sent out a “Dear Colleague” letter to all schools subject to the department. So today, Dr. Tim and Dr. Johnny break down what […]

Mar 5, 2025

23:37

Class, let’s get into the news for this week. President Trump’s administration made clear that they do not value diversity, equity, or inclusion. Though those words “diversity,” “equity,” and “inclusion” separately rarely prompt any vitriol, together they form a rallying cry of- ironically- discrimination from some. Diversity is a basic truth of life, none of […]

Mar 3, 2025

19:15