Substitute Teachers Lounge

• FINAL EPISODE - Substitute Teachers Lounge podcast (and why)

  Send us a textAll good things must come to an end. After six remarkable years and 301 episodes, I'm closing the door on the Substitute Teachers Lounge podcast. When I started this journey in November 2019, I was simply looking for a podcast that served substitute teachers—and finding none, decided to create one myself. Nearly 100,000 listens later, I'm humbled by how this resource has connected with the substitute teaching community.Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. Your support turned what statistics said would be a seven-episode experiment into a six-year adventure. Wishing you all the best in your substitute teaching careers!

  --------  

  7:18

  --------

  7:18
• When You Get Moved: A Substitute Teacher's Dilemma

  Send us a textReaching the milestone 300th episode, I'm tackling a universal substitute teaching challenge that surprisingly hasn't been the central focus of any previous episode: getting reassigned after you've arrived at school.The moment when administrators approach with that apologetic look, asking if you'd mind switching to a different classroom than the one you accepted, triggers a range of emotions. Drawing from my nearly eight years in substitute teaching, I share two contrasting library reassignment stories—one where I felt valued for handling a challenging class another substitute abandoned, and another where I was disappointed to leave a carefully planned library assignment.nts? I'd love to hear your experiences!

  --------  

  16:34

  --------

  16:34
• Oh, the Students You'll Meet!

  Send us a textSeven years of substitute teaching stories have taught me one crucial lesson: behind every student behavior is a complex inner world most teachers never glimpse. In this anniversary episode, I take you inside the minds of six distinct student archetypes you'll encounter in your classroom this year.Listen as Marie reveals her anxiety about transitioning to high school and losing her hard-won social status. Experience Ben's internal pressure to maintain his athletic reputation through classroom disruption. Discover Julie's competitive academic mindset that drives her constant need for validation. Feel Fred's quiet desperation to simply fit in without being targeted by bullies. Understand Frank's calculated strategy to pass with minimal effort. And witness Gertrude's conviction that teachers are unfairly singling her out for discipline.These first-person narratives aren't fictional composites—they represent real thought patterns I've observed across all grade levels during my substitute teaching career. By understanding what drives different student behaviors, we can respond with greater empathy and effectiveness. Whether you're dealing with the class clown, the withdrawn student, or the confrontational teenager, recognizing their underlying motivations transforms how you approach classroom management.As we prepare for the upcoming school year (and my 300th episode next week!), I hope these perspectives help you see your students with fresh eyes. Remember that behind every challenging behavior is often fear, insecurity, or a genuine desire for connection. How might your teaching change if you could hear what your students are really thinking?

  --------  

  10:31

  --------

  10:31
• KY Bill 181 & Teachers Communicating with Students 2025/26

  Send us a textEver wonder how a well-meaning law can create unexpected headaches for educators? This episode dives into Kentucky's new Senate Bill 181, which passed unanimously but has left teachers struggling with how to efficiently communicate with students. 

  --------  

  16:12

  --------

  16:12
• Things Substitute Teachers Have to Change for Elementary School

  Send us a textWhat happens when a teacher accustomed to older students suddenly faces a classroom of elementary schoolers? Everything changes. From the surprising power dynamics to the unexpected emotional responses, teaching younger children demands an entirely different approach.

  --------  

  11:42

  --------

  11:42

More Education podcasts

Trending Education podcasts

About Substitute Teachers Lounge

Substitute Teachers Lounge: Podcasts in Family