In this episode of the K-12 Confidential podcast, veteran educators discuss the dire state of the U.S. K-12 education system, focusing on the systemic issues driving teachers away. The episode features an interview with Kelvin Mack, a high school English teacher who left the profession after two years due to low pay and structural problems. Through this conversation, listeners gain insight into the challenges teachers face, such as emotional labor, lack of fair compensation, and the struggle to effect meaningful change within an oppressive system. The episode also touches upon the generational shift in attitudes towards work-life balance and the exploitative nature of the teaching profession. Key themes include teacher pay, structural sexism, neoliberalism in education, and the lack of teacher agency in curriculum and policy decisions.

00:00 Introduction to K 12 Confidential

01:25 Interview with a New Teacher

02:27 Challenges and Realizations

04:05 Reflections on Teacher Pay

06:43 Generational Differences in Teaching

09:19 Systemic Issues in Education

18:46 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

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In this episode of the K 12 Confidential podcast, veteran teachers discuss the detrimental impact of canned curriculum in public schools. With an emphasis on the marginalization of English Language Development (ELD) teachers and students, the episode explores how lack of teacher autonomy and corporate-driven education solutions are harming the education system. Two ESL teachers share their struggles and experiences, revealing the inefficiencies and inequities caused by standardized, rigid curriculums. The discussion covers key concepts such as ELPAC, EL, ELD, and CLAD, while showcasing the complex challenges faced by immigrant students. Listeners are urged to understand the broader implications of these harmful practices and the necessity for teacher-driven, adaptable teaching methods.

00:00 Introduction to the K-12 Confidential Podcast

00:20 Overview of Today's Episode

00:53 Key Terms and Concepts

01:02 The Marginalization of Veteran ESL Teachers

01:21 Corporate Greed and canned curriculum

01:43 Introduction to the Interview

07:50 The Story of Teacher A

23:18 The Story of Teacher B

27:18 The Impact of canned Curriculum on Teachers and Students

39:20 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

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In this episode of K 12 Confidential, the host introduces the 'Can Curriculum Mess' series, outlining the basic problems with large textbook companies in U.S. K-12 education. The episode discusses the massive profits of these companies despite low literacy rates, and the detrimental effects of canned curriculum on both teachers and students. It highlights how such curriculum limits teacher autonomy, fails to meet the specific needs of students, and contributes to teacher burnout and shortages. The host shares personal anecdotes and experiences to illustrate these issues, and mentions an upcoming episode featuring teachers who fought against harmful canned content but lost. Listeners are encouraged to share their own experiences and sign a petition for a K-12 Educator Governing Board to allow teachers to lead the profession from within.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

00:24 The Big Textbook Problem

02:34 Understanding Canned Curriculum

05:17 The Impact on Teachers and Teaching

16:44 Real-Life Examples and Challenges

29:10 Broader Implications and Future Episodes

32:49 Conclusion and Call to Action

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In this episode of K-12 Confidential, the hosts discuss the convoluted and fragmented governance of K-12 education and its role in the teacher shortage crisis. The core argument posits that the decentralized local control model obfuscates accountability, leading the public to mistakenly blame teachers and the federal government. The podcast extends an invitation for public engagement and emphasizes the non-partisan nature of the discussion. It features an interview with Dr. Paul Bruno, co-author of a scholarly article on teacher shortages, who discusses his journey in education and the methodology behind their research. The episode argues for targeted interventions based on localized data to effectively address teacher shortages. The conversation culminates in a call to action: a petition advocating for a K-12 Educator Governing Board that would allow teachers to lead their profession from within, ensuring a quality education for all students.

00:00 Introduction to K-12 Governance Issues

01:11 Podcast's Stance and Public Interaction

02:51 Interview with Dr. Paul Bruno Begins

03:58 Dr. Bruno's Background and Research Interests

06:35 Teacher Shortage Crisis: Origins and Impacts

14:39 Challenges in Quantifying Teacher Shortages

22:39 Methodology and Data Collection

38:21 Credential Course Coursework Issue

38:28 Teacher Hiring Challenges

39:06 Economic Impact on School Staffing

40:37 Gender Pay Gap in Teaching

41:15 Teacher Preparation and Credentialing

42:11 Induction and Certification Requirements

43:10 Teacher Shortages and Policy Reflections

47:49 Data Availability and State Categories

53:02 Local Control and Data Limitations

57:29 Addressing Teacher Shortages

01:00:51 Teacher Leadership and Compensation

01:10:46 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

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In this episode of K12 Confidential, we delve into the complexities surrounding the teacher shortage crisis in the United States. As the new school year kicks off, many school districts struggle to fill vacant teaching positions. The host traces back the origins of misleading media reports about this crisis to one scholarly article and speaks with one of its authors to clarify the data. The episode tackles the intricate nature of the problem, explores how AI misinterprets data, and highlights the geographic and subject-area disparities in teacher vacancies. It also criticizes the lack of accurate data and reporting, emphasizing the need for a national K-12 educational governing board. Additionally, the discussion covers unhealthy job satisfaction levels among teachers, the impact of toxic positivity, and the severe implications of understaffed and underqualified teaching positions on marginalized communities. The host stresses the importance of nuanced research and the need for comprehensive reforms to address this systemic issue.

00:00 Introduction to the Teacher Shortage Crisis

02:32 Unpacking the Teacher Shortage Data

03:19 AI's Perspective on the Teacher Shortage

04:32 Job Satisfaction and Toxic Positivity in Teaching

05:55 The Real Numbers Behind Teacher Vacancies

06:53 Challenges in Special Education and Foreign Language Teaching

08:28 Geographical and Racial Disparities in Teacher Vacancies

12:22 The Need for a National Teacher Workforce

27:26 State-by-State Analysis of Teacher Vacancies

34:07 Conclusion and Call to Action

We need more teacher voices to this this justice! Visit us at k-12confidential.com to request to speak on the podcast.

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The podcast 'K-12 Confidential' addresses the multifaceted issues within the American K-12 education system, focusing on the severe teacher shortage crisis. Hosted by Trina and new co-host Manuwellla Allen (Mani), the discussion highlights how low literacy rates and inadequate teacher preparation impact educational quality. Notable contributions include Dr. Paul Bruno's research on the teacher shortage, emphasizing the lack of consistent data reporting across districts and the nuances of the crisis. The conversation underscores the necessity of a K-12 Educator Governing Board to standardize reporting and empower teachers to lead their profession. The episode concludes by urging viewers to support their petition advocating for this governing board, aiming to foster significant educational reforms.

00:00 Introduction to the K-12 Education Crisis

00:36 Meet the Co-Host: Manny's Background

02:05 Teacher Shortage Crisis: An Overview

02:51 The Nuances of Teacher Shortage

06:31 Impact on Education Quality

09:06 District Responses to the Shortage

11:05 Governance and Reporting Issues

17:07 Upcoming Episodes and Conclusion

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In this introductory episode of the K-12 Confidential podcast, hosts Shawn and Trina—a married couple with over 35 years of teaching experience—discuss the current state of K-12 education in the U.S., touching on various systemic issues such as poor literacy rates, teacher shortages, inadequate pay, and flawed teacher preparation programs.. The episode sets the stage for an in-depth exploration of 'messes' in the education system, with the goal of mobilizing teachers and stakeholders towards systemic reforms. Special guests, including fellow teachers, experts, and the hosts’ supportive family members, will join future episodes to explore themes such as special education, school climate and culture, DEI initiatives, canned curricula, and governance issues. The hosts also promote a petition to establish a national governing board for K-12 educators, aiming to give teachers a significant role in educational decision-making.

00:00 Introduction to K-12 Confidential

00:36 Meet the Hosts: Sean and Trina

04:01 Podcast Format and Expectations

08:17 The Teacher Pay Mess

15:49 Teacher Preparation Challenges

20:45 The Teacher Shortage Crisis

24:58 Special Education Struggles

30:30 Climate and Culture in Schools

35:30 The Impact of Technology on Youth Behavior

36:33 School-Wide Behavioral Interventions

36:58 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Education

39:18 The Politicization of Education

44:26 Teacher Health and Wellbeing

48:47 The Reading Crisis in Schools

51:52 The Problem with Canned Curriculum

58:06 The Need for Teacher Leadership

59:41 Call to Action: Sign the Petition

We need more teacher voices to this this justice! Visit us at k-12confidential.com to request to speak on the podcast.

Sign the petition to join the movement to save K-12 Education!

The inaugural episode of the K 12 Confidential podcast dives into the complex and pressing issues plaguing the American K-12 education system. Host Trina English discusses with her sister Mandy Walker the alarming states of literacy and sexual violence in schools, the opaque and ineffective governance structures, and the exploitative practices of for-profit educational corporations. The episode sets the stage for a series of investigative discussions aimed at unveiling the root causes and proposing solutions through a petition for the creation of a national K-12 educator governing board.

00:00 Welcome to K-12 Confidential

00:19 Introduction to the Podcast and Petition

00:49 Interview with Mandy Walker

01:21 The Teacher Shortage Mess

01:31 The Literacy Crisis in K-12 Education

08:12 The Reading Mess and Systemic Failures

20:19 Sexual Violence in Schools

26:39 The Hidden Problems in K-12 Governance

27:05 The Role of School Boards and Superintendents

29:18 The Petition for Change in Education

29:53 Historical Context of the Teaching Profession

32:00 The Need for Teacher Leadership

33:47 The Petition Process and Goals

40:25 The Influence of For-Profit Companies in Education

42:06 The Podcast's Mission and Call to Action

46:03 Conclusion and Next Steps

We need more teacher voices to this this justice! Visit us at k-12confidential.com to request to speak on the podcast.

Sign the petition to join the movement to save K-12 Education!