This month Alex and Paul celebrate the release of this, our sixth episode of the Education News Comedy quiz, by looking back at some of our favorite and funniest moments from the first shows. Is it too soon to do a "Best Of" episode? Probably. But why should that stop us?

So, laugh some, learn some and re-live some of the latest – and sometimes not so greatest – public education news stories, as our special guest contestants from around the world of education take the quiz.

Featuring guests from our first five episodes:

• Teachers of the Year Dorina Ebuwa and Lindsey Jensen [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2505092/episodes/17236474]
• School finance and policy experts Jannelle Kubinec and Kevin Gordon [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2505092/episodes/17415760]
• School leaders Holly Blair and Jose Luis Navarro [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2505092/episodes/17597704]
• Big City School Superintendent Richard Carranza and high school student leader Luisa Sanchez [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2505092/episodes/17790605]
• School counselor Lori Woodley-Langendorff and Utah elementary school teacher John Arthur. [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2505092/episodes/17964304]

And, as always, featuring music from our in-show band, Tommy Dunbar and the Number Two Pencils

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How are students doing in class -- and should they be outside more? And who's pulling the carpet out from under public schools? In this month's quiz we tackle these and other timely questions along with special guest contestants Utah Teacher of the Year John Arthur, and school counselor and All It Takes founder Lori Woodley-Langendorff.

We’ve got maverick teachers, social emotional learning, sagging science scores, school desks with minds of their own, capricious budget cuts, kickball, and more. So, laugh some, learn some, and grab a few nuggets of knowledge you can pass off as your own as Alex and Paul lead us through world-famous quiz games like Surfing the Education Headlines and Education Data Points of the Month. Plus, don’t miss our brand new game – Banned or Not Banned? – where we ponder which common items schools have banned. Chapstick anyone?

ABOUT OUR GUESTS

John Arthur teaches sixth grade at Meadow Lark Elementary School in Salt Lake City. He's a National Board Certified Teacher who was honored as the 2021 Utah State Teacher of the Year and National Teacher of the Year Finalist. In 2023, he was also recognized as one of Utah's Most Valuable Educators by Instructor and the Utah Jazz. John's students have gained national recognition as advocates for themselves and their communities through the digital content they create and share across platforms, such as the YouTube channel 9thEvermore. John also recently authored "The New Digital Project Playbook, A Guide to Empower Students as Creators."

Lori Woodley-Langendorff, MS, PPS, is a school counselor who founded and serves as Chief Visionary Officer of All It Takes, a nonprofit that equips youth and those who serve them with essential emotional intelligence skills. She's also an award-winning docu-training producer of the Trusted Space film series, speaker, writer, trainer, and SEL curriculum developer. Her new book is titled "Social Emotional Learning Muscle Mastery Six, tools for Building Resilience and Connection in Schools and Communities."

ABOUT OUR HOSTS

Alex Kajitani is a California Teacher of the Year and author of several books for educators, including Owning It, and You're A Teacher Now. He is an inspiring and engaging speaker, the Rappin' Mathematician, coach, and creator of programs for students and teachers, including Multiplication Nation, Math Success Camp, and the "New Teacher Success" video series.

Paul Richman is a Grammy and Academy Award-winning artist who...Wait, hold on -- that's someone else. Actually, Paul is an all-purpose education policy guy who has served as a leader for several statewide education associations, coalitions and policy initiatives. He also produced the "Adventures in Ed Funding" and "Budgeting for Educational Equity" podcasts, and currently serves as an executive producer of the Inside California Education statewide TV series.

ABOUT OUR MUSIC

Tommy Dunbar is a musician, songwriter, and producer best known as the founder and lead guitarist of the power pop band The Rubinoos. His music can be heard in many films and TV shows, including Revenge of the Nerds, Bachelor Party, Sex Education, Lizzie McGuire.

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Play this month’s quiz alongside high school senior and student advocate Luisa Sanchez and former big city superintendent Richard Carranza. Both are inspiring leaders and change makers who aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo to improve educational systems. Even so, can any of that prepare them for the types of questions Alex and Paul toss their way about the latest and not-so-greatest education news? Listen and find out.

This month’s quiz covers topics ranging from presidential physical fitness, parents’ attitudes about life after high school, support for English learners, what’s going on with kindergarteners, whether more students participate in band or football, teachers who marry other teachers – and more.

Laugh some, learn some, and grab a few nuggets of wisdom that you can pass off as your own in our world-famous quiz games. Plus, Richard and Luisa offer terrific insights based on their experiences.

And of course, we're the only education news comedy quiz with our own in-show band: Give it up for Tommy Dunbar and the Formative Assessments!

“If you’re an educator looking for some laughs, a sense of ‘I feel so seen’ via comedy and real talk on news and policy, THIS is the podcast for you!”

ABOUT OUR GUESTS

Luisa Sanchez is a senior at Boyle County High School in Danville, Kentucky. She serves as board president of the Kentucky Student Voice Team, a statewide organization that empowers students to use their voices to build up an educational system that values and serves them. She is also a journalist and part of her school's academic team and arts academy. Luisa is one of 12 courageous plaintiffs in a lawsuit students in her state have filed to improve opportunities for all students.

Richard Carranza is an acclaimed educator who has served in virtually every role, including as Chancellor of the New York City Department of Education, the largest school system in the nation. He also served as Superintendent of the Houston Independent and San Francisco Unified school districts. Richard began his career as a high school bilingual social studies and music teacher, and then as a principal in Tucson, Arizona. Throughout his career, he has championed numerous initiatives to empower students, educators, and parents. He currently serves as the chief of strategy and global Development at IXL.

ABOUT OUR HOSTS

Alex Kajitani is a California Teacher of the Year and author of several books for educators, including Owning It, and You're A Teacher Now. He is an inspiring and engaging speaker, the Rappin' Mathematician, coach, and creator of programs for students and teachers, including Multiplication Nation, Math Success Camp, and the "New Teacher Success" video series.

Paul Richman is a Grammy and Academy Award-winning artist who...Wait, hold on -- that's someone else. Actually, Paul is an all-purpose education policy guy who has served as a leader for several statewide education associations, coalitions and policy initiatives. He also produced the "Adventures in Ed Funding" and "Budgeting for Educational Equity" podcasts, and currently serves as an executive producer of the Inside California Education statewide TV series.

ABOUT OUR MUSIC

Tommy Dunbar is a musician, songwriter, and producer best known as the founder and lead guitarist of the power pop band The Rubinoos. His music can be heard in many films and TV shows, including Revenge of the Nerds, Bachelor Party, Sex Education, Lizzie McGuire.

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