How To Survive The Classroom podcast

How To Survive The Classroom

As we all know, an educator’s career is one of prestige, respect, and authority.  Just kidding.  Sure, there are lesson plans and inspirational posters. Book reports and detentions. But nobody tells you it’s also parents brawling in the parking lot, students unleashing live crickets during finals, and getting evaluated for “running a tight ship” while the ceiling literally leaks onto your head. Hosted by Andrea Forcum (aka @Educator Andrea on TikTok, former high school teacher and current professor at Indiana State University), How to Survive the Classroom is part advice column, part survival guide, and part group therapy. Each week, Andrea dons her trauma tiara to tackle call-ins and confessions from fellow educators (and brave educator allies). From hilarious war stories to brutal burnout moments, join us as we strategize, survive, and occasionally let out a good old-fashioned cathartic scream into the void. If you’ve ever Googled “how to professionally quit mid-semester” or seriously considered hiding in a supply closet, this show’s for you. Teaching may be a noble profession… but nobility doesn’t stop your classroom from catching on fire.

As we all know, an educator’s career is one of prestige, respect, and authority.  Just kidding.  Sure, there are lesson plans and inspirational posters. Book reports and detentions. But nobody tells you it’s also parents brawling in the parking lot, students unleashing live crickets during finals, and getting evaluated for “running a tight ship” while the ceiling literally leaks onto your head. Hosted by Andrea Forcum (aka @Educator Andrea on TikTok, former high school teacher and current professor at Indiana State University), How to Survive the Classroom is part advice column, part survival guide, and part group therapy. Each week, Andrea dons her trauma tiara to tackle call-ins and confessions from fellow educators (and brave educator allies). From hilarious war stories to brutal burnout moments, join us as we strategize, survive, and occasionally let out a good old-fashioned cathartic scream into the void. If you’ve ever Googled “how to professionally quit mid-semester” or seriously considered hiding in a supply closet, this show’s for you. Teaching may be a noble profession… but nobility doesn’t stop your classroom from catching on fire.

 

#53

The Ballad of Bastards and Grammy Nominee, Five for Fighting

This week, I’m talking to literal Grammy-nominated musical legend John Ondrasik—aka Five f... more

26 May 2025

47 MINS

47:15

26 May 2025


#52

There Will Be Smoke

Teachers, you know it's gonna be a weird week when you're prepping comedy for a room full ... more

19 May 2025

36 MINS

36:10

19 May 2025


#51

Shrek Is Still Haunting Me

The tornado didn’t get us, but this week’s episode might. After surviving Midwest storm wa... more

12 May 2025

35 MINS

35:16

12 May 2025


#50

The Secret Tapes of a Teacher with Charles Fournier

What do a lead-painted door, a rubberized body part in a middle school backpack, and the K... more

05 May 2025

46 MINS

46:35

05 May 2025


#49

I Accidentally Pressed Play on WHAT?!

So, we changed the name. Welcome to How To Survive the Classroom—you’re exactly where you’... more

05 May 2025

42 MINS

42:04

05 May 2025


#48

Season Two: Teachers Gone Wild

We’re back! No, you’re not crazy — we’ve got a new title (How to Survive the Classroom) an... more

02 May 2025

03 MINS

03:14

02 May 2025


#47

That’s a Wrap! The End of Season 1 (But Not Goodbye)

This is our Season 1 finale! Come reflect on the first year of podcasting with me, where I... more

06 Feb 2025

12 MINS

12:07

06 Feb 2025


#46

Beware of Koala Chlamydia with Denver Riley

In this wild episode, Denver and I dive into our travel adventures filled with unexpected ... more

30 Jan 2025

1 HR 12 MINS

1:12:11

30 Jan 2025


#45

Idiocracy in Education with Denver Riley

In this lively episode I talk with Denver Riley about everything from classroom humor to t... more

23 Jan 2025

1 HR 05 MINS

1:05:52

23 Jan 2025


#44

Edutainment Done Right with Jerry Kolber

In this episode I talk with Jerry Kolber, the creative mind behind hit edutainment shows l... more

17 Jan 2025

1 HR 04 MINS

1:04:20

17 Jan 2025


#43

Managing Student Trauma Dumps with Care with Denver Riley and Lauren Antonio

In this episode Denver Riley and Lauren Antonio join me for a heartfelt and humorous discu... more

09 Jan 2025

1 HR 11 MINS

1:11:34

09 Jan 2025


#42

The Secrets Behind Writing a Bestseller with Jeneva Rose

In this captivating episode I welcome New York Times bestselling author Jeneva Rose to sha... more

02 Jan 2025

58 MINS

58:29

02 Jan 2025


#41

Loose Meats and Radiator Cuisine with Gaspare Randazzo and Denver Riley

In this chaotic and laugh-out-loud episode I am joined by Denver Riley and Gaspare Randazz... more

26 Dec 2024

1 HR 00 MINS

1:00:33

26 Dec 2024