Play along with this month's quiz as nationally-recognized educators Dr. Katie McKnight and Dr. Richard Cash (and their alter egos) tackle our rigorous (and occasionally ridiculous) questions. Alex and Paul ask about literacy, grading, student vaping, how not to turn-around low-performing schools, special education, test-taking in hot temperatures, teacher oaths, and more.

So, laugh some, learn some, and grab a few nuggets of knowledge you can pass off as your own at the office water cooler. Plus, don’t miss our brand new game – Fed or Dread? – where we ponder the latest U.S. Department of Education actions.

WHAT LISTENERS SAY

“I laughed a lot as I learned – this is a fun way to catch up on significant education news – and the insights from the guests are first-rate.”

ABOUT OUR GUESTS

Dr. Katie McKnight is a dynamic presenter, dedicated teacher and award-winning author. Among her 26 books, her latest is The Science of Reading, along with Dr. Jennifer French; they also co-host The Science of Reading Podcast in Grades 4-12. Katie's work in educational leadership, literacy and student skill development has resulted in unprecedented academic achievement in many struggling schools. She began her career as an English and social studies teacher in the Chicago Public Schools. She also served as a Distinguished Professor of Research at National Louis University and is the founder of Engaging Learners, an educational company built around her successful Literacy and Learning Center model.

Dr. Richard Cash is an award-winning educator and author of the just-released book, Strategies and Tools for Self-Regulation in the Classroom, as well as several other acclaimed books. He's also served as a coach and consultant throughout the U.S. and internationally for over 30 years. His range of experience includes teaching, curriculum coordination, and program administration. Richard was recipient of the National Association for Gifted Children’s Early Leader Award (2011), recognizing his leadership in programming for gifted children. He also was honored by the Minnesota Educators for the Gifted and Talented with the "Friend of the Gifted" award. For over 10 years, he also co-directed a children’s theater company in Minnesota, and he has co-authored 4 award winning children’s plays.

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 just 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.

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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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Support the show

Go to our website.