When the bell rings and the classroom door closes, what really happens between teachers and students? In this eye-opening episode of The Public Foundry, host Erik Terwey sits down with middle school teacher, adjunct professor, and Oklahoma House District 12 candidate Tiffany Prater to go far beyond the surface of modern public education.

From managing executive functioning skills in middle schoolers to teaching political science at the college level, Tiffany shares an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes look at the everyday realities educators face. Together, Erik and Tiffany dismantle persistent myths—from "summer vacations" and standardized testing metrics to the systemic funding disparities shaping Oklahoma's schools based on zip code.

• What Non-Educators Miss: Why running a middle school classroom is like leading seven high-stakes business meetings a day while navigating complex emotions.
• Testing vs. Growth: Why judging schools on one-day state tests misses the mark, and how focusing on student growth and executive functioning builds true adult preparedness.
• Systemic Disparities: The stark contrasts between well-funded district resources and underfunded classrooms—and why all students deserve equal investment regardless of zip code.
• Trauma-Informed Teaching: How home environments impact learning and why empathy and grace are a teacher’s most powerful tools.
• A Vision for Reform: Practical, realistic policy priorities that support public education, retain passionate educators, and prioritize student wellbeing.

Whether you are a parent, an educator, or a community member invested in the future of public schools, this conversation delivers a powerful, compassionate, and practical look at what it takes to forge meaningful educational change.