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In this episode of Playing Teacher, Robert, Matthew, and Brugge dive deep into the bittersweet—and sometimes hilarious—world of teachers leaving their jobs and the hidden realities behind the classroom door.

They talk about:

• The emotional chaos of packing up years of teaching memories into giant bags
• The secret hideouts teachers swear by to survive the school day (side lab supremacy, anyone?)
• Epic hide-and-seek strategies for teachers and kids alike
• Professional development’s most uncomfortable moments—including yoga sessions gone very wrong
• Recession Santa horrors and gifts no one wanted

It’s raw, funny, and painfully real—because sometimes the hardest lesson is knowing when to walk away. And sometimes… you just need to hide under a desk.

🎧 Tune in for stories only teachers could tell—and some you definitely shouldn’t tell at staff meetings.

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In this unforgettable episode of Playing Teacher, Rob, Brugge, and Matthew take us behind the scenes of one of the most chaotic rituals in education: the school field trip.

It all begins with a subway disaster—Matthew describes watching a class trip unravel on public transit, complete with unsupervised elementary students and overwhelmed teachers. That story kicks off a deep (and hilarious) dive into the real logistics, emotional toll, and occasional absurdity of planning field trips as educators.

Brugge brings the heat with a list of classic class trip tales, including the time a second-grade class learned about Australian culture at... Outback Steakhouse. She also recalls her very wrong turn in Philadelphia, being lost during a track team trip, and managing Minecraft and cheerleading excursions gone sideways. Rob reflects on the stress of real emergencies, recounting moments where students weren’t picked up after events or had to be taken to the hospital—situations that blur the line between teacher and crisis responder.

The team shares their own memories from childhood trips (or lack thereof), reflects on how school trip culture has changed, and closes with some lighter moments, including a teetering school bus on a concrete divider, He-Man nostalgia, and Brugge's upcoming job interview.

If you've ever planned a field trip, survived one, or just want to hear what it's really like from the teachers' side of the clipboard, this one’s for you.

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In Episode 13 of Playing Teacher, we pull back the curtain on one of the most absurd realities of working in education: calling out sick. From planning sub folders while mid-fever to writing emergency plans in a NyQuil haze, we explore the ridiculous, guilt-ridden, and occasionally hilarious world of teacher absences.

We talk about:

• The unspoken Olympics-level effort required just to stay home
• Why "mental health day" is code for “I’ve snapped but still care enough to write 6 pages of sub plans”
• The emotional toll of guilt vs. the physical toll of working sick
• The secret strategy game of “Should I call out tomorrow?”
• Top 10 funniest reasons students have given for their absences (spoiler: they’re amazing)

Whether you're a teacher, parent, or student, this episode will make you laugh, nod in agreement, and maybe… finally take that day off you’ve earned 17 times over.

🎧 Listen now, and don't forget to like, subscribe, and call out tomorrow. You deserve it.

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📘 Episode Description:

In this episode of the Playing Teacher Podcast, we debut a brand-new segment: 🎤 Teacher Headlines with Janine Brugge, where we explore what’s really going on in the world of education—both the serious and the absurd.

This week, we take a hard look at the NYC Department of Education’s failed initiative known as “Inquiry” or the “50-minute” plan—an attempt to create time for professional development and student support that went sideways due to a critical failure: not involving teachers in the process.

We unpack:

• Why top-down educational mandates often backfire
• What actually helps teachers help students
• The importance of autonomy, voice, and classroom-informed planning

💡 Key Message: If you want authentic student support and better PD, trust the teachers.

Plus, we lighten things up with some funny classroom moments and analogies from our week—because if you’re not laughing, you’re probably crying into a stack of ungraded papers.

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In this episode of the Playing Teacher Podcast, we delve into the vibrant world of education, sharing personal anecdotes and professional insights that resonate with educators, students, and lifelong learners alike.

🎯 Episode Highlights:

• Field Day Reflections: We reminisce about their own Field Day experiences, discussing the joys and challenges of organizing such events, and the lasting impact they have on students.
• Minecraft in Education: Explore how Brugge's team navigated a citywide Minecraft competition, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, creativity, and resilience in educational gaming environments.
• Understanding Upstanders: A heartfelt discussion on the roles of upstanders and bystanders in bullying scenarios, featuring personal stories and media examples that highlight the significance of standing up for others.
• Personal Narratives: Rob shares a poignant story from his childhood, reflecting on his battle with leukemia and the support he received from friends, drawing parallels to the importance of empathy and support in educational settings.

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🎙️ Playing Teacher Ep. 10 – Pacing, Pop Culture, and the 30-Second Reprimand

Description:

In this episode of Playing Teacher, Matt recounts a jaw-dropping moment when he was called out in front of students for returning to class 30 seconds late after using the bathroom—yes, 30 seconds. Jeannine and Robert reflect on how often teachers are denied even the most basic human grace. This leads into a dynamic, often hilarious discussion on classroom pacing, student rapport, and when to stick to the script—or throw it out.

💡 Robert dives into differentiated pacing styles in teaching and media (yes, including a failed Rocky III clip attempt), drawing sharp parallels between instructional flow and burnout. Jeannine shares her perspective as a counselor working with IEP students, emphasizing structure, routine, and emotional awareness.

🔬 We also go deep on:

• How pacing affects testing outcomes and engagement
• Teaching in urban schools and DIY curriculum hacks
• Being observed under the Danielson Framework and its impact on authenticity
• What teachers can learn from Disney's “plusing” philosophy of continuous improvement
• Why student mindset matters more than any calendar

Oh—and in a twist no one saw coming, Jeannine finds out her glowing podcast review was written by... an AI.

🎧 Perfect for educators, ed leaders, and anyone who's ever wondered what really goes on behind the classroom door. This one blends laughs, real talk, and pedagogical gold.

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In this episode of Playing Teacher, we talk about the moments that stick—the scenes from our lives as educators that play in our minds like movies. You know the ones: the hallway showdown, the field trip fiasco, the spontaneous dance party, the kid who said something so profound you wrote it on a post-it and never threw it away.

We reflect on how these memorable teaching moments—big or small, funny or moving—aren’t just one-off stories. They’re what give the work meaning. And much like scenes from iconic films, they become part of our shared consciousness, shaping how we connect, how we teach, and how we remember.

From epic fails to unexpected victories, we draw parallels between the classroom and the big screen. Because whether you’re quoting Dead Poets Society, The Goonies, or Ferris Bueller, there’s something powerful about how movies and memories intertwine. They help us build language, build relationships, and build meaning—especially with kids who need more than just content; they need connection.

This one’s for the teachers who carry a mental highlight reel—and who know that sometimes, the best way to reach a student is through a well-timed movie quote or a shared laugh that becomes legend.

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