Coffee and Cuddles Season 4 ep 7 Teach Me:Why Teachers Are Reaching Their Breaking Point

Welcome to May! In this episode, Craig (aka Coffee) and Anna (aka Cuddles) dive deep into the world of education. After a quick recap of a busy trip to Los Angeles and Pasadena—complete with a special delivery for a favorite barista at Ziggy's Coffee—the conversation turns to the heart of the show: the joys and intense challenges of being a teacher in today’s world.

In This Episode:

• The "Rally Monkey" Mission: Why Craig had to jump out of the car at Ziggy's to surprise Mary Grace.
• Family Reflections: A heartfelt tribute to Craig’s cousin, Tony, and the importance of treating children with respect.
• The Reality of Teaching: Anna shares her 25+ year journey in the classroom, from the inspiration of her own 4th-grade teacher to the modern-day struggles of administrative "piling on," testing pressure, and student behavior.
• Success Stories: Moving memories of students like Victor, who found his voice through song, and Brittany, whom Anna cheered for all the way to her wedding day.
• The State of the Classroom: A candid look at why 40% of teachers leave the profession within five years and the hidden work that goes into sub plans and weekend prep.

Favorite Quotes:

"See a need, fill a need... You need stuff and I need room in my house. Win-win." — Craig"I think somebody was watching over me and saying, 'You're frustrated now, but think of the kids who need you.'" — Anna

Show your appreciation! If you know a teacher, buy them a coffee, give them a hug, or just acknowledge the incredible work they do every day.

Connect with us: Check out Remainders Creative Reuse in Pasadena for amazing sustainable art supplies: https://remainderspas.org/

Don't forget to Rep the Halo! 😇☕️