What Teachers Have to Say

What Teachers Have to Say brings together innovative educators to talk about what it means to be a teacher in the modern classroom. Each episode explores the emotional complexity of teaching as hosts Jake & Nathan talk through the trials and triumphs of teaching. We talk access and equity, artificial intelligence, student behavior, teacher burnout, mentorship models & more. Find practical teaching advice and resources presented in an approachable and real way, alongside valuable insights and inspiration in these thought-provoking conversations, for educators at all levels.

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What Teachers Have to Say

Who Protects the Teacher?

April 23, 2025 • Jacob Carr and Nathan Collins

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When something lands the right way in a classroom, it doesn’t just teach—it transforms. But in today’s climate, that transformation can come at a cost.

In this episode, Jake shares a personal story he's never fully told publicly—about the time a group of parents tried to get him fired for teaching a novel. Not because it was inappropriate. But because it made students think, ask questions, and feel something real.

Read the full story on Substack:

Teaching What They’re Afraid Of: To ban a book is to fear what students might understand

📰 Hall Pass Headlines tackles a hard truth: Two in five teachers in the UK report being physically assaulted by students. It’s not just about behavior—it’s about a system that’s stopped protecting the people inside it.

Read the article: The Times – “Two in five teachers assaulted as classroom violence surges”

Mic Check features a voice message from educator Dr. Scott Petrie on the literacy wars—and what’s actually working in classrooms.

Want more on behavior? Check out this episode: All About That Baseline with Josh Kuersten: 3 Behavior Strategies Every Teacher Should Know

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