In this week's episode, the students truly have become the teachers.

Grab your tickets for the Bored Teachers Comedy Tour here: https://bit.ly/TODBTCT

Check out our MERCH! https://shop.boredteachers.com

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This week on the Teachers Off Duty podcast, we dive into the lively (and often hilarious) dynamics between veteran and first-year teachers. Join Jess Smith, Jonathan Williams, and Leslie Robb as they share personal stories, listener experiences, and tips for navigating the classroom at any stage in your career. From first-year fears to veteran wisdom (and the occasional retiree shenanigans), we cover it all with heart and humor.

Plus, we’re talking about setting boundaries, dealing with unsolicited advice, and learning to embrace your unique teaching style. Don’t miss our audience call-ins with real stories from the classroom and, of course, our signature laughs along the way.

Also, find out how you can join us on the Board Teachers Comedy Tour in 2025—tickets are selling fast!

Listen, laugh, and leave with a little extra encouragement to tackle your week.

Tune in, reflect, and don’t forget—give yourself grace, teachers. You’re doing amazing work! 💛

Catch us live! Don’t miss the Bored Teachers Comedy Tour. Grab your tickets at BoardTeachers.com/comedy-tour.

_________________________________

Grab your tickets for the Bored Teachers Comedy Tour here: https://www.boredteachers.com/comedy-tour

US Comedy Tour: We're bringing the laughs to the US in February, hitting:

JANUARY 16TH - OCEAN CITY,MD JANUARY 17TH - VIRGINIA BEACH, VA JANUARY 18TH - DURHAM, NC JANUARY 19TH - CHARLESTONE, SC JANUARY 23RD - MONTEREY, CA 

JANUARY 24TH - DAVIS, CA JANUARY 25TH - STOCKTON, CA JANUARY 26TH - REDDING, CA JANUARY 30TH - CHARLESTONE, SC JANUARY 31ST - CHESTERFIELD, MO FEBRUARY 1ST - EFFINGHAM, IL

UK Comedy Tour: We're bringing the laughs to the UK in February, hitting:

-London: February 7th

-Glasgow: February 9th

-Birmingham: February 11th

-Manchester: February 12th

Get ready for a hilarious time!

_________________________________

Follow us on all platforms @TeachersOffDutyPodcast

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Teachers get your perks!! This episode is brought to you by:

Dinnerly | For up to 27 free meals, head to https://dinnerly.com/offer/tod and use code “TOD”.

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Teachers Off Duty - a Bored Teachers podcast

 

 

         

Grab your tickets for the Bored Teachers Comedy Tour here: https://www.boredteachers.com/comedy-tour

Check out our MERCH! https://shop.boredteachers.com/collections/teachers-off-duty

Listen to the podcast anywhere you stream your favorite shows:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/69pLuB4cKPCP8UG3eCImfP

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/teachers-off-duty/id1602160612

Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.beacons.ai/teachersoffdutypod

 _________________________________

In this heartfelt episode of Teachers Off Duty, Leslie, Jonathan, and Jess peel back the layers on the unspoken struggles our students face daily. From navigating personal trauma to balancing adult responsibilities as teenagers, the hosts share powerful stories that highlight the resilience of students and the importance of empathy in education.

Discover how simple gestures—like listening intently or sharing a connection over a favorite TV show—can transform relationships with students and make the classroom a safe haven. The hosts also dive into balancing compassion with professional boundaries and emphasize that teachers can't carry it all but can still make an impact.

Expect laughs, tears, and honest conversations as they explore topics like student homelessness, navigating grief, undocumented students' challenges, and the ever-present pressure of social media. Whether you're a teacher or just someone who cares about the next generation, this episode is a reminder of the power of kindness and being present.

Takeaways:

• Empathy and connection can make all the difference.
• The importance of meeting students where they are, not just academically but emotionally.
• Why understanding students' silent struggles matters for creating a supportive learning environment.

Tune in, reflect, and don’t forget—give yourself grace, teachers. You’re doing amazing work! 💛

Listen now and find out how you can help create a classroom where students feel seen, heard, and valued.

Catch us live! Don’t miss the Bored Teachers Comedy Tour. Grab your tickets at BoardTeachers.com/comedy-tour.

_________________________________

US Comedy Tour: We're bringing the laughs to the US in February, hitting:

JANUARY 16TH - OCEAN CITY,MD JANUARY 17TH - VIRGINIA BEACH, VA JANUARY 18TH - DURHAM, NC JANUARY 19TH - CHARLESTONE, SC JANUARY 23RD - MONTEREY, CA 

JANUARY 24TH - DAVIS, CA JANUARY 25TH - STOCKTON, CA JANUARY 26TH - REDDING, CA JANUARY 30TH - CHARLESTONE, SC JANUARY 31ST - CHESTERFIELD, MO FEBRUARY 1ST - EFFINGHAM, IL

UK Comedy Tour: We're bringing the laughs to the UK in February, hitting:

-London: February 7th

-Glasgow: February 9th

-Birmingham: February 11th

-Manchester: February 12th

Get ready for a hilarious time!

_________________________________

Teachers get your perks!! This episode is brought to you by:

MasterClass | MasterClass always has great offers during the holidays, sometimes up to as much as 50% off. Head over to https://masterclass.com/teachers for the current offer.

_________________________________________________

Teachers Off Duty - a Bored Teachers podcast

Follow us on all platforms @TeachersOffDutyPodcast

 

   

In this week's episode, the students truly have become the teachers. 

TOD Live episodes at the Saved By the Beach Bored Teachers Comedy Fest 2025: https://www.savedbythebeachfest.com

Grab your tickets for the Bored Teachers Comedy Tour here: https://bit.ly/TODBTCT

Check out our MERCH! https://shop.boredteachers.com

Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.beacons.ai/teachersoffdutypod

_________________________________

On this week’s episode of Teachers Off Duty, we're diving into an exciting (and hilarious) thought experiment: What if teachers ran a school? From more recess and PTO to ditching outdated dress codes and creating better prep time, we're dreaming up a school built by teachers for teachers—and students too, of course! Plus, we hear your thoughts, featuring calls from our amazing listeners.

They kick things off by sharing their top priorities:

-More Recess and Playtime: Jonathan champions the idea of more recess, not just for the kids but for teachers too. They explore how additional playtime can improve student behavior and enhance learning by providing necessary breaks throughout the day.

-Flexible PTO and Better Work-Life Balance: Leslie brings up the need for a realistic PTO system that acknowledges teachers' needs for personal days without the bureaucratic hassle. They discuss how this change could positively impact teachers' mental health and overall job satisfaction.

-Control Over Classroom Environment: Jess emphasizes the struggle of teaching in classrooms without proper air conditioning or heating. They all agree that something as simple as controlling the thermostat could make a significant difference in both teaching and learning experiences.

The conversation then shifts to dress codes, where they tackle the often sexist and outdated policies that disproportionately affect female students. Sharing personal anecdotes, they highlight the need for dress codes that are fair, inclusive, and reflective of real-world standards.

Standardized testing comes under scrutiny as well. The hosts discuss how these tests fail to accommodate different learning styles and don't accurately measure student growth or teacher effectiveness. They brainstorm alternative methods of assessment that could be more beneficial for students' long-term success.

Listeners also contribute their ideas through call-ins, suggesting:

-Rearranging classrooms so teachers can be next to their best friends.

-Revamping the school schedule to include more play and socializing after lunch.

-Eliminating biased dress codes to create a more comfortable environment for all students.

This episode is packed with laughter, insightful discussions, and a shared vision of a better educational system designed with teachers' insights at the forefront.

_________________________________

Grab your tickets for the Bored Teachers Comedy Tour here: https://www.boredteachers.com/comedy-tour

🇬🇧 UK Comedy Tour: We're bringing the laughs to the UK in February, hitting:

-London: February 7th

-Glasgow: February 9th

-Birmingham: February 11th

-Manchester: February 12th

Get ready for a hilarious time!

Australia, We Need You: We're eager to bring the comedy tour Down Under! If you're in Australia, help us out by letting us know where you'd like to see us.

_________________________________

Follow us on all platforms @TeachersOffDutyPodcast, and grab your Saved by the Beach tickets at SavedByTheBeachFest.com. 

Get Teachers Off Duty Premium to access EXCLUSIVE content at: https://teachersoffduty.supercast.com/

Check out our MERCH! https://shop.boredteachers.com/collections/teachers-off-duty

Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.beacons.ai/teachersoffdutypod

 

Teachers get your perks!! This episode is brought to you by:

Betterhelp | Go to https://betterhelp.com/TOD to get 10% off your first month.

Manscaped | Get 20% off, plus free shipping with the code "OFFDUTY"

at https://manscaped.com

_________________________________________________

Teachers Off Duty - a Bored Teachers podcast

 

 

In this week's episode, the students truly have become the teachers. 

TOD Live episodes at the Saved By the Beach Bored Teachers Comedy Fest 2025: https://www.savedbythebeachfest.com

Grab your tickets for the Bored Teachers Comedy Tour here: https://bit.ly/TODBTCT

Check out our MERCH! https://shop.boredteachers.com

Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.beacons.ai/teachersoffdutypod

_________________________________

Sometimes, we get so caught up in lesson plans and teaching, we forget that we can actually sometimes our students can be the best teachers. This week our hosts Anna Kowal, Gabe Dannenbring, and Tyler Jackowski share their favorite lessons that they have learned from their students. 

Whether it's from feedback, smart remarks during lectures, or just a different point of view, our students can really shed an interesting light on how we teach. Tune in as we share the most out of pocket ways our students have taught us tough lessons.

A great example of a lesson our students have taught us is that you never really know what someone else is going through. Kids may be facing challenges and struggles that we are not aware of, and it's important for teachers to be empathetic and understanding. This leads into a discussion about the impact of yelling at students and how it's not worth it in the long run.

So be prepared because we're going to be changing your perspective on this week's episode of Teachers Off Duty! 

 

Teachers get your perks!! This episode is brought to you by:

MasterClass | MasterClass always has great offers during the holidays, sometimes up to as much as 50% off. Head over to https://masterclass.com/teachers for the current offer.

_________________________________________________

Teachers Off Duty - a Bored Teachers podcast

 

It's about time to break out that advent calendar… 

Grab your tickets for the Bored Teachers Comedy Tour here: https://bit.ly/TODBTCT 

 

Get Teachers Off Duty Premium to access EXCLUSIVE content at: https://teachersoffduty.supercast.com/

 

Check out our MERCH! https://shop.boredteachers.com

 

Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.beacons.ai/teachersoffdutypod

 

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Happy holidays everyone, and welcome to Teachers Off Duty! This week our hosts Gabe Dannenbring, Anna Kowal, and Tyler Jackowski are going to be sharing how they are getting ready for this upcoming holiday season. 

Now with the holidays coming up, gift giving is such a hard tradition to navigate, and it's even worse in the classroom. Do we get gifts from students? How much should we spend? What about the teacher down the hall, should we get them something? Would getting everyone a gift card be enough or is it just lazy? Don’t worry, we're going to be sharing our tips and tricks to navigate this tricky situation. 

Now of course it's not all about gift-giving anxiety, we're also currently getting ready for our holiday parties. Of course we don't want to leave anyone out, so see how we set up the perfect holiday party that is inclusive to all of our students’ and fellow teachers' cultures. 

So make yourself some hot cocoa and put on your ugly holiday sweater, because we're starting the holiday season this week on Teachers Off Duty!

Teachers get your perks!! This episode is brought to you by:

Dinnerly | For up to 27 free meals, head to https://dinnerly.com/offer/tod and use code “TOD”.

_________________________________________________

Teachers Off Duty - a Bored Teachers podcast

 

You wouldn’t  believe how quick our lesson plans go south…

 TOD Live episodes at the Saved By the Beach Bored Teachers Comedy Fest 2025: https://www.savedbythebeachfest.com

Grab your tickets for the Bored Teachers Comedy Tour here: https://bit.ly/TODBTCT

Check out our MERCH! https://shop.boredteachers.com

Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.beacons.ai/teachersoffdutypod

 _________________________________

 As teachers, we always want to try to create fun and new ways of teaching our students, and sometimes these ideas can go a bit south. So this week on Teachers Off Duty, our hosts Gabe Dannenbring, Tyler Jackowski, and Anna Kowal are going to be talking about the funniest classroom project fails. 

From weird Kahoot names to trying to make a discussion post fun, we’ve been through a lot of ups and downs. For example you wouldn't believe how quickly Tyler’s classroom pet became a complete disaster. 

This week we’re actually going to be hearing from you guys! We’re going to be reading some of your submissions for your insane classroom project fails, and we can't believe some of the things that y'all have gone through!

So maybe consider just wheeling in a tv and watching the Magic School Bus because we’re going to show you how hilariously things could go wrong on this week's episode of Teachers Off Duty. 

 

Teachers get your perks!! This episode is brought to you by:

Uncommon Goods | To get 15% off your next gift, go to https://www.uncommongoods.com/tod 

 

Manscaped | Get 20% off, plus free shipping with the code "OFFDUTY" at https://manscaped.com 

 

_________________________________________________

Teachers Off Duty - a Bored Teachers podcast

Sometimes it's not about the destination, it's the journey. 

TOD Live episodes at the Saved By the Beach Bored Teachers Comedy Fest 2025: https://www.savedbythebeachfest.com

Grab your tickets for the Bored Teachers Comedy Tour here: https://bit.ly/TODBTCT

Check out our MERCH! https://shop.boredteachers.com

Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.beacons.ai/teachersoffdutypod

 _________________________________

For students, a break from the classroom is a dream come true, however for us teachers, it could be truly chaotic. Strap in because our hosts Tyler Jackowski, Anna Kowal, and Gabe Dannenbring are going to be sharing their craziest field trip horror stories.

From zoo field trips that seem to be a staple in every school's itinerary, to historical museum trips that turned out to be surprisingly engaging, these teachers have seen it all. You'll crack up at Anna's crazy zoo story that will have you questioning if you ever want to go on a field trip again.  

Of course, let's not forget about the unpredictable element of parent volunteers. You wouldn't believe how quickly these parent’s attitude changed towards Gabe on their yearly bowling trip.

Hopefully you got those permission slips signed, because you're going to need them on this week's episode of Teachers Off Duty. 

 

Teachers get your perks!! This episode is brought to you by:

Betterhelp | Go to https://betterhelp.com/TOD to get 10% off your first month.

Manscaped | Get 20% off, plus free shipping with the code "OFFDUTY"

at https://manscaped.com

_________________________________________________

Teachers Off Duty - a Bored Teachers podcast

 

We all have that coworker we can’t stand, and if you don’t… we got some bad news for you.

 

Grab your tickets for the Bored Teachers Comedy Tour here: https://bit.ly/BTCTSpring25TOD

 

Get Teachers Off Duty Premium to access EXCLUSIVE content at: https://teachersoffduty.supercast.com/

 

Check out our MERCH! https://shop.boredteachers.com

 

Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.beacons.ai/teachersoffdutypod

 

_________________________________

There's absolutely nothing wrong with being a bit quirky, but some teachers really like to push those limits. Our hosts Gabe Dannenbring, Bri Richardson, and Anna Kowal know that better than anyone, and they're going to be sharing the worst things their fellow teachers do that drive the rest of the school crazy. 

We all know that teachers are a unique breed, and sometimes their quirks can make things a bit… interesting. For example Bri shares a hilarious tale about a teacher who always insists on wearing a different themed outfit for each day of the week. While some may roll their eyes, tune in to find out Bri’s optimistic point of view on this situation.

But it's not all quirks and icks, our hosts also discuss the delightful surprises their fellow teachers bring to the table. Whether it's homemade goodies at staff meetings or a sweet thank-you note, these teachers know how to dish out kindness and create a positive school culture.

 

Jump right to it!

2:35 - Defining the Perfect Coworker

8:50 - Coffee Run Etiquette

14:40 - Staff Room Confessions

22:15 - Classroom Fragrances Face-off

28:30 - What Success Really Means

So grab that morning coffee and prepare to cringe with us on this week's episode of Teachers Off Duty. 

Teachers get your perks!! This episode is brought to you by:

Uncommon Goods | To get 15% off your next gift, go to https://www.uncommongoods.com/tod

 

Dinnerly | For up to 27 free meals, head to https://dinnerly.com/offer/tod and use code "TOD".

_________________________________________________

Teachers Off Duty - a Bored Teachers podcast

 

These kids really made all this hard work worth it!

 

Grab your tickets for the Bored Teachers Comedy Tour here: https://bit.ly/TODBTCT 

 

Get Teachers Off Duty Premium to access EXCLUSIVE content at: https://teachersoffduty.supercast.com/

 

Check out our MERCH! https://shop.boredteachers.com

 

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We can't speak for everyone, but we didn't become teachers for the pay, or the free coffee in the breakroom, we did it for the gratifying experience of helping students learn. Through Parent Teacher conferences,and surprise admin visits, it’s easy to lose track of all that, however this week our hosts Gabe Dannenbring, Anna Kowal, and Bri Richardson will be reminding you why we all became teachers in the first place. 

Sometimes it's about the little things, small gestures that our students do that remind us that our hard work is appreciated. Bri reminisces how much a simple heartfelt compliment from a student can mean to her and how much it brightens up her entire day. 

Now while we all appreciate the small things in life, sometimes it's really about those life changing revelations. As educators, our main goal is, and you’d never believe… is to educate. So we're excited to share our favorite moments of witnessing our students' transformations and those powerful "aha" moments.

 

Jump Right To It!

2:45 Teaching Triumphs Revealed

8:30 Classroom Confessions

15:00 Laughter in Learning

20:30 Student Stories That Inspire

26:50 Embracing Educational Challenges

35:10 Heartfelt Teaching Moments

 

So if you need a bit of an emotional pick me up, then tune into this week's episode of Teachers Off Duty. 

Teachers get your perks!! This episode is brought to you by:

Uncommon Goods | To get 15% off your next gift, go to https://www.uncommongoods.com/tod 

_________________________________________________

Teachers Off Duty - a Bored Teachers podcast

 

Casualties of the copy machine—every teacher's unsung Halloween horror.

Grab your tickets for the Bored Teachers Comedy Tour here: https://bit.ly/TODBTCT 

 

Get Teachers Off Duty Premium to access EXCLUSIVE content at: https://teachersoffduty.supercast.com/ 

 

Check out our MERCH! https://shop.boredteachers.com

 

Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.beacons.ai/teachersoffdutypod

 

_________________________________

It's about that time of the year, and we're getting pretty spooky on this week's episode of Teachers Off Duty. Our hosts Bri Richardson, Gabe Dannenbring, and Anna Kowal have been through a countless amount of Halloween shenanigans in their times as teachers, so this week they're going to be sharing their most hilariously spooky classroom stories.

When people dress up for halloween, they normally want to be a marvel character, a police officer, or something along those lines, however our hosts had a few different ideas. We'll never forget how one year Gabe decided to go as the green M&M, and let's just say it didn't go over well. 

As adults we are not exactly that scared of Freddy Kruger or Jason Voorhees, however there are plenty of things that terrify us in our daily lives. From being asked to stay after school to someone absolutely destroying the teacher bathroom, the life of an educator can truly be petrifying, and our hosts are sharing their funniest stories this week.

 

Jump right to it!

2:15 - Middle School Halloween Tales

7:30 - Unwanted Classroom Visitors

13:20 - Educational Equity vs. Fire Alarms

19:45 - Copy Machine Nightmares

25:30 - Teaching "The Miracle of Life"

32:10 - Staff Bathroom Mysteries

 

So grab your pumpkin spice latte and enjoy this spooky episode of Teachers Off Duty, and happy Halloween Teachers!

 

Teachers get your perks!! This episode is brought to you by:

Mint Mobile | New customers get 3 months of unlimited premium wireless for just $15 a month by going to https://Mintmobile.com/TOD. 

 

Dinnerly | Head to https://Dinnerly.com/offer/TOD and use code "TOD" for up to 27 free meals!

 

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Teachers Off Duty - a Bored Teachers podcast

 

You wouldn't believe what started this fight in the hallway….

 

Grab your tickets for the Bored Teachers Comedy Tour here: https://bit.ly/TODBTCT 

TOD Live episodes at the Saved By the Beach Bored Teachers Comedy Fest 2025: https://www.savedbythebeachfest.com

 

 

Get Teachers Off Duty Premium to access EXCLUSIVE content at: https://teachersoffduty.supercast.com/

 

Check out our MERCH! https://shop.boredteachers.com

 

Listen to the podcast anywhere you stream your favorite shows:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/69pLuB4cKPCP8UG3eCImfP

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/teachers-off-duty/id1602160612

 

Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.beacons.ai/teachersoffdutypod

 

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We’ve all seen a good fight in our days, and they can get pretty intense but this week on Teachers Off Duty our hosts Gabe Dannenbring, Bri Richardson, and Anna Kowal share some of the funnier sides of these classroom feuds.

As teachers, we all know when kids get caught up in their feelings, they can really say the wildest things. From cafeteria crusades to classroom quarrels, we’ve really seen it all, and you wouldn't believe some of the things these kids decide is worth getting into a screaming match over. 

Don't worry, we have better comebacks than most of our students, and the funnier kids have taught us theirs, so you'd be sure to laugh at this week's episode of Teachers Off Duty.

Teachers get your perks!! This episode is brought to you by:

Better help | BetterHelp | Visit https://betterhelp.com/TOD  to get 10% off your first month.

Manscaped | Visit https://Manscaped.com and get 20% off + free shipping with the code TOD at checkout.

 

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Teachers Off Duty - a Bored Teachers podcast