Pencil Busters, we made it through another week! So let’s take some time to reflect on how essential-curricular activities contribute to the “becoming” of young adults. Two weeks ago, we talked with the managers of WSU Hockey’s award-winning social media team. Today, we hear from Kianna Hamer and Katherine Bresani, members of the team who […]

Guests: Giancarlo Bresani, Katherine Bresani, Kianna Hamer

Mar 14, 2025

21:06

Humanities majors have been in decline for well over a decade. In an age when the two words “liberal” and “arts” are separately hot-button, putting the two together doesn’t sell well to a broad audience. But you know what does? “Marketability” “job-readiness” and “communication skills”. And that’s why schools are beginning to rebrand their humanities […]

Guest: Jon Marcus

Mar 12, 2025

21:37

We apologize for being tardy to Homeroom today, Class! While we don’t have a parent note, we do have trending education news to share with you! Let’s focus in, because policy changes are coming fast, loud, and confusing. First, more labor unions representing educators join the AFT in their lawsuit against the federal Department of […]

Mar 10, 2025

22:46

Happy Saturday, Pencil Busters! Today, we catch up with the incredible work the Wisconsin Public Education Network is doing, led by Executive Director Heather DuBois Bourenane. With 86 of Wisconsin’s 421 public school districts already going to referenda in the spring elections, WPEN’s been busy. They held a Day of Action at the state capitol […]

Guest: Heather DuBois Bourenane

Mar 8, 2025

45:33

Pencil Busters, can you believe we’re in the playoffs for winter sports already? Today, we catch up with Chad Holmes, host of the WXCO morning show and Civic Media sports broadcaster. He’s been extremely busy covering playoffs for wrestling, hockey, and basketball. With the end of the season upon us, he shares updates, surprises, and lessons […]

Guest: Chad Holmes

Mar 7, 2025

20:42

Welcome to class, Pencil Busters! Today, we’re discussing “Dear Colleague” letters, following up on our Homeroom session from Monday. Last week, the Office of Civil Rights within the federal Department of Education sent out a “Dear Colleague” letter to all schools subject to the department. So today, Dr. Tim and Dr. Johnny break down what […]

Mar 5, 2025

23:37

Class, let’s get into the news for this week. President Trump’s administration made clear that they do not value diversity, equity, or inclusion. Though those words “diversity,” “equity,” and “inclusion” separately rarely prompt any vitriol, together they form a rallying cry of- ironically- discrimination from some. Diversity is a basic truth of life, none of […]

Mar 3, 2025

19:15

From smart boards to grading systems and email, teachers rely on ed tech- education technology- to optimize their workloads. As we discussed with Chris Hull on Wednesday, all of those disparate systems can be overwhelming. That’s why he created Otus, a one-platform solution to all the noise, giving teachers more of their most valuable resource: […]

Mar 1, 2025

45:33

Class, this is an extra special session. On many prior Fridays, we’ve talked with coaches, players, and sports directors and editors. Today, we hear from two young women who support a sport team. They are essential contributors to an essential part of an educational experience. Natalia Nayes and Mallory Brock, award-winning social media managers for […]

Guests: Mallory Brock, Natalia Nayes

Feb 28, 2025

19:16

Data, as we’ve discussed frequently on BustED Pencils, is neither good nor evil. Whether we like it or not, actors both beneficent and hostile collect and analyze and use our data constantly. From healthcare records to social media networks, our personal data circulates each day. In schools, students’ data- test scores, attendance and class participation, […]

Feb 26, 2025

22:49