Hi friend, Andrea Forcum here! Whether you're an educator, care about this weird wonderful vocation, need some teaching strategies, or like to pretend you're one in the mirror - I hope you enjoy the show!
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Recent Episodes
Jan. 16, 2025
Edutainment Done Right with Jerry Kolber
In this episode I talk with Jerry Kolber, the creative mind behind hit edutainment shows like Brain Games and Brainchild. With a background in reality TV and a passion for making learning interactive, Jerry shares how he transformed passive viewing experiences into engaging, educational content. We discuss everything from his early days producing Queer Eye for the Straight Guy to partnering with Pharrell Williams on a Netflix show and launching the educational podcast Who Smarted?. Jerry also offers practical tips for teachers on using multimedia resources to enhance classroom engagement without adding extra workload. I
Jan. 9, 2025
Managing Student Trauma Dumps with Care with Denver Riley and Lauren Antonio
In this episode Denver Riley and Lauren Antonio join me for a heartfelt and humorous discussion about teaching, empathy, and navigating unexpected challenges. From recounting chaotic airport experiences in Newark to exploring the emotional weight teachers carry in the classroom, we reflect on the importance of creating safe spaces for students. We also share anecdotes about students’ "trauma dumps," our strategies for fostering emotional well-being through initiatives like Wellness Wednesdays, and the challenges of staying neutral during heated election seasons.
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About the Host
Andrea Forcum (@EducatorAndrea)
Educator / Influencer / Speaker / Writer / Consultant / Mom
One fine day in 2021, Andrea noticed an unforgivable gap in the online education influencer space. EVERY POST by teachers, for teachers, was so heavily polished, heavily edited, and obviously scripted that it felt superficial and fake. Inspired to do something about it and fueled by ADHD - Andrea began creating videos with the sharp, satirical lens of a real teacher. One who’d been through the gauntlet with nine years of experience both pre and post COVID (if you know… you know).
In that short amount of time, Andrea’s audience has grown to over a million devoted followers across platforms (and growing fast). But these aren’t just fans, they’re fellow teachers, pouring in to laugh with Andrea about the beautiful chaos of the classroom. Educators from across North America (and the world) took notice of this authentic voice to rally behind. One who saw their struggle and allowed them to both laugh and feel validated for their careers in one of the most profoundly challenging (albeit rebelliously hopeful) professions. From letters to comments to emails aplenty - teachers now see @EducatorAndrea as someone who “gets it” in a way few do. A creative voice who acknowledges their struggle without ever dogging the profession or punching down.
ALSO — Andrea has a doctorate and two master’s degrees which she picked up along the way to her current position as a Professor of Teaching and Learning at Indiana State AND a presenting speaker for the Indiana State Teachers Association Good Teaching Conference.