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How To Survive The Classroom

Hi friend, Andrea Forcum (aka @EducatorAndrea) here! If you’ve ever Googled “how to professionally quit mid-semester” or seriously considered hiding in a supply closet, this show’s for you. With Educator strategies and life advice — teaching may be a noble profession… but nobility doesn’t stop your classroom from catching on fire.

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May 12, 2025

Shrek Is Still Haunting Me

Shrek Is Still Haunting Me

So, we changed the name. Welcome to How To Survive the Classroom —you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be. In this kickoff to the new era, I’m diving into two of the most unhinged teacher submissions I’ve ever heard—one involving a movie mishap that will haunt you and another featuring a hallway hair war that somehow became my own personal reality TV show. Plus, I’m revealing the AI tool that actually doesn’t feel sketchy (teachers, I got you), bragging on some simulation drama happening at my university, and prepping for a secret meeting with superintendents that may or may not end in tears (theirs, not mine... probably). If you’re into rogue four-year-olds, teacher gossip, resource hacks, and hearing someone say “nipple” way too many times on a podcast—hi, hello, press play.

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May 5, 2025

The Secret Tapes of a Teacher with Charles Fournier

The Secret Tapes of a Teacher with Charles Fournier

What do a lead-painted door, a rubberized body part in a middle school backpack, and the KKK showing up to a school in the ‘80s have in common? Absolutely nothing—except they’re all packed into this episode. Today, I’m kicking things off solo with chaotic home improvement updates (including which stripper works hardest) and a couple of voice memos from listeners that are… honestly, you just have to hear them to believe them. One will have you gasping, the other might make you text your admin “hazard pay?” Then, I sit down with the brilliant Charles Fournier—creator of the hit podcast Those Who Can’t Teach Anymore—to talk about why his show is haunting the top podcast charts, how he captured an entire year of real teacher audio diaries, and why his new season might wreck you (in the best way). If you’ve ever wanted to throw your backpack out a window, doubt your life choices mid-project, or just feel wildly validated in this teaching life—you’re in the right place.

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Reviews

It’s fun even for a non-teacher

"It’s just like I imagine listening in to the teacher’s lounge when I was in school about what a devil or angel I was depending on the teacher. Great laughs. Teachers are humans too… and funny humans…"

mikehaddon | Oct. 13, 2024

Awesome Show

"I love Educator Andrea on Instagram and just discovered her podcast, which I am binging . She is a wealth of knowledge, has great guests and an awesome sense of humor. Her content is helping me survi…"

ranchreader | Oct. 27, 2024

A Must Listen for ALL teachers

"Fantastic pod! She shows the insanity that is the classroom without being an old curmudgeonly bitter teacher (like me 😂). In all seriousness, makes me laugh and gives me hope to keep on keeping on. C…"

me@6593 | Nov. 13, 2024

Relatable

"Always enjoy listening to Andrea and guests during my long commute to and from school. The conversations range from entertaining to inspiring along with some crazy, comical anecdotes that all teacher…"

Jabberwocky412 | Dec. 12, 2024

We survive with laughter!

"I enjoyed the new name and format. Teaching is a joy and also hard. Having a space for laughter and resources is fenomenal!"

Lizy787 | May 5, 2025

Worth the listen

"I’ve followed Andrea for a while on IG and this podcast does not disappoint. I love how real she is about being in education. This extended insight into her classroom as well as other teacher experie…"

emmmtay | July 25, 2024

So Validating

"I’ve just finished my third year teaching fifth grade, and everything I hear on this podcast is A) hilarious and B) incredibly validating. I appreciate the wealth of knowledge, love, and—especially—h…"

Heyrigneys | July 20, 2024

So real and so fun!

"Love listening to this pod because it’s so REAL and funny. Literally laughing out loud and agreeing with so many of the stories and anecdotes. Teaching can be hard and fun and heartbreaking and soul …"

Starteacher1234 | July 8, 2024

One of the Best

"I love this podcast. I'm a secondary English teacher and can relate. The mix of comedy and educational discussion is perfect!"

Rpritts2 | June 21, 2024

Fun!

"I love this podcast, especially since it’s summer and I’m not around my fellow teachers as much. It’s a connection that is getting me through break so far!"

Amanda Fidler | June 13, 2024

Love this lady

"I will listen to anything Andrea does! Her mix of humor with the “realness” and vulnerability of being a teacher is the antidote to teacher burnout!"

KelliDeGuire | April 12, 2024
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About the Host

Andrea Forcum (@EducatorAndrea) Profile Photo

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.