The Teachers' Carpenter Podcast

3. What I Wish I Knew Before I Started Teaching

Ever wonder what to do when a kid turns into a frog mid-lesson? Or pees during their bug presentation? Or starts drinking from a puddle like a puppy? In Episode 2 of The Teacher’s Carpenter, Kay and I dive into the things we wish we knew before becoming teachers—like how Halloween is cursed, why secret star students save lives, and that sometimes, the best classroom management strategy is… snacks. Oh, and rule #1: Let them be a frog. We talk relationships, real talk, and radishes. Come laugh with us. Come cry with us. Come question everything.

2. 6th Graders: Pushpins, Pencils, and Puberty

Ever ask a group of 6th graders to get out a pencil? It's chaos—in the most hilarious, beautiful way possible. In this episode, I dive into the world of 11-year-olds: the pushpin drama, the dinosaur pencil envy, and the rollercoaster of emotions that define this unforgettable age. I talk about why sixth grade is such a unique developmental stage, what kind of school structure actually supports them best (hint: stop giving them 8 teachers and 12 assignments), and how we can ditch the busywork in favor of real growth. Also—backpacks? Trash bags. Let’s fix that too. Whether you're a 6th grade teacher, a middle school veteran, or just curious about how to better support tweens, this one’s for you.

Minisode #1: Laying the First Brick — PLCs, April, and Devin Siebold

Welcome to the first Teacher’s Carpenter Minisode!. In this short episode, Chandler gives you a sneak peek at our next PLC topic (One Pagers), sharing some reflections on her conversation with April, telling a quick teaching story from when she taught kindergarten, and spotlighted the hilarious and inspiring Devin Siebold from Bored Teachers. These minisodes are all about quick inspiration, practical takeaways, and celebrating educators who make a difference. Let’s build something great—one episode at a time!

1. The Love of Literacy

Special Guest: April, Librarian & Literacy Advocate Do kids really hate reading, or did we just squash the joy out of it? This episode dives into the mystery of why so many students claim they don’t like to read—and what we can do about it. My guest, April, is a librarian, an educator of 16+ years, and someone who believes books should be fun, not forced. We talk about how to rekindle that spark, why choice matters, and how schools can stop treating reading like a chore. KEY TAKEAWAYS: -Choice-based reading is the secret to lifelong literacy. -How graphic novels, audiobooks, and skateboarding magazines count as real reading. -Why forcing kids to log every book they read is killing the vibe. -The magic of Captain Underpants (yes, even for older kids). -How to create a school-wide reading culture without overloading teachers. -Reading for pleasure builds literacy. -The power of Ziploc bags (seriously, it’s a game-changer for book protection). CUT TO THE QUESTION: April and I reveal which three people (living or dead) we’d love to have dinner with. The answers might surprise you! Who would you invite? Drop your picks in the comments! Like, Subscribe & Follow! And until next time… build something great.