The Insubordinate Teacher Podcast

Do we say Gay, now? Wait. Now?

On this episode, we talk about the ongoing debate, or non-debate, surrounding say/don't say "gay" in schools. Ultimately, we know this isn't about a single word, but authentic inclusion and basic human rights. We talk about the reality of Canadian law stating that any "don't say gay" stance in schools do, in fact, break the law. Still, the cacophony of homophobic voices have overwhelmed the education space, and it's up to teachers to have real conversations on the subject.

Summer jobs for Students or Tree Planting is a Cult

In this episode, the peeps talk about summer jobs for students, and examine the worst and most Canadian of the summer break employment, tree planting. Tree planting is perhaps the most quintessential and physically demanding job for university students – oh, and it’s also the most cultish – but at least it’s not as obnoxious as lifeguarding or being a camp counselor!

Episode 13 Banning Books in School

You know what's fun? Answer: Banning books from schools! Back from a one year prison sentence, from a crime we did not commit, the gang talks about how one clever parent formally asked to ban the Bible from a public school. Dobler joins us as a guest, and David holds out for more talking time on the podcast.

The Catch-up/Catsup Episode

Apologies that we have taken a little break, but David was claiming to be really busy at the end of the school year and did not have time to record a new episode of The Insubordinate Teacher Podcast. We discovered he was only busy cashing in the gift cards he received/demanded from his students, laughing at them as they attempt to curry some favour and/or love from this horrible, horrible man. On this episode we spend time catching up with each other and amongst the many topics of conversation are “Stonebanks’ Heroes”, getting ready for Dave’s ongoing vengeance against Stonebanks, Farah-Roxanne’s Artificial Intelligence smartphone spying on her kitten, and Christine’s ongoing problems with compression support socks and the actor/comedian/town/car Chevrolet Chase. So, pretty much typical end of the year teacher conversations.

The Robb Elementary School Massacre

This is a bonus episode no one wants to make. On May 24, 2022, an 18-year-old shooter entered Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, United States and fatally shot nineteen students and two teachers, while wounding seventeen others. The Insubordinate Teacher Podcast veers from its typical satire to address an ongoing phenomenon aimed at schools that will not be stopped through “thoughts and prayers”. The team is joined by Laura, our main voice for segues, a resident of Texas of Mexican descent and a pre-service teacher to add her perspectives on her community, gun culture and the general avoidance of difficult conversations that perpetuate these tragedies. Join us as we argue that teachers need to get political and demand sweeping changes.