Send us a text All good things must come to an end. After six remarkable years and 301 episodes, I'm closing the door on the Substitute Teachers Lounge podcast. When I started this journey in November 2019, I was simply looking for a podcast that served substitute teachers—and finding none, decided to create one myself. Nearly 100,000 listens later, I'm humbled by how this resource has connected with the substitute teaching community. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. Your...
All content for Substitute Teachers Lounge is the property of Greg Collins and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Send us a text All good things must come to an end. After six remarkable years and 301 episodes, I'm closing the door on the Substitute Teachers Lounge podcast. When I started this journey in November 2019, I was simply looking for a podcast that served substitute teachers—and finding none, decided to create one myself. Nearly 100,000 listens later, I'm humbled by how this resource has connected with the substitute teaching community. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. Your...
Send us a text All good things must come to an end. After six remarkable years and 301 episodes, I'm closing the door on the Substitute Teachers Lounge podcast. When I started this journey in November 2019, I was simply looking for a podcast that served substitute teachers—and finding none, decided to create one myself. Nearly 100,000 listens later, I'm humbled by how this resource has connected with the substitute teaching community. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. Your...
Send us a text Reaching the milestone 300th episode, I'm tackling a universal substitute teaching challenge that surprisingly hasn't been the central focus of any previous episode: getting reassigned after you've arrived at school. The moment when administrators approach with that apologetic look, asking if you'd mind switching to a different classroom than the one you accepted, triggers a range of emotions. Drawing from my nearly eight years in substitute teaching, I share two contrasting l...
Send us a text Seven years of substitute teaching stories have taught me one crucial lesson: behind every student behavior is a complex inner world most teachers never glimpse. In this anniversary episode, I take you inside the minds of six distinct student archetypes you'll encounter in your classroom this year. Listen as Marie reveals her anxiety about transitioning to high school and losing her hard-won social status. Experience Ben's internal pressure to maintain his athletic reputation ...
Send us a text What happens when a teacher accustomed to older students suddenly faces a classroom of elementary schoolers? Everything changes. From the surprising power dynamics to the unexpected emotional responses, teaching younger children demands an entirely different approach.
Send us a text Money matters in the substitute teaching world, especially when your paycheck doesn't match that of permanent teachers. The eternal question: Should you spend your hard-earned dollars on classroom supplies?
Send us a text Ever wondered what happens when artificial intelligence writes your life story? In this fascinating episode, I dive into the surreal experience of discovering an AI-generated book about my substitute teaching career—written entirely without my input beyond a few basic questions. ge of the AI-generated book cover!
Send us a text A substitute teacher reflects on how Generation Alpha differs from Gen Z and how teachers can adapt their methods accordingly. This light-hearted exploration of generational differences reveals that Alpha students are the first fully digital generation, with distinct learning preferences and world perspectives. • Fourth graders are split between Gen Z and Generation Alpha based on their birth years • Generation Alpha grew up entirely in the digital age, making them extremely t...
Send us a text Have you ever wondered what elementary school students really think about their teachers? In this unique episode, we flip the script by interviewing our youngest guests ever - students from kindergarten through fifth grade - to gain their unfiltered perspectives on education. Our first guest Anna, a fifth-grade graduate with straight A's, shares wisdom beyond her years about academic success. Her advice to take time for projects "even if you have to take time from recess" reve...
Send us a text Every substitute teacher knows that what works in one classroom might fail spectacularly in another. This revelation hit me hard recently when several teaching strategies I'd successfully employed with teenagers created unexpected chaos among elementary students.
Send us a text The countdown to summer vacation has begun, with only two weeks of school remaining. As substitute teachers prepare to wrap up another academic year, the temptation to make certain end-of-year decisions looms large – but not all of these choices serve your long-term interests as an educator.
Send us a text Ever wonder what life is really like for substitute teachers navigating classrooms in today's educational landscape? This candid conversation with Felice, a substitute teacher from the Houston suburbs, pulls back the curtain on this vital yet often overlooked profession. Felice brings a remarkably diverse background to her role, having worked as a Department of Commerce geographic specialist and an air quality planner before eventually finding her way into education. After fiv...
Send us a text Breaking my own rule of "never below third grade," I recently stepped into a first-grade classroom as a substitute teacher and discovered a whole new world of teaching challenges and rewards. The experience was so transformative that I couldn't wait to share what makes seven-year-olds uniquely different from other elementary grades. First graders operate in a heightened emotional state that manifests in three primary ways. First, there's the crying – whether from playground in...
Send us a text Substitute teaching comes with unexpected social dynamics that we rarely discuss openly. What happens when students loudly proclaim you're their "favorite substitute" while another sub stands nearby? Should you feel proud or guilty when teachers request you instead of other substitutes? Today's episode dives into these delicate situations and explores the sometimes awkward relationships between substitute teachers. I share personal experiences from my recent months in the clas...
Send us a text What happens when students mistreat each other, and how should substitute teachers respond? This deeply reflective episode explores the delicate art of addressing student conflicts while maintaining dignity for everyone involved. Drawing unexpected connections between spring break viewing experiences—from 1970s home movies to the Minecraft film—Greg Collins shares powerful insights about witnessing and addressing student mistreatment. The episode reveals surprisingly effective...
Send us a text Teachers and substitute teachers never truly turn off their "teacher brain," even during spring break. Like comedians and songwriters, educators are constantly collecting experiences, images, and stories that can engage students and improve classroom learning. • Spring break provides opportunities to gather visual aids that capture student attention better than lectures alone • Personal photos from places like the Alamo or experiences like holding a sloth create immediate stud...
Send us a text Finding the sweet spot between following a regular teacher's lesson plans and bringing your authentic self to the classroom—that's the balance every substitute teacher must strike. Drawing from seven years of substitute teaching experience across elementary, middle, and high school classrooms, I explore when to stick to the script and when to trust your teaching instincts.
Send us a text Physical boundaries in education have always required careful navigation, but today we're tackling the subject that many teachers hesitate to discuss openly – classroom hugs. Drawing from seven years of substitute teaching experience across elementary, middle, and high school settings, I'm sharing personal observations, experiences, and guidelines that have shaped my approach to this sensitive topic.
Send us a text Have you ever caught yourself rambling to a classroom of increasingly glazed-over eyes? You're not alone. Inspired by Henry Winkler's candid admission about losing acting roles due to excessive talking, this episode dives deep into the complex world of classroom communication. As someone who self-identifies as verbose, I share personal strategies for managing my "gift of gab"—including the somewhat humbling practice of giving students permission to call me out when I tal...
Send us a text After six years as a substitute teacher primarily in middle and high schools, I've discovered that elementary school—specifically third grade—has become my preferred teaching environment. • Elementary students are more engaged without smartphones and more enthusiastic about learning • The COVID break significantly impacted middle schoolers, making them noticeably less mature • Teaching the same class of students all day with scheduled breaks creates a better teaching rhythm • ...
Send us a text Our latest discussion dives into the joys and challenges of medium-term substitute teaching, emphasizing the deep connections with students that can emerge in just a few short days. We explore how embracing this teaching style can lead to rewarding and memorable experiences for both teachers and students. • Exploring the transition from short-term to medium-term teaching • Sharing memorable experiences from a recent four-day assignment • Discussing the benefits of ...
Send us a text All good things must come to an end. After six remarkable years and 301 episodes, I'm closing the door on the Substitute Teachers Lounge podcast. When I started this journey in November 2019, I was simply looking for a podcast that served substitute teachers—and finding none, decided to create one myself. Nearly 100,000 listens later, I'm humbled by how this resource has connected with the substitute teaching community. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. Your...
