BustED Pencils

Today Drs. Tim Slekar and Johnny Lupinacci join Producer Jakob to discuss an interesting social media post. Where did they find it? Why, on Civic Media's Instagram account, of course! On Mornings with Pat Kreitlow, Wisconsin Rep. Christian Phelps pointed out all the ways that Wisconsin's Republican dominated Joint Finance Committee is hurting education in Wisconsin, and the Drs. have some thoughts. Local schools are darn important. They educate our kids, they bring us together, they employee our people. In many ways, schools are our communities. So don't miss this episode of BustED Pencils! BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

We all have Memorial Day marked on our calendars as the unofficial start of good weather, cookouts, and days at the beach; but what is it really all about? Today Dr. Johnny Lupinacci and his guest Jakob go through the history of Memorial Day. Did you know that Memorial Day dates back to the 1860s? How about the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day? We talk about it all in today's somber and respectful edition of BustED Pencils as we remember those have gave everything for America and ponder the spirit of Memorial Day. Special thanks to all those who served our country! Plus Johnny makes an exciting announcement regarding Jakob's ever evolving role within the BustED Pencils conglomerate. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guest: Jakob

On today's episode of BustED Pencils Dr. Tim Slekar returns from his sabbatical to respond to Dr. Johnny Lupinacci's 5 Point Education Plan from Wednesday's Class in Session. But wait, there's more! We have breaking news as the Supreme Court shoots down efforts to have publicly funded religious charter schools in Oklahoma and Donald Trump's never-ending pettiness results in Harvard University being banned from accepting any foreign students. It's a wild day, but don't worry; Tim and Johnny and here to help. So sit back, relax, and prepare for a smooth landing as Tim brings us back to Earth with classy, intelligent commentary on higher education. Producer Jakob is dazed and confused during this episode. Busted Pencils is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 6-7 pm across Wisconsin. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X and Instagram to keep up with Dr. Tim, Dr. Johnny and the show!

It's a very, very special episode of BustED Pencils today as we're able to play our part in introducing America to one of the world's fastest growing sports. Pickleball? GET THAT STUFF OUT OF HERE. Jai alai? NEVER HEARD OF IT. No, dear listener, today we're talking about your grandson's favorite sport; Esports. And who better to teach us about that very subject than acclaimed educator and Esports coaching expert Matthew Mooney? Nobody, that's who. So don't touch that dial, because Dr. Johnny Lupinacci and Jakob the Elite Gamer are here to hack the mainframe into the cyber world of Esports on this episode of BustED Pencils! Dr. Tim Slekar WILL RETURN in BustED Pencils The Movie. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guest: Matthew Mooney

If you want to get a 10,000 foot view of higher education, you don't need a $500 million Qatari super jet. All you need is Dr. Johnny "The Condor" Lupinacci! Today The Condor is joined by Jakob (aka Baby Bird) for a discussion of how our universities can turn challenges into opportunities. If fewer young people are choosing to go to college, how can universities adapt to present a better value proposition? How can our institutions adopt meaningful missions that give direction to faculty and students alike? Johnny "The Condor" Lupinacci has a few ideas, plus he prepares some homework for Tim to turn in on Saturday's show. So DON'T MISS IT, it's BustED Pencils! BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guest: Jakob

On a somber episode of BustED Pencils, Dr. Tim Slekar and Jakob the Wonder Boy discuss a growing problem in higher education. As universities struggle with enrollment amidst a growing demographic crisis, states and their college systems face tough choices when it comes to allocating funding. This has led smaller branch schools (think UW-Whitewater or UC-Davis) to have to fight hard for their roles in education as resources are pushed to marquee locations. Can these withering branches be saved? Will their fall lead to the rising of a new, stronger education system of the future? Let's talk about it. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guest: Jakob

Two titans of learning, two colossal minds, two high-flying education commentators at the top of their game; and this time they're agreeing with each other?!?! Today we exit the A.I. Wars era of BustED Pencils (perhaps briefly) and get back to something Drs. Tim Slekar and Johnny Lupinacci can agree about; making classrooms better places for kids and teachers alike. What stressors make teaching a mentally and physically draining career for so many of our nation's teachers? Why is the current administration so intent on making our classrooms a literal and metaphorical battlefield? Johnny returns from a teaching conference with a whole bunch of thoughts on just that, and Tim is loving what he's hearing. Long story short, it's about time the people in charge of our education system wise up and embrace a simple slogan; make learn, not war. Producer Jakob was also there, but he didn't contribute very much. The NHL playoffs are in full swing and perhaps his mind is just a million miles away. Nonetheless, rest assured he will be duly reprimanded for his inattention. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

We're all a couple of Fonzies today as Tim continues traveling the globe in search of rare herbs and spices, leaving Dr. Johnny Lupinacci and non-Dr. Jakob no choice but to go it alone. Thankfully, the fellas have a great topic for today! What can teachers learn from coaches? What can coaches learn from teachers? Are these two jobs all that different after all? Or are they just different applications of the same ideas and practices? That's what Johnny's got on his mind today and Jakob is down to clown. So stick with us as we discuss how coaching is teaching and teaching is coaching on THIS exciting episode of BustED Pencils. Thank you for listening to today's program. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guest: Jakob

Class truly is in session this week as Dr. Johnny Lupinacci returns from his sojourn to a teachers' meeting fit to burst with thoughts on this week's Homeroom episode. Johnny talks about the value of early child education in enabling children to start life on a strong footing and how Sesame Street has played a part in that effort for over fifty years. Plus how can we make education and the study of teaching both accessible to newcomers AND challenging? Johnny has thoughts. So join Johnny and his young ward Jakob as they search near and far for answers to today's burning education questions. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guest: Jakob

Our worst fears have come true; Monday is here and Dr. Johnny Lupinacci is nowhere to be found. Some say he's in Nepal climbing Mount Everest. Others speculate he may be deep undercover behind the Iron Curtain. Or, perhaps, he has a meeting. Regardless, Dr. Tim Slekar and Non-Dr. Jakob are here to discuss pressing issues in education. The government is trying to cut funding for PBS, leaving Bert and Ernie facing a fiscal crisis, and Indiana is turning down free money meant for feeding hungry kids (or as the President may misunderstand it, "Feeding Hungary kids".) Tune in for an in-depth discussion of Monday's biggest headlines in education. On another note, Producer Jakob would like to apologize for implying that enjoying NASCAR is in anyway linked to being closed-minded. Jakob would never, NEVER, want to denigrate NASCAR fans.* BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! *For NASCAR fans, "denigrate" means "put down." Guest: Jakob

In this episode of Busted Pencils, Drs. Tim Slekar and Johnny Lupinacci are joined by a couple of very special guests to talk about Wisconsin's number one issue. Heather DuBoise Bourenane and Jenni Hofschulte from the Wisconsin Public Education Network are here to talk about the contentious budget session underway in Madison. This isn't just about bureaucracy, it's about the funding that keeps our schools safe, stimulating, and sustainable places that serve our communities. Don't let anti-education forces get away with their shenanigans, speak up and make your voice heard! Producer and simple farmer Jakob provides perspectives from Middle America. Busted Pencils is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 6-7 pm across Wisconsin. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X and Instagram to keep up with Dr. Tim, Dr. Johnny and the show!

Today we're joined by Civic Media's very own Wisconsin sports expert Jimmie Kaska. Jimmy brings us an update on the changes coming to high school athletics. How will name, image, and likeness rules impact the average young athlete in our state? Is NIL going to change the game, or is it just a small part of our overall athletic culture? And what impact will Alex's Orange Chicken have? Jimmie has all the answers, and Drs. Tim Slekar and Johnny Lupinacci bring plenty of questions. So join us, won't you? For an exciting episode of BustED Pencils! BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guest: Jimmie Kaska

Today, Drs. Johnny Lupinacci and Tim Slekar welcome special guest Sofia Mirza to discuss her journey from educator to entrepreneur and to hear her thoughts on how the education system can benefit from lessons learned in the private sector. Big institutions play a valuable role in society, but their size and long history often create significant institutional inertia. Sometimes, we need an outsider's perspective to shake things up and provoke change. That perspective becomes even more valuable when it comes from someone like Sofia, who brings experience from both the education and business worlds. She has worked as both an educator and a private businesswoman. Can an outside perspective improve learning outcomes in education? Today, we explore this and more on BustED Pencils. Armed with a master's degree in education, Sofia entered the classroom determined to inspire students. But she quickly realized that the system often restricted true creativity. Despite the challenges, she deeply respects the teachers who work tirelessly to engage students in a system that doesn't always support innovation. So she chose a different path—earning a second master's in design, applying her background in psychology, and diving into the tech world. Now, as Principal of Drift2 Web Solutions, Sofia combines all those elements in her role as an interaction designer. She creates digital experiences that are not only useful and usable but also genuinely enjoyable. This episode was produced by Jakob. Jakob does not feel insecure about being the only non-doctor regularly featured on the podcast. Afterall, we're all just people. He's so non-insecure about it that he feels that it doesn't ever bear mentioning. Frankly, he doesn't know why you brought it up at all. This description was written by Producer Jakob. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guest: Sofia Mirza

Today Dr. Johnny Lupinacci and Dr. Tim Slekar discuss an interesting development in education as the Supreme Court is set to rule on whether or not religious charter schools can receive public funding. What truly makes a public school? Is it an elected schoolboard, direct state funding, or something else? Can a religious organization provide a secular education? And how can we make sure that public tax dollars are used to serve the public good rather than to prop up any one particular religious ideology? Find the answers to these questions and more as we wade into unchartered waters on THIS episode of BUSTED PENCILS. Producer Jakob had a wild weekend. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

Join us this Saturday for the epic final showdown between Dr. Johnny Lupinacci and Dr. Tim Slekar's A.I. Clone as two giants of the education industry settle once and for all the question of how A.I. is going to change our classrooms. Will Johnny prevail and prove that no teaching machine can replace a good human instructor? Or will Tim's Clone prove that an A.I. like himself can do just as good of a job teaching as any fleshy meat bag (A.I. slang for human). It's the question that has dominated not just this show but the entire education landscape for months, and finally we will have our decisive answer; Johnny Henry vs the Teaching Machine. Who will win? Find out today on BUSTED PENCILS. Producer Jakob dedicates this episode to his Japanese A.I. girlfriend. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guest: Jakob

The times they are a-changin', that's for darn sure. Eight-man football? New headgear for sprinters? Kids signing big money contracts while they're in high school? Oh my! Today Drs. Tim Slekar and Johnny Lupinacci discuss these topics and more as they delve into some big changes coming to Wisconsin's essential curriculars within high school sports. Will A.I. education be the death of essential curriculars or will it enable them to become a greater part of education as kids and teachers alike spend less time on busy work and more time on their passions? Does NIL mean that high school athletes will become commodities beholden to their local Alex's Orange Chicken Restaurant or will is it finally allowing young people to be fairly compensated for all they bring to their communities? Producer Jakob holds the boys' feet to the fire with the hard-hitting questions listeners like YOU deserve the answers to! BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guest: Jakob

On Monday Dr. Johnny Lupinacci (Lup' Skywalker) delivered a devastating blow to the prospect of A.I. replacing simple, hard-working teachers (the Death St-A.I.-r?). Now Dr. Tim Slekar (Darth V-A.I.-der) makes his long anticipated return to the show to remind Johnny of the positive impact that the inevitable rise of the machines can have on schools and student education outcomes. Which side will prevail? Will Lup' Skywalker manage to carve out a role for humans in the education system of tomorrow? Or will Darth V-A.I.-der and the Emp-A.I.-re (Empire?) Strikes Back prove to be too much for teachers and schools to adapt to in time? Producer Jakob spends the entire podcast frozen in carbonite (but don't worry, he gets to marry Princess Leia later so it all works out). BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

You know her, you love her, it's Britni Walz! As the Instructional Services and Educational Technology Director at CESA 4, Britni has been at the forefront of integrating AI into rural Wisconsin classrooms. Fresh from the ASU+GSV Summit—a premier gathering of educators, innovators, and tech leaders—she's here to share insights on how the summit's discussions and discoveries will influence her work back home. From AI literacy to equitable access, we'll delve into how cutting-edge ideas from the summit can be translated into meaningful change for rural educators and students. Essentially, Britni is here to tell us whether AI is something so be feared or something that can bring us to the educational stairw-A.I. to heaven. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guest: Britni Walz

Mighty serious accusations are flying in this week's edition of Class in Session as Dr. Johnny Lupinacci strikes back at Dr. Tim Slekar and his vision for an AI dominated education utopia. Is AI going to revolutionize the way we learn? Are teachers becoming obsolete? Or is AI a powerful tool that requires a skilled teacher to use to its full potential? Find out the answers to these questions and more as Luddite Lupinacci and Tim the Professor Hater face off in a clash of titans! BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

With Dr. Johnny Lupinacci indisposed, Dr. Tim Slekar has no choice but to try to educate junior producer-in-training Jakob about the intricacies of school choice. What is Texas Governor Greg Abbot planning to do with so-called universal school choice rules in his state and why does Tim think that they might backfire on him? Does Jakob know that the nationwide school choice movement started right here in Wisconsin? And how does universal school choice create a whole new mess of problems for rural parents and students? And what about our choice to support our public schools? Find the answers to all of these questions and more in today's episode of BustED Pencils! BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

Hail the conquering heroine! Friend of the show Hallie Newman Schmeling, or Teacher Hallie as we call her around these parts, is back on BustED Pencils for the first time since being elected to the Menomonee Falls school board! Drs. Tim Slekar and Johnny Lupinacci have a lot of catching up to do with Hallie as she discusses her journey from educator to deciding to run for public office, the good times and the tough moments of running a political campaign in 2025, and how to bring good old fashioned classroom lessons into the realm of public service. Join us as we talk about it all on THIS exciting episode of BustED Pencils. Teacher Hallie and her partner Teacher Joanna are Educators Amplified, a podcast dedicated to raising up the voices of educators.  BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guest: Hallie Schmeling

You've all been waiting for it, and we're finally delivering. For the first time in 28 DAYS sports whiz kid Jimmie Kaska has made his TRIUMPHANT return to the podcast to discuss the wide and wonderful world of Wisconsin sports. Jimmie informs our intrepid hosts Drs. Johnny Lupinacci and Tim Slekar about the WIAA's upcoming slate of reforms to high school athletics covering everything from allowing kids to earn money through NIL deals to coaches being allowed to give their players a few pointers during the off-season. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guest: Jimmie Kaska

Secretary of Education Linda McMahon promises Americans an A1 education as she confuses A.I. with a popular barbecue sauce brand, Dr. Tim Slekar makes his triumphant return to the show after getting his pearly whites repaired, and Dr. Johnny Lupinacci takes a walk on the bright side by pointing out some of the opportunities presented by a rapidly shifting education landscape. With higher education facing a turbulent sea of challenges and threats, Tim and Johnny discuss the way that declining demographics and economic austerity are forcing institutions of higher learning to either adapt or die. And producer Jakob does a great George W. Bush impression. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

Blue-collar scholars and warrior poets Dr. Johnny Lupinacci and producer Jakob overcome their grief over Tim's absence to take a look at one of the perhaps not unexpected results of Donald Trump's executive order banning “DEI” and “woke” from classrooms as in Idaho a 6th grade teacher finds herself in a difficult situation when her school's administration asks her to take down a classroom poster that simply reads “everyone is welcome here.” When the definition of controversial changes, should our values change too? Or do we all have an obligation to continue making everyone feel welcome regardless of what certain forces within society might like to scare us into doing? And what could be more patriotic than loving your country enough to want to see it improve? BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

On a lonesome, Tim-less episode of BustED Pencils Dr. Johnny Lupinacci is joined by newly-minted producer Jakob. They discuss the paths people take along their education journeys, the Frozen Four, and sticking up for the idea that Diversity is American so we can all enjoy the country we love. Western Michigan's teacher training program gets a shoutout. The ongoing battle for keeping diversity in our classrooms continues playing out, and they discuss the chilling effect that curbs on education and expression have on our schools and society at large. They talk about their admiration for the heroic teachers out there who not only teach children but make them feel welcome and comfortable in their schools and communities. We tackle states' rights vs. federal intervention and how to be patriotic Americans while still recognizing historic and ongoing failings on the part of our country. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

Spring sports run the gambit between everything from track and field to baseball, softball, lacrosse, and so SO many more, but which spring sports are closest to OUR hearts? Today we look to get to the bottom of that very question as Dr. Johnny Lupinacci and new producer Jakob spend their Friday debating the merits of various spring sports, discussing the various paths that students take on their journeys to finding the right essential curricular activities for them, and the value of finding an activity and community that works for you, whether it involves singing, dancing, pucks or strikes. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

This week on a very special episode of BustED Pencils Doctors Johnny Lupinacci and Tim Slekar discuss the politicization of the education landscape as states like New York choose to sacrifice federal funding in order to uphold their DEI policies while others like Kentucky and Ohio move in the exact opposite direction as they now BAN DEI outright. Do we live in a country of separate states with separate truths? How do states' rights interact with students' rights to an education? And will producer Jakob get to pose his own question at some point during the podcast? Listen to find out! BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

Today Dr. Tim Slekar comes fully leaded with a perplexing story out of Oklahoma as the state makes a controversial decision to begin teaching 2020 election denial as part of its official state social studies standards, a move that even David Griffith from the conservative think tank the Fordham Institute called “disappointing.” But is there an opportunity to come at this problem from another angle while insisting Oklahoma's haphazard implementation is just not ok? Dr. Johnny Lupinacci responds with a different take, seeing a chance to delve into the wider issue of growing election denialism in American society. When the subjects get tough, the only solution is a healthy dialog and that's precisely what occurs on today's episode as our hosts and special guest Jess PS grapple with the challenge of teaching students to embrace a healthy skepticism towards their government and its institutions without yielding ground to baseless conspiracy theories and debunked claims. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

Pencil Busters, this episode is a little different. Today, we celebrate 10 incredible months of Producer Jess's time with BustED Pencils. Why? Because this educated educator is going on to more education! Over the past 10 months, I- that is Jess- have learned and grown so much. I planned and produced each episode of the show and wrote each of these podcasts. It's a bit surreal to write this last one. For today's show, Dr. Tim and Dr. Johnny interview me about my educational journey. From where I've been to where I'm going, I bring you in on my path to medicine. I don't know all of what the future holds, but I know for damn sure there's more education and more pencil busting it it! So this isn't goodbye, it's just see ya later. And now I get to say it to you all. Thank YOU for busting pencils with me! BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guest: Jess Plotkin-Sell

Randi Weingarten, President of AFT, joins us to discuss the lawsuits her organization is pursuing against the Trump administration's reckless and harmful policies. She shares the deliberations she and AFT undertake when considering which lawsuits to pursue. It comes down to two simple factors. First- is the policy actively hurting people and standing in the way of people attaining the American Dream? Second- does AFT have standing to file? If so, they're suing. This isn't what AFT wants to spend their time doing. But they are advocates for laborers, educators, and so many of the first targets of this administration. As we often discuss here at BustED Pencils, the American Dream is a fuzzy, ill-defined thing. One thing we know it absolutely requires is engagement. We must be able to engage with the difficult aspects of America, the contradictions and dark past of our great country. If we cannot, we lose whatever the hell the American Dream is. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guest: Randi Weingarten

The COVID-19 pandemic changed the trajectory all of our lives. Now, five years since the onset of the pandemic, we look at all that we've become. So often, we hear the endless clarion call of "learning loss" in education. Rarely do we hear about all of the learning students, teachers, and families gained. Nor do we take time to celebrate and honor how some trajectory shifts stemming from Covid led to spectacular growth and achievement for us personally. So today, we look not only at the loss- which we understand as grief, not some abstract loss of learning- but also at what we gained. For one thing, we gained Dr. Johnny Lupinacci as cohost of BustED Pencils! At this five-year mark, nearly every publication offers some form of reflective essay. Dr. Johnny shared his thoughts about the lessons gained from the pandemic with the Washington State magazine. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

Class, we talk about AI a lot here. Is it good or bad? Well, it's technology, so it is neither and both depending on the user. But what if we could consider it as *more* than a tool, and far less than a replacement for a teacher? Britni Walz, Instructional Services and Technology Director for CESA4, like Dr. Tim, views proper AI as an assistant. Today, Britni joins us to discuss the exciting work CESA4 is doing to bring AI to rural school districts in Wisconsin. These schools seek ways to engage each of their students according to their needs and interest. As any educated educator knows, that's a monumental task. Well, what if we pair teachers with an assistant who can build individualized lesson plans for each child based on that student's needs and interests? That might just work! As we discuss AI in classrooms more, we need to understand a few things. The first and most important is that AI is ultimately a tool, not a replacement for human engagement. AI grows more capable and nuanced each day, but it's still a tool. Rather than fearing that AI will replace teachers let's consider the second thing. Utilizing AI as an assistant has the potential to reinvigorate teachers facing creative burnout and to engage so many students who tune out of lessons that don't interest them! BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guest: Britni Walz

Class, welcome to our next season of covering essential curricular activities! We began this weekly segment in fall with First Downs and Friday Night Lights. Then, we transitioned into Free Throws and Face Offs. Now in spring, we introduce Hurdles and Home Runs! You can expect to catch up on the classic spring sports of track and field, lacrosse, baseball, and softball. But spring isn't just for sports. In this episode, Tim, Johnny, and Jess reminisce on their favorite vernal essentials including model UN, forensics, and theater. We look forward to bringing you highlights of these incredible, necessary components of education! BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

Class, we are so excited to share that our friend Hallie Newman Schmeling is running for School Board! Teacher Hallie- as we call her around here- and Teacher Joanna are Educators Amplified, a podcast dedicated to raising up the voices of educators. Hallie joins us today to discuss why she chose to run for School Board in the Menomonee Falls district. She sees and hears the needs of teachers, students, and families in her district. With her background as a classroom educator, we know she will truly amplify the educators. Today, she discusses what School Boards actually do and how their decisions shape education in their districts. Hallie's running to make a positive difference in her community. Learn more and check out her campaign on her official webpage or on Facebook. If you're in Hallie's district, you can vote for her from now until Tuesday April 1st. For all of us here in Wisconsin, the April 1st election will feature choices for Supreme Court Justice and Superintendent of Public Instruction. Check your voter registration and everything on your ballot here. Then make a plan and VOTE by April 1st to amplify your choice! BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guest: Hallie Schmeling

Class, welcome to another new week! Despite our best efforts at cheer, we're finding it hard to be all smiles to start this week. And we find that sentiment reflected in our nation's continually declining happiness index. For the second consecutive year, America ranks at a new low on the World Happiness Report. Why is our happiness declining? Well, when we look around at the uncertainty in the economy, willful denial of climate catastrophe, and lack of investment in the future the answer appears... Next, the news we've been waiting for since November 5th, 2024. President Trump officially ordered the beginning of the end at the federal Department of Education. Dr. Tim and Dr. Johnny address this news as their educated educator selves: with a short civics lesson. By the way, it's not as if teachers universally adore the federal department. The department needs massive reform to address the needs of students, teachers, and families. But gutting it and leaving states without critical funds only spells harm for many millions of Americans. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

Class, welcome to sprinter- that delightful damp windy transition from winter to spring. Chad, host of the WXCO morning show and Civic Media sports broadcaster and Jimmie, Civic Media sports editor, have been two of our favorites for this Friday segment. Today, they bring us a final update on the winter sports and a preview of spring activities. The winter season wrapped with a few location issues that reveal the interconnectedness of these essential activities and local economies. All in all though, this was an excellent season with so much learning for students to carry throughout their lives. Looking ahead to spring, make sure to keep up with Wisconsin essential activities on Civic Media! Chad broadcasts for the Wausau region WXCO. Richland Center (WRCE), Park Falls (WCQM), and Baraboo (WRPQ) will also broadcast various spring sports. Stay tuned for updates on baseball beginning in just two short weeks! This being Wisconsin, we expect "sprinter" to carry on for a bit and hope for warm sun for our broadcasters diamond-side! BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guests: Chad Holmes, Jimmie Kaska

Class, we've all experienced terrible trainings, right? Modules drier than a desert and handbooks that leave us bored to tears while not providing any actual knowledge of the company's methodologies or values? Well, thank goodness for educated workplace educator and brand new Pencil Buster Luis Garcia, co-founder and president of PETE-Personalized Education, Training, and Enrichment! Luis joins us today to discuss the intersection of great training and education. With co-founder and CTO Jacques Fu, Luis created PETE to answer a few key issues in workforce education and training. First: the need for constantly available and accessible experts. That tends to be a tricky matter when the expert is a human. But with an AI-powered system modeled using those human experts? Well that works just great! Second: a desperate desire for better ways to evaluate learning. Traditional tests are... problematic... for so many reasons, as any educated educator and Pencil Buster knows. Tests almost universally measure how good someone is at taking tests, not at evaluating how well a learner mastered subject matter. Third: desire for individualization to optimize each leaner's educational experience. So Luis and Jacques came together to build a better system, using the emergent technology to answer all these questions: AI. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guest: Luis Garcia

Happy Monday Class, let's bust some pencils! In last week's homeroom, we covered the lawsuit filed by 8 Attorneys General in opposition to the cancellation of hundreds of millions of dollars in teacher training grants. Now, their efforts in suing pay off- at least temporarily- as a federal judge orders those grants reinstated in the 8 states. This is a temporary measure, but it shows the power of our elected officials fighting in the necessary courts for our students. Do we wish suing wasn't necessary? Yes, of course. But it is, so we're damn glad for our Attorneys General! Next we turn to another pending lawsuit. Last week, the Trump administration proceeded with their first concrete steps to dismantle the federal Department of Education. On just one day, they fired over 1300 employees, reducing the workforce to half its size at the outset of the administration. Now, 21 Attorneys General are suing over the impending harm this will cause to schools. We encourage and wish them well! BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

What makes something a public good? In short, inclusion and access. It cannot exclude anyone- regardless of background, socioeconomic status, or creed. Dr. Jonathan Gyurko, repeat Pencil Buster, joins us to discuss his recent article on higher education's status as a non-public good. Although our institutions of higher education- even those that call themselves "public"- aren't at this moment public goods, but they can be. Making them so will more closely align their missions with democracy, which requires us to include. Inclusion isn't always easy, but it is necessary and leads to more public good. We can get there by focusing on the incredible work that our schools are already doing. And when we focus on the lived value that graduates gain, we'll get closer to that goal. Jonathan is the co-founder and president of ACUE, the Association of College and University Educators, a proud partner of BustED Pencils. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guest: Dr. Jonathan Gyurko

Pencil Busters, we made it through another week! So let's take some time to reflect on how essential-curricular activities contribute to the "becoming" of young adults. Two weeks ago, we talked with the managers of WSU Hockey's award-winning social media team. Today, we hear from Kianna Hamer and Katherine Bresani, members of the team who produce incredible video and photography to support the hockey team. Together with Giancarlo Bresani, dedicated WSU parent and supporter of the social media team, Kianna and Katherine created two video series to support the hockey players. Their series "Behind the Bench" provides rarely-seen footage of players and coaches preparing for games. Their other series, "Meet the Players" introduces and humanizes the team members to their school and beyond. The projects create unique mementos at a pivotal period of the players' lives, preserving these magical moments of them becoming their adult selves. And it's not just the players who benefit from the creative endeavors! Kianna and Katherine share how they've grown, found their passions, and created enduring connections through their work. They themselves relish in the beauty of becoming, of finding purpose in telling the stories of their team members. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guests: Kianna Hamer, Katherine Bresani, Giancarlo Bresani

Humanities majors have been in decline for well over a decade. In an age when the two words "liberal" and "arts" are separately hot-button, putting the two together doesn't sell well to a broad audience. But you know what does? "Marketability" "job-readiness" and "communication skills". And that's why schools are beginning to rebrand their humanities majors as preparation for students to enter business with the skills employers desperately want. Jon Marcus, senior higher-education reporter at the Hechinger Report- and brand new Pencil Buster- joins us today to discuss this issue, as he recently published here. It's about time we start sharing the incredible benefits of a humanities education! We can start by reframing how we discuss the skills students gain through the education from "soft" to "value enhancing." BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guest: Jon Marcus

We apologize for being tardy to Homeroom today, Class! While we don't have a parent note, we do have trending education news to share with you! Let's focus in, because policy changes are coming fast, loud, and confusing. First, more labor unions representing educators join the AFT in their lawsuit against the federal Department of Education. The lawsuit follows the federal department's release of a Dear Colleague letter on February 14th outlining threats to funding for schools engaged in "DEI" efforts. Through the uncertainty, we agreed that we should focus on the effects, not the bluster. And now we see effects, as the department cancels hundreds of millions of dollars in grants for teacher apprenticeship programs. In response, eight state Attorneys General, including Wisconsin's Josh Kaul, filed suit. Because this isn't how we help students. So, there's a lot here. We urge you to focus past the dogwhistle of "DEI." This is a targeted attack on poor communities and on public schools. We'll be back on Wednesday and Friday with more hopeful podcasts! BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! Go to bustedpencils.com for swag, all of our episodes, and for information on partnering with us! For information on all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

Happy Saturday, Pencil Busters! Today, we catch up with the incredible work the Wisconsin Public Education Network is doing, led by Executive Director Heather DuBois Bourenane. With 86 of Wisconsin's 421 public school districts already going to referenda in the spring elections, WPEN's been busy. They held a Day of Action at the state capitol on February 28th, amplifying the voices of educators, and advocating for all of us. Watch this powerful video, where you can see the jaw-dropping unrolling of a scroll with the names of each district forced into referendum in the past two years. For the past 16 year, public schools in Wisconsin faced consecutive budget cuts. Our schools, our students, and our communities deserve SO much better. The Wisconsin Public Education Network does the invaluable work of advocating for our schools year-round, day in and out. Get involved and be a part! If advocating for public schools is important to you- and we hope it is- make sure to vote in the election for Superintendent of Public Instruction. The general election is April 1st, with incumbent public school "champion-in-chief" Dr. Jill Underly facing a pro-voucher challenger. Check your registration and all items on your ballot, including vital school board races, at myvote.wi.gov. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guest: Heather DuBois Bourenane

Pencil Busters, can you believe we're in the playoffs for winter sports already? Today, we catch up with Chad Holmes, host of the WXCO morning show and Civic Media sports broadcaster. He's been extremely busy covering playoffs for wrestling, hockey, and basketball. With the end of the season upon us, he shares updates, surprises, and lessons learned. As we discuss here at BustED Pencils, these school sports are not extra-curricular. They are essential curricula for students to learn and practice life skills and navigate challenging moments. The playoffs bring their own set of unique circumstances for students to learn, grow, and develop. Follow Wisconsin's high school sports schedules and events through WIAA. This will be our final Wisconsin high school winter sports episode on Fridays. Stay tuned for next week's Friday pod with more of Dr. Johnny's WSU hockey support staff. And then we'll be altering the focus of this weekly segment. Join us for more educated educators, talking education then! BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guest: Chad Holmes

Welcome to class, Pencil Busters! Today, we're discussing "Dear Colleague" letters, following up on our Homeroom session from Monday. Last week, the Office of Civil Rights within the federal Department of Education sent out a "Dear Colleague" letter to all schools subject to the department. So today, Dr. Tim and Dr. Johnny break down what these letters are and why they matter. Ultimately, at least according to Johnny, these letters are antithetical to a healthy democracy- especially with contents like this latest one. Will this letter from the federal Dept. of Ed dictate curriculum? No. But will it influence curriculum and educational outcomes? Most certainly. Tune in to learn more! BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

Class, let's get into the news for this week. President Trump's administration made clear that they do not value diversity, equity, or inclusion. Though those words "diversity," "equity," and "inclusion" separately rarely prompt any vitriol, together they form a rallying cry of- ironically- discrimination from some. Diversity is a basic truth of life, none of us is exactly the same. Inclusion should be a uniting force, where each individual is valued. And equity, equity is fairness incarnate. Equity is an ideal of each person having a fair shot at opportunity and success. Yet the second Trump administration paints these terms as sinister. And now in a Dear Colleague letter, this administration uses the very Department of Education they profess a desire to dismantle, to dictate curriculum. In response, AFT- led by President Randi Weingarten- sued the very same federal Education Department alleging that the dictates are not only harmful to students, but also illegal. Join us to discuss. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

From smart boards to grading systems and email, teachers rely on ed tech- education technology- to optimize their workloads. As we discussed with Chris Hull on Wednesday, all of those disparate systems can be overwhelming. That's why he created Otus, a one-platform solution to all the noise, giving teachers more of their most valuable resource: time. Today, we look back on some of the history of ed tech, from chalkboards to comprehensive teaching portals. With decades of teaching experience, our educated educators have seen an evolution of ed tech. Like AI and data, ed tech is neither good nor bad. Its value lies in its use and applicability. How well does the technology align education with supporting each individual leaner? What aspect of teacher labor does the tech lighten? Who benefits from the technology? And how will AI change it all over again? Tune in and find out! BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

Class, this is an extra special session. On many prior Fridays, we've talked with coaches, players, and sports directors and editors. Today, we hear from two young women who support a sport team. They are essential contributors to an essential part of an educational experience. Natalia Nayes and Mallory Brock, award-winning social media managers for the Washington State University men's hockey team join us as brand new Pencil Busters! Natalia is a current Sports Manager major at WSU and former hockey player herself. She reflects on how she's grown in confidence and creativity through supporting the men's hockey team. Mallory, a current Public Relations major, shares how these essential activities helped her develop creativity and adaptability. Both women say that the connections and flexible creativity they formed will help them throughout their careers. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guests: Natalia Nayes, Mallory Brock

Data, as we've discussed frequently on BustED Pencils, is neither good nor evil. Whether we like it or not, actors both beneficent and hostile collect and analyze and use our data constantly. From healthcare records to social media networks, our personal data circulates each day. In schools, students' data- test scores, attendance and class participation, preferences for name and pronouns, and interests- can help educators to individualize their teaching to each child. But only when teachers can access all of the information reliably and efficiently. Many schools struggle with disparately stored data- testing results on one software, attendance on another, academic records on a third, and notes from one teacher to another often never stored anywhere at all. So what can teachers do? Well, they can try Otus, revolutionary EdTech combining all of this information so that teachers can spend their time on what matters most: teaching. Today, Otus co-founder and President, Chris Hull, joins us as a new Pencil Buster. A former middle school education, Chris saw a pressing need to consolidate data to free teacher time. And that really is an educated educator's most valuable resource. BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

Pencil Busters, let's get into this new week! In this time of absolutely overwhelming and frankly scary news regarding the funding of our schools and democracy itself, let's focus on what we do best. We're educated educators, talking education. So that's what we have for you today, a Homeroom lesson on ways to learn. Coming from Arizona, two new schools set to open in which students will learn for two hours a day with an AI tutor. What about the rest of the day? Well, they'll have time to learn about what interests and engages them most! Is this the answer to the factory model of education? Perhaps not entirely. But it's certainly part of it! BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!

Class, welcome our newest Pencil Busters, our friends at 100 Gardens! Co-founder and Executive Director, Sam Fleming, and Education Director, Kelli Howe, join us to share the incredible education and community work of 100 Gardens. Founded in 2011 as a humanitarian aquaponics nutrition program in Haiti, 100 Gardens began growing into the education world naturally. Because children, in their infinite capacity for curiosity, observed the natural and scientific phenomena at work and wanted to learn and participate. 100 Gardens has been growing ever since, installing aquaponics systems in schools and correctional facilities across the United States. With each tank and floating garden installed, 100 Gardens also works with educators to implement curricula to engage learners of all ages. It's about more than growing food, this is about growing communities and a healthier world. Forget about elephants in the room, let's talk about the tilapia in the tank! For more information on aquaponics and100 Gardens as well as a really inspiring 15 minutes, watch Sam's TED talk! BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message! Guests: Sam Fleming, Kelli Howe