Join Chandler and Russell as they dive into the ups, downs, and downright weirdness of teaching in today’s world. From navigating post-COVID apathy to implementing innovative strategies in the classroom, they tackle the challenges educators face while keeping it real, relatable, and a little bit nerdy.
With their combined passion for teaching and a shared love of all things geeky, they break down the big topics with humor and heart — plus the occasional cat meow sound effect because, well, why not? Whether you’re an educator, a student, or just someone curious about the inner workings of schools today, you’ll feel right at home with the Nerducators.
17. It's Not Black and White, It's Chromebook Gray: LAUSD Takes on Screen Time
Host Chandler and Host Russell explore LAUSD's screen time policies, advocating for intentional technology use over strict minute limits to foster student learning and well-being.
8 Feb 2026TRANSCRIPT
16. Classroom Management is Five Unscripted Plays a Day (& the Audience Heckles)
This week guest host Cristal Godina joins us as we tackle one of the most misunderstood (and most necessary) parts of teaching: classroom management. What it really is, why it’s not about control, and how consistency, routines, and relationships quietly do the heavy lifting. From Hogwarts metaphors to heckling audiences, filing cabinet fails to Otterbucks victories, we break down what actually works — and why yelling rarely does.???? Cool in School:• Otter Stores officially open — and kids cashing in hundreds• A Nerf bow, multipliers, and the most engaged math game ever• Global Issues projects giving students real voice and real purpose• Brain breaks that prove two minutes can save an entire class period???? Teacher Tips (you can steal tomorrow):• Brain breaks on a wheel — hype included• Pencil accountability that actually stops pencil loss• Call-and-response, timers, and “ready position” routines• Rewarding the right behavior instead of chasing the wrong one❤️ Good in Life:• Celebrating new parenthood and baby milestones • Finding calmer ways to stay informed without spiraling • Prioritizing mental health — and physical health too • Real talk about hormones, aging, and giving yourself graceIf this episode made you rethink classroom management — or made you laugh while nodding aggressively — tag us and share it with a teacher who needs to hear it.Follow, rate, and subscribe so you don’t miss the next episode.✨ Stay nerdy, stay kind, and keep building classrooms where everyone belongs. ✨
30 Nov 2025TRANSCRIPT
15. Culture is the Vibe
Nerducators explores the profound impact of school culture, revealing how traditions and rituals cultivate a sense of belonging and community among students and staff.
2 Nov 2025TRANSCRIPT
14. GLEAM, Glitter, Sparkle
Melissa Robinson-Eagles and Russell Chandler explore UnboundEd’s GLEAM framework, focusing on grade-level rigor and creating authentic learning experiences for middle school students, emphasizing student engagement and ownership.
19 Oct 2025TRANSCRIPT
13. We Fixed the School System (You’re Welcome)
Hosts Chandler and Russell playfully redesign the education system, eliminating grades and prioritizing student well-being, to create an ideal learning environment.
5 Oct 2025
12. From Chalkboards to Chatbots: Teachers, Tech, and the AI Takeover
Hosts Chandler and Russell discuss the integration of artificial intelligence in education, covering AI schools, ChatGPT lesson planning, and maintaining a human element in the classroom.
21 Sept 2025
11. Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy
Hosts Chandler and Russell share joyful teaching moments, from supportive administrators to student breakthroughs, and celebrate the WNBA's Valkyries, offering a boost of inspiration for educators.
7 Sept 2025
10. Mental Health: Play More, Carry Less
This episode explores teacher mental health, secondary trauma, and SEL overload, offering practical solutions for setting limits and incorporating play to reduce stress and rediscover joy in teaching.
24 Aug 2025
9. From A+ to FU: All About Assessment
Chandler and Russell explore the purpose and impact of various assessment methods, from standards-based grading to standardized testing, revealing how they affect student learning.
10 Aug 2025
8. Shelf Stretchers, Swag Bags, and PD That Works
Hosts Chandler and Russell discuss effective professional development strategies for teachers, highlighting conference learning and practical application in schools.
28 Jul 2025
7. Teachers Assemble: The Back-to-School Edition
Hosts Chandler and Russell discuss back-to-school preparations, sharing strategies for classroom setup, personal goal setting, and avoiding burnout, in an interview format.
30 Jun 2025
6. Teacher Summer Vibes That Slap
Hosts Chandler and Brian discuss teacher burnout, restorative justice, and finding connection amidst the challenges of the profession, offering insights into choosing laughter and perseverance; this is not an interview.
11 May 2025
5. Is This for a Grade?
Hosts Chandler and Russell explore the problems with traditional grading systems, including the impact of zeroes and the value of feedback, ultimately advocating for equitable grading practices.
27 Apr 2025
4. Get Me Outta Here!
Hosts Chandler and Russell explore the alarming rate of teacher attrition, balancing serious statistics with humor to identify practical solutions for revitalizing the education system.
14 Apr 2025
3. You asked. We answered. And then we kept talking…
Hosts Chandler and Russell answer student and listener questions, sharing classroom stories and discussing their love for students, the education system's challenges, and the importance of self-improvement for teachers.
30 Mar 2025
2. Get Off My Lawn?! (Phones, Social Media, and Cursive, Oh My!)
Hosts Chandler and Russell debate evolving educational norms, such as cell phone use and the relevance of cursive, prompting educators to consider if practices truly benefit students.
24 Mar 2025
1. Post COVID Apathy in Education
Hosts Chandler and Russell explore post-COVID apathy in education, examining the causes of student disengagement and offering solutions for educators to reignite enthusiasm in the classroom.
Inside a recent episode
17. It's Not Black and White, It's Chromebook Gray: LAUSD Takes on Screen Time
Published 27 Sept 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] That is separate than educational learning time. It's kind of thinking about like if you're not in the world of education and you're listening to this, which I'm sure you are because all you want to do is listen to Chandler. There's a lot of non-teachers listening to us. But it's like the workday. You know, like how – so for the kids, it's how long are they on screens at school. Right. Yeah. Right. Okay, so too much, too little, just right. I actually think the numbers are the wrong metric. I don't think we need to be measuring by minutes. I – I think that's the easy way to do it, but I think the more important conversation is passive versus active and quality versus quantity. […]
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