Education: a Clusterf_ck in Need of Repair

Bethany Nelson was my favorite teacher in Emerson’s Theater Education master’s program, and hearing her voice again on this podcast felt like reconnecting with a part of myself I thought I’d lost. Bethany never sugarcoated teaching. She made us deeply aware of the broken systems we’d be stepping into: the inequities in education, the school-to-prison pipeline, the damage of failed policies like No Child Left Behind, and the reality that teachers are often fighting battles much bigger than themselves. But what made her so impactful was that she never let that truth become hopelessness. She taught us that helping young people find the power of their words and their voice is always worth it. That fight is never in vain. After seven years of teaching, burnout made that belief harder and harder for me to hold onto. This podcast reminded me of my North Star. It brought me back to the hope, perspective, purpose, and perseverance that Bethany worked so hard to instill in us. Thank you, Bethany. From the bottom of my heart. You’ve given my life a purpose and meaning. In this dark and dismal world, I hope you know the impact you’ve had on so many people like me. And thank you for allowing us to still learn from you long after we’ve left your classroom.

Bethany Nelson is the most inspiring and insightful educator I have ever known. She was my Theater Education professor at Emerson College over 20 years ago, and I would sing her praises to anyone who would listen. We are privileged that she has decided to share her knowledge and perspective with us in this podcast. If you are a teacher, an administrator, a parent, or just someone who cares about the future of this country, you NEED to listen to Bethany. You will not be disappointed.