Tales from the Teacher Lounge

Rodrick Johnson
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Biweekly

This season, delve into the captivating world of a first-year teacher, Mr. Sunshine, as he shares his gripping experiences inside and outside the classroom. Gain invaluable insights into the mind of a dedicated educator in a bustling urban environment, fueled by the fervent desire to give back to his community and serve as a beacon of inspiration for his students. Despite facing numerous challenges, Mr. Sunshine remains resolute in his quest to emerge as a real-life superhero for his students. Join us as we uncover the journey of this remarkable teacher in "Tales from the Teachers' Lounge" by The Energized Educator.

Episodes

  1. The Farewell!

    08/04/2025

    The Farewell!

    Mr. Sunshine was a collection of stories from my first year of education. In this episode, I share a few experiences to provide insight. I created this project and the voices to mimic thoughts and actions I had during my first year. Yes, Rodrick Johnson is Mr. Sunshine, and I am pleased to have had the opportunity to share a portion of my story in a perfectly imperfect manner. A new story is emerging, however. Follow me to my new podcast titled "My Life Ain't Perfect," where I will recount the story more deeply to foster a better understanding for you. Thank you for listening, and I hope that what I have shared resonated with you significantly.

    10 min
  2. I got your restorative practices!

    07/14/2025

    I got your restorative practices!

    At first, Mr. Sunshine thought restorative practices were just another PD buzzword—soft, fluffy, and not meant for real classrooms with absolute chaos. But when candy bribes failed and behavior charts fell flat, a hallway meltdown opened the door to something more profound. In this hilarious and heartfelt episode, Mr. Sunshine takes us back to the origin story of how he went from skeptical to sold on restorative justice. From PD eye rolls to magical circle moments, “I Got Your Restorative Practices!” chronicles the journey of learning to lead with empathy, build community, and trade incentives for impact. Whether you're a veteran teacher, new to the classroom, or somewhere in between, this one’s for anyone who's ever had to throw the sticker chart out the window and meet students where they are.

    29 min
  3. How many hours? Additional Mandatory PD

    07/08/2025

    How many hours? Additional Mandatory PD

    In this episode, Mr. Sunshine takes on Mandatory Professional Development. He goes from feeling overwhelmed to taking control of his life. Have you ever felt this way before? Teachers know firsthand the perils of PD and how sometimes it can come at the WRONG TIME! But as a new teacher, Mr. Sunshine will quickly learn how to navigate this newfound anxiety.

    9 min
  4. Feedback loop – What do I have to change?

    10/14/2024

    Feedback loop – What do I have to change?

    Principal Petty finally observes Mr. Johnson. He needs clarification and hopes for support, which is different from what he gets. Instead, he ends up needing clarification.

    5 min
  5. Ball of Confusion: What is a Curriculum?

    10/01/2024

    Ball of Confusion: What is a Curriculum?

    This episode is about Mr. Sunshine finding out what he is doing wrong. He finds out that he is held to curriculum fidelity. He feels this is limiting, but he hopes to learn what he does not know.

    10 min
  6. First Day Out

    09/16/2024

    First Day Out

    It's Mr. Sunshine's first day as a teacher. This day has some challenges and some critical learning opportunities associated with it. Mr. Sunshine is ready to take on the day, but will the day take him?

    9 min
  7. This is a set up!

    09/02/2024

    This is a set up!

    Mr. Sunshine was hired just two days before the school starts. He assumed that he would be given directions and receive assistance. Let's see what happens on his very first day at the new school.

    6 min
  8. Who is Mr. Sunshine?

    Season 1 Trailer

    Who is Mr. Sunshine?

    This season, follow Mr. Sunshine, a first-year teacher, in and out of the classroom as he strives to be a role model and make a difference in his students' lives. Join us for "Tales from the Teachers' Lounge" by The Energized Educator.

    1 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

This season, delve into the captivating world of a first-year teacher, Mr. Sunshine, as he shares his gripping experiences inside and outside the classroom. Gain invaluable insights into the mind of a dedicated educator in a bustling urban environment, fueled by the fervent desire to give back to his community and serve as a beacon of inspiration for his students. Despite facing numerous challenges, Mr. Sunshine remains resolute in his quest to emerge as a real-life superhero for his students. Join us as we uncover the journey of this remarkable teacher in "Tales from the Teachers' Lounge" by The Energized Educator.

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