EPISODE · Apr 15, 2026 · 55 MIN
The Truth About Teaching No One Talks About, with Janet Elias
from Disrupt, For Good · host Dylan Gaitman
Recently retired tech teacher Janet Elias joins Dylan for a candid, entertaining, and eye-opening conversation about her 22-year career in New York City education—and what she’s doing next.From going viral during COVID with her students, to exposing real issues in schools through social media, Janet shares how she turned content into impact. She dives into the realities teachers face behind the scenes, including spending tens of thousands of their own money on classrooms, navigating difficult leadership dynamics, and the growing challenges of technology and student wellbeing.Beyond the classroom, Janet also opens up about her unexpected life as a business owner, running a high-end car wash on Long Island, and what entrepreneurship has taught her about people, service, and leadership.This episode is equal parts inspiring, confronting, and full of personality—offering a rare, unfiltered look at education, influence, and knowing when it’s time to move on.Key Takeaways:1. Influence can create real-world change What started as fun TikToks during COVID turned into a powerful platform—helping teachers, exposing issues, and even forcing real change within schools.2. The education system has normalised the wrong things From teachers spending their own money to a lack of accountability in schools, Janet challenges long-standing norms and calls out what’s no longer working.3. Adaptability is a lifelong advantage Whether it’s pivoting careers, embracing new technology like AI, or running a business, Janet’s journey shows that growth doesn’t stop—and reinvention is always possible.Guest Details:Janet Elias - https://www.mselias.com@mseliaschickgeekFollow the Host:Follow Dylan for more conversations and insights https://www.instagram.com/dylan.gaitman
What this episode covers
Recently retired tech teacher Janet Elias joins Dylan for a candid, entertaining, and eye-opening conversation about her 22-year career in New York City education—and what she’s doing next.From going viral during COVID with her students, to exposing real issues in schools through social media, Janet shares how she turned content into impact. She dives into the realities teachers face behind the scenes, including spending tens of thousands of their own money on classrooms, navigating difficult leadership dynamics, and the growing challenges of technology and student wellbeing.Beyond the classroom, Janet also opens up about her unexpected life as a business owner, running a high-end car wash on Long Island, and what entrepreneurship has taught her about people, service, and leadership.This episode is equal parts inspiring, confronting, and full of personality—offering a rare, unfiltered look at education, influence, and knowing when it’s time to move on.Key Takeaways:1. Influence can create real-world change What started as fun TikToks during COVID turned into a powerful platform—helping teachers, exposing issues, and even forcing real change within schools.2. The education system has normalised the wrong things From teachers spending their own money to a lack of accountability in schools, Janet challenges long-standing norms and calls out what’s no longer working.3. Adaptability is a lifelong advantage Whether it’s pivoting careers, embracing new technology like AI, or running a business, Janet’s journey shows that growth doesn’t stop—and reinvention is always possible.Guest Details:Janet Elias - https://www.mselias.com@mseliaschickgeekFollow the Host:Follow Dylan for more conversations and insights https://www.instagram.com/dylan.gaitman
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The Truth About Teaching No One Talks About, with Janet Elias
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