The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly – Education Edition

Schools are being asked to solve problems they were never designed to fix.In this episode, Dr. Sherri breaks down a new Iowa education bill and connects it to a much bigger issue: a system built around standardized assessments and federal funding pressures.From screen time limits to snow days to preschool expansion, this conversation reveals why education keeps treating symptoms instead of solving the root problem—and what needs to change.

A student brings a gun to school, shoots a teacher, and takes his own life.We call it “unpredictable.”But inside classrooms, the signals are often already there.In this episode, Dr. Sherri breaks down the gap between what schools see and what they actually do—from student behavior struggles to system breakdowns, to what structured success actually looks like.This isn’t about three separate stories.It’s about one issue showing up everywhere.

Take a minute and step behind the curtain.In this first one-on-one interview, Dr. Sherri (Founder of Education That Matters) breaks down what’s actually happening when students start to struggle—and why so many never recover from it.This isn’t about homework help.It’s about clarity.We talk about:• what makes ETM different• what the Academic Clarity Assessment actually reveals• why students who “hate math” usually just don’t understand it yet• and how confidence is rebuilt when learning finally makes senseIf you’ve ever looked at your child and thought, “I know they’re capable… so what’s going on?”This conversation is for you.Hosted by Gordie.co, this is the first of many behind-the-scenes conversations with Dr. Sherri.

In this comeback episode of The Good, The Bad & The Ugly – Education Edition, Dr. Sherri breaks her silence and tackles three stories shaping education right now:The Good: A model of transparency and community engagement in Iowa — and why that’s how trust gets rebuilt.The Bad: Why technology isn’t “just a factor” — it’s reshaping teen brains, attention, and long-term memory (growth is uncomfortable… grow anyway).The Ugly: The hard truth about student safety — with at least seven school-linked incidents across multiple states in the last 10 days involving arrests or active investigations tied to exploitation or inappropriate conduct.This is not a headline recap. It’s an educator’s reality check — built on trust, brain science, and protecting kids.If you’re a student: if something feels off, tell a trusted adult immediately. If you’re stuck and don’t know where to start, you can message Dr. Sherri to help connect you to the right support.Sources: KTIV. (2026, February 26). Kingsley-Pierson community voices concerns over proposed 4-day school week.https://www.ktiv.com/2026/02/26/kingsley-pierson-community-voices-concerns-over-proposed-4-day-school-week/MSN News. (2026). Doctors warn Senate that Gen Z cognitively underperformed previous generation; screen time could be to blame.https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/doctors-warn-senate-that-gen-z-cognitively-underperformed-previous-generation-screen-time-could-be-to-blame/ar-AA1W1qblMSN News. (2026). Huron middle school staff member arrested for possession of child pornography.https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/huron-middle-school-staff-member-arrested-for-possession-of-child-pornography/ar-AA1X4bt2Yahoo News. (2026). Indiana school secretary charged along with husband in case involving student misconduct allegations.https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/indiana-school-secretary-charged-husband-235323546.htmlFox News. (2026). California middle school assistant principal nabbed in child sex sting.https://www.foxnews.com/us/california-middle-school-assistant-principal-nabbed-child-sex-stingWOWT. (2026, February 4). Atlantic police investigating incident involving school staff member, students.https://www.wowt.com/2026/02/04/atlantic-police-investigating-incident-involving-school-staff-member-students/KCCI. (2026, February 12). Atlantic school board fires staff member amid investigation.https://www.kcci.com/article/atlantic-school-board-fires-staff-member-facing-allegations-police-investigate/

South Dakota’s HB 1017 is aiming to address disruptive student behavior by allowing schools to move students to “alternative instruction.” On paper, it sounds simple — but the real-world implications for students, teachers, and long-term outcomes are anything but.In this mini episode of The Good, The Bad & The Ugly, Dr. Sherri breaks down:• the good — acknowledgment of the behavior crisis• the bad — implementation without direction• the ugly — who alternative instruction really impacts• and the quiet risk no one is talking about: the dropout pipelineSometimes the hardest students are the ones who need school the most.Let’s talk about it.

In this special listener-requested episode of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly – Education Edition, Dr. Sherri Rochel walks through the full story of first-grade teacher Abby Zwerner — the events leading up to the January 6, 2023 shooting at Richneck Elementary School, the warnings that were raised, and the systemic failures that allowed a preventable tragedy to occur.This episode goes beyond the headlines.We explore:Abby’s story as a teacher, not a statisticThe documented warning signs and missed opportunitiesThe criminal and civil legal outcomesThe ripple effects this case has had on school safety, administrators, teachers, and families nationwideAnd finally, we break it down through the GBU lens:🟢 The Good — courage, instincts, and voices that spoke up🟨 The Bad — systems that failed long before the shot was fired🔴 The Ugly — what educators have been forced to normalizeThis episode is about accountability, trust, and what it means when the people closest to children aren’t listened to.Because Abby’s story isn’t just her story — it’s a warning for every school in America.🎧 Listen. Reflect. And ask what must change.

This week on The Good, The Bad, The Ugly – Education Edition, Dr. Sherri looks at what’s happening inside teacher contract negotiations and labor tensions as districts head toward 2026.This isn’t a surface-level news recap. It’s a grounded conversation about what these moments feel like for educators, students, and communities when communication stalls and escalation becomes the only remaining option.🟢 The Good — A tentative contract agreement in Waterbury, Connecticut, shows what progress can look like when districts and educators stay at the table without escalation.🔴 The Bad — In Anoka-Hennepin, Minnesota’s largest school district, teachers have set a potential strike date after months of stalled negotiations. Dr. Sherri shares insight from a direct conversation with Michelle Powers, a member of union leadership.⚫ The Ugly — A broader pattern across districts where contracts may get signed, but trust doesn’t automatically return — and students feel that instability long before adults acknowledge it.Michelle’s full conversation will be the first featured interview on Every Voice Matters, a new podcast launching in 2026 focused on slowing education stories down long enough to hear what’s really happening inside them.This episode isn’t about choosing sides.It’s about choosing sustainability.If you’re an educator, parent, administrator, or community member navigating these moments, this conversation is for you.Host: Dr. SherriSeries: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly – Education EditionProduced by: Education That MattersIn this episode:

🎧 Today’s GBU in Education: School Safety, Fentanyl, and Campus ViolenceA real conversation for students, parents, and educatorsSome days in education require us to slow down and talk honestly about what’s happening in the real world.In this episode, Dr. Sherri Rochel walks through The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly in education — not as a news reporter, but as a caring teacher having the conversations students, parents, and schools need to have before crises happen.This episode includes thoughtful discussion on:• School safety and positive adult presence• A 13-year-old middle school student and fentanyl exposure• Why speaking up early can save lives• The Brown University shooting and what it reveals about campus violence• How students and adults can respond when something feels “off”This is not fear-based content.It is prevention-focused, trust-centered, and rooted in care.🧠 WHY THIS EPISODE MATTERSSchool safety is not just about rules, drills, or security measures.It’s about connection, awareness, and adults showing up before something goes wrong.This episode is designed to help:• Parents talk with kids about hard topics• Educators think proactively about prevention• Students understand when and how to ask for help⚠️ CONTENT NOTEThis episode discusses:• Drug exposure and fentanyl awareness• School and campus violence• Student safety and mental healthListener discretion advised, especially for younger audiences.🌱 KEY TAKEAWAYBig change doesn’t start with headlines.It starts with showing up, speaking up, and not staying silent when something feels wrong.🔍 SEARCH KEYWORDS (Spotify SEO)education podcastschool safetyfentanyl awarenessmiddle school safetycampus violencecollege campus shootingmental health in schoolsparent education podcastteacher perspectivestudent safety

Tonight’s Good, Bad & Ugly walks through an inspiring win for Career and Technical Education, a concerning spike in teacher shortages, and a hard truth about ongoing learning loss that parents deserve to understand.In this episode, Dr. Sherri breaks down:🌟 The Good: CTE programs expanding nationwide, with 32 states now reporting career-readiness indicators — giving students real-world skills, confidence, and purpose.⚠️ The Bad: New data showing 1 in 8 teaching positions is unfilled or staffed by someone not fully certified — and how that impacts student learning.💥 The Ugly: AP reports confirming students remain half a grade level behind pre-pandemic in reading and math, and why this gap persists.If you’re a parent, educator, or school leader trying to make sense of what’s happening in education right now, this episode gives you the facts — and the context — you need.Tune in, share with a friend, and join the conversation about what truly matters in our schools.#Education #SchoolNews #TeacherShortage #LearningLoss #CareerAndTechnicalEducation #DrSherri #EducationThatMatters #ETMMethod

Today’s episode of The Good, The Bad & The Ugly – Education Edition dives into three stories shaping classrooms across the Midwest and the nation.🟩 THE GOOD — Minnesota’s Attendance BoostMinnesota schools are seeing early improvements in attendance thanks to relationship-centered supports like home visits, daily check-ins, and community partnership work. It’s a reminder that when adults show up consistently, kids do too.🟨 THE BAD — Chicago’s $23.6M Travel AuditA new watchdog report reveals Chicago Public Schools spent $23.6 million on staff travel over six years, including luxury hotels, international trips, and conferences flagged as “excessive” or “unsupported.” What happens when dollars meant for students don’t reach the classroom?🟥 THE UGLY — South Dakota School LockdownA South Dakota elementary school went into lockdown after a student brought a weapon to school. No one was hurt, but incidents like this highlight the real safety concerns teachers and students face every day.✨ Hosted by Dr. Sherri Rochel (@DrSherriRochel)Breaking down education news in a way that’s warm, honest, and easy to understand — for parents, teachers, students, and anyone who cares about what’s happening in schools.📚 Show notes & source links:educationthatmatters.net📺 Watch on YouTube:youtube.com/@DrSherriRochel

In today’s episode of The Good, The Bad & The Ugly – Education Edition, Dr. Sherri breaks down the stories shaping education across the country.We start with hopeful progress as FAFSA fixes finally help families move forward and schools begin integrating mental-health support directly into classrooms. Then we examine a viral TikTok controversy that raises big questions about professionalism, boundaries, and student privacy in the age of social media.Finally, we go deep into a nationwide safety crisis: high-potency THC vaping sending students to hospitals and online sellers making it easier than ever for teens to access dangerous devices.The Good shows what’s possible.The Bad shows where culture is shifting.The Ugly reveals what schools can’t fight alone.Stay informed. Stay engaged. And let’s keep pushing for the kind of education our kids deserve.

Today, Dr. Sherri Rochel dives into three major stories shaping education across America — from rising student achievement to system failures and the teacher pipeline crisis.🟩 The Good: Mississippi’s success story proves that clear expectations, accountability, and teacher support can drive long-term student growth.🟨 The Bad: A superintendent’s arrest in Iowa exposes cracks in background-check systems and forces tough questions about school safety and oversight.🟥 The Ugly: The teacher shortage has turned into a full-scale storm. Fewer people are entering the field, more are leaving early, and the weight of burnout is reshaping classrooms nationwide.💬 When systems fail, people can still make change — and it starts with awareness, trust, and the will to thrive.0:00 – Intro Sequence0:35 – Welcome / Episode Overview1:20 – 🟩 The Good: Mississippi’s Academic Gains5:04 – 🟨 The Bad: School Safety & Background Check Gaps9:24 – 🟥 The Ugly: Teacher Shortages and the Systemic Storm17:48 – 🎯 Reflection & Wrap-UpAP News – Mississippi Schools Show Academic GainsK-12 Dive – Audits & Lawsuit After Des Moines Superintendent ArrestK-12 Dive – Fewer People Seeking Education Degrees (AACTE Report)NEA – Teachers Planning to Leave Their Jobs (2025)Learning Policy Institute – Teacher Shortages 2025 Factsheet🔴 Subscribe for daily education headlines and real conversations: youtube.com/@DrSherriRochel🎧 Listen on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/3dzCG9MMvodfaKaacFDKgO🌐 Read full show notes & sources: educationthatmatters.net#EducationThatMatters #DrSherriRochel #TheGoodTheBadAndTheUgly #EducationPodcast #TeacherShortage #SchoolSafety #EducationReform #Teaching #LearnTrustThrive🕓 Timestamps🧾 Sources Mentioned📺 Watch & Listen

This Halloween, we’re tackling something truly spooky — the numbers behind student performance. From high-scoring heroes in Brookings, South Dakota, to national averages that have dipped to a 30-year low, Dr. Sherri Rochel unpacks the data that’s haunting classrooms across the country.🟩 The Good: Brookings High School students crushed the ACT, scoring above both state and national averages.🟨 The Bad: ACT scores nationwide hit a historic low, with fewer students meeting college-readiness benchmarks.🟥 The Ugly: South Dakota’s statewide average looks strong on paper, but only 41% of students are fully ready for college or career.Join Dr. Sherri for this special Halloween episode filled with spooky statistics, educator insight, and the reminder that data isn’t meant to scare us — it’s meant to steer us.🎙️ Hosted by: Dr. Sherri Rochel (@DrSherriRochel)Helping you see what’s really happening in education — the wins, the worries, and the wake-up calls that matter.📰 Show notes, sources & blog: educationthatmatters.net📺 Watch full episodes: youtube.com/@DrSherriRochel#EducationThatMatters #TheGoodTheBadAndTheUgly #EducationPodcast #ACTScores #BrookingsSD #EducationNews #SpookySeason #DrSherriRochel #Teaching #EducationReform

Today, Dr. Sherri Rochel dives into four powerful education headlines shaping classrooms across the nation:🟩 The Good: The National Education Opportunity Network (NEON) is giving high school students a head start on college — and it’s working.🟨 The Bad: Enrollment decline is forcing districts to merge, close, and rethink how community education looks.🟥 The Ugly: AI is rewriting the rules on honesty and accountability in schools.💣 Bonus Ugly: Two major school safety incidents remind us that teaching has never been a risk-free profession.🎙️ Hosted by Dr. Sherri Rochel (@DrSherriRochel)Helping you see what’s really happening in education — the wins, the worries, and the wake-up calls that matter.📰 Show notes, sources & blog: educationthatmatters.net📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube: youtube.com/@DrSherriRochel#EducationThatMatters #TheGoodTheBadAndTheUgly #DrSherriRochel #EducationPodcast #AIinEducation #SchoolSafety #EducationNews #Teaching #Reform

Dr. Sherri Rochel dives into this today's education headlines — from record-breaking investments to curriculum debates and courtroom battles.In this episode:Chicago’s new budget adds $500 million for student services and teacher support 🤑New York’s controversial math guidelines aim to reduce anxiety but spark concerns about rigor 📉South Dakota’s own math standards revision gets a sneak peek 📚NYC schools sue the U.S. Department of Education over $47 million in federal funding ⚖️Balanced, factual, and focused — The Good, The Bad & The Ugly is your daily dose of clarity in education news.📚 Full show notes: EducationThatMatters.net📩 Share your story: [email protected]🕕 New episodes every weekday at 6:50 AM CST#EducationThatMatters #DrSherri #EducationReform #LearnTrustThrive #EducationPodcast #MathStandards #SchoolFunding #EducationNews #TeachingToday #StudentSuccess

Dr. Sherri Rochel explores this week’s education headlines — from promising innovations in AI and curriculum design to the difficult realities of student behavior and widening academic gaps.In this episode:AI teacher-training partnerships from Microsoft & OpenAINWEA’s new national growth dashboard for K-8Persistent high school declines in reading and mathRising student behavior challenges across the U.S.Mississippi’s homecoming tragedy reminding us what’s at stake📚 Full show notes → EducationThatMatters.net📩 Share your story → [email protected]🕕 New episodes Monday - Saturday at 6:50 AM CST.#EducationThatMatters #EducationReform #LearnTrustThrive #EdPodcast #DrSherri #EducationNews #TeachingToday #StudentSuccess #SchoolSafety

Dr. Sherri Rochel dives into this week’s education headlines — the uplifting wins, the ongoing challenges, and the realities shaping classrooms today.This episode covers:Student and teacher success stories from South Dakota and CaliforniaThe launch of Mississippi’s REACH MS virtual-teaching programNationwide bus driver shortages impacting daily operationsLeadership transitions and policy shifts in education systemsGrounded in facts, focused on learning, and built for listeners who want clarity — not commentary.📚 Full show notes: EducationThatMatters.net📩 Share your story: [email protected]🕕 New episodes drop weekdays at 6:50 AM CST.#EducationThatMatters #EducationReform #DrSherri #EducationPodcast #EdNews #LearnTrustThrive #TeachingToday #EducationLeadership

In this first episode, Dr. Sherri dives into the stories making headlines in education — from Iowa’s coffee-filled act of kindness to nationwide teacher shortages and the ongoing struggle of classroom funding.🎧 Tune in for:☕ A heartwarming PTO story in Johnston, Iowa🏫 Teacher shortages across Ohio, Illinois & Pennsylvania💔 The reality of teachers spending $820/year on suppliesFull show notes and sources: EducationThatMatters.net