In this episode of Pop Pedagogy, Nichole and Melissa dive into A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik, exploring the unique world of the Scholomance—a self-run, perilous school for young wizards where survival is the ultimate graduation requirement. With no teachers and only a magical algorithm to guide them, students must rely on their own skills, alliances, and instincts to make it through. Nichole and Melissa discuss the implications of a school run by an "algorithm," comparing it to AI in education today, and unpack themes of hidden curriculum, survival-based learning, and the need for human facilitation in teaching. Tune in for an insightful look at what happens when education is left to technology and how it impacts students' learning, community, and growth.

In this episode, Melissa and Nichole get deep about Miss Honey's perhaps inappropriate relationship with Matilda, and how teachers and students cope with trauma in the classroom. This one's a little more somber, but an important discussion. Grab your snacks and get into it with us!

In this episode of Pop Pedagogy, Nichole and Melissa delve into the 1971 Mexican classic El Profe starring Cantinflas. They explore the film's portrayal of Socrates, a passionate and unorthodox teacher sent to a small rural village where his commitment to education clashes with local power dynamics. Nichole and Melissa reflect on the movie's themes of education as liberation, the challenges of teaching in underserved communities, and the subtle yet prominent displays of sexism throughout the film. With humorous anecdotes, including Melissa's personal connection to Cantinflas through her grandmother, the duo discuss the lasting impact of Socrates' approach to teaching. Tune in for insightful analysis, nostalgic reflections, and a comparison to modern educational practices.

In this episode, hosts Nichole and Melissa discuss how effective it was to thrust singer Dolores into the classroom without training as Sister Mary Clarence in Sister Act II: Back in the habit. They explore how she handles the challenges of working with "problem" students, how she uses choice as part of her lessons, and how teaching in the face of crisis allows for innovation. So grab your snacks, watch the movie, and join in on the discussion!

On this episode Melissa and Nichole watch Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban to answer the question: Is Remus Lupin a good teacher? They cover topics like appropriate teacher-student relationships, psychological safety in the classroom, and does Hogwarts fail its students?

Don't forget to go to the website to find Open Educational Resources related to today's episode!

Meet your hosts, Melissa and Nichole and discover what moved them to start a podcast discussing portrayals of teachers and schools in global pop culture.