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Playing Teacher
🎙️ What is a teacher, really?
And what’s it actually like inside a New York City school?
Welcome to Playing Teacher, where veteran educators Matt and Rob—with over 40 years of combined experience teaching in NYC—pull back the curtain on the myths, realities, and moments that make education unforgettable (for better or worse). From the mysterious teacher’s lounge to the myth of “summer off,” they explore what really happens when the classroom door closes.
This isn’t a shiny brochure version of school. It’s the real deal:
🧠 Learning vs. schooling.
❤️ What kids actually carry with them.
🔥 How teachers and counselors survive systems built to burn them out.
And when we’re lucky enough to have her, we’re joined by Beanie—school counselor, educator, and recurring co-host—who brings powerful insight, grounded compassion, and the kind of perspective only someone who's worked both inside and around the classroom can offer.
👥 Guests range from teachers, students, and administrators to learning scientists, former kids (yes, really), and other unexpected voices from the world of education.
Whether you're in the classroom, supporting from the sidelines, or just trying to make sense of how we learn and why it matters—this is your hallway pass to the inside.
Playing Teacher
Episode 3: The Hook: The Art of Captivation
In this episode of Playing Teacher, we dive into The Hook—that elusive, electric moment when a teacher pulls students in and makes them want to learn. It’s the magic trick, the spark, the wink across the room that says, “This is going to be good.” But here’s the thing: it’s not in the lesson plan template, and it sure doesn’t show up on most rubrics.
Too often dismissed as fluff or misunderstood by administrators and even some teachers, The Hook is actually one of the most powerful tools in a great educator’s arsenal. It’s where the art of teaching lives—and where performance, storytelling, and human connection meet academic content.
With Matt’s background in acting and performance and Rob’s deep roots in science and game-based learning, we explore how great teachers captivate curiosity, build anticipation, and transform classrooms into stages where every kid wants a front-row seat.
This one’s for the teachers who know that sometimes, the best way to teach a standard is to make it feel like a story worth showing up for.
