On this episode of Off the Clock, I’m joined by my pal Eric who taught both my kids in their ECE-4 classes and someone who is one of the fiercest beer pong players I’ve ever played against. Here’s some of what we talk about:
First Question: When parents find out he’s their kid’s preschool teacher, what is the most common reaction he gets?
- the unusual position of being a rare male preschool teacher and some of the stigma associated with that
- Eric shares how he developed his incredible calm, controlled, and warm demeanor in the way he runs his classroom
- how does he get through the tough days of dealing with 20 unreasonable 4 year-olds?
- Eric shares with me that he always wanted to be a grandfather, which I’ve never heard before from anyone
- we talk about punk rock including Green Day, Fall Out Boy, blink-182, The Linda Lindas, Story of the Year, The Starting Line, New Found Glory, and more!
- the risk of a band playing through an entire album for their live set
- what are the biggest differences between kids now and kids from when he started 16 years ago? and what about parents?
- as he looks at the landscape of early education, is Eric more optimistic or pessimistic?
- how has the perspective of parents shifted when it comes to disciplinary incidents with students?
- I ask him how his sports teams are doing and give a shout to Donato’s pizza
- and we conclude the show with one of the finest compliments I have ever received
Theme song by Sorry Sweetheart.
Logo by Nebulus Visions.
Produced by Deft Communications.
Engage with the show on Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky.
Recorded at Walter’s 303 in Lowry.
