Podcast Summary: Crying in My Car – “Why are These Teachers Not Listening?”
Episode Date: September 16, 2025
Hosts: Devin Siebold & James Yon
Overview
This episode of "Crying in My Car: A Podcast for Teachers" sees comedians and hosts Devin Siebold and James Yon explore the quirky dynamics of teachers as audience members, dive into the complexities of teacher apprenticeship programs, discuss student teacher compensation, react to recent education news, and round it out with hilarious stories from kids about their parents. The tone is light, irreverent, and packed with observational humor—true to the show’s mission to help teachers laugh off the stress of the classroom.
1. The Irony of Teachers as an Audience (00:45–08:45)
Key Points
-
Teachers as the Worst Audience:
Devin opens with the long-standing in-joke amongst performers: teachers are often the most disruptive audience members, doing exactly what they tell kids not to do (e.g., chatting, being on their phones, interrupting the speaker).
- “Teachers are the worst people to talk to because they do the opposite of what they ask the students to do.” — Devin (01:32)
- “Put your phone down and give me a chance.” — Devin (03:30)
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Unique Audience Behaviors:
- Teachers often provide running commentary or vocal affirmation during shows.
- “When you do a show for teachers, it’s not so much heckling as it is commentary. When you touch on a subject... it is straight up Baptist church in the South. ...’Amen, brother!’” — Devin (06:39)
- Noted differences among teacher types: art and kindergarten teachers being especially rowdy (“How did you even get glitter in this theater?” — Devin, 05:58), while music teachers are generally more sedate.
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Comedian’s Perspective:
Devin and James swap stories of performing for teacher-centric shows—highlighting both the hilarity and headaches of dealing with “the teacher look,” unruly art teachers who get kicked out, and other classic tales from the road.
Memorable Moments & Quotes
2. Teacher Apprenticeship Programs & The Dilemma of Early Specialization (09:52–16:14)
Key Points
-
Rapid Growth in Apprenticeships:
Teacher apprenticeship programs are spreading “like wildfire” across nearly all states as districts and colleges seek to recruit future teachers even earlier—some starting in high school.
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Debate: Is Early Specialization Good?
Devin voices concern about students being pushed too early into a teaching career path, especially as apprenticeship programs increasingly obligate participants (in exchange for tuition) to stay the course.
- “We are pigeonholing them into a career that they might not really enjoy.” — Devin (11:44)
- “You suddenly... are saddled with a massive amount of debt and a degree that it turns out three years into it, you’re like, I don’t want this.” — Devin (11:17)
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James’ Counterpoint:
James sees value in early practical exposure: at least students can realize before college if teaching is not for them.
- “It may be better to go through two years of teacher apprenticeship and then say, ‘You know what, this isn’t for me.’” — James (12:30)
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Strings Attached:
Devin pushes back, noting that many programs require a post-completion commitment in order to access tuition aid, binding the participant to the teaching track.
3. Teacher Pay, Student Teacher Compensation, and Funding Realities (16:28–21:22)
Teacher Classroom Grants (16:28–19:20)
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Desert Financial’s Teacher Grants:
Arizona bank giving $45,000 across 30 teachers, prioritizing Title 1 schools.
- Devin explains that while Title 1 schools get extra federal funding, teachers in non-Title 1 public schools sometimes have less access to resources and might need more help — often overlooked in grant funding.
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Insight:
“There’s kind of this middle ground of schools... they don’t get as much, and there’s teachers there that are like, ‘Hey, I’d like some stuff too.’” — Devin (18:30)
Paying Student Teachers (19:20–21:22)
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Legislation in California:
Proposed bill to pay 28,000+ student teachers working full-time hours for free, recognizing the economic hardship faced by aspiring teachers required to intern unpaid.
- “California... 28,000 student teachers... work for free, essentially. They can be in dire hardship.” — Devin (20:35)
- “You’re pursuing this profession, but you’re starting off on such a negative connotation of it.” — Devin (20:57)
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Where Does the Money Come From?
Both hosts joke about California’s many taxes (“Just a 10 cent avocado tax would cover 50,000 avocados and everything in California.” — James, 21:36).
4. Teachers in the News: Social Media Ban for Minors in Florida (21:52–27:18)
Key Points
- Florida Social Media Ban:
Recap of Governor DeSantis's bill banning social media accounts for minors—including gaming accounts like Xbox Live and PlayStation Network.
- “It also was rumored to include things like Xbox live accounts and PlayStation network.” — James (22:24)
- The Reality of Online Education Spaces:
Devin recounts virtual world moderation as a parent, highlighting the ease with which kids can interact with strangers (“I could hear turtles [another kid] and he’s a young kid... but if I didn’t have those child protections on my phone, I don’t know who’d start.” — Devin, 24:03)
- The Legal Battle:
Major tech companies filed lawsuits; the bill’s enforcement is currently suspended and minors still have legal access to social media until the court case is resolved.
- “For now, kids under the age of 18, minors can still have social media in Florida.” — James (26:08)
Memorable Moments
- On child social media influencers:
“There’s a lot of kids under 18 that make money on social media.... Ryan, the kid who made millions opening toys. Imagine that, like shut it down.” — James (26:40)
- Comedy bit on grown-up Ryan:
“He’s like 42 now. He’s just in there trying to open up pill bottles.” — Devin (26:56)
5. Kids Say the Darndest Things: Hilarious Stories from the Classroom (27:56–34:27)
Key Points
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Kids' Unfiltered Honesty:
James shares a collection of funny, adorable, and sometimes embarrassing things kids have told teachers about their parents, illustrating just how little filter young children have.
- “The younger a kid is, the more open and honest they are.” — James (28:04)
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Kids on Parents’ Secrets:
- “My mom’s favorite place to go is Costco. Cause she loves hot dogs.” (28:24)
- “My mommy has a special drink every night, but it’s just for adults. ’Cause I asked.” (29:18)
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Out of the Mouths of Babes:
- Sharing parents’ COVID cooking habits, drinking, accidents, and personal relationships—all told to teachers with zero sense of privacy.
- “Yesterday, Mommy hit the neighbor’s car... but shh, she said not to tell anyone.” — James, quoting a student (31:01)
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Commentary on Size and Authority:
- “My dad is bigger than my mom. But my mom’s still the boss.” — Chris, a student (32:13); both hosts agree, sharing their own experiences of mom being the real boss in the household.
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Date Night Realness:
- “My mom and my dad have date night on Fridays. I know that because I’m not allowed out of my room when they’re having it... apparently, they only go on two and a half minute dates.” (33:08)
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Jokes by Grade Level:
Devin notes the distinct progression of kids telling actual jokes by third grade; before that, “jokes” are just unintentionally revealing family anecdotes.
Episode Timeline
- 00:45–08:45: Teachers as tough audiences, comedy show stories, differences among teacher types, emotional movie moments.
- 09:52–16:14: Teacher apprenticeship programs, debate about early specialization, and student obligations.
- 16:28–19:20: Teacher grants, need and funding inequities among schools.
- 19:20–21:22: Paying student teachers in California—hardships, proposed solutions.
- 21:52–27:18: Florida’s social media ban for minors, online safety, legal updates.
- 27:56–34:27: Funny and revealing stories from kids in the classroom, hosts’ reflections on honesty, family, and parenting.
Notable Quotes
“Teachers are the worst people to talk to because they do the opposite of what they ask the students to do.”
— Devin (01:32)
“When you see a six foot six man crying, it’s like seeing a pit bull on the highway. You’re like, ‘I should do something, but I think I’ll let somebody else handle that one.’”
— Devin (07:49)
“We are pigeonholing them into a career that they might not really enjoy.”
— Devin (11:44)
“The younger a kid is, the more open and honest they are.”
— James (28:04)
“My dad is bigger than my mom, but my mom’s still the boss.”
— Chris, via James (32:13)
Final Thoughts & Tone
The episode delivers funny, frank commentary on the contradictions in teacher behavior, systemic quirks in education funding and training, and the delightful unpredictability of kids. The bantering chemistry between Devin and James keeps the pace lively and comedic, while sharp social observations and relatable anecdotes ensure both teachers and parents find something to laugh (or cry) about.
For more episodes and bonus content: Visit Patreon
Upcoming tour dates: Board Teachers Comedy Tour
Hosts on Social:
- James Yon: @JamesYonComedianYon
- Devin Siebold: Check show page for updates