Tosh Show – Detailed Summary
Episode: My Favorite One-Eyed Special Ed Teacher – Ms. Sunshine
Host: Daniel Tosh
Guest: Ms. Sunshine (Special Ed Teacher, Fashion Influencer, Disability Advocate)
Date: December 9, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode of Tosh Show features Ms. Sunshine, a vibrant and candid special education teacher who is also a fashion influencer and disability advocate, known for her one eye and creative approach to prosthetic eyes. Daniel Tosh dives into Sunshine's life story—how she lost her eye as a child, the journey of owning her visible difference, her teaching philosophy, and her internet presence. The conversation is a blend of humor, honesty, and insight about living with a disability, teaching special ed, and finding empowerment through self-expression.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Vegas Anecdote & Casual Banter
[02:04–09:25]
- Daniel and his co-host Eddie Gosling share humorous travel stories, notably a debate about how Daniel’s father-in-law tucks his undershirt into his underwear—prompting much laughter and teasing.
- Daniel recommends “Chad Powers” (comedy show), appreciating its silly humor and discussing the comedic landscape of costume-driven comedy.
- The tone is irreverent and playful, setting the vibe for the episode.
Notable Quote
Daniel Tosh [03:55]: "There’s no reason to tuck your undershirt into your underwear. None."
2. Introducing Ms. Sunshine
[13:45–14:06]
- Daniel introduces Ms. Sunshine with playful fanfare, highlighting her as the most talented one-eyed teacher around, special ed teacher, influencer, and advocate.
3. The Eye Incident: Childhood Trauma & Family Dynamics
[14:06–16:28]
- Sunshine shares the story of losing her eye at age five during a playful fight with her younger brother over who'd sweep their grandmother’s porch with an old broom.
- The accident happened in a remote cabin in Wyoming but her mother (a single mom and model) had her flown to Cedars Sinai in LA for extensive surgeries.
- Her younger brother felt guilty for years until she explained it wasn’t his fault.
Notable Quote
Ms. Sunshine [16:28]: "For the longest time, probably till middle school, he thought that he hit me in the face with a broom... I was never allowed to blame him."
4. On Disability, Insecurity, and Self-Acceptance
[17:10–18:59]
- Daniel presses: if she could go back, would she change it? Sunshine insists she wouldn’t, as her eye is now part of her brand and identity—though she admits her younger self would have chosen otherwise.
- The conversation covers bullying, societal standards, and how her mother (a model) supported her with things like a "prosthetic eye party."
- Middle and high school were particularly tough due to teasing and feeling different.
Notable Quotes
Ms. Sunshine [18:14]: "You look different, you are visibly disabled—like, you're mocked, you're teased, called a freak. So it’s hard to like that part of yourself..."
Ms. Sunshine [19:01]: "My mom did throw me a prosthetic eye party when I had my first prosthetic. She bolstered my confidence as much as she could as a parent."
5. Living with a Prosthetic Eye
[20:02–28:38]
- Sunshine explains the mechanics of prosthetic eyes: range of movement, tracking, and how realistic they can look.
- She drives, though depth perception is compromised.
- Describes showing her eye to students to establish a safe, open learning environment and ‘de-mystify’ her difference.
- She owns 24 prosthetic eyes, including custom ones from artist-friends in Portland, and discusses insurance and cost concerns.
- They joke about creative eye designs (glow-in-the-dark, spiders, text, sports teams), and Daniel even tries to put one in his own eye (for laughs).
Notable Quotes
Daniel Tosh [20:22]: "If you didn’t have a star on it, I don’t think I would know."
Ms. Sunshine [25:04]: "I have 24 at this point."
Ms. Sunshine [26:17]: "Insurance will cover about 80%... They don’t touch custom eyes, which is unfortunate."
6. Sunshine’s Teaching Philosophy & Classroom Culture
[22:20–37:47]
- She teaches public high school, inclusion special education (mainly grades 11, mild/moderate needs).
- Her own IEP experiences (individualized education plans) as a child influence her advocacy and empathetic approach.
- She welcomes student curiosity (esp. about her eye) to foster acceptance and open dialogue.
- Describes the varying levels of challenge in special ed depending on severity.
- Sunshine receives ample support at her school compared to overworked teachers elsewhere ("I get entire Mondays as sped planning days... I rarely feel like I’m drowning").
Notable Quotes
Ms. Sunshine [36:37]: "That’s why I went into teaching special ed... I want to pour back into my own community and help kids see themselves in me, even if they don’t have one eye."
7. On Reading, Accessibility, and School Community
[37:44–39:02]
- Sunshine prefers audiobooks as tracking lines of text is difficult, a lasting issue from her vision.
- Daniel ponders if better software/book layouts could help.
- Sunshine mentions teacher community is busy but supportive—a quick chat at the coffee machine here and there.
8. Reflections on Education & Systemic Challenges
[39:05–46:50]
- Discussion of underfunding, teacher shortages, and the impact of political decisions (quirky pokes at Trump/Linda McMahon).
- Alarming rates of high school students unable to read at grade level; debate about standards being "lowered."
- On the trend of pushing students through, even with summer school or intense interventions.
Notable Quote
Mrs. Sunshine [42:39]: "I think it’s alarming when a lot of high schoolers can’t read properly. It’s a lot. There’s only so much intervention that can support when a child’s reading level is many grades below..."
9. Tech, AI, and Cheating
[43:45–44:26]
- Talks about managing cheating in class: using GoGuardian to lock screens, teaching AI literacy as a tool instead of just banning it.
10. School Safety, Shooter Drills, & Anxiety
[44:34–47:47]
- Sunshine details the routine of school shooter drills and debriefs; shares thoughts on policy suggestions (arming teachers, using veterans as security, implementing scanners).
- Describes the practical reality of "emergency poop chutes" (i.e., buckets) for lockdowns and the anxiety of being responsible for children in crisis situations.
Notable Quotes
Mrs. Sunshine [47:01]: "It makes me think about it [quitting teaching]... Why should a teacher and kids [have to accept risk of death at school]? That’s crazy."
11. Fashion, Influencer Life, and Social Media
[48:01–49:11]
- Discusses criticisms of her fashion-forward looks as a teacher ("As long as I’m within policy, I don’t care"), seeing it as modeling self-expression for students.
- Online work pays substantially more than teaching, but she remains in the classroom out of passion—at least for now.
12. Gifts, Goofy Pranks, & Closing Banter
[50:03–52:49]
- Daniel offers weird, mish-mashed “gifts” from home—apples, faux eyelashes, and crystals from his daughter’s room—for Sunshine to use in her creative videos, fostering a light atmosphere.
- Sunshine gamely samples apples and playfully banters about the fun of receiving “eyeball-themed” presents.
13. Voicemails & Final Laughter
[55:23–57:54]
- Listeners call in, including a “pretty woman who shits a lot,” giving Daniel and Eddie ammunition for more irreverent, IBS-related humor.
- Daniel jokes about whether the family can coordinate vacations if more than one traveler has severe digestive issues.
Notable Quotes & Exchanges
-
On Self-Acceptance and Disability:
Ms. Sunshine [17:22]: “I would not change it... It’s cute. At this point, it’s part of my brand.”
Daniel Tosh [17:44]: “Because you were way smarter back then is what I’m learning.”
Ms. Sunshine [18:14]: “You look different, you are visibly disabled... It’s hard to like that part of yourself when people around you have made you feel very negatively towards it.” -
On Being a Visible Role Model as a Teacher:
Ms. Sunshine [36:37]: “That’s why I went into teaching special ed. So...I want to pour back into my own community and help kids see themselves in me, even if they don’t have one eye.” -
On Education System Woes:
Mrs. Sunshine [42:39]: “I think it’s alarming when a lot of high schoolers can’t read properly...there’s only so much intervention that can support when a child’s reading level is many grades below...” -
On Teacher Compensation & Social Media:
Daniel Tosh [48:46]: “Which pays more [online content or teaching]?”
Mrs. Sunshine [48:49]: “I make substantially more from online stuff than teaching...But it’s my passion, and I think it’s more important.”
Timestamps for Important Segments
| Segment | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------|--------------------| | Vegas bickering and Chad Powers recap| 02:04 – 09:25 | | Introducing Ms. Sunshine | 13:45 – 14:06 | | The story behind losing her eye | 14:06 – 16:28 | | Disability, bullying, and family | 17:10 – 18:59 | | Prosthetic eye mechanics & eye art | 20:02 – 28:38 | | Sunshine’s classroom & inclusion | 22:20 – 37:47 | | Literacy crisis and lowering standards| 42:32 – 43:41 | | School safety & shooter drills | 44:34 – 47:47 | | Fashion & online influence | 48:01 – 49:11 | | Gift exchange/bizarre gifts | 50:03 – 52:49 | | Voicemail and closing humor | 55:23 – 57:54 |
Episode Highlights & Memorable Moments
-
Daniel tries to insert a prosthetic eye, leading to raucous laughter.
Daniel Tosh [30:18]: “Can I put it in my eye?”
Ms. Sunshine: “Try… Oh my God. It’s not going to fit, bro.” -
Cheerful banter about "emergency poop chutes" for lockdowns, and awkward student scenarios.
-
Thoughtful, vulnerable discussion of how Sunshine’s own disability reformulated her approach to teaching and advocacy.
-
Daniel’s signature irreverence pairs with genuine curiosity and warmth that sets Ms. Sunshine’s story in sharp relief.
Tone & Takeaways
The episode is classic Daniel Tosh: edgy, biting, but ultimately compassionate. Ms. Sunshine’s story is inspirational, and she deftly balances humor and honesty about living (and teaching) with a disability. Listeners gain insight into both the challenges and joys of special education, the realities of visible difference, and the power of community both online and in the classroom.
Perfect for:
Fans of irreverent comedy, educators, people interested in disability advocacy, and anyone craving stories of resilience with genuine laughs.
