On a new Teachers' Lounge podcast, ever curious what the school year is like for a teacher?
Over on our Teachers' Lounge Radio Show, we have a segment called "Classroom Correspondent." Every month, we talk with the same teacher and follow the ups and downs of the school year.
This year, our classroom correspondent was Caio Gomes. He's an English as a Second Language teacher at Clinton Rosette Middle School in DeKalb, Illinois.
Gomes has had a fascinating journey into education. He and his family immigrated to the United States from Brazil a few years ago. Many of his students also come from immigrant families.
It was a roller-coaster school year, and we covered it all: the personal and professional challenges, as well as the moments of connection and learning that make the work worthwhile.
At the end of each school year, all of our Classroom Correspondent segments are collected in one place on the podcast. Today, listeners can experience Gomes' entire 2025-26 school year, from August through May.
Honestly, I can't thank Gomes enough ffor making the time to talk with me each month and for being so thoughtful about his work and his journey. It was quite a year for him, and I hope our conversations gave him a chance to reset and reflect along the way.
We'll introduce a new Classroom Correspondent for the next school year beginning in August. If you'd like to hear these segments in real time, you can listen to the Teachers' Lounge radio show. It airs on WNIJ on the last Friday of every month at noon and the following Saturday at 6 a.m.
The radio show is the exclusive home of our student and Classroom Correspondent segments throughout the school year until they're collected on the podcast each June. If you'd like to hear the next season of Classroom Correspondent as it unfolds, tune in this fall. Otherwise, you'll have to wait until next year!
SHOW NOTES
Educator featured on the show: Caio Gomes
Music: Our show's theme music is from the northern Illinois-based band "Kindoves" and their songs "Popn," "Origins" and "Quiche." You can find more of their music on their Soundcloud page. You can also listen to the episode of WNIJ's Sessions from Studio A where they were featured.
Teachers! People who know teachers! People with stories about teachers! Send us an email and be part of the show! Also, send us your topic recommendations: teacherslounge@niu.edu
Copy Edited by Eryn Lent
