We’ve all seen the movies: the perfectly polished professor who captivates every student without missing a beat. But in real classrooms, things go sideways—more often than we might like. 

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Jessamyn Neuhaus, author of SNAFU EDU, to explore what really happens when teaching goes off-script—whether it’s a name you keep mispronouncing or the emotional gut-punch of a student failing your course. With humor, humility, and hard-earned wisdom, Jessamyn offers strategies for responding to these inevitable moments with clarity and care. You’ll leave with a lighter heart, a few laughs, and a practical “teaching go-bag” to help you handle whatever the classroom throws your way.

Guest Bio

Dr. Jessamyn Neuhaus is the Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence at Syracuse University and a recipient of the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence. She’s the author of SNAFU EDU: Teaching and Learning When Things Go Wrong in the College Classroom and Geeky Pedagogy: A Guide for Intellectuals, Introverts, and Nerds Who Want to Be Effective Teachers. A longtime champion of inclusive, evidence-based teaching, Jessamyn empowers educators to teach more effectively by embracing their humanity, quirks, and inevitable classroom snafus.

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