About this episode

Jacob and Jay Wamsted discuss the importance of embracing originality in teaching and how it impacts student relationships.

Every great teacher has something students can't find in a textbook: themselves. In this episode of Teach Me, Teacher , Jacob sits down with educator and author Jay Wamsted to discuss how teaching becomes transformational when we stop trying to fit a mold and start embracing our own originality. While Jay's latest novel, The Lockdown Artist , serves as the backdrop for the conversation, the heart of this episode is about the people behind the lesson plans. Jay shares why he chose fiction as a way to wrestle with the questions that have followed him throughout his years in the classroom—questions about belonging, curiosity, relationships, and the kind of schools we're creating for students. Together, Jacob and Jay explore an idea that every educator needs to hear: your personality isn't separate from your teaching—it is your teaching. The stories you tell, the passions you share, the music you love, the way you laugh, and the way you see the world become the "hook" students attach to. Long before they remember your content, they remember you . The conversation is a reminder that students don't need another perfect teacher. They need authentic adults who are willing to bring their…

People in this episode

Host: Jacob

Guest: Jay Wamsted

Topics covered

• originality in teaching
• transformational education
• authenticity in the classroom
• teacher-student relationships
• embracing uniqueness

Keywords

• teaching
• originality
• authenticity
• education
• classroom
• teacher
• students

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: The Lockdown Artist

More episodes of Teach Me, Teacher

• A Fresh Look at Classroom Management with Claire English (pt.1) · July 12, 2026 · 21 min
• #417 Lockdown Your Style with Jay Wamsted (pt.2) · June 30, 2026 · 20 min

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