Feb 05 2025 25 mins
In this special archived conversation, host Dr. Joey Weisler honors the remarkable legacy of his grandmother, Francine Langer-Weisler, an educator whose career spanned over 40 years in New York City schools.
Recorded in March 2022, this episode takes us back in time to explore education in the 20th century, from classrooms during the Great Depression to progressive teaching methods in post-war America. Francine shares her earliest inspirations, the challenges of being a young teacher, and the evolution of the education system throughout her career.
Francine shares her early inspirations, the struggles of being a young teacher, and her transition to school leadership. She reflects on how education has changed, from strict discipline and parental cooperation to the complexities of modern schooling. She also discusses the need for social-emotional support, the importance of cultural exposure for students, and why teaching was always a calling, not just a job.
Join us as we laugh, reflect, and pay tribute to a beloved educator, whose experiences continue to shape how we understand teaching, leadership, and resilience in schools today.
Show Notes (Key Highlights & Takeaways)
✅ Growing Up During the Great Depression – What schools were like when no one had much, but gratitude was abundant.
✅ Becoming an Educator – Inspired by a 4th-grade teacher’s travels, Francine set out on a journey to teach and lead.
✅ The Early Years of Teaching – Starting at 19 in a tough classroom and learning hard but valuable lessons
✅ From Teacher to Principal – Her philosophy: “Do not mistake kindness for weakness.”
✅ Parental Involvement & Changing Schools – Then vs. now: Why schools had stronger parental support in the past.
✅ Social-Emotional Learning & Student Support – The rise of external challenges in schools and why we need more social workers.
✅ Humor in Education – A hilarious gym class moment that captures the innocence of childhood.
✅ Retirement & Mentorship – How Francine continued influencing students and new teachers even after leaving the classroom.
✅ Final Reflections – “Teaching was never just a job—it was a calling.”
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