92. 33 Years of Teaching Taught Me This | Dan Tricarico, The Zen Teacher
33 Years of Teaching Taught Me This | Dan Tricarico, The Zen Teacher
Dan Tricarico has been teaching English at West Hills High School in San Diego for 33 years. Same school. Same classroom. And somewhere around year 20, he started burning out—with 10 more years to go before retirement.
Instead of quitting, he started writing. That writing became The Zen Teacher—a platform, two books, and a movement around teacher self-care that's been going for over a decade.
In this conversation, Dan shares the earned wisdom that kept him going: what he learned from a student teacher about Greek mythology, why 40 stories are sitting in those 40 desks, and how the Five S's—stillness, silence, space, subtraction, and slowing down—can make the job feel human again.
We also get into poetry, photography, hot chocolate walks, and why gratitude isn't toxic positivity. It's just noticing what's real.
What You'll Hear:
- The mindset shift that changed how Dan sees every student (and why it took a decade to figure out)
- The Five S's framework for sustainable teaching
- Why "subtraction" might be the most underrated tool in your self-care kit
- The difference between a calling and an identity—and why mixing them up causes burnout
- Dan's go-to book recommendation for any teacher who's ever had a lesson crash and burn
- One song for the Teacher Commuter Playlist 🎵
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Teaching and Experience
02:36 Learning from Colleagues and Students
05:16 The Importance of Self-Care in Teaching
07:55 Understanding the Role of Teachers in Society
10:51 The Impact of Teaching on Students
13:28 Creating a Supportive Community for Teachers
16:13 The Zen Teacher Platform and Its Mission
18:56 Reflections on a Teaching Career
23:15 The Challenges of Teaching Alone
24:21 Finding Balance: The Five S's for Teachers
27:56 The Importance of Slowing Down
29:52 Navigating Toxic Positivity
32:38 The Connection Between Mindfulness and Creativity
37:13 The Courage to Teach: Embracing Imperfection
40:50 The Role of Music in Teaching
📘 Dan's Books:
- The Zen Teacher: Creating Focus, Simplicity, and Tranquility in the Classroom - https://geni.us/LR7uAl
- Sanctuary: Self-Care Secrets for Stressed-Out Teachers - https://geni.us/vt0Vsny
- Write Here and Now: Teaching Writing Through the Lens of Mindfulness - https://geni.us/sMaj232
(The links above are affiliate links. Every purchase helps support this podcast. Thank you!)
Shop the Why Edify Amazon storefront — stuff I actually use and recommend (affiliate link, small commission to me at no cost to you): https://www.amazon.com/shop/whyedify-jeremyjorgensen
📬 Dan's Substack: [Find it by searching "The Zen Teacher"]
📷 Instagram: @thezenteracher (or search Dan Tricarico)
📧 Free newsletter → https://www.jeremyajorgensen.com/newsletter/
🏫 Join The STRONG Teacher's Lounge → https://www.skool.com/the-strong-teachers-lounge-3476/about
📬 Get Involved:
✉️ Sign up for the Friday Five Newsletter for Teachers:
https://www.jeremyajorgensen.com/newsletter
☕ Support Why Edify:
https://buymeacoffee.com/whyedify
🤝 Connect with Jeremy:
👕 Shop Why Edify Gear:
https://www.bonfire.com/store/why-edify/
🌐 Connect with Jeremy Jorgensen:
👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/why_edify/
👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-jorgensen321/