Today we’d like to introduce you to Aaron Leatherbarrow
Aaron, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m an empathetic, loving, but rebellious educator. I started in children’s ministry, moved to music education, and landed in ELA. I’ve always believed that writing should shake things up. That words should punch, sting, heal, whatever they need to do.
My students write to be heard. They write about the things that matter, the things they’ve lived, the things no one else is talking about. And when I started sharing their words online, teachers everywhere took notice.
That turned into something bigger. I built Punk Rock Teacher because education needs a voice that doesn’t sound like a corporate training manual. I sell resources because teachers need tools that actually work. I speak at conferences because people need to hear from someone who’s still in the trenches.
I don’t do things the “right” way. I don’t dress like an administrator. I don’t write emails like I have a stick up my ass. But I get results. I help kids find their voices. I help teachers take back their classrooms. And now, I’m stepping into bigger spaces—bringing real stories, real content, and real impact to education in ways that actually matter.
Education should be loud. It should be raw. It should be real. And I refuse to let it be anything less.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’ve failed. I’ve second-guessed myself. I’ve been broke, stressed, and stuck. I’ve worked jobs I hated just to make rent. I’ve put in time, energy, and heart into things that didn’t pan out. I’ve had moments where I’ve thought, “Maybe I should just shut up and follow the rules.”
I’ve been in schools that wanted results, not impact. They wanted test scores, not real learning. They wanted compliance, not creativity. And every time I told kids their words mattered more than a rubric. I felt/feel the weight of a system that doesn’t actually care about education.
I’m always watching passionate teachers burn out because they’re expected to do everything, be everything, fix everything. Watching kids shut down. Watching an entire profession be treated like it’s disposable.
I don’t quit. I pivot. When doors shut, I build my own. That’s why I started Punk Rock Teacher. That’s why I took education outside the classroom, onto social media, into workshops, onto stages. If the system won’t change, I’ll find another way.
The road has never been smooth. But smooth is boring. The struggle is where the story is. And I’d rather have a damn good story than an easy ride.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I teach kids how to write like they mean it.
I don’t just teach ELA. I teach courage through storytelling. I help students find their voices in a system that tries to keep things quiet. I built Punk Rock Teacher because I got tired of waiting for education to change. Now, I create and sell resources that actually work. I lead writing workshops that push people past the formulaic nonsense they’ve been fed for years. I speak at conferences to remind educators that what we do is bigger than a curriculum.
What am I known for?
Taking kids’ writing viral because their words hit harder than anything a textbook could give them.
Breaking outdated education rules and getting results anyway.
What am I most proud of?
That kids who hated writing now love it. That I’ve built something on my own terms, without watering myself down to fit some professional mold.
What sets me apart?
I believe that education should be raw, and real. And I refuse to let it be anything less.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I front a band called Cassette Crisis! Divorced dad rock at its finest. We play loud, fast, and with just enough nostalgia to make you feel something.
I am a dynamic public speaker. The first time I grabbed a mic, I was screaming at a punk show, not standing on a stage talking about education. Now, I do both. The energy is the same though; wake people up, make them feel something, say what needs to be said.
I’m also a father of three daughters, which means I know how to balance absolute chaos with deep, undeniable love. It’s probably why I connect with students so well.
Pricing:
- Raw Words: 13:99 Journal on Amazon
- Public Speaking – Varies on Keynote, Panel, Guest Lecture
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.punkrockteacher.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/punkrockteacher_official
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aaron.leatherbarrow.10
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-leatherbarrow-25bbb6273
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@punkrockteacher
