‘Back to School’ with Thea Wayburn, Carla Cummins, and Kevin Stoller

June 4, 2025

In this episode of the Better Learning Podcast, we’re breaking down the 1986 comedy Back to School, where Rodney Dangerfield plays a loud, lovable millionaire who enrolls in college to reconnect with his son and shakes up the entire campus in the process.

Joined by guest Thea Wayburn from BRIC Architecture, host Kevin Stoller and co-host Carla Cummins take a deeper look at how the film portrays higher education, student life, and the meaning of “fitting in.” Part of our ongoing series dissecting school-related movies, we explore what this over-the-top comedy reveals (intentionally or not) about learning environments, relationships, and how schools support, or fail to support, belonging and growth.

Takeaways:

• Rodney Dangerfield’s character may be unconventional, but his experience highlights the importance of creating inclusive environments where students of all backgrounds feel like they belong – something schools and universities are still working to get right today.
• While Back to School leans into comedy, it also touches on deeper issues like academic elitism, outdated teaching methods, and the value of real-world experience, sparking a conversation about what learning should look like in modern education.
• The movie challenges the idea that there’s only one “right” way to succeed in education. We discuss how schools can better support alternative learners and value life experience alongside academic achievement.

About Thea Wayburn:
From finishes to space planning and furniture selection, Thea collaborates with project team members, consultants, district staff, and stakeholders to develop interior design solutions that enhance their school’s design and align with the district’s educational goals. Thea balances design expertise with end user advocacy to facilitate focus group sessions and synthesize feedback, creating spaces that reflect a learning community’s unique identity.

Learn More About Thea Wayburn:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/thea-wayburn-9b3a16256

Learn More About BRIC Architects:

Website: https://www.bric-arch.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bric.arch
X: https://x.com/bric_arch
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bric_arch/

Connect with Host, Kevin Stoller:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kevinstoller

Connect with Co-Host, Carla Cummins:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/carla-cummins-01449659