Not Another Teacher Podcast Martin Malone and Poppy Gibson

SummaryIn this episode, Sam Lilley shares his career journey as a primary school teacher and offers valuable insights and advice. He discusses the importance of finding the right school for you, the power of collaboration and observation in teaching, and the need to prioritize work-life balance.
Sam also talks about his experience on CBBC's Pet School and the positive impact of social media in supporting and championing the teaching profession.
Takeaways
Finding the right school for you is crucial for a fulfilling teaching career.Collaboration and observation are powerful tools for professional growth.Prioritising work-life balance is essential for mental and physical well-being.Social media can be a supportive platform for teachers and a way to champion the teaching profession.

SummaryIn this episode, Martin and Poppy interview Robbie O'Connell, a positivity primary principal. Robbie shares his career journey, starting with his background in social work and transitioning into teaching.
He discusses the challenges and rewards of being a school principal and the impact he has on his students. Robbie also shares his favorite memory of seeing the smiling faces of students returning to school after the COVID-19 pandemic and the hardest moment of breaking the news to a class that he would be leaving. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of building connections with students and the role of educators in shaping their lives.
In this conversation, Robbie O'Connell, a primary school principal, shares his insights on leadership and well-being in the education sector. He discusses the importance of taking breaks, using a diary for organization, and maintaining a reflection journal. Robbie emphasizes the need for perspective and prioritizing time in order to manage the stress and demands of the job.
He also highlights the significance of setting a positive example for staff and prioritizing family time. Overall, Robbie's advice centers around maintaining balance and well-being in both personal and professional life.
Takeaways
Robbie O'Connell started his career in social work before transitioning into teaching and becoming a school principal.As a school principal, Robbie emphasizes the importance of building connections with students and being present in their lives.The impact of educators goes beyond academics and can greatly influence the well-being and happiness of students.Robbie's favorite memory is seeing the smiling faces of students returning to school after the COVID-19 pandemic.Breaking the news to a class that he would be leaving was one of the hardest moments for Robbie, highlighting the strong bond between teachers and their students. Take breaks and prioritize self-care to manage the demands of a leadership roleUse a diary for organization and reflection journal for positive mindsetMaintain perspective and prioritize time to manage stressSet a positive example for staff and prioritize family time

Summary
In this episode, Martin and Poppy interview Poppy, a reception teacher with pink hair. Poppy shares her journey into teaching and the challenges she faced during her NQT year.  She emphasises the importance of finding a supportive network of friends and seeking advice from experienced teachers.
Poppy also talks about her role as the farm lead at her school and the joy she finds in interacting with the animals. Her advice to listeners is to have a diverse group of friends and to be open to different perspectives.
Takeaways
Find a supportive network of friends who can provide advice and different perspectives.Seek help and advice from experienced teachers when facing challenges.Embrace diverse friendships and learn from people in different stages of life.Find joy in your work and take time for self-care.Create a positive and supportive environment for yourself and your students.

Summary
In this episode, Martin and Poppy discuss finding the right environment to work in and how to handle job applications and rejections. They share their personal experiences and offer advice on navigating the teacher transfer window and applying for jobs in general. They emphasize the importance of finding the right fit and being open to new opportunities.
They also discuss the challenges of job interviews and share some unconventional interview experiences. In this conversation, Martin and Poppy discuss their experiences with job interviews in the teaching profession.
They share tips and insights on how to prepare for interviews, including researching the school, asking questions, and being authentic. They also discuss the importance of not getting discouraged by rejections and seeing each interview as a learning opportunity. The conversation concludes with a reminder to value oneself and to keep persevering in the job search.
Takeaways
Take the time to find the right environment and school to work inBe open to new opportunities and don't be afraid to make a changeHandling job rejections is part of the process, and it's important to remember that it may not be the right fit for youJob interviews can be unconventional and challenging, but it's important to stay true to yourself and your teaching style Research the school before the interviewBe authentic and show your true selfDon't get discouraged by rejectionsSee each interview as a learning opportunityValue yourself and your worthKeep persevering in the job search

Summary
In this episode, Martin and Poppy interview Jordan Firth, a primary school teacher and creator of humorous teaching videos. They discuss Jordan's career journey, his favorite and hardest moments in teaching, and the importance of humor in the classroom. Jordan shares three things he can't live without: moments of reflection, sarcasm, and his gym workouts. He also offers the advice to not take teaching too seriously and to find humor in the everyday challenges.
Takeaways
Teaching can be challenging, but finding humour in the everyday challenges can make it more bearable.Taking moments to reflect and have a laugh can help protect your mental health and well-being as a teacher.Finding activities or hobbies outside of teaching, like going to the gym, can provide a much-needed break and help you recharge.Don't take teaching too seriously. Remember to have fun and find joy in the classroom.Humour can humanise you as a teacher and create a positive and engaging learning environment for your students.

SummaryIn this episode, Martin and Poppy discuss the concept of finding one's purpose and passion in life. They explore the first two questions from Margie Worrell's book: 'What makes you come alive?' and 'What are your innate strengths?' Martin shares his excitement and passion for fitness and teaching, while Poppy talks about her love for connecting with people and coming up with new ideas. They also discuss the challenges and benefits of being true to oneself and taking risks. In this conversation, Poppy and Martin discuss their different career journeys and how they have found purpose and added value in their respective roles. They explore the importance of finding what serves you and what you want in life, and how this can lead to a fulfilling career. They also discuss the value of building relationships and supporting others, and how coaching and mentoring can make a difference. They reflect on measuring their lives by the freedom and happiness they experience, and the importance of living without regrets.
Takeaways
Finding one's purpose and passion in life is essential for mental and physical well-being.Reading can be a great form of escapism and self-actualization.As educators, it's important to remember our why and reconnect with our passion.Excitement and passion are key factors in coming alive and finding fulfillment.Being true to oneself and embracing authenticity is a strength.Problem-solving skills and finding alternative ways to do things can lead to greater satisfaction.Taking risks and trying new things can be both a strength and a weakness.Connecting with others and learning from different perspectives can enhance personal growth. Finding what serves you and what you want in life is key to a fulfilling career.Building relationships and supporting others adds value to your work.Coaching and mentoring can make a difference in people's lives.Measuring your life by the freedom and happiness you experience is important.Living without regrets and making choices that align with your values leads to a fulfilling life.