Sir You Look Tired - The Unofficial CPD for Exhausted Teachers

Martin and Dan

Sir, You Look Tired is the brutally honest podcast for exhausted teachers. Hosted by Martin (ex-teacher turned coach) and Dan (still in the classroom), this is the staffroom chat you actually want to be part of. Expect laughs, rants, and real talk on burnout, behaviour, wellbeing and surviving until half-term. Unofficial CPD at its finest.

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    Finding Joy in Teaching | Sir, You Look Tired

    Welcome back to another episode of "Sir, You Look Tired"! Martin and Dan dive into the wild world of teaching, sharing honest stories about classroom chaos, teacher burnout, and the moments that make it all worthwhile. From hilarious nativity mishaps to the realities of school budgets, behavior management, and the joy of seeing kids learn, this episode is packed with relatable tales and practical wisdom for teachers everywhere. Whether you’re a seasoned educator or just starting out, you’ll find plenty to laugh about—and maybe a few reminders of why you started teaching in the first place. Don’t forget to leave us a comment, rate us five stars, and send in your own unforgettable staff room stories! Timestamps & chapters below 👇 00:00 Introduction 00:18 Highlighting the Positives of Teaching 03:54 Favourite Subjects to Teach 06:06 Creative Teaching Methods 14:58 Challenges and Behavior Management 21:13 Behaviour Management Strategies 23:24 Printing in Red: Budget Woes 24:38 Inappropriate Searches and Filters 29:45 The Joys and Challenges of Teaching 31:09 Unexpected Classroom Moments 35:10 The Reality of Teaching Adverts 38:27 Student Teacher Experiences 42:22 Concluding Thoughts

    43 min

  2. 24 SEPT

    Negative Self-Talk & Setting Boundaries | Sir, You Look Tired

    Welcome back to "Sir, You Look Tired"! In this episode, Martin and Dan dive deep into the realities of teaching—tackling negative self-talk, burnout, and the importance of setting boundaries. They share honest stories from the classroom, from early career anxieties and staff room politics to the everyday pressures that come with the job. Whether you’re a new teacher struggling with comparison, a leader juggling impossible expectations, or just someone who’s ever felt overwhelmed by school life, this episode is packed with practical advice, relatable moments, and plenty of laughs. Discover tips for managing emails, handling staff WhatsApp drama, and why it’s okay to say “I don’t know.” Plus, hear about the power of positive reflection, journaling, and finding the right support network. Don’t forget to leave a comment, rate us five stars, and share your own stories from the classroom! Timestamps & chapters below 👇 00:00 - Welcome Back & Negative Self-Talk in Teaching 00:45 - Teacher Burnout: Stats & Realities 02:00 - Comparing Yourself & Early Career Pressures 04:30 - Leadership Roles & Feeling “Not Good Enough” 07:00 - Classroom Perfectionism & Daily Stress 09:00 - Setting Boundaries: Emails, WhatsApp & Work-Life Balance 12:00 - Headteachers, Expectations & Saying No 15:00 - Staff Room Politics & Protecting Your Energy 18:00 - Positive Reflection, Journaling & Mental Health 21:00 - Assembly Nightmares, Dismissal Drama & Teacher Fears 25:00 - Change, Habits & Coping with Overwhelm 28:00 - Social Media, Comparison & Finding Support 30:00 - Final Thoughts: Be Kind to Yourself & Make the Change 32:00 - Outro & How to Reach Us

    43 min

  3. 17 SEPT

    ECT Nightmares, Boundaries & Staff Room Realities | Sir, You Look Tired

    Welcome back to another episode of "Sir, You Look Tired"! Martin and Dan get real about the wild world of teaching, sharing honest stories from the trenches - especially those early years as ECTs. From toxic school cultures and impossible workloads to the importance of setting boundaries, this episode is packed with practical advice, hard-won lessons, and plenty of laughs for teachers everywhere. Whether you’re a new teacher navigating your first leadership role, or a seasoned pro with your own staff room horror stories, this one’s for you. We cover everything from glue stick shortages and folder drama to the power of saying no, the value of unions, and why every teacher needs to protect their wellbeing. Don’t forget to leave a comment, rate us five stars, and share your own tales from the classroom! Timestamps & chapters below 👇 00:00 - Welcome Back & New School Year Vibes 00:27 - ECTs, Assistant Heads & Toxic School Cultures 02:41 - Early Career Struggles: Saying Yes & Being Overworked 06:29 - Leadership Roles, Delegation & Staff Room Stories 09:52 - Folder Drama, Mentors & Surviving Inspections 23:49 - Power Trips, Staff Turnover & School Politics 27:09 - Boundaries, Burnout & Learning to Say No 32:57 - Advice for New Teachers: Red Flags & Self-Protection 35:46 - Final Thoughts: Unions, Support & Listener Shoutouts 36:59 - Outro & How to Reach Us

    49 min

  4. 10 SEPT

    Surviving the Second Week: Glue Sticks, Meal Prep & Teacher Burnout | Sir, You Look Tired

    Welcome back to another episode of "Sir, You Look Tired"! Martin and Dan dive into the chaos of the new school year, sharing real talk about teacher stress, workload management, and the art of setting boundaries. From the great glue stick debate to meal prep hacks, delegation tips, and the infamous "do, delegate, delete, delay" mantra, this episode is packed with practical advice and plenty of laughs for teachers everywhere. Whether you’re feeling the burnout already or just need a reminder to put yourself first, this episode is for you. Don’t forget to drop us a comment, rate us five stars, and share your own staff room stories! Timestamps & chapters below 👇 00:00 - Welcome Back & New School Year Vibes 00:27 - Teacher Stress: Stats & Real Talk 01:41 - Workload Management: Boundaries & Burnout 06:29 - Meal Prep, Food Hacks & Surviving the Staff Room 09:52 - Shrinkflation, Snacks & The Great Glue Stick Debate 23:49 - Delegation, Teamwork & Teacher Training Gaps 27:09 - Classroom Chaos: Cupboards, Shared Drives & Offsted Myths 32:57 - Planning, Prioritizing & Saying No 35:46 - Final Thoughts: Do, Delegate, Delete, Delay 36:59 - Outro & Listener Shoutouts

    37 min

  5. 3 SEPT

    Wellbeing Isn’t Badminton at Half Four on a Friday

    The first week back should feel like a fresh start - but for most teachers, it’s where the burnout begins. Research shows 67% of teachers say their mental health declines significantly within the first seven days of term. In this episode, Martin and Dan break down why the first week hits so hard: the new class that feels like 30 strangers, the pointless environment walks, the obsession with curly borders, the clipboard-brigade of observations, and the dreaded “wellbeing” badminton tournament at half four on a Friday. It’s honest, raw, and a little bit ridiculous - but it’s also full of the real talk teachers need to hear. Because if you don’t put systems in place early, you risk being completely drained before October half-term even arrives.

    34 min
  6. It’s Like Sunday Night Fear… But Worse

    27 AUG

    It’s Like Sunday Night Fear… But Worse

    Every teacher knows the Sunday night fear. But that first week back after summer? It’s like Sunday night fear… but worse. In this episode, Martin and Dan unpack why back-to-school anxiety hits so hard - from worrying you’ve forgotten how to teach, to the chaos of brand-new classes, to the pressure of “being ready” when you’re anything but. They share honest stories from the classroom, practical tips to ease the nerves, and why preparation doesn’t mean overworking yourself. If you’re dreading September, this one’s for you.

    25 min
  7. Teachers Don’t Do New Year’s Resolutions… We Do September Ones

    20 AUG

    Teachers Don’t Do New Year’s Resolutions… We Do September Ones

    September is the real New Year for teachers. The fresh stationery, the big plans, the “this term I’ll finally…” promises. But here’s the problem: 83% of teachers drop their health goals by week three. In this episode of Sir, You Look Tired, Martin and Dan dive into why habits collapse so quickly, the chaotic reality of teacher life (hello messy desktops and copy-of-copy Canva files 😂), and the simple systems that actually stick. From meal prep hacks to the infamous “balloon” stress analogy, we’ll show you how to make September resolutions last longer than the first staff meeting biscuits.

    37 min
  8. Ten Hours a Week in Summer? That’s Not Dedication – That’s Unpaid Labour

    13 AUG

    Ten Hours a Week in Summer? That’s Not Dedication – That’s Unpaid Labour

    Teachers give enough during term time - so why are so many still handing over ten hours a week of their summer for free? In this episode, we dig into the hidden cost of “getting ahead” over the holidays, from laminating marathons to cupboard clear-outs that don’t last two weeks. We share our own wake-up calls - including the summers we finally stopped working - and how putting ourselves first made us better teachers, healthier humans, and actually happier to return in September. If you’ve ever found yourself in school on a blazing hot August afternoon wondering why am I here?… this one’s for you.

    36 min
See All (25)

About

Sir, You Look Tired is the brutally honest podcast for exhausted teachers. Hosted by Martin (ex-teacher turned coach) and Dan (still in the classroom), this is the staffroom chat you actually want to be part of. Expect laughs, rants, and real talk on burnout, behaviour, wellbeing and surviving until half-term. Unofficial CPD at its finest.

Information

You Might Also Like