Not Another Teacher Podcast

Martin Malone and Poppy Gibson
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Semiweekly

Welcome to 'Not Another Teacher Podcast,' where your hosts, Martin and Poppy, add a refreshing twist to what you might expect from, well, another teacher podcast. Dive into the nitty-gritty of teaching life, where we tackle everything that textbooks don't cover – the real ups and downs of the education world. This isn't your typical lecture; it's a candid conversation about the rollercoaster that is teaching, blending humour with heartfelt discussions on mental and physical health challenges teachers face daily. From the absurdity of endless marking to the serious business of setting boundaries and finding your zen amidst chaos, we've got you covered. Join us as we laugh, vent, and maybe even cry a little, all in the name of making it through another school year. So, grab your mug of coffee or tea, kick back, and let's get real about the highs and lows of being in the education trenches. Because, at the end of the day, this is indeed 'Not Another Teacher Podcast'—it's your new go-to spot for a dose of reality and relatability in teaching.

  1. 09/06/2024

    "I realised that I'd been getting it wrong." with Simon

    Summary Simon, a former teacher, shares his journey of leaving the education system to start his own business. He discusses the challenges he faced in balancing his career and family life, and how he ultimately made the decision to prioritize his family. Simon emphasizes the importance of recognizing one's own value and skills, and finding a career that aligns with one's passions and strengths. He encourages listeners to think about what they want to be remembered for and make the necessary changes to live a fulfilling life. Simon also highlights the misconceptions about teaching and the need for more awareness of the skills and dedication required in the profession. Takeaways Recognise your own value and skills, and find a career that aligns with your passions and strengths.Consider what you want to be remembered for and make the necessary changes to live a fulfilling life.Teaching is often misunderstood, and it is important to raise awareness of the skills and dedication required in the profession.Balancing a career and family life can be challenging, and it is important to prioritize personal well-being and relationships.

  2. 08/30/2024

    "Let's tackle going back to school."

    Summary In this episode, Martin and Poppy discuss strategies for teachers to protect their mental and physical health as they go back to school. They emphasize the importance of setting boundaries, counting hours, and planning out the week to achieve a better work-life balance. They also suggest having a hobby or activity outside of teaching to look forward to and prioritize self-care. The hosts share personal experiences and practical tips for managing workload and avoiding burnout.Takeaways Set boundaries and plan out your week to achieve a better work-life balanceCount your hours to ensure you're not overworkingHave a hobby or activity outside of teaching to look forward toPrioritize self-care and take breaks when neededManage your workload and avoid burnout by saying no to additional tasks

  3. 08/23/2024

    "Being creative is an outlet for expressing your emotions and contributes to your mental well-being." with Becky

    Summary Becky shares her journey from grief to finding solace in crafting and creativity. She emphasizes the importance of creativity for mental well-being and how it provides an outlet for expressing emotions. Crafting can reduce stress and anxiety, improve fine motor skills, and serve as a distraction from chronic pain. Becky encourages embracing the process of creating and learning from mistakes. She suggests starting with simple crafts and finding inspiration from platforms like Pinterest and Instagram. Becky also highlights the social aspect of crafting, bringing people together and creating a sense of community. Takeaways Crafting and creativity can provide an outlet for expressing emotions and contribute to mental well-being.Engaging in crafts can reduce stress and anxiety and improve fine motor skills.Embrace the process of creating and learn from mistakes.Start with simple crafts and find inspiration from platforms like Pinterest and Instagram.Crafting can bring people together and create a sense of community.

  4. 08/16/2024

    "Understanding the individual, but then you've got 30 of them, that's really hard," with Melanie Grabowski

    Summary In this episode, Martin and Poppy interview Melanie Grabowski, a teacher and researcher, about her career journey and her work on anxiety-based school absence in autistic children. Melanie shares her experience working with children in gymnastics clubs and Montessori schools before transitioning to mainstream classrooms and eventually homeschooling her own children. She discusses her research on anxiety-based school absence and the importance of listening to and validating the experiences of parents and children. Melanie offers advice for schools and educators on supporting children with autism and emphasizes the need for a more inclusive and individualized approach to education. Takeaways Melanie's career journey includes working in gymnastics clubs, Montessori schools, mainstream classrooms, and homeschooling.Her research focuses on anxiety-based school absence in autistic children and the factors that contribute to school distress.Listening to and validating the experiences of parents and children is crucial in supporting children with autism.Schools and educators can create a more inclusive and individualized learning environment by considering the unique needs of each child.Homeschooling can be a beneficial option for children who struggle in mainstream schools, but it also comes with its own challenges.

  5. 08/09/2024

    "Let's Just Pretend the Whiteboard Doesn't Work," with Nick Huxley

    Summary In this episode, Martin and Poppy interview Nick Huxley, a teacher with a unique career journey. Nick shares his experiences transitioning from a successful career in telecoms to becoming a teacher. He talks about his time in university, his travels, and his decision to become a stay-at-home parent before entering the teaching profession. Nick also discusses some of the highlights of his teaching career, including memorable moments with his students and the joy of sparking their curiosity. He emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries and managing one's energy as a teacher. In this conversation, Nick Huxley shares his experiences as a teacher and offers advice for managing stress and maintaining work-life balance. He emphasizes the importance of flexibility, humor, and setting boundaries with emails. Nick also encourages listeners to believe in themselves and not let others define their capabilities. The conversation covers topics such as dealing with the stress of inspections, finding ways to relax and recharge, and the impact of humor in the classroom. Takeaways Teaching can be a fulfilling career choice at any stage of life, and previous work experience can bring valuable skills and perspectives to the classroom.Creating memorable moments and sparking curiosity in students can be some of the most rewarding aspects of teaching.Setting boundaries and managing one's energy are crucial for maintaining a healthy work-life balance as a teacher.Flexibility and adaptability are key qualities for teachers, as they often need to switch between different year groups and subjects. Flexibility is key in managing the stress of teaching and dealing with unexpected challenges.Humor can be a powerful tool for building relationships with students and relieving stress.Setting boundaries with emails and not checking them outside of school hours can help maintain work-life balance.Believe in yourself and don't let others define your capabilities.Finding ways to relax and recharge outside of work is essential for overall well-being.

  6. 08/02/2024

    "The First Day as a Headteacher is a Surreal and Special Experience," with Paul Burrows

    Summary Paul Burrows shares his career journey as a teacher and headteacher, highlighting the importance of taking risks and sticking with it. He emphasizes the emotional aspects of teaching and the impact of difficult conversations with staff. Paul also discusses the joy of seeing students succeed on results days and the satisfaction of being a headteacher. He shares his love for tea, his sarcastic sense of humor, and the importance of walking around the school to connect with students. Paul encourages teachers to persevere through tough times and build relationships with students.Takeaways Take risks and be courageous in your career journeyDifficult conversations with staff are tough but necessaryResults days are rewarding and memorableBeing a headteacher is a unique and fulfilling experienceTea, sarcasm, and connecting with students are important for getting through the weekStick with teaching and build relationships with students

  7. 07/26/2024

    "Being the one that can change their lives," with Kelsie Lee

    SummaryIn this episode, Martin and Poppy interview Kelsie Lee, a recent graduate who is about to start her teacher training. Kelsie shares her journey from studying primary education to pursuing a career in teaching. She discusses her passion for teaching and her excitement about starting her teacher training in September. Kelsie also talks about her aspirations beyond teaching, including pursuing a master's degree in educational leadership and management and potentially writing books on teacher CPD and mental health. She offers advice for students considering a degree in education, emphasizing the importance of asking questions, taking advantage of opportunities, and maintaining a work-life balance. Takeaways Passion for teaching and a desire to make a positive impact on students' lives are key motivators for pursuing a career in education.Teacher training programs vary in structure and duration, but it is important to find a program that offers support and allows for gradual integration into the classroom.Teaching is not limited to the classroom, and there are opportunities for career growth and exploration in areas such as educational leadership, writing, and lecturing.Maintaining a work-life balance and prioritizing self-care are crucial for success and well-being as a teacher.Asking questions, attending guest lectures, and taking advantage of all available opportunities can enhance learning and provide valuable insights into the teaching profession.

  8. 07/19/2024

    "If you can dream it, you can do it." with Amber

    Summary Amber shares her journey from A-levels to completing her PGCE and her plans for the future. She discusses the challenges she faced during her PGCE, including workload and imposter syndrome. Amber emphasizes the importance of work-life balance and following your dreams. She also shares her interests in curriculum coordination, dyscalculia, EAL, and mentoring. Amber's advice is to trust your gut, believe in yourself, and pursue your dreams. Takeaways Follow your dreams and trust your gutMaintain a work-life balanceEmbrace challenges and learn from themConsider pursuing additional qualifications and specializationsConnect with a support networkBelieve in yourself and your abilities

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About

Welcome to 'Not Another Teacher Podcast,' where your hosts, Martin and Poppy, add a refreshing twist to what you might expect from, well, another teacher podcast. Dive into the nitty-gritty of teaching life, where we tackle everything that textbooks don't cover – the real ups and downs of the education world. This isn't your typical lecture; it's a candid conversation about the rollercoaster that is teaching, blending humour with heartfelt discussions on mental and physical health challenges teachers face daily. From the absurdity of endless marking to the serious business of setting boundaries and finding your zen amidst chaos, we've got you covered. Join us as we laugh, vent, and maybe even cry a little, all in the name of making it through another school year. So, grab your mug of coffee or tea, kick back, and let's get real about the highs and lows of being in the education trenches. Because, at the end of the day, this is indeed 'Not Another Teacher Podcast'—it's your new go-to spot for a dose of reality and relatability in teaching.

Information

  • Creator
    Martin Malone and Poppy Gibson
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2024
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Martin Malone and Poppy Gibson