Classroom Confessions

Camryn Groth

Classroom Confessions is the podcast where teachers say the quiet parts out loud. From chaotic testing weeks and hilarious student quotes to heartfelt, real-life classroom moments, this show gives you a behind-the-scenes look at elementary teaching. Whether you're a teacher, parent, or just love relatable, feel-good stories, you’ll laugh, feel seen, and gain a new appreciation for what really happens inside a classroom.

  1. May 26

    What I Wish Parents Knew

    This week’s episode is basically all the things I wish parents knew from a teacher’s perspective 😭 We’re talking about things like:yes we do know what we’re doing,your child is not the only child in the class,PLEASE read the newsletters we send home,and no, gym day is probably not the best day for sandals. I also talk about independence, accountability, overstimulation, sick kids being sent to school, and why your child sometimes acts completely different at school than they do at home. A little chaotic, a little funny, but also very real. Class dismissed… emotionally.

    25 min

  2. May 19

    I Thought I Was Just Tired

    This week’s episode is definitely a more vulnerable one. We’re talking about teacher burnout, anxiety, mental health, and how I almost left teaching because this job affected me in ways I never expected. This is NOT a “teaching sucks” episode because I truly do love what I do… but I think more teachers need to talk honestly about the emotional toll this profession can take. We also get into the pressure of always having to be “on,” feeling guilty for needing breaks, and the realization that burnout is so much deeper than just being tired. If you’ve ever felt like you were drowning quietly while still showing up for everyone else, this episode is for you. Plus our weekly recap, this week’s grow & glow (my immune system vs. my students absolutely crushing their end of year testing 😭), and this week’s unhinged moment: the amount of times I’ve cried in front of students/at work. As always… class dismissed emotionally.

    30 min

  3. May 12

    Must Be Nice Getting Summers Off

    This week’s episode is basically one long teacher spiral… so naturally we’re talking about summer break. We’re getting into the reality of “teachers getting summers off,” why so much unpaid labor in education has somehow become normal, and the moment I realized I was volunteering at a school event while everyone else assumed I was at least getting paid. I’m also sharing my thoughts on the best summer jobs for teachers. From tutoring and summer school to camps and completely escaping education for a few months to regain sanity. And of course, we’re ending with some of the most ridiculous phrases teachers use to restore order in the classroom… because somehow “no thank you” can stop total chaos in its tracks. If you’re exhausted, overstimulated, underpaid, or currently counting down the days until summer… welcome. Class dismissed… emotionally.

    45 min

  4. May 5

    Who's Staying, Who's Leaving... and Why No One Is Saying Anything

    Who’s staying? Who’s leaving? And why does it feel like no one is actually saying anything? This week’s episode is a very real, slightly chaotic look at what’s happening in schools right now. The end-of-year energy is weird. There’s tension, there’s uncertainty, and somehow we’re all just expected to go along with it without clear answers. I’m also sharing a personal story about a conversation that stuck with me way longer than it should have, and how it ultimately played a role in my decision to change schools. If you’ve ever felt unsure about where you stand or like you’re just trying to read between the lines… this one will hit. Class dismissed…. emotionally.

    42 min

  5. Apr 28

    Things No One Tells You About Your First Year Teaching

    Your first year teaching can feel like everyone else got handed a secret handbook… and somehow yours got lost in the mail. In this episode of Classroom Confessions, I’m talking about the things no one tells you about your first year in the classroom; teacher imposter syndrome, classroom management disasters, parent emails that ruin your night, staying late at school, taking the job home with you, and the pressure to feel like you have to be perfect all the time. If you’re a new teacher, this episode is your reminder that you are not failing; you’re learning. And if you’ve been teaching for years, I guarantee this one will bring back some memories. Because sometimes surviving your first year is the real lesson. Class dismissed… emotionally.

    31 min

  6. Apr 21

    Teacher Testing Anxiety- The Hidden Stress Behind Standardized Testing

    Spring testing season is here… and no one talks about how much anxiety it gives teachers. Because somehow, their scores start to feel like a reflection of you.Your teaching. Your effort. Your worth. In this episode, I’m saying the quiet part out loud. About the pressure, the comparisons between schools, the data meetings that don’t feel like “just data,” and that constant voice in your head wondering if you’ve done enough. If you’ve ever felt your stomach drop during testing week…If you’ve ever overworked, overprepared, and still questioned yourself…If you’ve ever thought, “why does this feel like my test?” You’re not alone. This is your reminder that one test is just a snapshot, not your ability, not your impact, and definitely not the full story of your students. Class dismissed... emotionally.

    27 min

  7. Apr 14

    Hiding in Plain Sight: What Homelessness Really Looks Like in Classrooms

    In this episode of Classroom Confessions, I’m talking about something that doesn’t get said out loud nearly enough; homelessness.  When people think of homelessness, they picture what they see on the streets. But in schools, it often looks different. It’s the student who’s always exhausted, always hungry, or quietly carrying more than they should have to. It’s the kids who are couch surfing, moving from place to place, or unsure where they’ll be sleeping next, and most of the time, you’d never even know. We’re diving into what homelessness actually looks like in schools, the realities teachers are seeing every day, and the emotional weight that comes with caring so deeply when there’s only so much you can control. If you’ve ever felt helpless, overwhelmed, or like you’re carrying your students’ lives home with you… this episode is for you. Because sometimes the hardest parts of teaching are the ones we don’t talk about, but we should. Class dismissed… emotionally.

    17 min

  8. Apr 7

    Why Do Teachers Feel Like They Can't Have A Life Outside Of Teaching?

    Why does it feel like teachers are never really off the clock? In this episode of Classroom Confessions, I’m talking about the guilt, pressure, and exhaustion that come with feeling like you can never fully leave teaching at school. From the never-ending to-do list, to bringing work home, to constantly thinking about your students, even on weekends, I’m sharing why so many teachers struggle to have a life outside of the classroom. I’m also getting into the weird expectation that teachers aren’t allowed to be actual human beings. Why do people act shocked when teachers go out, have hobbies, post on social media, or do literally anything outside of work? If you’ve ever felt guilty for resting, overwhelmed by the Sunday scaries, or like teaching has taken over your entire identity… this one is for you. Class dismissed… emotionally.

    26 min
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About

Classroom Confessions is the podcast where teachers say the quiet parts out loud. From chaotic testing weeks and hilarious student quotes to heartfelt, real-life classroom moments, this show gives you a behind-the-scenes look at elementary teaching. Whether you're a teacher, parent, or just love relatable, feel-good stories, you’ll laugh, feel seen, and gain a new appreciation for what really happens inside a classroom.

Information

  • Creator
    Camryn Groth
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Camryn Groth
  • Show Website
    Classroom Confessions