Not Another Teacher Podcast

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...

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 s...

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 mistake...

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 resea...

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 t...

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 sarcast...

Summary In 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 pursuin...

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...

Summary In this episode, Martin and Poppy interview Nigel Rowe, a school governor with 35 years of experience. They discuss Nigel's journey as a governor, the role and responsibilities of a school governor, the challenges they face, and the rewards of being a governor. Nigel emphasizes the importance of governors being a supporting friend to the school and teachers, bringing their expertise to the...

Summary Emma, a secondary school teacher, shares her journey in teaching and the challenges she faced. S he started her career at the school she attended as a student and eventually became the head of the drama department. She also talks about the merger of two schools and the experience of bringing different students and staff together. Emma shares a favorite memory of her wedding, where past pup...

Summary Shazad Ali shares his career journey in education, from volunteering to becoming a lead practitioner for behavior and setting up alternative education provisions. He emphasizes the importance of creating a sense of belonging for students and parents, and the need for trauma-informed approaches in education. Shazad also discusses the referral process for alternative provisions and the impor...

Summary In this episode, Martin and Poppy interview Nathan, an education consultant and expert in metacognition. They discuss the importance of metacognition in education and how it can be integrated into the curriculum. They also touch on the future of education and the challenges it faces, such as teacher shortages and overcrowded curricula. Nathan emphasizes the need for explicit teaching of me...

Summary The conversation explores the concept of manifestation and the law of attraction, emphasizing the impact of positive thoughts and energy on life outcomes. It delves into personal experiences, career choices, and the importance of being true to oneself. The discussion also touches on the unpredictability of life and the significance of being open to change and new opportunities. Takeaways P...

Summary The episode features Krissi Carter, the founder of Thinking Spot Coaching, who shares her journey from being a head teacher to facing a mental health crisis and finding resilience. She emphasizes the importance of mental fitness and offers valuable advice for teachers and individuals struggling with mental health. The conversation delves into the challenges of teaching, the impact of menta...

Summary The conversation revolves around health and fitness for teachers, focusing on mental and physical well-being. It covers topics such as diet, exercise, sleep, and sustainable lifestyle changes. The hosts discuss extreme diets and the importance of balance and consistency in health and fitness routines. The conversation covers various dieting approaches and their impact on mindset, health, a...

Summary In 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 su...

Summary In 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 r...

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 interact...

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...

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 t...

Summary In 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. The...

Summary In episode seven of the Not Another Teacher podcast, Martin and Poppy discuss the high levels of stress and coping mechanisms among teachers. They explore the findings of a study that revealed one in four teachers drinks to cope with the job, and 12% of teachers are on antidepressants. They discuss the pressures of the job and the need for teachers to find healthy coping strategies. They s...

Summary In this episode, Martin and Poppy discuss the study that suggests jogging makes people angrier and explore alternative fitness activities. They emphasize the importance of finding time for fitness and establishing a routine that works for individual schedules. They also discuss the significance of taking breaks during the day and setting boundaries to prioritize self-care. Martin shares a...

Summary In this episode, Martin and Poppy discuss strategies for managing anxiety in teaching. They emphasize the importance of preparation and organization, such as planning outfits and meals in advance. They also highlight the value of setting boundaries and living authentically to reduce anxiety. Gaining perspective and talking to others about worries and concerns is another helpful strategy. H...

Summary In this episode, Martin and Poppy discuss the importance of setting boundaries and saying no in the teaching profession. They explore the pressure to go above and beyond, the fear of what others will think, and the impact of budget cuts on workload. They provide strategies for saying no, such as using the school diary and taking time before making a decision. They emphasize the power and w...