The Teacher’s Compass

In this week’s episode of The Teacher’s Compass, I’m opening up a conversation that far too many women in education are silently struggling with - perimenopause . If you’ve been feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, emotional, forgetful, or just not yourself lately, this episode is for you. You’ll hear: What perimenopause actually is and how it can affect your body and mind The subtle ways symptoms show...

Are you exhausted no matter how much you rest? Snapping at friends, family or students over little things? Feeling like the joy has gone out of teaching? These could be the early signs of burnout, and catching them now can make all the difference. In this episode, I’m sharing: ✨ The subtle warning signs of burnout that teachers often ignore ✨ Why it’s so important to spot burnout early ✨ Practi...

In this episode of The Teacher’s Compass , I’m joined by my friend and fellow teacher, Louise Salt, who shares her honest experience of balancing life as a full-time Year 5 teacher and a busy mum. We dive into the realities of teacher wellbeing, the pressure of juggling it all, and the small changes that make a big difference. We also explore the power of switching off — from social media, doom sc...

In this episode of The Teacher’s Compass , I’m sharing a personal update after an unexpected break from the podcast. Life doesn’t always go to plan — and sometimes, we need to pause, breathe and focus on what truly matters. I’m talking about the importance of living in the moment, giving yourself grace and rebuilding connection when you’re ready. I’m also so excited to introduce The Teacher’s Comp...

In this episode of The Teacher’s Compass , I chat with Jenny Sharp, a former teacher who recently transitioned into life, career,and business coaching. Jenny trained as a teacher in 2014-2015 and spent several years in the classroom, navigating the challenges of teaching—including the impact of Covid—before making the bold decision to leave. We discuss her journey, what led her to step away from t...

Teaching can feel so isolating, especially as staffrooms disappear and workloads increase. In this episode of The Teacher’s Compass , I’m sharing my new mission to Bring Back the Staffroom - a movement to reconnect teachers, rebuild a sense of belonging and remind educators that they are valued. We’ll explore why community is essential for teacher wellbeing, how the loss of connection impacts conf...

In this episode, we explore one of the most beloved perks of being a teacher: school holidays. From the much-needed rest and personal time to the challenges of adjusting to life without those long breaks, we dive into the highs and lows of having time off from the classroom. We also discuss the transition after leaving teaching—why giving up those school holidays might not be as daunting as it see...

Have you ever dreamed of leaving the classroom but felt trapped by finances or uncertainty? In this episode of The Teacher’s Compass , I’m sharing practical and inspiring side hustle ideas that can help teachers create new income streams—and even a full-time career outside of teaching. From selling digital products to coaching, tutoring, and content creation, I’ll walk you through real options tha...

Money is often one of the biggest concerns for teachers considering leaving the profession. In this episode of The Teacher’s Compass , we dive into the financial side of career transitions—should money be the deciding factor in leaving teaching? I’ll share my own experiences with money mindset, the fears that can hold us back, and practical steps to get your finances in order before making a big c...

In this episode of The Teacher's Compass, I sit down with Lucy, a former assistant headteacher responsible for SEND, who transitioned out of teaching after being made redundant. Lucy shares her journey from the classroom to running her own franchise business, MiniMe Mindfulness Cannock Chase, and offers insights into how mindfulness can positively impact children's lives. We explore the challenges...

In this heartfelt episode of The Teacher’s Compass, I’m sharing my personal journey of leaving a 20-year teaching career and finding fulfillment on the other side. Teaching is a noble profession, but when it begins to take a toll on your mental health, it’s time to re-evaluate your path. I’ll walk you through the challenges, fears, and uncertainties I faced, as well as the practical steps I took t...

In this episode of The Teacher’s Compass , we dive into the fascinating world of Human Design and how it can be a powerful tool for making career decisions. Understanding your unique design can help you gain clarity, align with your natural strengths, and confidently navigate career transitions. We’ll explore: The basics of Human Design and why it’s a valuable self-discovery tool. How each energy...

We're kicking off 2025 with a powerful reminder: prioritising yourself isn’t selfish—it’s necessary. In this episode of The Teacher’s Compass , we explore why self-care is essential for teachers to thrive personally and professionally. Discover how to overcome guilt, set healthy boundaries, and embrace daily practices that allow you to show up as your best self for those you serve. Start the year...

Community spirit in schools has changed drastically since Covid, often leaving teachers feeling more isolated than ever. In this episode of The Teacher’s Compass , we explore how these shifts have impacted teacher wellbeing and job satisfaction. Discover practical ways to rebuild connection and foster a supportive environment in your school, and learn how The Teacher’s Compass Membership can provi...

Teaching is demanding, but prioritising your own well-being is essential. In this episode of The Teacher’s Compass, we explore simple self-care strategies for teachers, from quick daily practices to long-term habits that support mental and physical health. Tune in to discover how you can show up for yourself—and your students—with renewed energy and balance. Introducing The Teacher’s Compass Membe...

Teaching is a rewarding career, but it often comes with overwhelming demands that can blur the line between work and personal life. In this episode of The Teacher’s Compass, we explore the importance of setting boundaries to protect your time, energy, and mental health. Learn practical strategies to create balance, from managing your workload to saying no with confidence. Whether you're feeling st...

Teachers possess an incredible range of skills that go far beyond the classroom—but recognising them can be a challenge. In this episode of The Teacher’s Compass, we dive into the wealth of transferable skills teachers bring to the table, from leadership and communication to problem-solving and time management. Whether you’re considering a career change, exploring a side hustle, or simply curious...

In this episode of The Teacher's Compass, we explore one of the most difficult questions teachers face: Is now the right time to leave the classroom? Join me as we discuss the emotional, physical, and professional signs that it might be time for a change, key questions to ask yourself when making this decision, and practical steps to take if you’re ready to move on. Whether you’re feeling burned o...

I listened to some fabulous speakers at Invisible Fest this week, which was organised by Maddy Alexander-Grout. One of the things Suzanne Shaw talked about in her presentation was dividing her day into 3 x 8s - having 8 hours of sleep, 8 hours of family time and 8 hours of work.  I know, I know, I can hear teachers around the world screaming "but that's impossible!" I totally understand where you'...

What happens when you decide you don't want to be a teacher anymore? The honest answer is that you realise there's an exciting and very different world waiting for you outside of the classroom. I know it's not for everyone, but I love the flexibility that running your own business brings, and working from home is the best thing ever! It's been a huge change for me, because I think I've been instit...

Why did I leave teaching? Well, it wasn’t one single thing, I just found that my job wasn’t lighting me up anymore, it wasn’t fun. Life is too short to have a job that isn’t working for you. We all know that teaching isn’t just a job, but I think we need to remember that it shouldn’t be something that dictates your whole life. There IS a world outside of the classroom! It took me 6 years to pluck...

Do not let your past affect your present and your future. We can often be guilty of over-thinking everything that's happened in our past, but there's absolutely nothing we can do to change it. So try to focus your efforts on what you want your day to day life to look like NOW and make those changes to have it happen. Then decide where you want to be in 1 year, 5 years and even 10 years and do ever...

This week we’re talking about self care and setting boundaries. Most teacher’s will always put themselves last in line, but we’ve got to get better at looking after ourselves and putting ourselves first otherwise our body will do that for us and our mental and physical health will suffer. If you’d like to download my Setting Boundaries guide here’s the link . It’s only £9 and supports me in being...

Thank you so much for all of the lovely messages and comments you've sent me this week, I'm so glad that the podcast has helped so many of you. Here's the link to the Window of Tolerance video that Abi shared with me: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVEDueyZ2C4

An intro from Louise, a bit about her story and some information about how Minds Matter can help you if you’re a teacher needing support with your mental health. Get in touch with Louise on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thelouiseschwartz Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thelouiseschwartz TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@louiseschwartz