Why do I have 30 students in my AP classes when Georgia law says I should have 21? In this Teacher Reality Check, I break down why class size legislation looks perfect on paper but falls apart in real schools. From Georgia's Strategic Waiver system (130 out of 132 districts ignore the caps) to NYC's struggle with 70,000+ overcrowded classrooms, this episode explores why money alone can't fix teacher shortages, scheduling realities, and retention crises. The uncomfortable truth: we're legislating the easy thing to count while ignoring who gets quality teachers and resources. If we're serious about smaller classes, we need to talk about teacher working conditions, not just mandates with impossible timelines.
Episode Topics: class size legislation, teacher shortage, education policy, school funding inequality, teacher workload, AP class sizes
Perfect for: Teachers dealing with oversized classes, education policy advocates, administrators navigating impossible mandates, anyone who wants to understand why education reform fails in practice
Drowning in essays? Discover practical AI teaching assistant tools that give you back your nights and weekends. In this episode, veteran teacher Leah Cleary shares how she grades 76+ AP student essays with timely, specific feedback using AI - without sacrificing quality. Learn about Custom GPTs for automated grading, free ChatGPT alternatives, and student-facing AI coaches like Magic School AI. Whether you have $0 or $20/month to invest, you'll get actionable strategies to reduce grading time while improving student feedback. Plus: why AI feedback makes students actually READ your comments and how to overcome perfectionism when using AI tools. Includes free Custom GPT maker download and example prompts. Perfect for overwhelmed teachers ready to work smarter, not harder.
Ever look out at your classroom and wonder if anything you're doing actually matters?
In this episode, I get real about why teaching hurts so much when we can't feel our impact, and what the research says about mission-driven teachers, burnout, and the emotional toll of caring deeply.
We’ll explore:
Why teachers are intrinsically motivated—and how that’s both our strength and our struggle
The science behind why bad lessons and critical parent emails feel so personal
What happens to mission-driven educators over the course of a long career
How to protect your heart without giving up the work that matters
If you’ve ever internalized a disengaged student, a failed lesson, or a harsh email as proof you’re not good enough—this episode is for you.
Because here’s the truth: you’re making an impact, even when you can’t feel it.
Should high school start later? In this episode of If Teachers Ruled the World, Leah interviews U.S. History, Economics, and Government teacher Joey Cleary, who teaches like he’s on stage, complete with set design, AI-generated daily images, and storytelling that brings history to life.
Joey shares real classroom data showing why later school start times matter: In his first-block class, 9 out of 14 students cheated on an assignment. In third block? Zero out of 19. Same teacher, same assignment—the only difference? Time of day.
They also dive into:
Joey’s journey from actor to teacher
How he makes history class engaging (with a little help from unicorns 🦄)
The classroom controversy over teaching flag burning
His dream school calendar (Thanksgiving through New Year's off, anyone?)
Two teachers, two totally different styles, and one shared truth: Adolescent brains and early start times don’t mix.
🎧 Full episode and Joey’s infamous unicorn image: leahcleary.com/podcast
Delayed paychecks? Pink slips? The ESSER funding cliff may be to blame. In this Teacher Reality Check, Leah breaks down what happened when $190 billion in federal COVID relief for schools started drying up. And how sudden policy reversals in 2025 left states, districts, and teachers scrambling.
Hear how reimbursement freezes triggered budget crises, why Maryland and Illinois were hit hardest, and what experts predict for layoffs, salaries, and staffing through 2026.
Real numbers, real teachers, real impact. This episode connects the dots between education policy and what’s happening in your school right now.
Full show notes and resources at leahcleary.com/podcast
Two months into the school year and your desk already looks like a disaster zone? You’re not alone. In this honest and slightly chaotic episode, Leah shares her real-time journey of digging out from under a mountain of paper.
With many teachers shifting back to analog assignments due to AI concerns, digital organization systems are falling short. Even veteran educators are struggling to keep up. Leah is learning new systems from a much younger colleague and isn’t too proud to admit it.
🎙️ What’s inside:
The moment Leah realized her desk had become an archaeological dig
A simple drawer system that actually works (borrowed wisdom!)
Managing handouts across multiple preps and absences
The “parking lot” method for papers that don’t have a home
How to sync paper assignments with digital gradebooks
Budget-friendly storage finds from yard sale adventures
This episode isn’t about having a picture-perfect classroom. It’s about finding sustainable systems that work when you're juggling piles of paper and sprinting between classes.
Perfect for teachers who feel like everyone else has it together while you're still figuring it out. Spoiler: you're not the only one.
Feeling like you're constantly under fire as a teacher? In this episode, Leah gets real about the scrutiny educators face, from social media trolls to classroom self-censorship.
We’re talking about the real influence in kids’ lives (hint: it's not their teachers), why educators become easy scapegoats, and how to stay grounded when it feels like you can’t win.
🎙 Topics:
Why teachers are blamed during societal chaos
Classroom influence vs. public perception
Teaching critical thinking, not agendas
Finding solidarity when you're under attack
For every teacher who feels misunderstood...you’re not alone, and this episode is for you.
Former flight attendant turned paraprofessional Tracy Dixon shares what most won’t say out loud: Not every student is meant to do everything . And that’s okay.
From the cafeteria to the classroom, Tracy’s seen how student success looks different for everyone. She and Leah talk about failure, expectations, and why forcing kids into the same mold helps no one.
Perfect for teachers, parents, and anyone rethinking what success in school should mean.
What does the Department of Education actually do. And can an executive order really eliminate it?
In this Teacher Reality Check, Leah breaks down what the Trump administration’s executive order means for your classroom. Learn the truth about Title I and IDEA funding, DEI changes, and how much federal policy really affects your day-to-day as a teacher.
Perfect for educators who want clear, practical info, minus the panic.
About a month into the school year, routines can feel smooth and students may seem responsible, but that’s often when problems begin. In this episode of If Teachers Ruled the World, Leah Cleary shares common classroom management mistakes teachers make early in the year, why loosening structure too soon backfires, and practical strategies for maintaining classroom routines, preventing burnout, and strengthening relationships with students.
It’s the night before grades are due, and a flood of late work hits your inbox. You’re exhausted, but policy says you have to take it. Sound familiar?
In this episode, Leah shares how to protect your time without sacrificing professionalism. Or your sanity. You’ll hear real stories about saying no to administrators, turning down student requests (even good ones), and drawing the line so you can focus on what matters most: your classroom.
What you’ll learn:
Simple scripts for saying no politely but firmly
The difference between boundaries and professional courtesy
Why protecting classroom time makes you a better team player
How to handle last-minute work without losing sleep
If you’re already running on empty just weeks into the school year, this conversation is for you. Because if nobody else respects your time, you have to.
English teacher Laura French joins Leah to share a powerful story about a student passed through the system without mastering basic skills. And the impossible position it put her in as his high school teacher. Together, they unpack the pressures of graduation rates, CCRPI scores, and the emotional toll of policies that clash with classroom reality, while imagining what accountability could look like if teachers designed the system themselves.
This month, Leah pulls back the curtain on teacher evaluations. And what she uncovers might surprise you. Whether you’re labeled “effective” may have less to do with your teaching and more to do with your state’s politics.
In this episode:
How Michigan’s evaluation rules just changed—and why Alabama’s haven’t.
The research showing teachers control only 1–14% of test scores.
How union strength shapes evaluation policies.
Why treating teaching like rocket science gets it all wrong.
Key takeaway: If working with humans is harder than rocket science, maybe teacher evaluations shouldn’t be reduced to a formula.
Leah breaks down the latest policy shifts, the “geographic lottery” of evaluations, and the dangerous lesson we send students when we make test scores entirely a teacher’s responsibility.
Perfect for educators who want to cut through the noise and understand what’s really behind the evaluation game.
We’ve all been there—you design what feels like a brilliant classroom procedure, get excited about how innovative it is, and then… it completely falls apart with real students.
In this month’s tips episode of If Teachers Ruled the World, Leah shares her biggest procedure fails, including an overly complicated digital task card system she was so proud of she started selling it (spoiler: nobody could follow it), and a semester-long annotation project she stubbornly kept going despite knowing it wasn’t working.
🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn:
How to tell the difference between teenage snark and genuine feedback
The best questions to ask students for real answers
When to pivot mid-lesson vs. waiting until the next day
Why relationships are the foundation for honest feedback
How to admit your “brilliant” idea flopped—without losing credibility
Leah’s two big takeaways: don’t beat yourself up for trying something new, and don’t spend an entire semester forcing something that’s clearly not working.
If you’ve ever overcomplicated a system or defended a procedure that made everyone miserable, this episode is for you. Sometimes the simplest solutions really are the best ones.
What does it really mean to be “on” for eight hours straight with no break? In this episode of If Teachers Ruled the World, Leah pulls back the curtain on the emotional and invisible labor that makes teaching one of the most misunderstood and demanding professions.
From being a mini-administrator without support staff to carrying student trauma home, she breaks down what most people don’t see:
Why “free periods” aren’t free at all
The emotional cost of caring deeply for every student
The performance of teaching without applause
The mental health toll of being responsible for young lives every day
Leah shares her own story—honest, raw, and grounded in 25 years of classroom experience—while still holding onto the purpose and love that keep her showing up. This episode is for every teacher who’s ever felt unseen, and for anyone who truly wants to understand what’s happening behind the classroom door.
🎧 Key Topics:
The emotional exhaustion of being "always on"
Why planning periods aren’t downtime
Carrying students' emotional burdens
Performing with no recognition
Finding purpose in an unsustainable system
Perfect for: Teachers feeling overwhelmed, family and friends of educators, and anyone who wants to understand the real demands of teaching.
It’s time for your monthly Teacher Policy Reality Check — and this one’s a hot topic: cell phone bans.
With 26 states now mandating restrictions and New York rolling out “bell-to-bell” policies, educators are left wondering: What does this actually mean for my classroom?
In this episode, Leah breaks down the policy jargon, translating what lawmakers say into what teachers are now expected to do — including becoming unofficial phone police. Drawing from 25+ years of experience, she shares strategies that actually work, like the charging station trick and a relationship-first approach to phone management.
🎧 In this episode:
What “bell-to-bell” really means (and why it’s not that simple)
The truth behind the “emergency contact” excuse
Real-world implementation questions no one’s addressing (fire drills, anyone?)
How to manage phones and treat students like people
Why mandates miss the mark on real classroom management
Leah gets real about the gap between policy and practice — with relatable stories, professional insight, and permission to question the headlines.
Perfect for teachers navigating new phone rules, admin seeking practical implementation tips, or anyone wondering what this policy shift means for the people doing the actual work.
Feeling overwhelmed as the school year approaches? You’re not alone — and you don’t have to do it all.
In this episode, veteran educator Leah Cleary shares what really matters during back-to-school prep — and what you can stop stressing about. After 25 years in the classroom, Leah breaks down a no-fluff “worry about this, not that” list to help you start the year strong.
You'll learn:
What to actually prepare before Day 1 (hint: it’s not your bulletin board)
How to connect with students fast using simple systems
Why you can ditch elaborate procedures and just set a few clear expectations
How to build relationships that make learning possible
Leah also opens up about her first-year mistakes (like obsessing over classroom decor) and offers permission to be real instead of perfect. If you're a teacher who's feeling the pressure, this episode is your deep breath and your roadmap.
Your students don’t need the ideal version of you — they just need you.
What if one simple policy change could transform education overnight? In this solo episode, veteran teacher Leah Cleary crowns herself Education Secretary of her dream administration and takes on one of the most exhausting realities in education: early school start times.
Picture it — 7:45 AM, first period. Your students look like extras from a zombie movie, surviving on energy drinks and pure willpower. Sound familiar?
In “The 10 AM Revolution,” Leah shares all too real classroom moments (like her infamous alien pyramid test), eye-opening student contrasts between morning and afternoon, and the science behind it all — including why teenage circadian rhythms make 7:30 AM learning nearly impossible.
This isn’t just venting. Leah tackles the real-world pushback — sports, schedules, logistics — and reframes the conversation: What if we stopped teaching kids that exhaustion equals dedication?
🎧 In this episode:
The science of teenage sleep cycles and circadian rhythms
The lived reality of teaching half-awake teens
Common objections (and why they’re worth rethinking)
Practical solutions for shifting school start times
How you can be a guest on future episodes
This episode kicks off Leah’s monthly series, If Teachers Ruled the World — bold ideas, real talk, and a little imagination about what schools could be if teachers were in charge.
Whether you're a teacher nodding along, a parent puzzled by your teen’s sleep habits, or an admin ready to rethink the system — this episode might just spark a revolution.
Join the movement. Your circadian rhythm will thank you.
Sometimes we know better—but it still hurts. In this vulnerable first episode, Leah shares the story of getting AP scores the day before her birthday and being unexpectedly crushed by results she saw coming. After 25 years in the classroom, why did it still feel like failure? Leah explores where teacher perfectionism comes from, what the research says, and why even 1s and 2s on AP exams predict better college outcomes. If you’ve ever felt “not good enough” despite doing your best, this one’s for you. Teaching is a practice—not a performance.
Meet Leah Cleary, a 25-year classroom teacher ready to talk about what teaching actually looks like - the messy parts, the real struggles, and the wins that nobody posts on social media.
Discover a podcast where teachers get honest about classroom reality, practical strategies that work, education policy that makes sense, and what school could look like if educators had a real voice.
If you're tired of perfect Pinterest classrooms and theories that fall apart with real kids, this is for you. Finally, someone willing to say what we're all thinking.
Subscribe for monthly episodes featuring teacher mental health, teaching strategies, education policy, and teacher leadership. Perfect for classroom teachers ready for real talk about the teaching profession.