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.