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 encourages listeners to think about what they want to be remembered for and make the necessary changes to live a fulfilling life. Simon also highlights the misconceptions about teaching and the need for more awareness of the skills and dedication required in the profession.
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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 share personal experiences and practical tips for managing workload and avoiding burnout.
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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 mistakes.
She suggests starting with simple crafts and finding inspiration from platforms like Pinterest and Instagram. Becky also highlights the social aspect of crafting, bringing people together and creating a sense of community.
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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 research on anxiety-based school absence and the importance of listening to and validating the experiences of parents and children.
Melanie offers advice for schools and educators on supporting children with autism and emphasizes the need for a more inclusive and individualized approach to education.
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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 teaching career, including memorable moments with his students and the joy of sparking their curiosity.
He emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries and managing one's energy as a teacher. In this conversation, Nick Huxley shares his experiences as a teacher and offers advice for managing stress and maintaining work-life balance. He emphasizes the importance of flexibility, humor, and setting boundaries with emails.
Nick also encourages listeners to believe in themselves and not let others define their capabilities. The conversation covers topics such as dealing with the stress of inspections, finding ways to relax and recharge, and the impact of humor in the classroom.
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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 sarcastic sense of humor, and the importance of walking around the school to connect with students.
Paul encourages teachers to persevere through tough times and build relationships with students.
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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 pursuing a master's degree in educational leadership and management and potentially writing books on teacher CPD and mental health.
She offers advice for students considering a degree in education, emphasizing the importance of asking questions, taking advantage of opportunities, and maintaining a work-life balance.
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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 gut, believe in yourself, and pursue your dreams.
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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 table, and working together as a team.
He also highlights the inconsistency of school inspections and the changing parental behavior as major challenges for governors.
Nigel encourages anyone interested in becoming a school governor to go for it and emphasizes the need for commitment and support for the head teacher.
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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 pupils she had taught came to sing in the choir. Overall, her story highlights the importance of connections with students and the impact teachers can have on their lives.
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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 importance of collaboration between staff, parents, and students. He encourages educators to never give up on showing acts of kindness and support to students, as it can have a long-lasting impact.
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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 metacognitive skills and the importance of individualized approaches to learning.
The conversation also delves into the debate around school trips and the role they play in education. Overall, the episode highlights the passion and dedication of educators and the potential for positive change in the field.
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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.
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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 mental health, and the power of resilience.
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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, and fitness. It delves into the complexities of tracking food, the pitfalls of extreme dieting, and the importance of balance and moderation.
The discussion also touches on the influence of social media on health and fitness perceptions, the significance of healthy habits, and the role of sleep in overall well-being.
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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 supporting and championing the teaching profession.
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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 returning to school after the COVID-19 pandemic and the hardest moment of breaking the news to a class that he would be leaving. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of building connections with students and the role of educators in shaping their lives.
In this conversation, Robbie O'Connell, a primary school principal, shares his insights on leadership and well-being in the education sector. He discusses the importance of taking breaks, using a diary for organization, and maintaining a reflection journal. Robbie emphasizes the need for perspective and prioritizing time in order to manage the stress and demands of the job.
He also highlights the significance of setting a positive example for staff and prioritizing family time. Overall, Robbie's advice centers around maintaining balance and well-being in both personal and professional life.
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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 interacting with the animals. Her advice to listeners is to have a diverse group of friends and to be open to different perspectives.
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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 job interviews and share some unconventional interview experiences. In this conversation, Martin and Poppy discuss their experiences with job interviews in the teaching profession.
They share tips and insights on how to prepare for interviews, including researching the school, asking questions, and being authentic. They also discuss the importance of not getting discouraged by rejections and seeing each interview as a learning opportunity. The conversation concludes with a reminder to value oneself and to keep persevering in the job search.
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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 take teaching too seriously and to find humor in the everyday challenges.
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