In this episode of Sir, You Look Tired, we dive into real messages from real teachers who are running on biscuits, coffee, and fumes. From snapping at students to skipping meals and zoning out after school, we unpack the quiet signs of burnout - and why it's more common than you think.We talk food habits, fatigue, and the myth of "just powering through." You’ll hear honest stories, hard-won advice, and simple ways to start feeling like yourself again - one lunchbox, walk, or “no” at a time.Whether you're crawling to the end of term or already planning your September comeback, this one’s for you.
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57:37
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57:37
It's a Job, Not a Life Sentence
In this episode of Sir, You Look Tired!, we’re calling out the culture that keeps teachers burnt out, guilt-ridden, and overworked.From late-night marking to skipping lunch just to stay afloat, it can feel like teaching demands everything. But here’s the truth:📌 Teaching is a job.📌 It’s not your whole identity.📌 And it’s not a life sentence.We’ve both been teacher martyrs in the past – laminating at midnight, running on caffeine, and feeling like failures if we ever left before 6pm. But all that effort? It didn’t make us better teachers. It just made us more exhausted.In this episode, we talk about:The myth of the “good teacher” who gives it allWhy teachers feel guilty for wanting time offHow school leadership shapes work-life balanceAnd what actually happens when you start setting boundariesThis one’s real. It’s raw. And it might just give you permission to finally stop pouring from an empty cup.👇 Let us know in the comments: What would YOU get rid of in education? (No names, just honest truths – we’ll read the best ones next week.)🎧 Sir, You Look Tired! is the podcast for teachers who want to do the job well – without losing themselves in the process. New episodes every week.🔔 Subscribe to stay updated.⭐ Leave a review if this one hit home.
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39:12
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39:12
I Was Hired Off a Facebook Message
Ever been thrown into an interview and thought, what is happening right now? Same.In this episode, we’re swapping stories about the most ridiculous teaching interviews we’ve ever had — from being handed five books and a pen and told to “get on with it”, to being grilled by a full horseshoe of governors, to literally landing a job off the back of a cheeky Facebook message.We talk about when to trust your gut, what red flags to spot, and why interviews should be more about real conversations - not tray tasks and trauma.If you’ve ever lied about a club, cried after an interview, or just said “I don’t know” mid-question… this one’s for you.
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48:50
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48:50
You Just Colour In All Day 🤬
Apparently, we just colour in all day.That’s the perception - and it’s doing serious damage. Because when people think teaching is easy, they also think we don’t deserve fair pay, resources, or even respect. And worst of all? Some teachers start to believe it too.In this episode, we get fired up about the myths around teacher pay, the culture of martyrdom, and the manipulation tactics that convince educators they should feel guilty for asking for a raise.We talk about:The nonsense around “fully funded” pay rises 🧾How unions should be fighting harder (and louder) 📢Why it’s not your fault if your TA gets cut ✂️And what happens when teachers are too polite to say no 🙅♀️There’s also a £37 billion app that no one used, some daffodils bought out of sheer guilt, and a classroom wall so mouldy it had to be hidden behind a giant smiley face.If you’ve ever bought your own laminating pouches, stayed late to fix a display, or been told “it’s not about the money” - this one’s going to hit home.
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42:24
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42:24
AI Wrote My Reports and I Regret Nothing
Report season is here – and we’re not doing it the hard way.In this episode, Dan and Martin dive into the chaotic world of school reports: recycled comments, comma queens, clip art disasters, scented buff paper, and the unspoken truth that no one’s reading all four pages anyway.We talk about how AI can (and should) save teachers HOURS, the madness of being told you’ve “printed too much,” and how to word a glowing report for a child who once threatened to dig your grave.Also inside:📝 The report that got pink-highlighted for plagiarism👀 How to write something nice about a child who swore at you😂 “You used to be fat” – and other brutally honest moments from the classroom🧠 Why no one should be spending a week writing reports🎶 Plus a very serious debate about who the best Spice Girl isIf you’re drowning in deadlines and tired of pretending that “focused” needs two S’s… this one’s for you.
About Sir You Look Tired - The Unofficial CPD for Exhausted Teachers
Sir, You Look Tired is the brutally honest podcast for exhausted teachers. Hosted by Martin (ex-teacher turned coach) and Dan (still in the classroom), this is the staffroom chat you actually want to be part of. Expect laughs, rants, and real talk on burnout, behaviour, wellbeing and surviving until half-term. Unofficial CPD at its finest.
Listen to Sir You Look Tired - The Unofficial CPD for Exhausted Teachers, The Daily Brain: Boost Your Mind and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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