Welcome to Chalkboard and Chill!

In this week’s episode, Tom and Larrissa turn the staff room into an advice column, stepping in as the unofficial agony aunt and uncle to tackle real dilemmas sent in by teachers. After a classic catch-up (covering housing stress, renovations, The Sims chaos, and some very niche celebrity chat), they dive into the questions that so many teachers quietly worry about.

The pair talk honestly about imposter syndrome, bad lessons that linger longer than they should, and how to actually switch off after a tough day — with realistic advice that goes beyond self-care clichés. They share practical coping strategies, from asking for help and joint planning to being honest with classes and finding small moments of calm when emotions run high.

The conversation also explores the awkwardness of staff rooms, how teacher friendships really form, and why counting down to the holidays is less of a failing and more of a survival instinct. The episode wraps up with pits and peaks, featuring mock-marking pressure, school trips, poetry conferences, pantomimes, and a surprising amount of X Factor nostalgia.

A warm, funny, and reassuring listen for anyone in education — especially if you’ve ever felt like you’re the only one struggling (spoiler: you’re not).

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If you want to find out more or get involved in the show, head to

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Welcome to Chalkboard and Chill!

In this week’s episode, Tom and Larrissa sit down to debunk some of the most common myths about schools and teachers — the ones that refuse to die and seem to resurface at every social event.

They dive into a couple of big hitters, including the idea that teachers are “paid for the summer holidays” and that the school day neatly runs from 8:45am to 3:30pm.

Using real-life examples, they unpack what these claims miss, from the invisible hours outside the classroom to the mental load that follows teachers long after the bell rings.

The conversation opens up into a wider chat about why these myths exist, how they shape public perceptions of teaching, and the emotional impact of constantly having your job misunderstood. Along the way, Tom and Larrissa share personal reflections, relatable frustrations, and the kind of honest humour that Chalkboard & Chill listeners will recognise instantly.

A funny, thoughtful, and very relatable listen for teachers, parents, and anyone curious about what really goes on behind the classroom door.

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If you want to find out more or get involved in the show, head to https://www.instagram.com/chalkboardandchillpodcast

TikTok: @Chalkboardandchill

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Chalkboard and Chill!

In this week’s episode, Tom and Larrissa talk through a very normal school day—from early starts and half-term exhaustion to meetings, marking, duties, and the quiet chaos that fills every hour in between.

The episode kicks off with school cake (courtesy of Larrissa’s mum, officially a friend of the pod 🍰) before the pair ease into an honest conversation about morning routines, toddler wake-ups, sock curls, coffee rituals, and the calm-before-the-storm feeling that exists only before the students arrive.

They compare their daily schedules, from car park politics and printer meltdowns to meetings that definitely run longer than promised. Along the way, they reflect on the mental load of teaching: constantly scanning for risk, juggling dozens of decisions at once, and the exhaustion that comes not just from teaching, but from being “on” all day.

Naturally, things spiral into classic Chalkboard & Chill tangents—rain sending students feral, the emotional trauma of an empty printer tray, enrichment clubs that aren’t really breaks, holding your bladder for record-breaking amounts of time, and the strange peace of driving home in complete silence.

They wrap up with their peaks and pits of the week, celebrating mentoring wins and meaningful moments with students, while also acknowledging looming marking piles, teaching outside your specialism, and the pressure that builds as the term rolls on.

A funny, honest, and deeply relatable listen for anyone who’s ever worked in a school—or wondered why teachers are always so tired.

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If you want to find out more or get involved in the show, head to https://www.instagram.com/chalkboardandchillpodcast

TikTok: @Chalkboardandchill

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.