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.

Welcome to Chalkboard and Chill!

In this week’s episode, Tom and Larrissa talk about one of the most universally dreaded moments in teaching: being asked to teach a lesson that isn’t your subject specialism.

They share stories from years of covering lessons and teaching outside their comfort zones — from long-term English classes and PSHE discussions to surprise science cover, maths confusion, food tech disasters, and the ultimate panic of walking into a lesson with no resources and having to think on your feet.

They reflect on the strange politics of cover lessons, the difference between teaching kids you know versus complete strangers, and why students can “smell blood” the second they realise you’re not their usual teacher. There’s also a deep dive into PSHE: why it can be surprisingly rewarding, why it’s absolutely terrifying with younger year groups, and what happens when you accidentally end up teaching sex education while very visibly pregnant.

Naturally, things spiral into classic Chalkboard & Chill tangents — Gordon Ramsay cameos, poster-default lessons, the trauma of untouched cover work, agency cover life, and the quiet horror of realising more and more teachers are being asked to teach outside their specialisms.

They wrap up by reflecting on how close the end of term feels, the strange pre-Christmas exhaustion that hits schools hard, and the collective sense of “we’re nearly there” that keeps teachers going through the dark mornings and darker afternoons.

A funny, honest, and painfully relatable listen for anyone who’s ever walked into a classroom thinking, “Right… let’s just survive this.”-

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 about school trips—the chaotic, hilarious and occasionally traumatising rite of passage for every student and every teacher.

They reminisce about their own childhood outings, from Roman wax tablets and Drayton Manor to churning butter, meeting the Weasley twins and being dragged to some very questionable “educational” destinations. They compare the joy of being a kid on a coach with the sheer panic of being the grown-up in charge: risk assessments, permission slips, coach breakdowns and trying to shepherd 80 excitable students into a theatre without losing any (or their minds).

Naturally, things spiral into brilliant tangents—like bizarre school-trip stories from the internet (including a class watching a cat get spayed?!), kids thinking lambs are baby camels, and Comic Con memories featuring axe throwing and Japanese drumming.

They wrap up with their peaks and pits of the week, from divorced-men football commentary to the collective teacher exhaustion that hits right before Christmas.

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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 dive into the messy, funny and very real world of technology in schools.

From the days of paper registers and chaotic interactive whiteboards to today’s touchscreen screens, Google briefings and desperate reliance on Wi-Fi, they chat about how teaching has changed—especially since COVID. They talk about phone bans (which have been around forever, despite what the public seems to think), how kids forget how to be bored, why lunchtimes got louder when phones disappeared, and the weird amount of power one unplugged HDMI cable can hold over a teacher’s sanity.

As always, things spiral into brilliant tangents: mythical creatures designed by Year 8s, a student who made a mindfulness mask instead of colouring, a Subway-sandwich love poem performed with a “sick beat,” and Larrissa’s ongoing emotional battle with a class obsessed with the word “crusty.”

So if you’ve ever wrestled with tech, teens or tangled HDMI cables - or you're just here for the laughs, this one’s definitely for you.

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

TikTok: @Chalkboardandchill

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

Welcome to Chalkboard and Chill!

In this week’s episode, Larrissa and Tom dive into the world of teaching abroad, sharing the highs, lows, and everything in between from their teacher friends out in Hong Kong.

They chat about the financial perks, the calmer classroom behaviour, and the cultural and political nuances that shape the teaching landscape overseas.

From navigating new faculty dynamics to swapping stories about school trips, pets in the workplace, and the shockingly high price of Yorkshire puddings, this episode is full of honest reflections and laugh-out-loud moments.

They round things off with advice for new teachers, reminding listeners that while teaching can often feel like “surviving, not thriving,” there’s a lot of joy tucked into the chaos too.

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

TikTok: @Chalkboardandchill

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

Welcome to Chalkboard and Chill!

In this week’s episode, Larrissa and Tom chat about how they each found their way into teaching — the ups, the downs, and everything in between.

They swap stories from their training days, compare different routes into the profession, and laugh about the less glamorous parts (like endless lesson observations).

From placements that tested their patience to moments that reminded them why they love teaching, they dive into what it’s really like to start out in education and how hands-on experience often teaches more than any textbook ever could.

The conversation also touches on how much the world of teaching has changed and the many different paths you can take to get there. Larrissa and Tom reflect on what keeps them motivated, how personal experiences shape their teaching styles, and why connecting with students makes all the challenges worth it.

Whether you’re just starting your training, thinking about becoming a teacher, or reminiscing about your own classroom days, this episode is a fun, honest, and down-to-earth look at life on the teaching journey.

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

TikTok: @Chalkboardandchill

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

Welcome to Chalkboard and Chill!

In this week’s episode, Larrissa and Tom dive into the world of teacher friendships, both inside and outside the classroom. They chat about the importance of having a strong support system, why non-teacher friends can offer a much-needed fresh perspective, and how shared classroom experiences often form the foundation of lasting bonds.

The conversation also touches on the highs and lows of open evenings, the dynamics of interdepartmental friendships, and the balancing act teachers face during the hectic start of a new school year.

From venting in the staffroom to celebrating Fridays and holidays, this episode is a reminder that friendships are at the heart of surviving and thriving in the teaching profession.

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

TikTok: @Chalkboardandchill

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

Welcome to Chalkboard and Chill!

In this week's episode, Larrissa and Tom put a playful spin on teaching by asking: what would happen if Ofsted rated their actual lives?

From dodgy trainee-year diets to questionable sleep schedules and the art of looking professional on minimal rest, they laugh their way through the highs and lows of early teaching days.

As they compare the “then and now,” they uncover how far they’ve come; not just eating takeaway for dinner, but in finding real joy in their subjects and discovering how much a good night’s sleep really matters. The chat also dives into the underrated magic of extracurriculars, not only for students but for teachers trying to stay sane and balanced.

With plenty of laughs and honest reflections, Larrissa and Tom wrap up by celebrating the growth they’ve made as educators while acknowledging the daily challenges of the job. It’s a fun, relatable reminder that teaching isn’t about being “outstanding” all the time, it’s about progress, passion, and learning to look after yourself along the way.

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

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 are taking you Down Under!

They’re discussing what it’s really like teaching in Australia, from the dreamy work-life balance to the curveballs of student behavior and the quirks of the curriculum.

Along the way, they dish on teacher pay, why Aussie schools have surprisingly strict gift-giving rules, and how cultural differences can totally change the vibe in your classroom.

If you’ve ever thought about taking your teaching career abroad or just love hearing classroom stories with a twist, you won’t want to miss this one.

Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or just curious about what goes on behind the staffroom door, this episode offers an open and insightful look into the teaching profession.

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

TikTok: Chalkboardandchill

Email: [email protected]

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

Welcome to Chalkboard and Chill!

You know those teacher phrases we all swore we’d never use? Yeah… turns out we’re using them.

In this episode, Tom and Larrissa crack up (and cringe a little) over the classics like, “The bell doesn’t dismiss you, I do,” and “They behave for me.”

But it’s not just about funny one-liners! This chat gets into the real struggles behind those phrases, like how tricky it can be to hold authority in the classroom, the way language shapes student behaviour, and why teachers often feel the pressure to be superheroes. Tom and Larrissa also talk burnout, work-life balance, and why sometimes blaming school policy is the easiest way to dodge a classroom showdown!

Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or just curious about what goes on behind the staffroom door, this episode offers an open and insightful look into the teaching profession.

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

TikTok: Chalkboardandchill

Email: [email protected]

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