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.

Welcome to Chalkboard and Chill!

In this weeks episode, Tom and Larrissa dive into the challenges and experiences of returning to school after the summer break.

From the infamous training days to the excitement (and nerves) of meeting new students, they unpack the highs and lows of a teacher’s first week back. With humour, honesty, and plenty of relatable reflections, the hosts explore the dynamics of staff relationships, the pressure teachers feel to "make the most" of summer, and the emotional rollercoaster that comes with life in the classroom.

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!

In this episode, Tom and Larrissa take a trip down memory lane, diving into the relatable and often hilarious world of school life through the lens of nostalgia.

From the awkwardness of being the new kid to the legendary highs and lows of school dinners, they reflect on how these early experiences shaped them both personally and professionally. The conversation also explores the return of work experience placements, the lasting impact of great (and not-so-great) teachers, and how friendships forged in school can stick with us for life.

Whether you’re a teacher, student, or just someone who still remembers the taste of turkey twizzlers, this episode is full of heart, humour, and insights into how our past informs the way we teach and learn today.

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!

In this episode, Tom and Larrissa chat about the upcoming and much awaited summer holidays!

Touching on subjects such as teacher guilt, finding the right work / life balance in the holidays and somehow running into a student across the globe!

So if you've ever wondered what your teachers got up to during summer, here's a secret (and possibly underwhelming) insight!

Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or just love a good behind-the-scenes school story, this episode offers a hilarious and heartfelt glimpse into the classroom.

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!

In this episode, Tom and Larrissa reminisce on teaching during Covid-19!

They chat about the troubles that came with teaching virtually, the crazy amounts of absences and catching a student playing XBox during a lesson!

From the funny excuses for missing lessons to the difficult reality of trying to maintain the attention span of teenagers, this episode shows the real perspective of a teacher in 2020.

Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or just love a good behind-the-scenes school story, this episode offers a hilarious and heartfelt glimpse into the classroom.

If you want to find out more or get involved in thew 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!

In this episode, Tom and Larrissa dive headfirst into the often-misunderstood world of arts education, with a special spotlight on drama.

They chat about the common misconceptions that arts subjects are ‘easy’ or ‘less academic’, sharing their real-life experiences of lesson planning, creative teaching, and the mountain that is exam marking.

From battling stereotypes to finding joy in student engagement, this conversation unpacks what it truly means to teach arts in today's classrooms.

Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or just love a good behind-the-scenes school story, this episode offers a hilarious and heartfelt glimpse into the classroom.

If you want to find out more or get involved in thew 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!

This is the podcast where two teachers share unfiltered opinions, real stories, and all the behind-the-scenes chaos of life in the classroom.

This week, Larrissa and Tom dive into the ever-entertaining world of school life, from the joys (and headaches) of enforcing uniform policies to the reality of end-of-year teacher fatigue.

Expect plenty of laughs, eye-roll-worthy stories, and relatable reflections as they chat about the latest updates to school uniforms, the unpredictable dynamics of parent-teacher interactions, and the universal countdown to the summer holidays.

Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or just love a good behind-the-scenes school story, this episode offers a hilarious and heartfelt glimpse into the classroom.

If you want to find out more or get involved in thew 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!

This is the podcast where two teachers share unfiltered opinions, real stories, and all the behind-the-scenes chaos of life in the classroom.

In this episode, Tom and Larrissa get real about one of the toughest parts of the teaching profession, burnout. From the mythical notion of ‘game time’ to the high-stakes chaos of parents’ evenings, they reflect on what it really feels like to be a teacher navigating term-time pressures and emotional overload.

With personal stories, candid laughs, and moments of honesty, this episode unpacks the emotional and physical toll of teaching, especially during those hectic weeks when exhaustion seems to be the norm.

Whether you're winding down after a long day or gearing up for another round of parent-teacher meetings, this one’s for you.

If you want to find out more or get involved in thew 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!

This is the podcast where two teachers share unfiltered opinions, real stories, and all the behind-the-scenes chaos of life in the classroom.

In this episode, Larrissa and Tom dive deep into the chaos, pressure, and peculiar humour that define exam season in schools. From burnt-out teachers to students who ask for last-minute favours like it’s a group chat, nothing is off-limits.

They reflect on how exams shape school life—for better or worse—and share candid thoughts on the emotional toll, the unrealistic expectations, and the need for more independent, motivated learners. It's not all doom and gloom though—there are laughs, moments of classroom innocence, and even a shout-out to the importance of food during exams (snacks = survival).

Whether you're a fellow teacher, a curious parent, or just here for the bants, this episode is packed with relatable stories, sharp insights, and a reminder that education is about so much more than test scores.

If you want to find out more or get involved in thew 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.