Coffee and Whiteboard Markers Podcast

In this episode, we break down some of the most common misconceptions about what it actually means to be a teacher and compare them with the reality of working in schools.

We discuss:

• The myth that teachers only work during school hours
• What teacher “holidays” actually look like
• Why great teachers can still have difficult classes
• The idea that good behaviour management means never having behaviour problems
• Whether teaching gets easier with experience
• The assumption that teachers simply deliver the same lessons every year
• Why building relationships doesn't mean lowering expectations
• The work that happens behind the scenes that students and parents rarely see
• Why teaching can be incredibly rewarding while still being incredibly demanding

Some teaching myths are harmless. Others create unrealistic expectations about workload, behaviour management and what good teaching should actually look like.

This episode isn't about complaining about the profession. It's about having an honest conversation about what teaching really involves—the challenges, the misconceptions and the parts of the job that make it worthwhile.

🎙️ Coffee and Whiteboard Markers — Real talk for real teaching.

If you enjoy honest conversations about teaching, subscribe to the channel, like the episode and share it with another teacher.

Should students and teachers spend fewer weeks at school each year?

In this episode of Coffee and Whiteboard Markers, we explore the debate around shortening school terms, following the proposal from a School in Western Australia calling for a review of the length of the school year.

Rather than simply asking whether teachers need more holidays, we take a deeper look at what a shorter school year could actually mean for teachers, students, families and the education system.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why teachers supported a review of the current school calendar
• Teacher workload, burnout and wellbeing
• Whether shorter terms could improve teacher retention
• The potential impact on student wellbeing and engagement
• The disadvantages of reducing instructional time
• Childcare and logistical challenges for families
• Why the proposal was rejected by the WA Education Minister
• How Australia's school year compares with countries including Finland, Japan, Singapore, Denmark, China, the United States and the United Kingdom
• Whether countries with more instructional time actually achieve better educational outcomes
• Alternatives to shorter terms, including increased non-contact time, reduced administration and better support for teachers

The bigger question may not be "Should teachers and students have more holidays?"

Perhaps it should be:

Are we using the school year and teachers' time as effectively as we could be?

🎙️ Coffee and Whiteboard Markers — Real talk for real teaching.

If you enjoy conversations about the issues affecting Australian teachers and schools, subscribe to the channel, like the video and share this episode with another educator.

👇 Join the conversation in the comments:

Would you support shorter school terms in Australia? If not, what would you change instead?

Violence, threats and aggressive behaviour towards teachers are becoming an increasingly serious concern in Australian education. But is violence in our schools actually increasing, and if it is, what's driving it?

In this episode, we take a closer look at classroom violence against teachers and what the available Australian data tells us. We explore the experiences of teachers and school leaders, compare violence in primary and secondary schools, and examine factors that may be contributing to increasingly complex behaviour.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What Australian research tells us about violence against teachers
• Whether classroom violence is actually increasing
• Primary school vs secondary school violence
• Why student behaviour may be becoming more complex
• The impact of violence and threats on teachers
• The effect unsafe classrooms have on other students
• The difficult balance between supporting complex students and protecting staff
• Whether current consequences and behaviour policies are working
• What schools and education systems could do differently
• Why teacher safety and student wellbeing shouldn't be treated as competing priorities

If you found this episode valuable, subscribe, like the video and share it with another teacher.

And let us know in the comments:

Do you think violence and aggressive behaviour towards teachers have become worse during your time in education and what do you think needs to change?

What do you do when a student has completely checked out? They’re not disruptive; they’re not causing problems; they simply don’t seem to care anymore.

In this episode, we explore why students disengage from learning and, more importantly, what teachers can realistically do about it.

We discuss the different reasons students may stop engaging, why simply telling them to “try harder” rarely works, and how relationships, expectations, success and purpose can help bring students back into the learning process.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why students disengage in the first place
• The difference between disengagement and laziness
• Why relationships matter—but aren't the entire solution
• Creating opportunities for students to experience success
• Setting realistic expectations for disengaged students
• Practical strategies you can use in the classroom
• Knowing when to push and when to give a student some space
• Why you shouldn't take student disengagement personally

The goal isn't to magically transform every disengaged student overnight. Sometimes the first win is simply getting a student to complete one question, participate for ten minutes, or believe that they can succeed.

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the channel, like the video and share it with another teacher who might find it useful.

Teaching is full of tricky moments that no university course fully prepares you for.

In this episode we unpack some of the most common difficult situations teachers face and how we personally try to handle them in real classrooms.

We discuss:

• Students refusing to work
• Constant low-level disruption
• Defiant behaviour and pushback
• Emotional student blow-ups
• Difficult parent interactions
• What to do when lessons completely fall apart
• Managing your emotions under pressure
• Holding boundaries without damaging relationships
• The importance of calm consistency

This is not about pretending to be perfect teachers. It’s an honest conversation about the realities of teaching, the mistakes we’ve made, and the strategies that have helped us survive and improve over time.

If you’ve ever walked out of a lesson thinking, “What just happened?” — this episode is for you.

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The emotional labour of teaching is rarely talked about openly, but every teacher feels it.

In this episode we unpack the hidden weight teachers carry every day: managing behaviour while staying calm, supporting students through trauma, absorbing constant emotional pressure, and still being expected to show up positively every lesson.

We talk honestly about:

• Why teaching can feel emotionally exhausting
• The pressure of “holding it together”
• Compassion fatigue and burnout
• The emotional load teachers take home after the bell
• How boundaries and routines can protect your wellbeing

If you’ve ever finished a school day mentally drained and wondered why you’re so exhausted, this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen now and join the conversation.

Follow Coffee and Whiteboard Markers:
📩 Substack Newsletter: https://coffeeandwhiteboardmarkers.substack.com
▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CoffeeandWhiteboardMarkers
📸 Instagram: @coffeeandwhiteboardmarkers
📘 Facebook: Coffee and Whiteboard Markers

If this episode resonated with you:
⭐ Follow the podcast
⭐ Leave a review
⭐ Share this episode with another teacher who needs to hear it 

Love your work legends and many thanks for stopping by!

Years from now, your students won’t remember most of the lessons you taught, but they will remember how you made them feel.

In this episode, we unpack what truly sticks with students long after they leave the classroom. From the small moments of encouragement to the way we respond under pressure, we explore the lasting impact teachers have beyond content, curriculum, and assessment.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why students remember experiences more than information
• The power of respect, consistency, and emotional safety
• The small, everyday interactions that leave a lasting impression
• What this means for how we approach teaching day-to-day

This is a reflective episode that shifts the focus from what we teach to how we show up—and why that matters more than we often realise.

If this episode resonated with you, follow the podcast on Spotify and share it with a colleague who might need the reminder.

Like always we appreciate you being here!

In every school, there are practices that exist simply because “that’s how it’s always been done.” But in today’s classrooms, it’s worth asking: what still works and what are we holding onto that’s no longer serving students or teachers?

In this episode, we take a balanced look at old school teaching practices, the routines, systems, and habits that have stood the test of time, and the ones that may need to be rethought or let go.

We explore:

• Outdated practices that may be doing more harm than good
• Timeless strategies that still build strong classrooms
• The difference between structure and rigidity
• How to update practices without losing what makes teaching effective
• Practical ways to reflect on what’s worth keeping in your own classroom

This episode isn’t about throwing everything out—it’s about teaching with intention, not just tradition.

☕ Connect with Coffee & Whiteboard Markers

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📷 Instagram: @CoffeeandWhiteboardMarkers
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If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast on Spotify and share it with a colleague who might enjoy the conversation.

Thanks for listening, and thank you for what you do!

Classrooms today are more complex than ever. Many students arrive at school carrying stress, uncertainty, and experiences that affect how they learn, behave, and connect with others. In this episode, we explore trauma-informed practices in teaching and how small shifts in our approach can make a big difference for both students and teachers.

We discuss how trauma can show up in the classroom, why behaviour is often a form of communication, and practical ways teachers can respond with calm, consistency, and clarity. From the language we use, to the importance of predictable routines and giving students appropriate choices, this episode focuses on strategies that help create safer and more supportive learning environments.

In this episode, we explore:

• What trauma-informed teaching actually means (and what it doesn’t)
• How trauma can influence behaviour and engagement in the classroom
• The role of language, predictability, and choice in helping students feel safe
• Practical strategies teachers can use without adding more to their workload

☕ Connect with Coffee & Whiteboard Markers

▶️ YouTube: Coffee & Whiteboard Markers
📷 Instagram: @CoffeeandWhiteboardMarkers
📘 Facebook: Coffee & Whiteboard Markers
📩 Newsletter (Substack): Coffee & Whiteboard Markers

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast on Spotify and share it with a colleague who might find it helpful. Your support helps more teachers access practical ideas and honest conversations about the realities of teaching.

Teaching is one of the most meaningful professions there is, but it’s also one of the easiest to burn out in if we’re not careful. In this episode, we explore what it really means to build a sustainable career in teaching.

From setting healthy boundaries and letting go of perfectionism to protecting your time and redefining success in the classroom, we unpack practical ways teachers can stay effective, motivated, and healthy over the long term.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why do so many teachers burn out early in their careers
• The hidden habits that quietly make teaching unsustainable
• Boundaries that protect your energy without lowering your standards
• How to shift from “surviving the term” to building a career that lasts
• The mindset shifts that help teachers stay in the profession for the long run

This episode is a reminder that great teachers don’t need to sacrifice themselves to make a difference.

☕ Connect with Coffee & Whiteboard Markers

▶️ YouTube: Coffee & Whiteboard Markers
📷 Instagram: @CoffeeandWhiteboardMarkers
📘 Facebook: Coffee & Whiteboard Markers
📩 Newsletter (Substack): Coffee & Whiteboard Markers

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast on Spotify and share it with a colleague who might benefit from the conversation. Your support helps more teachers find practical strategies and encouragement for the realities of teaching.