In this week’s episode of The Teacher’s Compass, I’m opening up a conversation that far too many women in education are silently struggling with - perimenopause.

If you’ve been feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, emotional, forgetful, or just not yourself lately, this episode is for you. You’ll hear:

• What perimenopause actually is and how it can affect your body and mind

• The subtle ways symptoms show up in the classroom and impact your confidence, focus and relationships

• Why so many women feel like they’re “burning out” when in fact their hormones are changing

• Simple, practical steps to support yourself, and how colleagues and schools can help too

• My own story of navigating perimenopause as a teacher, and what I wish I’d known sooner

This is a topic we need to talk about more openly. Because when women understand what’s really going on, they can get the help and compassion they deserve and make choices that truly support their wellbeing.

🎧 Tune in now to feel seen, supported and empowered to take back control of your health and happiness.
👉 Take the Burnout Quiz & download your Teacher Reset Guide: https://hub.theteacherscompass.com/teacher-burnout-quiz
👉 Join The Teacher’s Compass Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theteacherscompasscommunity/

Are you exhausted no matter how much you rest? Snapping at friends, family or students over little things? Feeling like the joy has gone out of teaching? These could be the early signs of burnout, and catching them now can make all the difference.

In this episode, I’m sharing:
✨ The subtle warning signs of burnout that teachers often ignore
✨ Why it’s so important to spot burnout early
✨ Practical steps you can take this week to start feeling better
✨ How to protect your energy so you can thrive — not just survive — in the classroom

Burnout doesn’t have to be the end of your teaching story. With the right tools and support, you can reset, regain control and feel like yourself again.

Resources & Links:
🔎 Take the Free Burnout Quiz:
Find out where you are on the burnout scale and get personalised tips to start your reset journey.
👉 Teacher Burnout Quiz

📖 Download the Teacher Reset Guide:
Packed with simple, practical strategies to help you take back control of your wellbeing.
👉 You'll get it instantly after you complete the quiz!

👥 Join The Teacher’s Compass Facebook Community:
Connect with like-minded teachers and TAs, share your struggles, and get encouragement from people who get it.
👉 Join the Facebook Group here

Let’s Connect:
If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a colleague who might need it, and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss next week’s episode.

You can connect with me on my social media channels or email me [email protected]

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In this episode of The Teacher’s Compass, I’m joined by my friend and fellow teacher, Louise Salt, who shares her honest experience of balancing life as a full-time Year 5 teacher and a busy mum. We dive into the realities of teacher wellbeing, the pressure of juggling it all, and the small changes that make a big difference.

We also explore the power of switching off — from social media, doom scrolling, and constant stimulation — and recommend some brilliant books to help you reconnect with yourself. Plus, we touch on how teachers can start using AI as a tool to save time and boost creativity, not just add to the overwhelm.

Whether you’re feeling stretched thin or looking for fresh ways to find balance, this episode is packed with practical insights and relatable conversation.

Our top book suggestions:

• Verity by Colleen Hoover
• The Flat Share by Beth O'Leary
• This Is Going To Hurt by Adam Kay (maybe don't read this one if you haven't already had children or are currently pregnant!)
• The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
• Let Them by Mel Robbins

If you don't already use AI in your teaching (for yourself or your class) here are some suggestions to get you started:

• Fit2Teach - UK based app that focuses on teacher wellbeing and work-life balance
• DCPro - a platform designed to streamline administrative tasks for teachers
• iSAMS - a suite of tools to support teacher workload and wellbeing
• Educator - assessment and data management tools for schools
• Teacher Tapp - an app that gathers real time data on teachers' working habits and wellbeing
• Teachwire - free lesson plans, worksheets and teaching articles across various subjects and key stages
• TeachPlan - an intuitive lesson planning tool for teachers
• EuHu - a collaborative platform offering free curriculum resources for EYFS, KS1 and KS2
• Magic School AI - free tool made specifically for teachers
• Adobe Firefly - generates images from descriptive text

If you find any of these suggestions helpful, I'd love to hear from you. Drop me a comment or get in touch via my social media channels

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In this episode of The Teacher’s Compass, I’m sharing a personal update after an unexpected break from the podcast. Life doesn’t always go to plan — and sometimes, we need to pause, breathe and focus on what truly matters. I’m talking about the importance of living in the moment, giving yourself grace and rebuilding connection when you’re ready.

I’m also so excited to introduce The Teacher’s Compass Staffroom and invite you to our online Launch Party happening this Monday! Plus, I’ll share two powerful books that have been helping me navigate the past few months: Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway and Let Them.

Come join the community, reconnect with yourself and others, and remember — you’re never alone on this journey.

👉 Here's the link for all the details about the Staffroom Launch Party!

👉 Check out our brand new website for all the latest information from The Teacher's Compass
👉 If you enjoy the episode, please leave a review on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube — it really helps us reach more teachers who need this space.

👉 Let's connect on social media, I'm on:

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In this episode of The Teacher’s Compass, I chat with Jenny Sharp, a former teacher who recently transitioned into life, career,and business coaching. Jenny trained as a teacher in 2014-2015 and spent several years in the classroom, navigating the challenges of teaching—including the impact of Covid—before making the bold decision to leave.

We discuss her journey, what led her to step away from teaching, and how she found a new sense of purpose in coaching. Jenny shares insights on transferable skills, overcoming fears around career change and practical steps for teachers who feel stuck but aren’t sure where to start.

If you’ve ever wondered what life after teaching could look like, this episode is packed with inspiration and advice!

🔗 Connect with Jenny:

Website

🔗 Join The Teacher’s Compass Community:  https://louiseschwartz.co.uk/theteacherscompass/
🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a fellow teacher who needs this!

Teaching can feel so isolating, especially as staffrooms disappear and workloads increase. In this episode of The Teacher’s Compass, I’m sharing my new mission to Bring Back the Staffroom - a movement to reconnect teachers, rebuild a sense of belonging and remind educators that they are valued. We’ll explore why community is essential for teacher wellbeing, how the loss of connection impacts confidence and morale, and practical ways to foster support inside and outside the classroom.

If you’re craving a supportive space, The Teacher’s Compass Membership is here to help. It’s a place for teachers to prioritise their wellbeing, gain clarity on their next steps and connect with like-minded educators. Click the link to find out more and join the movement, because no teacher should feel alone.

Don’t forget to leave a review on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube to help us reach more teachers like you!

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In this episode, we explore one of the most beloved perks of being a teacher: school holidays. From the much-needed rest and personal time to the challenges of adjusting to life without those long breaks, we dive into the highs and lows of having time off from the classroom.

We also discuss the transition after leaving teaching—why giving up those school holidays might not be as daunting as it seems. With new career paths, different work schedules, and the ability to create your own rhythm, life after teaching can offer just as much, if not more, freedom and fulfillment.

Whether you're a teacher contemplating a career change, someone who's already made the leap, or just curious about the lifestyle, this episode has something for you. Tune in for a candid conversation about work-life balance, personal growth, and finding happiness beyond the school holidays.

You can find out more about The Teacher's Compass by heading to my new website The Teacher's Compass

Have you ever dreamed of leaving the classroom but felt trapped by finances or uncertainty? In this episode ofThe Teacher’s Compass, I’m sharing practical and inspiring side hustle ideas that can help teachers create new income streams—and even a full-time career outside of teaching.

From selling digital products to coaching, tutoring, and content creation, I’ll walk you through real options that work, including my own journey from teacher to business owner. If you’re feeling stuck, this episode will show you that a new path is possible.

In this episode, we’ll cover:
✅ Side hustle ideas that work well for teachers.
✅ How I built my own business after leaving teaching.
✅ Why your skills are more transferable than you think.
✅ How to start small and gain confidence in your next steps.

It’s time to take back control of your career and create the freedom you deserve!

🔗 Ready for more support? JoinThe Teacher’s Compass Membership—your mental health and career growth gym!

Money is often one of the biggest concerns for teachers considering leaving the profession. In this episode of The Teacher’s Compass, we dive into the financial side of career transitions—should money be the deciding factor in leaving teaching? I’ll share my own experiences with money mindset, the fears that can hold us back, and practical steps to get your finances in order before making a big career move.

We’ll cover:

If you’re feeling financially trapped but dreaming of a new path, this episode will help you gain clarity, confidence, and a plan to move forward.

Please do get in touch if you want to chat about this or any other topic we've discussed on The Teacher's Compass Podcast.

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In this episode of The Teacher's Compass, I sit down with Lucy, a former assistant headteacher responsible for SEND, who transitioned out of teaching after being made redundant. Lucy shares her journey from the classroom to running her own franchise business, MiniMe Mindfulness Cannock Chase, and offers insights into how mindfulness can positively impact children's lives.

We explore the challenges and opportunities of life after teaching, how to navigate change with resilience, and the transferable skills that helped Lucy succeed in her new venture.

Whether you're considering a career shift or just curious about what life beyond teaching can look like, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical advice.

Discover the daily guided habit of 'Boss Your Morning®' and join the community of educators and parents who have transformed their mornings, their mindset, and their impact on the next generation. 

Learn all about the what, the why and the how of  Boss Your Morning® with our online course 'Mini Me Time'. Listeners of the Teacher's Compass Podcast can access this brand new course for FREE using this link and the coupon code MMT100LUCYFRANCE. (This course is currently going through a process to be CPD accredited - news on this coming soon).

Find out more about who we are and what we do on our website.

You can contact Lucy directly via her email - [email protected]