The Sunday Dread, Snack Drawers, and Surviving Lesson Observations

From phantom Ofsted visits to soggy chicken tikka sandwiches - anxiety in teaching shows up in ways you’d never expect. In this episode, Martin and Dan get real about the hidden stress of classroom life: the panic before lesson observations, the pressure to be perfect, and the guilt that creeps in when you lose your temper.

They share their own stories of burnout, snack drawer coping mechanisms, and the small habits that made a massive difference - from planning clothes to prepping lunch like it’s a Michelin-starred dish.

Expect humour, honesty, and more than one moment that’ll make you go: “Yep, that’s me.”

Whether you’ve ever cried on a Sunday night, lost your mind over a broken whiteboard pen, or just want to feel a bit more seen - this one’s for you.

Takeaways

• 45% of education staff reported experiencing anxiety in the past year.
• Anxiety in teaching often goes unrecognized until it becomes severe.
• Personal experiences of anxiety can lead to burnout.
• The pressure of lesson observations can exacerbate anxiety.
• Teachers often feel under constant scrutiny in their roles.
• Coping mechanisms, like snacks, are common among teachers.
• The teaching environment can significantly impact mental health.
• Anxiety can affect interactions with students, leading to frustration.
• Recognizing mental health issues is crucial for effective teaching.
• Creating a supportive environment can improve teacher wellbeing. Lesson observations can induce significant anxiety for teachers.
• Book scrutinies often lack meaningful impact on teaching practices.
• Effective planning can alleviate anxiety and improve teaching performance.
• Journaling serves as a powerful tool for self-reflection and stress management.
• Creating positive habits can lead to a more productive day.
• Removing oneself from negative environments is crucial for mental health.
• Over-planning lessons can lead to increased anxiety and stress.
• Meal prep can enhance well-being and excitement for the day ahead.
• Delegation is essential for effective teaching and reducing workload.
• Recognizing and addressing perfectionism can help mitigate anxiety. Anxiety is a common experience for educators.
• Self-care practices are essential for managing stress.
• Establishing routines can significantly reduce anxiety.
• Panic attacks can be debilitating but are manageable.
• Creative teaching methods can engage students and alleviate stress.
• Experience in teaching helps in reducing anxiety over time.
• Open communication about struggles can foster a supportive environment.
• Journaling can be a beneficial but challenging practice.
• Understanding that anxiety is prevalent among teachers is important.
• Controlling what you can is key to managing stress.