Sir You Look Tired - The Unofficial CPD for Exhausted Teachers
Episodes
Things That Happen In Schools That Sound Fake
10 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Martin and Dan talk about the weird, frustrating and completely normal stuff that happens in schools every day, even though none of it really makes se...
How Teaching Follows You Into the Holidays
06 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Teaching doesn’t always stop just because school does.In this episode, we talk about why holidays can feel hard to actually enjoy when your brain is...
Why Teachers Live for the Holidays
03 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Teachers count down to the holidays for a reason.In this episode, Martin and Dan chat about the Easter break, the after school crash, why so many teac...
Why Teachers End Up Living on Coffee and Cake
30 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Martin and Dan talk about one of the most common habits in teaching. Skipping breakfast, grabbing coffee on the go, then spending the...
Ever felt overwhelmed by the endless paperwork in teaching?
27 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Join Martin and Dan for another episode of the pod.
The Real Reason School Inspections Are Pointless and the Damage They Cause
23 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Join Martin and Dan on another episode of Sir You Look Tired!
Supply teachers deserve union support
20 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dan McFarland and Martin explore the often underappreciated world of supply teaching, discussing its challenges, the importance of re...
Teaching is hard in ways people don’t see
16 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Join Martin and Dan as they explore the realities of teaching, the impact of technology, and the urgent need for systemic change in education. This ep...
Sometimes Teaching Sucks and that's Okay
19 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
SummaryIn this episode of "Say You Look Tired," hosts Martin and Dan reflect on their recent holiday experiences and the challenges of retur...
You Made It. That Wasn’t Easy.
19 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
SummaryIn this episode, Martin and his guest reflect on the year 2025, discussing the rapid passage of time and the importance of recognizing personal...
AI: A Teacher's New Best Friend
13 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
SummaryIn this conversation, Dan and Martin reflect on the rapid passage of time as the year comes to a close, discussing personal milestones and the ...
From Labour Ward To Christmas Concerts: Teaching, Babies and Burnout
05 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Martin and Dan discuss the challenges of parenthood, the dynamics of teaching, and the importance of maintaining a work-life balance....
The Impact of AI on Teaching: Friend or Foe? | Sir, You Look Tired
26 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Sir, You Look Tired, we discusses the potential impact of AI and tools like ChatGPT on the teaching profession. The conversation to...
Setting Boundaries and Priorities in Teaching | Sir, You Look Tired
19 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of 'Sir, You Look Tired,' Martin and Claire dive deep into the importance of putting yourself first as a teacher or business o...
Innovating Education: The Growth of Classroom Secrets | Sir, You Look Tired
12 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of 'You Look Tired,' host Martin is joined by the co-founder of Classroom Secrets, who shares her journey from being a teacher...
The Journey from Teacher to Entrepreneur | Sir, You Look Tired
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Martin on this episode of 'Sir, You Look Tired' as he welcomes Claire Riley, founder of Classroom Secrets. With Dan away, Martin dives in...
Recharge and Revive: A Teacher's Guide to Self-Care | Sir, You Look Tired
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Martin and Dan discuss the challenges and experiences of their teaching careers. We talk about the importance of setting boundaries t...
Behind the Classroom Door: The Real Stress of Teaching | Sir, You Look Tired
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Martin and Dan as they dive into an important and emotional topic that affects many educators: the intense stress and burnout associated with tea...
From Graveyards to Great Teachers: SEN Struggles & Why Fun Matters | Sir, You Look Tired
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of "Sir, You Look Tired," Martin and Dan take you on a nostalgic and honest journey through their school days - from Hallowe...
Surviving and Reflecting on Ofsted | Sir, You Look Tired
08 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to "Sir, You Look Tired" with Martin and Dan! In this episode, we dive deep into the world of Ofsted inspections, the realities...
Finding Joy in Teaching | Sir, You Look Tired
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to another episode of "Sir, You Look Tired"! Martin and Dan dive into the wild world of teaching, sharing honest stories about classroom ...
Negative Self-Talk & Setting Boundaries | Sir, You Look Tired
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to "Sir, You Look Tired"! In this episode, Martin and Dan dive deep into the realities of teaching—tackling negative self-tal...
ECT Nightmares, Boundaries & Staff Room Realities | Sir, You Look Tired
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to another episode of "Sir, You Look Tired"! Martin and Dan get real about the wild world of teaching, sharing honest stories f...
Surviving the Second Week: Glue Sticks, Meal Prep & Teacher Burnout | Sir, You Look Tired
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to another episode of "Sir, You Look Tired"! Martin and Dan dive into the chaos of the new school year, sharing real talk about teacher s...
Wellbeing Isn’t Badminton at Half Four on a Friday
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The first week back should feel like a fresh start - but for most teachers, it’s where the burnout begins. Research shows 67% of teachers say their ...
It’s Like Sunday Night Fear… But Worse
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Every teacher knows the Sunday night fear. But that first week back after summer? It’s like Sunday night fear… but worse.In this episode, Martin a...
Teachers Don’t Do New Year’s Resolutions… We Do September Ones
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
September is the real New Year for teachers. The fresh stationery, the big plans, the “this term I’ll finally…” promises.But here’s the prob...
Ten Hours a Week in Summer? That’s Not Dedication – That’s Unpaid Labour
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Teachers give enough during term time - so why are so many still handing over ten hours a week of their summer for free?In this episode, we dig into t...
Cutting Laminated Labels on a Sun Lounger at Butlins
06 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we dive into the guilt, burnout, and people-pleasing that haunts teachers all summer long. From laminating on holiday to buying IKEA ...
You Can’t Fix 10 Years of Burnout in 10 Days
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Teaching has never been harder — and if you’re stuck in the burnout loop, this episode is for you.We tackle 3 of the biggest questions we get from...
I Put the Nutella in the Bin… Then Took It Back Out
23 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What do you do when teaching has taken over your whole life… but you’re still smiling through it? In this brutally honest episode, Martin and Dan...
You're Judged on Results… Not the 30 Lives Behind Them
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Feeling stuck in the “I’ll start on Monday” cycle? You’re not alone.In this brutally honest episode of Sir, You Look Tired, we dive into what’...
Biscuits, Burnout & Boundaries
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Sir, You Look Tired, we dive into real messages from real teachers who are running on biscuits, coffee, and fumes. From snapping at...
It's a Job, Not a Life Sentence
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Sir, You Look Tired!, we’re calling out the culture that keeps teachers burnt out, guilt-ridden, and overworked.From late-night m...
I Was Hired Off a Facebook Message
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever been thrown into an interview and thought, what is happening right now? Same.In this episode, we’re swapping stories about the most ridiculous ...
You Just Colour In All Day 🤬
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Apparently, we just colour in all day.That’s the perception - and it’s doing serious damage. Because when people think teaching is easy, they also...
AI Wrote My Reports and I Regret Nothing
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Report season is here – and we’re not doing it the hard way.In this episode, Dan and Martin dive into the chaotic world of school reports: recycle...
Wine Wednesdays and Workload Misery
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this raw and honest episode, Martin and Dan dive headfirst into the burnout that nearly broke them — and the slow, messy, powerful journey of pul...
Sleep-Deprived, Caffeinated, and Marking in the Pub
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Say You Look Tired, Martin and Dan dive deep into the sleep-deprived, caffeine-fuelled world of teaching - from dragging marking to...
The Sunday Dread, Snack Drawers, and Surviving Lesson Observations
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Blah Blah Blah, The End: When Burnout Hits Before the Bell
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Martin and Dan dig into the quiet, creeping burnout that hits teachers before their careers have even started properly. It’s not the kids — it’s...
Beyond the Grades: What Ofsted Misses
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this powerful episode, Martin Malone shares an honest, behind-the-scenes look at what it’s really like to face an Ofsted inspection. From the mo...
Finding Balance: The Power of Boundaries in Teaching
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Martin and Dan discuss the critical role of boundaries in teaching and personal wellbeing. They share their contrasting experiences ...
The Burnout No One Talks About
23 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this honest and relatable conversation, Dan and Martin open up about the true realities of being a teacher — the exhaustion, the burnout, and the...
Breaking the Silence on Teacher Mental Health
10 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Martin and Dan discuss the pervasive issue of teacher burnout, exploring its causes, effects, and potential solutions. They share per...