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: recycled comments, comma queens, clip art disasters, scented buff paper, and the unspoken truth that no one’s reading all four pages anyway.

We talk about how AI can (and should) save teachers HOURS, the madness of being told you’ve “printed too much,” and how to word a glowing report for a child who once threatened to dig your grave.

Also inside:
📝 The report that got pink-highlighted for plagiarism
👀 How to write something nice about a child who swore at you
😂 “You used to be fat” – and other brutally honest moments from the classroom
🧠 Why no one should be spending a week writing reports
🎶 Plus a very serious debate about who the best Spice Girl is

If you’re drowning in deadlines and tired of pretending that “focused” needs two S’s… this one’s for you.

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 pulling themselves out.

They talk about what burnout really looks like in teaching (spoiler: it’s not just being tired), how COVID reshaped classrooms and pushed teachers to the brink, and why so many of us don’t realise we’re burnt out until everything starts to fall apart — health, happiness, relationships, even our sense of self.

From wet play horror stories and toxic appraisal culture to Night Nurse sleep hacks and triple XL shame, this one covers it all — with laughter, truth, and a lot of love for every teacher still in the trenches.

Whether you’re deep in burnout or just starting to feel the edges fray, this episode might be the one that helps you finally go: “Yeah. That’s me. And I need to do something.”

Takeaways

• Most podcasts quit after four episodes; they are at eight.
• Classroom dynamics have changed significantly post-COVID.
• Teacher burnout is a serious issue, with many educators feeling overwhelmed.
• Burnout can take away joy and motivation from teaching.
• Teachers often make over 1500 decisions a day, leading to mental exhaustion.
• Administrative tasks contribute significantly to teacher burnout.
• Emotional attachment to students adds to the stress teachers face.
• Recognizing burnout early is crucial for mental health.
• Hydration and self-care are essential for teachers.
• Teachers often feel they must sacrifice their well-being for their students. The environment in which teachers work significantly affects their mental health.
• Recognizing personal burnout is crucial for teachers.
• Creating supportive work environments can alleviate stress.
• Setting boundaries is essential for maintaining work-life balance.
• Engaging in activities outside of teaching can provide necessary relief.
• Personal growth and self-care are vital for teachers.
• Accountability can help teachers manage their workload effectively.
• Finding a supportive community can combat feelings of isolation.
• Teachers should prioritize their well-being to avoid burnout.
• It's important to remember that recovery from burnout is a journey.

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 pub to running on Red Bull and resentment.

They unpack why teachers can’t switch off, how poor sleep wrecks your mood (and your classroom management), and what lockdown forced them to face about their own wellbeing. Dan shares how staying up till 1am “for me time” nearly broke him, and Martin reveals the bedtime routine that Seamus the dog now enforces.

Expect real talk, belly laughs, and some questionable sleep stats - plus the hard truth: you deserve more than just getting by.