If Teachers Ruled the World Podcast Season 2 Cover

The Podcast for Teachers by Teachers

If teaching feels harder than it should, you’re not imagining it.

This podcast is for teachers who are doing everything they’ve been told to do. And still feeling stuck. We talk about what’s actually happening in classrooms right now, and what you can do about it.

If you’ve ever thought:

  • I’m doing everything right, so why isn’t this working?

  • My students like me, but they still won’t do the work

  • I’m exhausted and not sure what to change

You’re in the right place.

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These are the conversations teachers come back to again and again.

Episode 37 cover art for If Teachers Ruled the World podcast with Leah Cleary, airing March 24 2026. Episode title reads: You’re Not Burnt Out. You’re Set Up to Fail. Tagged as Teacher Wellness. Teal background with photo of host Leah Cleary, a smiling woman with long red hair and glasses.
If you’re exhausted and wondering why nothing is working, start here.
Episode 36 of If Teachers Ruled the World podcast with Leah Cleary, titled When "Nice' Students Still Defy You, a teaching strategies episode airing March 17, 2026.
If your students are compliant but not changing, start here.
AI policy in schools is a complete mess right now, and if you're confused, you're not alone. Federal education policy on artificial intelligence shifted 180 degrees overnight when Trump rescinded Biden's executive order, only 2 states actually require districts to have AI guidelines, and over 70% of teachers report zero AI training. Yet you're expected to navigate ChatGPT, academic integrity, and data privacy every single day. In this Teacher Reality Check, I break down what the Biden vs Trump AI policies actually mean for your classroom, which states have mandatory requirements (and what's coming in 2026), and the critical questions policymakers still aren't answering. Because while they debate federal mandates, you're the one figuring it out with real students.
A realistic look at AI in education and what actually matters for teachers.
Leah Cleary and English teacher Laura French discuss challenges in student accountability in education, including pressure on graduation rates and teacher evaluations.
If students aren’t taking ownership no matter what you try, start here.

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    Listen to the Latest Episodes:

    We've all been there - that moment when the numbers don't match our expectations, even when we know better. In this honest and vulnerable first episode of the If Teachers Ruled the World podcast, Leah shares what happened the morning AP scores were released the day before her birthday. Despite anticipating the results and seeing real growth in her students, those scores hit like a gut punch.

    The Day Before My Birthday: If Teachers Ruled the World Podcast

    Teacher burnout is real—and perfectionism often fuels it. In this debut episode of the If Teachers Ruled the World Podcast, “The Day Before My Birthday,” veteran teacher Leah Cleary opens up about the emotional toll of AP score pressure, the myth of “good enough,” and why tying our worth to student outcomes is hurting us more than helping. If you’ve ever felt like you’re failing despite your best efforts, this one’s for you.

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