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 Federal education policy on artificial intelligence shifted 180 degrees overnight when Trump rescinded Biden's executive order, only 2 states actually require districts to have AI guidelines, and over 70% of teachers report zero AI training.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:

    Class size legislation sounds perfect on paper, but here's why it falls apart in real classrooms. With 1 in 8 teaching positions unfilled nationwide and 90% of teacher vacancies caused by people leaving the profession, reducing class sizes isn't just about funding. It's about teacher workload, retention, and impossible scheduling constraints. This education policy reality check explores why my AP classes have 30 students despite state caps at 21, and what would actually work instead of more legislation.

    Why Class Size Legislation Doesn’t Work

    Class size legislation sounds perfect on paper, but here’s why it falls apart in real classrooms. With 1 in 8 teaching positions unfilled nationwide and 90% of teacher vacancies caused by people leaving the profession, reducing class sizes isn’t just about funding. It’s about teacher workload, retention, and impossible scheduling constraints. This education policy reality check explores why my AP classes have 30 students despite state caps at 21, and what would actually work instead of more legislation.

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    Many teachers enter the profession with a strong sense of purpose. We’re mission-driven, intrinsically motivated, and deeply committed to making a difference. But what happens when we can’t feel that impact? In this episode of If Teachers Ruled the World, I’m talking about the emotional toll of teaching when you're burned out, the vulnerability of mission-driven educators, and how to stay grounded when your work feels invisible. If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re reaching your students or wondered how to stay motivated as a teacher, this episode is for you.

    When You Can’t Feel Your Impact: A Real Talk for Mission-Driven Teachers

    Many teachers enter the profession with a strong sense of purpose. We’re mission-driven, intrinsically motivated, and deeply committed to making a difference. But what happens when we can’t feel that impact? In this episode of If Teachers Ruled the World, I’m talking about the emotional toll of teaching when you’re burned out, the vulnerability of mission-driven educators, and how to stay grounded when your work feels invisible. If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re reaching your students or wondered how to stay motivated as a teacher, this episode is for you.

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    The ESSER funding cliff is here, and teachers are feeling it first. Over the past few months, I’ve heard from educators facing delayed paychecks, pink slips, and shrinking support staff. In this post, I’m breaking down what the end of ESSER funding actually means for teachers, how the 2025 policy reversals sent states scrambling, and what we can expect for school budgets, staffing, and salaries in the months ahead.

    ESSER Funding Cliff Explained: Why Teachers Are Losing Paychecks and Positions

    The ESSER funding cliff is here, and teachers are feeling it first. Over the past few months, I’ve heard from educators facing delayed paychecks, pink slips, and shrinking support staff. In this post, I’m breaking down what the end of ESSER funding actually means for teachers, how the 2025 policy reversals sent states scrambling, and what we can expect for school budgets, staffing, and salaries in the months ahead.

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    If your desk is buried under a mountain of student papers, you’re not alone. In this episode, I’m sharing practical teacher organization tips to help you manage paper overload, stay sane during the shift back to analog assignments, and build systems that actually work in a busy classroom.

    Teacher Organization Tips: The Great Paper Explosion

    If your desk is buried under a mountain of student papers, you’re not alone. In this episode, I’m sharing practical teacher organization tips to help you manage paper overload, stay sane during the shift back to analog assignments, and build systems that actually work in a busy classroom.

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