Show overview
The Present Teacher Podcast has been publishing since 2021, and across the 5 years since has built a catalogue of 174 episodes. That works out to roughly 50 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a fortnightly cadence.
Episodes typically run ten to twenty minutes — most land between 12 min and 20 min — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language Education show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 1 weeks ago, with 19 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2024, with 50 episodes published. Published by Helena Hains.
From the publisher
Teaching was never supposed to cost you your health, your time, or your identity. The Present Teacher Podcast is for educators who are done glorifying burnout, overwork, and self-sacrifice—and are ready to build a sustainable teaching career instead. Hosted by Helena Hains, this podcast challenges the unspoken rules of the education system and names the truths teachers are often too afraid to say out loud: burnout isn’t a personal failure, classroom chaos isn’t always a management issue, and working harder is rarely the solution. Each week, we explore the truths teachers are rarely encouraged to say out loud, including: • Why burnout isn’t a time-management problem • How interviews and school culture predict long-term exhaustion • Why classroom setup and management affect your nervous system • How to leave on time without guilt • And how to build a teaching career that doesn’t cost you yourself This podcast covers four core pillars: Teacher Interviews | Classroom Setup | Classroom Management | Time Management Inspired by Helena’s book That New Teacher Next Door: Work Less. Impact More., this show is for the teacher who knows there has to be a better way. Because the teacher next door doesn’t make herself small to make others comfortable. She knows who she is. She knows the impact she makes. And she has the courage to go after it.
Latest Episodes
View all 174 episodes#191: You Don’t Need More Time in Your Classroom This Summer: You Need a Plan
#190: How to Tell If a School Will Burn You Out Before You Accept the Job
#189: Not Every School Deserves You (Let's Talk About It)
#188: You're Not Underqualified, You're Underselling Yourself
#187: You Should Be Interviewing the School Too (Not Just the Other Way Around)
#186: If You're Saying This is Interviews You're Blending In
#185: Desperation is Costing You Job Offers (Here's What to Do Instead)
#184: The REAL Reason You're Not Getting Hired (No One Talks About This)
#183: You Don't Need More Applications: You Need More Alignment
#182: Why 'Just Get Your Foot In The Door' Is Terrible Advice for New Teachers
#181: Stop Applying to 30 Teacher Jobs: You're Doing it Wrong
#176: Why You Are Being Judged For Setting Boundaries As a Teacher
If you’ve ever: • Declined summer school • Stopped staying late • Refused to work weekends • Asked to meet during contract hours instead of after And been told you’re “not a team player”… This episode is for you. I share the first time I was publicly pressured to work summer school — including the moment admin interrupted my lesson to show me how much money I’d make — and why I still said no. We’re diving into: • Why boundaries trigger coworkers • The hidden rules of martyr teacher culture • Why judgment feels personal • What it actually means when someone resists your boundary • How boundaries create long-term sustainability You’re not being judged because you’re wrong. You’re being judged because you’re different. And different often feels threatening. Let’s unpack it. Next Steps: Download the FREE Teacher Prep Guide Read That New Teacher Next Door (+ bonus training) Join The Present Teacher Circle Download the Ultimate Teacher Prep Guide Here: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/teacher-prep-guide Grab the Book: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/book-2025 Join The Present Teacher Circle Community: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/the-present-teacher-circle ___________________________ ❤️Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thepresentteacher/🔥TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@thepresentteacher🚀Website | https://thepresentteacher.com/💜YouTube | https://youtube.com/@ThePresentTeacher?si=meqMmiDHJN-0Jmlr___________________________// RESOURCES💌 Join our email list for weekly motivation | https://www.thepresentteacher.com/teacher-prep-guide🌼 Join our Community on Facebook | https://www.thepresentteacher.com/offers/QUzcjYLT___________________________// ABOUTI’m Helena Hains, a coach for new and first-year teachers, sharing knowledge on how to have a thriving career and personal life.The Present Teacher Podcast is a resource for classroom management, classroom organization, time management, and teacher wellness. Follow along and learn how to thrive in the classroom and in life.Subscribe to The Present Teacher Podcast to get inspired by new weekly podcast episodes!
#175: You Were Trained to Feel Guilty for Leaving on Time
You Were Trained to Feel Guilty for Leaving on Time If you’ve ever walked to your car at contract time and felt that tightness in your chest… Like someone is watching. Like someone is judging. Like you should stay longer. This episode is for you. I share the first time a coworker accused me of not being a “team player” because I left on time — and why that moment changed everything for me. We’re diving into: • Where teacher guilt really comes from • How school culture reinforces martyrdom • Why leaving at contract time feels rebellious • The psychology of belonging at work • How to shift from guilt to neutrality You don’t feel guilty because you’re wrong. You feel guilty because you were trained to. Let’s untangle it. Download the Ultimate Teacher Prep Guide Here: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/teacher-prep-guide Grab the Book: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/book-2025 Join The Present Teacher Circle Community: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/the-present-teacher-circle ___________________________ ❤️Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thepresentteacher/🔥TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@thepresentteacher🚀Website | https://thepresentteacher.com/💜YouTube | https://youtube.com/@ThePresentTeacher?si=meqMmiDHJN-0Jmlr___________________________// RESOURCES💌 Join our email list for weekly motivation | https://www.thepresentteacher.com/teacher-prep-guide🌼 Join our Community on Facebook | https://www.thepresentteacher.com/offers/QUzcjYLT___________________________// ABOUTI’m Helena Hains, a coach for new and first-year teachers, sharing knowledge on how to have a thriving career and personal life.The Present Teacher Podcast is a resource for classroom management, classroom organization, time management, and teacher wellness. Follow along and learn how to thrive in the classroom and in life.Subscribe to The Present Teacher Podcast to get inspired by new weekly podcast episodes!
#174: The Biggest Lie Teachers Are Taught About Hard Work
Teachers are told from the very beginning: “If you really care, you’ll sacrifice.” Stay late. Take work home. Be a team player. Do more. Give more. Sacrifice more. In this episode, I’m exposing the biggest lie teachers are taught about hard work — and how it leads directly to burnout, resentment, and exhaustion. I share: • The year I worked day and night and still struggled with results • Real comments from coworkers and online culture • Why martyr teacher culture persists • The psychological profile of the high-achieving teacher • The cost of tying your worth to long hours • How to redefine success on your own terms You’ll walk away with: • A powerful reflection exercise • A new definition of hard work • Permission to protect your energy • A practical action step you can implement this week Because working yourself into the ground is not proof that you care. And redefining hard work isn’t laziness. It’s leadership. Next Steps: Read That New Teacher Next Door Download the FREE Teacher Prep Guide Join The Present Teacher Circle Download the Ultimate Teacher Prep Guide Here: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/teacher-prep-guide Grab the Book: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/book-2025 Join The Present Teacher Circle Community: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/the-present-teacher-circle ___________________________ ❤️Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thepresentteacher/🔥TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@thepresentteacher🚀Website | https://thepresentteacher.com/💜YouTube | https://youtube.com/@ThePresentTeacher?si=meqMmiDHJN-0Jmlr___________________________// RESOURCES💌 Join our email list for weekly motivation | https://www.thepresentteacher.com/teacher-prep-guide🌼 Join our Community on Facebook | https://www.thepresentteacher.com/offers/QUzcjYLT___________________________// ABOUTI’m Helena Hains, a coach for new and first-year teachers, sharing knowledge on how to have a thriving career and personal life.The Present Teacher Podcast is a resource for classroom management, classroom organization, time management, and teacher wellness. Follow along and learn how to thrive in the classroom and in life.Subscribe to The Present Teacher Podcast to get inspired by new weekly podcast episodes!
#173: Burnout Isn’t a Time-Management Problem (It’s a Nervous System Problem)
Burnout Isn’t a Time-Management Problem (It’s a Nervous System Problem) You don’t need another planner. You don’t need more discipline. You don’t need to “try harder.” In this episode, we’re talking about something most teacher productivity advice completely ignores: Your nervous system. I share a time when I had all the right systems in place to make teaching easier — and I still self-sabotaged. I filled my time with unnecessary tasks. Stayed late when I didn’t need to. Made simple planning take hours. Not because I lacked time management. But because calm didn’t feel safe. In this episode, we cover: • Why chronic stress keeps teachers in survival mode • What happens when your body gets used to chaos • Signs of a dysregulated nervous system • Why rest can feel uncomfortable • Practical ways to create predictability in your classroom • How systems regulate your nervous system If you’ve ever felt: “I’m doing everything right and I’m still exhausted.” This conversation will help you understand why. Burnout isn’t weakness. It’s your body asking for safety. And we can build that. Next Steps: Read That New Teacher Next Door Download the FREE Teacher Prep Guide Join The Present Teacher Circle Download the Ultimate Teacher Prep Guide Here: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/teacher-prep-guide Grab the Book: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/book-2025 Join The Present Teacher Circle Community: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/the-present-teacher-circle ___________________________ ❤️Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thepresentteacher/🔥TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@thepresentteacher🚀Website | https://thepresentteacher.com/💜YouTube | https://youtube.com/@ThePresentTeacher?si=meqMmiDHJN-0Jmlr___________________________// RESOURCES💌 Join our email list for weekly motivation | https://www.thepresentteacher.com/teacher-prep-guide🌼 Join our Community on Facebook | https://www.thepresentteacher.com/offers/QUzcjYLT___________________________// ABOUTI’m Helena Hains, a coach for new and first-year teachers, sharing knowledge on how to have a thriving career and personal life.The Present Teacher Podcast is a resource for classroom management, classroom organization, time management, and teacher wellness. Follow along and learn how to thrive in the classroom and in life.Subscribe to The Present Teacher Podcast to get inspired by new weekly podcast episodes!
#172: What “That Teacher Next Door” Actually Does Differently
You know the one. She leaves at contract time. Her classroom runs smoothly. She doesn’t look stressed. She’s planned ahead. She doesn’t bring work home. And you can’t help but wonder… How? In today’s episode, I’m breaking down what “That Teacher Next Door” actually does differently — and why it’s not about working harder. I share: • The first time I met “that teacher” • The jealousy vs. inspiration choice we all face • The moment I realized I had become her • Why systems — not luck — change everything • How to stop tying your worth to productivity • How to experiment until you find what works for YOU You’ll walk away with: • Clear action steps • Reflection questions • A new way to think about sustainable teaching • Permission to let it be easier You can either judge her. Or thank the world for showing you what’s possible. The only difference between you and her? She’s had more time experimenting. Now it’s your turn. Next Steps: Read That New Teacher Next Door Download the FREE Teacher Prep Guide Join The Present Teacher Circle Because teaching doesn’t have to be exhausting to be impactful. Download the Ultimate Teacher Prep Guide Here: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/teacher-prep-guide Grab the Book: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/book-2025 Join The Present Teacher Circle Community: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/the-present-teacher-circle ___________________________ ❤️Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thepresentteacher/🔥TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@thepresentteacher🚀Website | https://thepresentteacher.com/💜YouTube | https://youtube.com/@ThePresentTeacher?si=meqMmiDHJN-0Jmlr___________________________// RESOURCES💌 Join our email list for weekly motivation | https://www.thepresentteacher.com/teacher-prep-guide🌼 Join our Community on Facebook | https://www.thepresentteacher.com/offers/QUzcjYLT___________________________// ABOUTI’m Helena Hains, a coach for new and first-year teachers, sharing knowledge on how to have a thriving career and personal life.The Present Teacher Podcast is a resource for classroom management, classroom organization, time management, and teacher wellness. Follow along and learn how to thrive in the classroom and in life.Subscribe to The Present Teacher Podcast to get inspired by new weekly podcast episodes!
#171: Teacher Work-Life Balance Isn’t a Myth — It’s a Mindset
Is it really impossible to have work-life balance as a teacher… or were we just taught to believe that? In this episode, I’m unpacking one of the biggest lies in education: That good teachers have to be exhausted. I’m sharing the moment I realized something had to change — when I was so emotionally drained from teaching that I couldn’t even stay present during dinner with my husband. If you’ve ever: • Felt guilty for leaving at contract time • Judged yourself for wanting teaching to feel easier • Believed that burnout is just “part of the job” • Struggled with work-life balance as a new teacher This episode will shift everything for you. We’ll walk through: • Why teacher burnout is often rooted in identity • How high-achieving childhood patterns show up in teaching • The difference between impact and overworking • What “aligned action” means in your classroom • 3 mindset shifts that help you create sustainable balance Teaching is not supposed to be a constant state of sacrifice. When it becomes easier, your impact becomes deeper. You are not here to struggle. You are here to lead. If you’re ready to redefine what it means to be a “good teacher” — this episode is for you. Next Steps: Grab the book That New Teacher Next Door Download the FREE Teacher Prep Guide Join The Present Teacher Circle Because the teacher next door doesn’t burn herself out. She builds systems. She thinks differently. And she gives herself permission to let it be easy. Download the Ultimate Teacher Prep Guide Here: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/teacher-prep-guide Grab the Book: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/book-2025 Join The Present Teacher Circle Community: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/the-present-teacher-circle ___________________________ ❤️Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thepresentteacher/🔥TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@thepresentteacher🚀Website | https://thepresentteacher.com/💜YouTube | https://youtube.com/@ThePresentTeacher?si=meqMmiDHJN-0Jmlr___________________________// RESOURCES💌 Join our email list for weekly motivation | https://www.thepresentteacher.com/teacher-prep-guide🌼 Join our Community on Facebook | https://www.thepresentteacher.com/offers/QUzcjYLT___________________________// ABOUTI’m Helena Hains, a coach for new and first-year teachers, sharing knowledge on how to have a thriving career and personal life.The Present Teacher Podcast is a resource for classroom management, classroom organization, time management, and teacher wellness. Follow along and learn how to thrive in the classroom and in life.Subscribe to The Present Teacher Podcast to get inspired by new weekly podcast episodes!
#169: The 3 Systems Every Teacher Needs to Leave on Time This Year
Want to leave school at contract time without falling behind? Learn the three essential systems every teacher needs—planning, prepping, and communication—to finally stop staying late, reduce stress, and reclaim your evenings. Download the Ultimate Teacher Prep Guide Here: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/teacher-prep-guide Grab the Book: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/book-2025 Join The Present Teacher Circle Community: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/the-present-teacher-circle ___________________________ ❤️Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thepresentteacher/🔥TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@thepresentteacher🚀Website | https://thepresentteacher.com/💜YouTube | https://youtube.com/@ThePresentTeacher?si=meqMmiDHJN-0Jmlr___________________________// RESOURCES💌 Join our email list for weekly motivation | https://www.thepresentteacher.com/teacher-prep-guide🌼 Join our Community on Facebook | https://www.thepresentteacher.com/offers/QUzcjYLT___________________________// ABOUTI’m Helena Hains, a coach for new and first-year teachers, sharing knowledge on how to have a thriving career and personal life.The Present Teacher Podcast is a resource for classroom management, classroom organization, time management, and teacher wellness. Follow along and learn how to thrive in the classroom and in life.Subscribe to The Present Teacher Podcast to get inspired by new weekly podcast episodes!
#168: 3 Things to Stop Doing If You're Feeling Burnt Out Before Break
Feeling burnt out before break? Learn the top three habits contributing to teacher burnout—and what to do instead to protect your energy, work smarter, and finish the semester strong without sacrificing your well-being. Download the Ultimate Teacher Prep Guide Here: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/teacher-prep-guide Grab the Book: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/book-2025 Join The Present Teacher Circle Community: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/the-present-teacher-circle ___________________________ ❤️Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thepresentteacher/🔥TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@thepresentteacher🚀Website | https://thepresentteacher.com/💜YouTube | https://youtube.com/@ThePresentTeacher?si=meqMmiDHJN-0Jmlr___________________________// RESOURCES💌 Join our email list for weekly motivation | https://www.thepresentteacher.com/teacher-prep-guide🌼 Join our Community on Facebook | https://www.thepresentteacher.com/offers/QUzcjYLT___________________________// ABOUTI’m Helena Hains, a coach for new and first-year teachers, sharing knowledge on how to have a thriving career and personal life.The Present Teacher Podcast is a resource for classroom management, classroom organization, time management, and teacher wellness. Follow along and learn how to thrive in the classroom and in life.Subscribe to The Present Teacher Podcast to get inspired by new weekly podcast episodes!
#167: What I Wish I Knew Before My First Winter Break as a Teacher
Over winter break, it can be so hard to balance rest and productivity. During my first year of teaching, I made a lot of mistakes when it came to working ahead. Which is why today I am sharing the mistakes I made along my teaching journey. Today, we are diving into what most new teachers get wrong about winter break, the mistakes that lead to deeper burnout, and what to do instead to actually rest and recover. A must-see for first-year teachers feeling guilty for resting. Download the Ultimate Teacher Prep Guide Here: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/teacher-prep-guide Grab the Book: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/book-2025 Join The Present Teacher Circle Community: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/the-present-teacher-circle ___________________________ ❤️Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thepresentteacher/🔥TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@thepresentteacher🚀Website | https://thepresentteacher.com/💜YouTube | https://youtube.com/@ThePresentTeacher?si=meqMmiDHJN-0Jmlr___________________________// RESOURCES💌 Join our email list for weekly motivation | https://www.thepresentteacher.com/teacher-prep-guide🌼 Join our Community on Facebook | https://www.thepresentteacher.com/offers/QUzcjYLT___________________________// ABOUTI’m Helena Hains, a coach for new and first-year teachers, sharing knowledge on how to have a thriving career and personal life.The Present Teacher Podcast is a resource for classroom management, classroom organization, time management, and teacher wellness. Follow along and learn how to thrive in the classroom and in life.Subscribe to The Present Teacher Podcast to get inspired by new weekly podcast episodes!