Welcome to Chalkboard and Chill!

In this episode Larissa and Tom dive into the wonderfully unpredictable world of school work experience, the rite of passage that can either spark a lifelong career ambition… or leave you questioning every life choice you've ever made.

From awkward first days and questionable placements to the reality of trying to secure opportunities in today's world, they unpack why work experience still matters and how it's evolving post-pandemic. Along the way, they share hilarious stories from hospitality, education, and beyond, proving that sometimes the biggest lessons happen far away from the classroom.

Whether you're an educator organising placements, a student preparing for your first taste of the working world, or a parent wondering if your teenager will survive a week in an office, this episode is packed with practical advice, honest reflections, and plenty of laughs.

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If you want to find out more or get involved in the show, head to:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chalkboardandchillpodcast

TikTok: @Chalkboardandchill

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Chalkboard and Chill!

In this episode Larissa and Tom dive into the wonderfully chaotic ecosystem that is school staff culture, because every school has types of teachers, and honestly… you can probably picture them immediately.

From Golden Retriever energy and hyper-organised planners to the permanently exhausted veteran surviving on caffeine and sarcasm, this episode hilariously breaks down the personalities that somehow keep schools functioning. Using animal comparisons, workplace archetypes, and a few very accurate observations, Larissa and Tom reflect on their own teaching personalities and the colleagues we all know (and fear).

There’s chaos. There’s self-awareness. There’s a slightly concerning Squid Game comparison. And somehow… it all makes perfect sense.

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If you want to find out more or get involved in the show, head to:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chalkboardandchillpodcast

TikTok: @Chalkboardandchill

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Chalkboard and Chill!

In this episode Larissa and Tom tackle the age-old question: what actually makes a good teacher? And spoiler alert, it’s not just being terrifying enough to silence a classroom with one look.

From strict teachers vs the “nice” ones, to the chaos of teaching subjects you barely feel qualified for, this episode dives into the myths, pressures, and personalities behind effective teaching. Expect honest conversations about classroom presence, student perceptions, mutual respect, and why some teachers just naturally have it… while others build it through experience (and a lot of trial and error 👀).

They also unpack the balancing act between professionalism and personality, what students really notice about teachers, and whether Ofsted’s version of a “great teacher” actually matches reality.

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If you want to find out more or get involved in the show, head to:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chalkboardandchillpodcast

TikTok: @Chalkboardandchill

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.