Teachers Have Stories You Wouldn’t Believe

Every teacher has a story — the kind you can’t share at parent night, but you *have* to tell someone or you’ll burst. Over the years, I’ve swapped those stories over coffee, whispered them during staff meetings that should’ve been emails, and laughed about them in the parking lot long after the last bus left. One day I realized these stories deserved a bigger stage. That’s when Tracie Spills the Teacher Tea was born — a teacher podcast that celebrates the laughter, chaos, and heart that make up real classroom life.

Why do I think I am capable of starting a teacher podcast? Well to be honest, I’m not sure I am, but I sure do want to try. Our jobs are hard. The only people who knows how hard it is to be a teacher is another teacher. Just say the phrase worthless PD to another teacher and the are able to commiserate with you. That’s what I’m hoping this teacher podcast will be is a place for teacher to share not just the funny stories, but the heartbreaking ones, the ones that make us angry, and the ones that just have us shaking our heads in disbelief.

The Spark Behind the Microphone

Teaching is equal parts passion, patience, and sheer survival skills. We juggle lesson plans, behaviors, and the occasional mystery smell that seems to follow us home. But beneath all that, we carry stories that are funny, moving, and sometimes downright unbelievable. I wanted to create a place where teachers could share those stories anonymously, safely, and with a little humor sprinkled in. And so the idea of my teacher podcast was born.

Tracie Spills the Teacher Tea isn’t about gossip or complaints; well, it is, but  it’s about connection. It’s about hearing a story that makes you laugh so hard you cry, then realizing you’re not alone. It’s about knowing someone else has lived that same wild, wonderful, occasionally ridiculous life inside the classroom walls. That’s what makes this teacher podcast so special, it’s built by teachers, for teachers, and for anyone who’s ever wondered what really happens once the bell rings.

Real Talk from Real Teachers

Let’s be honest, some days teaching feels like running a marathon with your shoelaces tied together. But then there are the moments that stop you in your tracks: when a student finally “gets it,” when a quiet kid shines, or when something so absurd happens you have to text your coworkers immediately because no one would believe it otherwise. Those are the moments this teacher podcast captures — the heart, the humor, and the humanity of education.

Every episode pulls from real stories. Some are hilarious. Some are heartfelt. Some are the kind you only tell after school with the door closed. But they all remind us that teachers are human, and that it’s okay — even necessary — to laugh about the chaos. If you’ve got a story that fits that description, I want to hear it. Send it to spillstheteachertea@gmail.com. You can write it, record it, or send a few bullet points. I’ll do the rest, and your story could be featured in an upcoming episode.

Why Stories Matter

Teaching can be isolating, especially when it feels like no one outside the classroom really gets it. But storytelling changes that. According to Edutopia, storytelling helps build empathy, resilience, and community, three things that educators rely on every single day. When we share stories, we give each other permission to laugh, cry, and breathe. We remember that we’re part of something bigger.

That’s what I’ve always tried to do through my writing, especially my Positive Thoughts series. Those short reflections have always been about honesty and connection — the same values that power this  teacher podcast. Tracie Spills the Teacher Tea is just a new way to spread that same message, one laugh (and one sip of tea) at a time.

A Little Laughter Goes a Long Way

Some days, laughter is the only thing that gets us through. Maybe it’s when a student accidentally calls you “Mom,” or when your classroom technology decides to revolt right in the middle of your best lesson. These are the moments that keep us grounded — and remind us that even on the hard days, this job is filled with joy. My goal is to make this teacher podcast a space where we can all share that joy, find perspective, and feel a little lighter afterward.

Join the Conversation

So, are you ready to spill your tea? I’d love to feature your story in my new teacher podcast. Email me your classroom confessionals at spillstheteachertea@gmail.com. Keep it funny, heartfelt, or both — just keep it real. Every story helps paint a truer picture of what teaching looks like today, and every laugh helps make it a little easier to keep showing up tomorrow.

Grab your favorite mug, plug in your headphones, and join me. Teachers have stories you wouldn’t believe — and now we have a place to tell them. Because teaching isn’t just a career; it’s a collection of unforgettable moments that deserve to be heard.