EP: 69 What 35 Years Taught Me About Teaching

In this episode of Beat Teacher Burnout, I sit down with Angela, a headteacher with over 35 years in education and 25 of those leading schools. Angela brings her deep wisdom, compassion, and honesty to a conversation that every educator needs to hear.

Together, we explore what it really means to keep teaching in a sustainable way, not just surviving term by term, but staying whole as a person while serving others. Angela shares how she learned to set firm boundaries, protect her energy, and eventually recognise when it was time to step away from leadership to prioritise her wellbeing.

She speaks candidly about the pressures of leadership, the importance of alignment between personal values and school culture, and the courage it takes to say, “Enough.” From defining reasonable working hours to reframing marking and rethinking what “making a difference” really means, Angela offers practical wisdom and heartfelt truths for anyone in education today.

In this conversation, you’ll hear about:
The importance of keeping yourself whole - why your job isn’t your entire identity.
How the Serenity Prayer can guide wise choices and reduce overwhelm.
Why aligning your values with your school’s culture is essential for sustainability.
Setting clear boundaries around working hours, emails, and marking.
How to let go of perfectionism and accept that you don’t need to do everything.
Why leaving on time once a week could transform your wellbeing and productivity.
The power of teamwork over isolation and playing to collective strengths.
Knowing when to step away and why that isn’t failure it’s self-preservation.
The reminder that schools will replace you, but your family and health can’t be replaced.

Angela leaves us with a beautiful metaphor:
“If one person is blowing the trumpet at full blast and nobody else is joining in, it’s not music it’s noise. But when everyone plays their instrument at the right time, that’s when you get harmony.”

This conversation is an invitation to pause, reflect, and redefine what thriving in education really looks like.

Connect with Angela:
LinkedIn:   / angelalstanton  

Want to find out more about my new course 5 Minutes to Thrive? Go to my website at www.rowenahicks.com

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