179: The Education System is Broken - Returning to Teaching After 9 years

In this TikTok live episode, Rosie reveals she’s returning to the classroom as a relief teacher. She candidly reflects on why she left teaching before: the school culture and priorities didn’t serve students, her own mental health was suffering and she was grieving her father’s death. Moving away from family and taking her first full‑time job left her isolated and anxious. Now, older and wiser, she’s registered to teach again but on her own terms—taking short‑term assignments that allow her to bend the rules and focus on what matters.Roula and Rosie then dive into a broader discussion about the education system. Roula feels that traditional curricula are outdated and don’t match how smart and diverse today’s children are. She notes that in North America, homeschooling is growing beyond stereotypes. Both hosts agree the system, rooted in the industrial revolution, often forces children to sit still, labels active kids as having ADHD and pushes medication because there are too few resources. Rosie points out that teachers aren’t trained to handle all needs and are constrained by rigid curricula and targetsclipchamp.com. They talk about teacher burnout, jaded veterans, the lack of respect for young teachers and the frustration of not being able to be creative. Rosie’s daughter mentors at a middle school and sees how poverty and trauma affect learning, emphasising the need for compassion and support.The episode ends with a plea for educational reform and a reminder that there’s no one‑size‑fits‑all solution. Listeners are encouraged to share their own experiences with schooling and mental health.Episode HighlightsRosie’s return to teaching: She shares why she left and why she’s going back as a relief teacher.Problems with the school system: Outdated curricula, lack of resources and pressure to medicate active children.Homeschooling & alternative education: Roula discusses the rise of homeschooling in North America and why it appeals to parents seeking flexibility.Teacher burnout & creativity: Rosie explains how the industrial‑era model limits teachers, and Roula notes how jaded educators can stifle change.Mentoring troubled teens: Rosie’s daughter works with students from difficult backgrounds and sees the system’s shortcomings firsthand.Have you or your children experienced challenges in the education system? Do you homeschool or have you returned to teaching after burnout? We’d love to hear your stories! Share them in a comment or voice message, subscribe to The Rosie & Roula Show, and visit our website at rosieandroula.com for more episodes. Don’t forget to follow us on TikTok for live chats and behind‑the‑scenes content.--------------------☕️ Buy us a coffee!🎙️ Send us a voice message🛍️ Buy some Rosie and Roula merch!--------------------⭐️ Leave us a review▶️ Follow us on Instagram and TikTok🎞️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel--------------------🎧 Check out Roula's podcast🎧 Check out Rosie's podcast