The Real Chalk Story

Balancing Graduate Studies & Teaching: Ma’am Honey Shares Her Secrets

In this episode, I sit down with someone who has been a huge part of my journey and not just as a former co-teacher, but as a friend, mentor and even my ninang sa kasal. Ma’am Honey has been teaching for 18 legendary years, balancing motherhood, career challenges, school transfers, graduate studies and now stepping into a new path after passing the National Assessment for School Heads. As I talk to her, I find myself reflecting on what it truly means to stay committed in a profession that can be heavy, demanding and emotionally draining. I ask her about her beginnings, her struggles, her evolution as a teacher, and how she continues thriving despite the pressures of the system. And honestly, hearing her story reminded me why teachers deserve far more credit than they get. In this conversation, I get real about our shared experiences... Those moments of feeling “stuck,” the difficulty of balancing family and work, the realities of promotions in DepEd, and the importance of humility and continuous learning. If you’re a teacher navigating burnout, confusion, or career crossroads, this episode will remind you that growth is still possible and that you’re not alone. Thanks for listening! If you have a story to tell as a teacher, email me at thechalkstory.info@gmail.com [thechalkstory.info@gmail.com] And follow me on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok: Your Pod Bestie, Mitchie Keywords related to this topic: Graduate studies for teachers, Doctorate, Motherhood, Mother-Teacher Duties, teacher burnout, teacher mental health, teacher resignation, why teachers resign, Philippine teachers, teaching struggles, teacher depression, teacher anxiety, burnout story, teacher motivation #TeacherPodcast #YourPodBestieMitchie #TaecherDiary

Teachers Are Breaking & No One Talks About It — A Letter That Broke Me | The Real Chalk

This episode is personal... not because it’s my story, but because it could easily have been mine. When a teacher named “Miss Lala” sent me a letter about burnout, comparing herself to others, and feeling like she’s failing at life… I felt every bit of her pain. As I read her words out loud, I also found myself confronting my own experiences: the exhaustion, the silent breakdowns, the questioning of whether I should stay, go, or start again. In this episode, I respond to her with the honesty and tenderness I wish someone once gave me. I break down her fears, guide her through her choices, and remind her that she is not weak.. she’s human. If you’re at a crossroads, feeling overwhelmed, or simply needing someone to talk to… I created this episode to be that voice for you. This is The Real Chalk where I share what my heart needed when it was breaking, and what I hope yours might need today. If you have a story to tell as a teacher, email me at thechalkstory.info@gmail.com [thechalkstory.info@gmail.com] And follow me on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok: Your Pod Bestie, Mitchie Thanks for listening! Keywords related to this topic: teacher burnout, teacher mental health, teacher resignation, why teachers resign, Philippine teachers, teaching struggles, teacher depression, teacher anxiety, burnout story, teacher motivation #TeacherPodcast #YourPodBestieMitchie #TaecherDiary

The Perfect Day in a Teacher’s Life (Does It Exist?)

THE PERFECT DAY IN A TEACHER’S LIFE (DOES IT EXIST?) “Perfect day ba kamo? Wait lang, hanapin ko muna!” 😂 Hey mga ka-Real Chalk! It’s me, your teacher bestie Mitchie, and in this episode, I’m asking one of the most delusional but hopeful questions in every teacher’s mind — does a perfect day in a teacher’s life really exist? You know, that day when no one’s late, no one’s asking “Ma’am, may class po ba?”, and no one’s chasing you for another form? Because if that day ever happens — I swear, I’ll mark it in my calendar and frame it! 😆 In this episode, I’ll walk you through some dream scenarios of what a “perfect day” could look like for us teachers — from waking up energized (yes, it happens sometimes!) to having quiet time in the faculty room, eating lunch on time, and finally seeing a full salary in your ATM with no deductions (a miracle we all deserve!). But beyond the laughter and wishful thinking, I also realized something deeper — maybe perfection isn’t about everything going right. Maybe it’s found in those small, beautiful wins we often overlook like a student finally saying thank you, a class that listens for once, or a co-teacher who shares their coffee when you need it most. So join me as I laugh, reflect and dream a little in this episode of The Real Chalk Podcast — no erasers, just real talk. Because even if a perfect day doesn’t really exist, we can always find perfect moments in the middle of the chaos. 💛 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube Music! Don’t forget to share this episode with your fellow teachers! Baka sila rin nangangarap ng perfect day today. ☕ #TheRealChalkPodcast #TeacherLife #FilipinoTeachers #TeacherMitchie #NoErasersJustRealTalk #PerfectDayForTeachers #TeacherBestie

How to Take Care of Yourself as a Teacher

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AS A TEACHER Because yes, teacher ka nga — pero TAO ka pa rin. 💛 Still surviving or barely thriving? If your eyebags have been enrolled since June and your energy level is on “low batt,” this episode is for you! Join me in this heartfelt and hilarious episode, where we talk about the most underrated subject in education — self-care! Let’s get real about burnout, boundaries and the guilt teachers feel when they finally take a break. I shared practical and relatable reminders every educator needs to hear: ☕ Rest — because overworking isn’t a badge of honor. 🚫 Set boundaries — not every GC is an emergency. 🎉 Celebrate small wins — kasi everyday survival is already an achievement! 💬 Surround yourself with positive people — energy is contagious. 🌻 Do something outside teaching — you are more than your lesson plans. Whether you’re grading papers at midnight, attending webinars back-to-back, or just trying to make it to Friday without crying in the faculty room — this episode reminds you that self-care is not selfish. Because before you can teach from the heart, you have to take care of it first. 💛 🎧 Tune in to The Real Chalk Podcast with Miss Mitchie — No erasers, just real talk. Follow and share this episode with your fellow teachers who need that gentle reminder: Uso po ang pahinga, mga ka-Chalkmates. Rest well. #TheRealChalkPodcast #TeacherLife #SelfCareForTeachers #TeacherMitchie #NoErasersJustRealTalk #FilipinoTeachers #TeacherBestie

The Real Chalk Story

Our first EP!!!! “No erasers, just real talk.” Welcome to The Real Chalk Podcast — a safe space for teachers, by a teacher, where we talk about everything raw, relatable, and real in and beyond the classroom. Hosted by Teacher Mitchie, the voice behind the viral Resignation Series, this podcast dives deep into the unfiltered truths of teaching — the burnout, the breakthroughs, and the beautiful chaos in between. From resignation to realization, Mitchie opens up about her own journey of leaving the public school system and finding purpose beyond the chalkboard. Each episode brings honest conversations, laughter, and life lessons with fellow educators, teacher influencers, and dreamers who share one thing in common: the calling to teach, grow, and keep learning. Whether you’re a teacher thinking about your next step, a student of life navigating change, or simply someone who loves real talk, this is your corner. Because here, we don’t sugarcoat. We don’t erase. We speak truth — chalk dust and all. 💛 Follow and stream The Real Chalk Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube Music. Let’s rewrite our stories, one real talk at a time. #TheRealChalkPodcast #TeacherLife #FilipinoTeachers #NoErasersJustRealTalk #TeacherMitchie