My Best Teacher: Recent Episodes
Tes
The Tes My Best Teacher podcast chats to celebrities about the teachers that had a lasting impact on their life and what made them so special. We also delve into other school memories, from great trips out to the behaviours that landed them in detention - and much more besides to show that, no matter what you go on to achieve in life, you never forget your school days.
In this My Best Teacher podcast, we chat to TV entertainer and Strictly Come Dancing star Rhys Stephenson about his time in school including: Learning to love drama at primary school Feeding horse on the way to school Giving up on backpacks at secondary school Wonderful teachers who still support him now The joy of dancing and achieving a hallowed 40 on Strictly
In this My Best Teacher podcast, we chat to journalist, author and broadcaster Samira Ahmed about her schools days including The memorable teachers that play a crucial role in her career success Why she was a sponge for most subjects at school Trips out on trains and eating hot dogs Teenage romances on skiing holidays Why eating apples outside school was once the height of bad behaviour.
We chat to legendary children's writer Michael Rosen about his school days, the many teachers he recalls with fondness and the events that took place during that time including:: A crazy phrase he brought home from nursery school that baffled his parents A frustrated actor English teacher who was a 'breathe of fresh air' A teacher who spotted his writing abilities from a young age - and let him know about it Why he wrote a new book about learning to walk again - and how it might help others The importance of empathy
We chat to the actor and writer Simon Farnaby, best known for appearing in Ghosts, Horrible Histories, and The Detectorists and for co-writing Paddington 2 about his school days, including: What it was like going to a tiny school of under 20 pupils Winning an art competition - despite not being very good at drawing An English teacher who said it was ok not to like Shakespeare Why school trips were not a source of great joy His new book, The Warrior in My Wardrobe
We chat to wildlife documentary filmmaker Gordon Buchanan about his time in education, including The teachers that he remembers with fondness - and what happened when he bumped into them again Learning a love of cooking from home economics - and eating lasagna Why he never really enjoyed times tables tests - and still doesn't Some memorable wildlife encounters Why a school trip to Germany remains his biggest 'wow' moment when travelling the world
We chat to author Sathnam Sanghera about his school days and the teachers that inspired him, including: How his English teacher changed the course of his life. The problems he faced in his PE lessons. A love of practical jokes - including one on a school trip that didn't go down well. Developing a side business in selling his packed lunches. Introducing pupils in school to a more detailed history of colonialism.
We chat to singer Gabrielle about her school days and the teachers that inspired her, including: How her English teacher inspired a love of songwriting through poetry. A school exchange when she had her first exposure to the subject of psychology. A love of PE and her netball success. Discovering a passion for performing in school plays. Bringing music back into the classroom with https://www.big-sing.com/ (The Big Sing).
We chat to TV presenter and former Paralympian Ade Adepitan about his school days, including: Using sport to settle into primary school Wonderful teachers who created lifelong memories A school trip that opened his eyes to the wonders of the world Discovering a love of wheelchair basketball Teaching young people about climate change - and how to tackle it
We chat to Homes Under the Hammer presenter and all-round TV legend Martin Roberts about his school days including: A lovely teacher who played a key role in his school life A very memorable school trip in more ways than one Not always being a model pupil His initiative to get a copy of his book Sadsville into every school during the pandemic to help children understanding their emotions
In this episode of the My Best Teacher podcast we chat to jazz musician, broadcaster and children's TV show host YolanDa Brown about: Attending an all-through school and the benefits this provided Her lovely primary teacher and thought-provoking media studies teacher How her music teacher introduced her to the power of jazz A very business-like trip to Disneyland The joy of teaching children about music through her show, YolanDa's Band Jam
In this episode of the My Best Teacher podcast we chat to Olympic sailor Ben Anslie about his school memories including: The lessons in resilience he took from his PE teacher The tricks he used to fool his physics teacher into thinking he was working The importance of school trips How school lunches became a money-making venture
In this episode of the My Best Teacher podcast we chat to children's author Cressida Cowell about her school memories including: The vital role her primary teacher played in her development as a writer The perils of not being a very organised pupil The importance of primary school libraries Her love of art - and why it's such an important subject How to develop confidence in public speaking
In this episode of the My Best Teacher podcast we chat to comedian and actress Doon Mackichan about her school days, including: A wonderful English teacher who set her on the path to stardom Doing impressions to win over other girls at school A very surreal visit back to her former school Using teachers to inspire comedy characters The importance of learning from tough times
In this episode of the My Best Teacher podcast we chat to comedian and author Shappi Khorsandi Her amazing primary school - and the teachers that made it so special Being the narrator in schools plays - and not always enjoying it Why writing a play boosted her social stock at secondary school The difficulty of picking your own children's names Why getting an A for her English A level remains one of her proudest moments
In this episode of the My Best Teacher podcast we chat to TV presenter, author and former teacher Mehreen Baig to discuss: The huge influence a single story a teacher told her had on her life A sneaky way to avoid detentions Loving school - until her wayward teenage years Why TV presenting is a doddle compared to teaching (sort of) Why she's taken the views of teachers to the masses with a Radio 4 show She reveals her own teaching secret
In this episode of the My Best Teacher podcast we chat to comedian, writer and author Charlie Higson, best known for playing a host of hilarious characters in The Fast Show. We chat about His brilliant art teacher Bob White and how influenced his thinking He recalls his slightly strange primary school A new story he's written called Worst.Holiday.Ever that draws on French exchange memories - including philosophical discussions about the wind Putting on plays inspired by Monthy Python And if any teachers informed characters on The Fast Show.
In this episode of the My Best Teacher podcast we chat to author, broadcaster and journalist Clare Balding about her school days, including: How her English teacher helped her recover from an early school setback Why dogs need to get better at video-conferencing Using sport to help define herself at school A memorable trip to Russia A new book she's written for children called Fall Off, Get Back On, Keep Going
In this episode of the My Best Teacher podcast we chat to writer, author, poet and teacher Kate Clanchy about her school days, including: Why her biology teacher was so important to her time at school A very memorable - and quite long - French exchange programme The value of creative writing for young people Arguing with her teachers Not always being the most committed cross-country runner
In this episode of the My Best Teacher podcast we chat to Ricky Wilson - the lead singer of Kaiser Chiefs and a former judge on The Voice about: How his art teacher helped guide his artistic talents Winning a conducting competition - despite not reading music His new show on CBBC - Ricky Wilson's Art Jam The joy of making your own birthday cards And one of the most bizarre punishments you'll ever hear
In this episode of the My Best Teacher podcast from Tes we chat to music legend Cerys Matthews. She tells us about: The teachers who inspired her - in more ways than one Her love of poetry and the spoken word How learning the recorder opened up a world of music Why cigarettes and acrylic jumpers don't mix
In this episode of the new My Best Teacher podcast from Tes we chat to comedian Meera Syal about: Her favourite teacher and why he was so important to her An unforgettable school trip to Belgium Why a visit to London helped opened her eyes to her future career And why she has always held teachers in high esteem
In the second episode of the My Best Teacher podcast from Tes we chat to poet and writer Lemn Sissay about: His favourite teacher and why he was so important in his development as a poet The depth of skill teachers have to nurture pupils and help them flourish The importance of school while growing up in a care home Memories of football on cold, hard muddy pitches
In the first episode of the new My Best Teacher podcast from Tes we chat to comedian Tim Vine about: His favourite teachers A memorable school trip to the Imperial War Museum Why he has items of furniture from his old school at home And much more besides...
The Tes My Best Teacher podcast chats to celebrities about the teachers that had a lasting impact on their life and what made them so special. We also delve into other school memories, from great trips out to the behaviours that landed them in detention - and much more besides to show that, no matter what you go on to achieve in life, you never forget your school days.