Release: Coloring, Comedy, and Letting Go of Educator Burnout with Tom Filline

00:00

35:43

In this episode of Great Minds Teach Alike, we’re talking honestly about the weight educators carry and what it really takes to let some of it go. Fly Professor, Dr. Tasia Fields, opens up about her recent surgery, the physical and emotional toll of being unable to “turn her brain off,” and the research that shows just how deeply burnout is impacting today’s teachers.

To help us explore release through a different lens, Dr. Fields is joined by Tom Filline, better known online as The Angry Gym Teacher ,a PE teacher turned stand-up comedian whose viral videos capture the chaos, humor, and heart of working in schools. Together, they dive into the need for laughter, community, and intentional self-care as powerful tools for educator survival.

This episode also marks the official release of Dr. Fields’ newest wellness resource:

✨ The GMTA Adult Coloring Book for Educators a creative, restorative tool designed to help teachers decompress, reflect, and reconnect with joy.

In this episode, we explore:

Why educators struggle to “turn it off” even when their bodies demand it
What recent research says about burnout, stress, and educator mental health
How comedy and creative expression help teachers release pressure
Tom’s journey from PE teacher to viral creator and touring comedian

This is a conversation filled with truth, laughter, and reminders that you deserve rest, too.

Let’s release together. 🎧

Articles Mentioned in This Episode

“What’s Causing Teacher Burnout?” – NEA Today
“Teacher Burnout Statistics: Why Teachers Quit in 2025” – Devlin Peck

Connect with Tom Filline:

https://linktr.ee/tffilline

Connect with Dr. Tasia Fields:

📩 Have a question or want The Fly Professor to weigh in on your education dilemma? Send it HERE.

Thanks for listening. Please follow, rate, and leave a review your support helps us amplify educator voices everywhere. 🎧