In a single day, a teacher can experience moments of soaring triumph, crushing discouragement, immense joy, or white-hot rage. That’s why a good teacher playlist has got to be inspiring, encouraging, a little bit angry, and as varied as the profession itself.

Check out this teacher playlist to help you get through almost any situation:

1. When you’re exhausted from educating children during a global health crisis…

“It’s the End of the World as We Know It” R.E.M.

This is an obvious choice during a pandemic, but not just because of the title or strange doom and despair stream-of-consciousness lyrics. It’s perfect because of the background harmony, “Time I had some time alone, Time I had some time alone. ” repeated louder and more desperately as the song goes on. What overworked, overstressed teacher can’t relate to that right now?

2. When your virtual classroom is filled with pets…

“Who’s Zoomin Who?” Aretha Franklin

Because no matter how much time you’ve spent on the lesson, Fluffy will always be the Zoom star of the day.

3. When you’re teaching in person during a pandemic and kids don’t get personal space…

“Don’t Stand So Close to Me” The Police

While not what the song is actually about, there isn’t a more perfect tune for social distancing.

4. When you have outdoor duty and it’s freezing…

“Hazy Shade of Winter” Simon and Garfunkel

“Time, time, time…. ” The first words in this song pretty much sum up what all teachers are thinking when they have playground duty on a cold winter day. When is it time, time, time, to go in?

5. When it’s been raining for days…

“School” Nirvana

Having playground duty can be a drag, but not as much as enduring day after day of indoor recess because of foul weather. Listening to the lyrics of this song, makes you wonder if Kurt Cobain was ever a teacher.

“Won’t you believe it? It’s just my luck. No recess. No recess No recess“

6. When you’re grading papers on a Saturday…

“Everybody’s Workin’ for the Weekend” Loverboy

If you are a high school English teacher,  you can definitely relate – except the part that goes, “Everyone’s trying to get it right.” If that were true, they would have at least bothered to use spell check.

7. When students aren’t as clever as they think they are…

“I’m Not the Only One” Sam Smith

“You say I’m crazy ‘cause you don’t think I know what you’ve done.” But I do, kiddo. You cheated. And it was actually pretty obvious. 

8. When you finally caught up with grading…

“Brain Stew” Green Day

“My eyes feel like they’re gonna bleed, dried up and bulging out my skull” pretty much sums it up.

9. When you need to pee, but you can’t because you’re a teacher…

“Ain’t No Time To Go” Loretta Lynn

As a rule, teachers try to avoid double negatives, but when this Queen of Country sings, “The children need your guiding hand, ain’t no time to go,” we totally get it.

10. When yesterday was bad, but you’re determined today will be better…

“High Hope” Panic! At the Disco

Okay, so maybe this won’t be the day you “fulfill the prophecy or light up your wildest dreams,  but this song will definitely get you pumped for the day ahead.

11. When you just need a mood boost…

“Tubthumping” Chumbawamba

This oughta do the trick!

12. When someone asks why you decided to be a teacher…

“Save The World” Swedish Mafia House

Seriously! If not teachers, then who?

13. When you know you’re actually a superhero…

“Everyday Superhero” Smashmouth

After all, teaching is not for the faint of heart. It takes courage, conviction, patience, a willingness to serve, and the ability to repeat oneself 27,000 times in one day without collapsing into a puddle of despair.

14. Because even the most dedicated teachers live for Friday…

“Friday, I’m in Love” The Cure 

So, so in love!

Obviously, this isn’t a perfect teacher playlist. After all, there are as many fun, stressful, exhausting, frustrating, and inspiring teacher moments as there are songs, singers, and songwriters. So, what about you? What songs would you put on your teacher playlist?

Here are some more options:

Join us in the #teacherlife community to continue the discussion!

Here's the Perfect Teacher Playlist We All Need Right Now!