In this heart-wrenching yet uplifting episode of the Pit Pony Podcast, we sit down with Hannah Jones, a former teacher whose passion for education carried her from the classroom to an extraordinary role as Head of Prison Education for England and Wales.

Hannah’s story is one of resilience, determination, and transformation. With a family background rooted in education and years of teaching both abroad and in the UK, Hannah believed her future lay firmly in the classroom. However, a series of personal and professional challenges - ranging from teaching in a windowless classroom to facing heartbreaking obstacles as a parent of a child with cerebral palsy - led her to reassess her path.

Hannah shares:

• Her experiences working in a rigid and unsupportive school environment.
• The breaking point that led her to walk out of teaching after only four months at a new school.
• How she rediscovered her passion for education in a new and meaningful way, leading to her current role.
• A deeply personal and emotional account of how her family navigated her husband’s rare cancer diagnosis.

This episode is a powerful reminder that life after teaching isn’t just possible - it can be transformative. Hannah’s journey proves that even in the darkest moments, there’s hope, opportunity, and a chance to thrive.

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If you've been affected by any of the issues raised in our podcast there are organisations who can help (click to access their webpages):

• Education Support
• The Samaritans
• Mind
• Andy's Man Club

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Edited with finesse by our Podcast Super Producer, Mike Roberts of Making Digital Real