What Teachers Can Learn from Ted Lasso

When Ted Lasso first showed up on screens, many viewers expected a goofy comedy about a clueless American coaching soccer in England. And yes, there’s plenty of comedy. But what has made the show truly beloved is Ted himself: his kindness, optimism, and belief in people, even when circumstances look grim.

As someone who spends my days in classrooms, I can’t help but see how Ted Lasso’s approach to coaching mirrors the best of teaching. He’s not perfect—no teacher is—but he embodies qualities that can transform a classroom into a thriving, supportive community.

Here are a few lessons from Ted that every educator (and honestly, every human) can carry with them.

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Believe in People Before They Believe in Themselves

One of Ted’s most famous moments is taping a yellow sign with the word BELIEVE above his office door. It’s simple, maybe even a little cheesy, but it becomes the heartbeat of the team.

In teaching, we often meet students who don’t yet believe in themselves. They might say, “I’m bad at math,” or “I’ll never be a good reader.” A teacher’s quiet confidence—saying, “I know you can do this, and I’m going to help you get there”—can be the turning point. Like Ted, we create environments where belief grows until kids start to carry it for themselves.

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Kindness Is a Superpower

Ted’s weapon of choice is never anger or sarcasm; it’s kindness. Even in tense moments, he chooses to respond with compassion and humor. That doesn’t mean he avoids hard truths, but he delivers them in a way that preserves dignity.

Teachers, too, have endless opportunities to wield kindness. A gentle word to a struggling student, patience with the child who forgot their homework again, or even offering grace to ourselves on tough days—it all matters. A kind classroom is a place where kids take risks, and risk-taking is at the heart of learning.

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Small Gestures Make Big Impacts

Remember Ted baking homemade biscuits for Rebecca every morning? It wasn’t about the cookies—it was about showing up consistently with thoughtfulness.

In classrooms, those small gestures add up: remembering a student’s birthday, complimenting a new haircut, or asking how soccer practice went. These little acts say, “I see you.” And for many kids, that’s life-changing.

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It’s Okay to Not Have All the Answers

Ted doesn’t know much about soccer strategy, and he admits it openly. But instead of pretending to be the expert, he empowers others (like Coach Beard or Nate, at first) to step up and share what they know.

Teachers often feel the pressure to know everything. But sometimes the best teaching moments come from saying, “That’s a great question—I don’t know, but let’s find out together.” Vulnerability not only models lifelong learning but also frees students from the fear of not being perfect.

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Relationships Come Before Results

Ted isn’t obsessed with winning games—he’s focused on developing people. Ironically, that’s what makes the team stronger.

In education, test scores and grades often dominate the conversation, but we know deep down that relationships drive real learning. A student who feels safe, respected, and cared for will achieve more than one who feels invisible, no matter how brilliant the lesson plan is.

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Laughter Builds Community

One of the reasons audiences adore Ted is his humor. He finds joy in the little things, makes corny jokes, and never takes himself too seriously.

Classrooms thrive on laughter too. A silly voice while reading aloud, a goofy dance break, or even laughing at our own mistakes shows students that school doesn’t have to be dry and serious all the time. A community that laughs together learns together.

Ted Lasso reminds us that leadership isn’t about having the loudest voice or the strictest rules—it’s about heart. Teaching, like coaching, is ultimately about guiding people to see their own potential, creating a culture of trust, and showing up with humanity every day.

We don’t need to hang a BELIEVE sign over every classroom door (though I wouldn’t stop you). What matters most is living it—believing in our students, in our colleagues, and sometimes even in ourselves when the job feels impossible.

So here’s the challenge: teach like Ted. Lead with kindness, lean into laughter, and never underestimate the power of a biscuit-level gesture. Your students will remember how you made them feel long after they’ve forgotten long division.

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✨ If this piece resonated with you, I’d be grateful if you considered supporting my work here on Vocal. Even a small donation helps me keep writing stories that celebrate teaching, learning, and kindness (and yes, maybe funding my classroom snack drawer, too). Thank you so much for reading—believe in yourself, and in your students.