What of the Ultimate Educator's Handbook wasn't about classroom management strategies, curriculum planning, or even data-driven instruction? What if what educators MOST need to learn is to avoid teacher burnout and to be happier? In this week's episode, Grace introduces her best-selling Positive Mindset Habits for Teachers and proposes the idea that the best thing you can invest in for student outcomes and yourself is to learn the skills and habits it takes to be happier. This jam-packed...

A mini-episode for overwhelmed teachers who feel guilty that some days they only have 50% of their energy to give to students.  I promise you, it's enough 💛 ➡️ to download your FREE Boundaries Blindspot Quiz for Educators go to https://www.gracestevens.com/quiz To grab your free video on the 5 Habits of the Least Stressed Teachers go to www.gracestevens.com/happy Check out the best-selling Positive Mindset Habits for Teachers book here Wanna get...

We all know that teacher burnout can be a genuine occupational hazard - but when does ordinary "teacher tired" become "tired of teaching?" In this week's 🎙️episode, we discuss all things teacher burnout, including the 5 warning signs that can let you know burnout is sneaking up on you, and, more importantly, what you can do to get yourself out of the burnout rut! This episode is for you if you're experiencing any of the following: Physical and emotional depletion (constant "teacher...

In this bonus Lunchbox Love Note episode (encouragement for teachers), I talk about how the thought of returning back to school tomorrow may have you feeling mixed emotions - and that's perfectly OK. 🧘🏼‍♀️ Take a breath and listen to my  quickie episode"virtual hug" when you need a little encouragement I believe in you. You got this 💛  Grace xoxo ➡️ to download your FREE Boundaries Blindspot Quiz for Educators go to https://www.gracestevens.com/quiz To grab your free video on the 5...

This week's 🎙️ episode is for anyone who has ever wondered if they are taking our "drink to escape/cope" culture too far. As teachers, many of us joke about needing our "lesson planning juice," but some of us have a nagging feeling that maybe our life would be better without alcohol. Educators, this is a judgment-free zone.  Listen along to my conversation with sobriety coach Casey McGuire Davidson, where we discuss all things "sober curious" for educators, including: The Allure and Cost...

Introducing Lunchbox Love Notes: Mini podcast episodes for educators who need a  virtual hug, extra teacher support, inspiration, or just the simple joy of a love note snuck in their lunchbox. This episode is titled "Enough" and works with Dr. Wayne Dyer's mantra of the three phases of "enough." From my ❤️ to your ears. Enjoy.  Grace xoxo ➡️ to download your FREE Boundaries Blindspot Quiz for Educators go to https://www.gracestevens.com/quiz To grab your free video on the 5 Habits of the...

Teachers, are you frustrated that you were SO excited for winter break, but now that it's here, you are having a hard time relaxing and being fully present with your family? I feel you!  In this 🎙️episode, we talk about how to stop worries about school robbing you of your peace and well-deserved relaxation.  I share 5 simple strategies including: 👉 Set firm cut-off dates and away messages before your break 📅 👉 Survey family on most meaningful holiday activity ❤️ 👉 Schedule a power hour to...

Buckle up educators - in this 🎙️ episode, I discuss the dark side of "going with the flow" and how it is fueling teacher burnout. I explain that people pleasing provides short-term benefits but long-term costs. As a recovering people pleaser, I dive into how this tendency that is so prevalent in educators is leading not only to teacher stress, anxiety, depression, and exhaustion - but also to deteriorating physical health. I am answering the questions such as: How did we get here?  -...

What if we told you that the secret to managing life's stressors could be as simple as tacking on a couple of extra minutes of sleep or adding a splash of protein to your breakfast? Join us for an enlightening conversation with Dr. Noami Hall, (the Recovering Educator) a seasoned educator who knows a thing or two about stress management. With her wealth of experience spanning two decades, Dr. Hall shares the five fundamental blocks to managing stress - movement, nutrition, sleep, hydration,...

The number one cause of teacher burnout is failure to set healthy boundaries. As educators, we love to please; we view ourselves as "helpers," and saying "no" doesn't come easily.  🎙️ In today's episode, I dive into the 5 biggest misconceptions that stop teachers and educators at all levels from setting them. Misconception 1 - Can't Control Others 🚫 Boundaries aren't about controlling others; they're about managing your behavior and limits.  Misconception 2 - Not My Nature 🤷‍♀️ Setting...

OK - let's get real here. Do you feel like you are beginning to experience teacher burnout? Think again! What you might actually experiencing is compassion fatigue. Do you know the difference between the two? They are two different issues - needing different approaches to address them. Don't worry - I got you!  🎧 In this week's episode, we dive into: The difference between teacher burnout and compassion fatigue 🔍Common myths and misconceptions ❌Actionable strategies to start feeling better...

Can 5 minutes of mindfulness a day really transform your classroom? 🧘‍♀️ 🎙️ In this week's episode, I chat with Kailey Lefko, co-founder of EduCalme.com, about using mindfulness and emotional regulation strategies to create calm, focused classrooms. This wonderful discussion is full of science-based strategies proven to empower students to manage their emotions and behaviors and also on how to ground yourself as their teacher. My favorite part? ⬇️ 🔑 Kailey explains the science behind...

Let me help you get ready to have the best parent-teacher conference season ever! 📝 While it can cause a lot of teacher stress, conferences are an important chance to connect with families. With some preparation, you can make conferences productive and positive!  In this episode I do do a deep dive into these top 5 strategies to help everything run smoothly. 🔑 First, leverage technology to take yourself out of the scheduling drama! It will also help you meet the needs of parents with...

Once Halloween hits, it seems the momentum of the holidays just doesn't stop! In this week's episode, I look at how to avoid holiday teacher burnout and how to calm the classroom chaos that this time of year brings.  I promise that with these five essential teacher tips, you will transform both your home and classroom environment to be a little more grace and a little less grinch. You'll learn how to: ✂️ Strategically cut back so you don't go crazy🕰 Plan for the inevitable chaos (double down...

If you are finding it hard to avoid teacher burnout and engage in true teacher self-care - this might be the piece you're missing.  Buckle up, because in this week's episode, I am about to challenge the deep-seated belief that overwork and personal sacrifice are just part of the teaching gig. Do you feel like you need to sacrifice everything for your students? It's time to empower yourself and find the proper work-life balance. First, I'll define the teacher martyr myth and examine how...

Imagine transforming your teaching day into a more peaceful, joy-filled experience. Picture a classroom where the small stuff doesn't phase you and the big stuff doesn't overwhelm you or your students (oh, happy day!) In this episode, I'm digging into Dr. Richard Carson's classic book 'Don't Sweat the Small Stuff', and picking out the top five strategies that can help you feel empowered to cut through all the noise and distractions, and save your energy for the "big stuff".  It's a classic...

In this episode, inspired by Dr. Stephen R. Covey's first chapter of "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" I discuss the ONE paradigm shift that could transform our teaching. A paradigm shift isn't just a buzzword; it's a fundamental change in how we approach or understand a situation.  ➡️ Imagine, you have the same students, the same classroom, the same co-workers, and even the same teaching materials—but your perspective changes dramatically. That's the power of a paradigm...

As an author and an avid reader, I'm obsessed with books. What if the books with the greatest power to transform your teaching and relationships with students, parents, admins, and co-workers aren't books about education? In this episode, I dive into Stephen Covey's masterpiece, 'The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.' This body of work opened my eyes, changed my thought process, and made me comfortable discussing my feelings and challenges. It was my "gateway drug" into all things...

Ready to challenge your understanding of grit and perseverance? In this episode, I  dissect the essence of Angela Duckworth's revolutionary research on grit and the potential pitfalls when her concept is misunderstood and misapplied, leading to an unhealthy grind culture in education.  Highlights of this episode include: The four psychological assets that gritty individuals tend to possessHow to cultivate grit in our students and ourselves without turning it into "grind"How the "grind"...

A key way to avoid burning out is to take time during the teaching day to rest, recharge, and connect with other adults. How often do teachers genuinely take a break? And what can you do if your common break area is where all the complainers congregate? In this episode, I discuss the science, the strategies, and the absolute necessity of taking breaks as a teacher. Topics covered include: Why taking breaks is essential to your mental health and your productivity.Fun solutions like...

A huge cause of teacher burnout is being surrounded by other educators who are constantly negative. In today's episode, we tackle these concerns head-on, exploring practical strategies for preserving your inner peace and maintaining optimism within the context of today's educational landscape, which is, let's face it, very challenging. Understand the difference between occasional venting, having a bad day, and persistent negativity. Discover the strategies and scripts to empathize with and...

Is living your best #TeacherLife contributing to your teacher burnout in ways you're unaware of? We've all been there - that point where our identity becomes so entwined with our profession that we lose sight of who we are outside the classroom.  This episode tackles that reality head-on, exposing the potential pitfalls of over-identifying with our roles as educators. From our wardrobe to our online presence, we discuss how this obsession can lead to a lack of work-life balance, overwhelm,...

Have you ever been all excited to get the roster of your new students only to find that you have a disproportionate number of students with special circumstances in your class? You're not alone, and we're here to challenge this trend.  We dive deep into the heart of class list inequality, exploring the possible reasons behind this. More importantly, we offer strategies and mindsets to feel empowered to have a successful year, anyway. It's not about complaining but about understanding reality...

Positivity can be toxic - a hard-hitting truth that many schools are unwilling to accept. Welcome to our no-holds-barred conversation on the insidious impacts of forced false positivity in education, a pretty façade that masks the real problems plaguing our education system. We debunk myths and shed light on the darker side of those "fun" activities like spirit weeks, the labeling of teachers, and the damaging effects of perpetuating a too-good-to-be-true environment. We're not advocating...

Welcome to a revolutionary episode where you'll learn the elusive art of saying 'no'. As educators, we often find ourselves donating countless hours to the school system, sometimes to our own detriment. So, how exactly do we find the delicate balance between lending a helping hand and overextending ourselves? Immerse yourself in our discussion as we explore this predicament, offering you strategies to take control of your commitments and establish healthier boundaries.  We begin by tackling...