You know when you are spending hours poring over Pinterest and Instagram for the best classroom decor - have you ever stopped to wonder if the time, energy, and money you pour into your classroom decorations are actually making a difference in your student's learning? 🌟 In this episode, we dive into the big question: What is the best classroom decor and does classroom decor really matter? Let's separate fact from fiction, dig into the educational research, and find a balance for yo...

This episode delves into the top five TED Talks for special education teachers. These talks are full of inspiration and insights and cover important topics for ALL educators (not just those in SPED) who want to enhance their understanding and approach in the classroom.Top 5 TED Talks Discussed:Cole Blakeway: "We Are All Different and That's Awesome"Celebrates differences and showcases a beautiful friendship between a young boy and a man with autism.Emphasizes that nobody needs fix...

I LOVE TED Talks. About six years ago, I posted my list of favorites for teachers on my blog, and it has been shared thousands of times. I decided it was time to update things, as the educational landscape has changed so much since then. Guess what? Even with all the changes, three of my Top 5 have withheld the test of time. Get ready to be inspired and invigorated!Top 5 TED Talks for Teachers 2024 updated:Rita Pierson - "Every Kid Needs a Champion"A heartfelt reminder of the importance ...

Teachers, have you ever considered how your mental diet could be harming you?Would your outlook improve if you could train your mind to think you live in a friendly, not hostile, universe?Then don't miss this episode of THE podcast just for teachers' well-being and true teacher self-care.In this episode of Balance Your Teacher Life, host Grace Stevens dives deep into the concept of a "mental health diet." She explains how what we consume mentally—through books, movies, podcasts, TV shows, soc...

In this episode, Grace talks with Phil Januszewski, a science teacher, keynote speaker, and positive psychology enthusiast, about practical strategies for teachers to avoid burnout and bring more joy into their lives and classrooms. This conversation is a delightful reminder to prioritize self-care and intentionally cultivate positivity.Highlights include:Meet Phil Januszewski, a high school chemistry and physics teacher, who's on a mission to help educators avoid burnout and become happier t...

🎙️ Ready for a fresh take on summer prep? Discover why less professional development for teachers and more personal growth might be your key to a rejuvenated classroom experience next year. 🌞💡In this episode of the Balance Your Teacher Life podcast, host Grace Stevens dives into a topic that sparked some controversy but holds powerful insights for educators. Grace shares her bold perspective on why teachers should prioritize personal development over professional development during their summ...

If you're feeling fed up with the lack of student accountability, chaos in the classroom, and lack of admin support, then this email is for you. I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Justin Bader - the incredible voice of reason taking over TikTok for exhausted teachers everywhere.School leaders - you MUST listen!Teachers - you will feel so seen and validated!Topics we cover in this episode:✨ The Hot Mess of Restorative PracticesThe well-intentioned but disastrous move to remove student...

Summer is here, and while you’re counting down the days until that final bell rings, are you also feeling the weight of a never-ending to-do list? Discover how to reclaim your summer and set boundaries that will leave you feeling refreshed and empowered.In this episode, I dive into the challenges educators face when summer arrives but free time doesn’t seem so free. If you’re tired of your summer being hijacked by others’ demands, this episode is for you. I share personal stories and practica...

"Stressed Out by the End of the School Year? Don't Miss These 7 Game-Changing Tips!"The end of the school year can be an exhausting whirlwind of activities, assessments, and organizational chaos. Whether you are a new teacher or a seasoned one, you will find something in these end-of-year teacher tips to take away some stress and add some fun to your precious last few days with your students. Discover the best teacher tips for:Keeping students engaged with fun, low-prep activities (no de...

Freedom From the Obligatory Teacher Duty Trap: Reclaim Your Time Without GuiltAre you drowning under a pile of extra "duties" no one else wants - graduation planning, coaching teams, chairing committees? So many teachers get stuck on the never-ending obligatory duty carousel, scared to get off for fear of looking like a slacker or letting students down. This toxicity has to stop!In this must-listen episode, learn a powerful mindset shift to escape the black hole of undesirable duties without ...

This end-of-year season can be bittersweet for teachers - especially if you have made the difficult decision to leave education. I offer words of inspiration and support to educators who are leaving and those who feel abandoned and "left behind."The decision to leave the teaching profession is rarely taken lightly, and it's important to honor the range of difficult emotions your colleagues are feeling. I hope this episode helps ❤️ and that you would consider sharing it with anyone who yo...

Have you ever had a Teacher Appreciation Week experience that, instead of leaving you feeling treasured and valued, added stress to your week and left you feeling deflated? Me too! Even with good intentions, overwhelmed administrators often miss the mark.In this episode, I give some great tips for a budget-friendly Teacher Appreciation Week and even share a few of my favorite gestures in my two decades in the classroom. Actionable tips include:❌ DON'T give gifts that create more work fo...

Tired of the toxic culture of teachers one-upping each other's struggles? In this episode, I explore how to avoid competitive misery and build a supportive community to combat teacher burnout. Highlights include: 🚨 Are you guilty of one-upping your colleagues' struggles instead of offering support?💥 The toxic effects of competitive misery on teacher morale and burnout rates⭐ Learn the "validate and bounce" strategy to disengage from negative dynamics🤝 Explore ways to build a more up...

Are you tired of "self-care" for teachers being weaponized, placing the burden of managing stress solely on you? This episode will empower you with authentic self-care strategies that go beyond the superficial and address the systemic issues educators face. Highlights include: 😟 The Ugly Truth: How "self-care" has become a buzzword that dismisses the lack of support and unrealistic expectations placed on teachers 💅 Beyond Face Masks and Pedicures: Unpacking the difference between pampering...

Last weeks episode on overcoming imposter syndrome in education hot a nerve with some listeners! Many reached out to say, "It's like you were in my head." Here's what I heard a lot:  Imposter syndrome often shows up in education when teachers consider pursuing different roles within their school or district, whether it was transitioning into administration, curriculum coaching, or specialized positions within the district office. 🎓 It shows up as fear of judgment from peers, and insecurity...

Are you ready to "Squash Imposter Syndrome and Start Showing Up as Your Authentic Self ?" Do you know that what people in hospice regret most is not having played "full out" in their lives, allowing the opinions of others and insecurities from doing what they truly wanted? Yikes 😳 One area that holds many teachers back from living their best lives is imposter syndrome. Whether you're a new teacher or a veteran, it's time to ditch the self-doubt, ditch that inner voice that worries what...

🔥 This episode goes out to any educator who has ever felt fed up and burned out because, even though they love teaching, they are constantly stressed, overwhelmed, and guilt-ridden that teaching seems to take up ALL of their time and energy. In this week's episode, I introduce you to my latest book Beat Teacher Burnout with Better Boundaries: The Secret to Thriving in Teaching Without Sacrificing Your Personal Life. I also take a moment to cheerlead and celebrate 🎉 🙌 that the book debuted...

"Create Your Own Path and Bring Your Own Sunshine" - Finding Inspiration as a Teacher You may be aware of my signature sign-off. For me, it's not a gimmick, it's a way of being, a huge part of how I avoid teacher burnout, and was my mission both as a teacher and now as an educator empowerment coach. But it has been drawing some discussion (which I love ❤️) SO in this week's episode, I break down what it means (and it IS all about empowerment) and the amazing quote that inspired it. Here are...

🧠 Do You Suffer from Teacher Brain Fog? Overcome Decision Fatigue Now! As a teacher, have you ever felt like your brain is complete mush by the end of the day? 😩 Unable to make even the simplest decisions like what to have for dinner or what to watch on Netflix?  You're not alone - it's called decision fatigue, and it's rampant in the education profession. In this insightful podcast episode, host Grace Stevens dives deep into the often-overlooked issue of decision fatigue 🥱 and its harmful...

For free and paid resources to help students of all ages deal with test anxiety visit: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Grace-Stevens-Happy-classrooms Feeling overwhelmed by school testing season? Dread seeing students suffer from crippling test anxiety? This podcast episode for educators of all grades is for you! 🌟 Learn the one skill you should be teaching all year to ensure test-taking success! 💡 Discover how to create a calm, supportive testing environment in your room. 🎯 Shift...

How to Stay Calm When Things Get Heated in the Classroom: 5 Battle-Tested Strategies Ever felt dangerously close to "losing it" with a disruptive student or challenging class? You're not alone. Escalating behaviors push even the most patient teachers to the brink. In this empowering episode, learn battle-tested techniques to: ✅ Keep your composure when tensions run high 😰 ✅ Respond vs. react to provocative student behaviors 😡 ✅ Activate your logical brain, not your fight-or-flight response...

💛 Educator inspiration for the week ahead. This week's bonus episode is about not. being so hard on yourself, and not letting one negative interaction, or one out of control student convince you that you are not a good teacher 🧑‍🏫 Listen and PAY IT FORWARD by sharing with a colleague who might need to hear this today 🎧 ➡️ 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...

🎧 What can a documentary about a cycling hero and a top business book have to teach you about how to: ✅ Reframe mindset around standardized testing gaps ❤️ Better support students who are far below grade level? A lot, as it turns out. In this week's episode, I look at the key concepts from the game-changing book "The Gap and the Gain" 📚  These key concepts can help you: ➡️ Better support students who are academically deficient, but working hard  ➡️ Help foster confidence and...

Do you ever feel like your students are bored and disinterested during lessons? 😴 Are you frustrated with scripted curriculum that leaves no room for creativity? 😤 As teachers, we want our students to be engaged and empowered, not passive. That's where project-based learning (PBL) comes in! 💡 To dig into this student-centered teaching method, I interviewed Ryan Steuer, former engineer, turned middle school teacher turned PBL expert. Ryan is the host of the PBL Simplified podcast 🎙️, the...

This week's episode is part four of our series The Ultimate Educators Handbook for Being Happier where I expand on some of the concepts in my book Positive Mindset Habits for Teachers.  THIS is the one you have been waiting for ... 🎧 Everything has been leading to this episode - where we will dive into the science AND the habits of how we can have a more positive teaching experience, right here, right now, in the circumstances that we have (not when we get our "dream class" or our "dream...