The end of the school year is both a time of excitement and dread. Excitement because we’re almost at summer break and dread because things can get really hectic. And it can be super stressful if you don’t plan for it correctly because there are so many factors that are out of your control that throw a wrench in your normal school routine. In today's episode, I’m covering how to prepare for the end of the school year so that it’s more manageable and possibly even enjoyable. Still figuring out...

Let's be real - teaching is a tough job, and it's not uncommon to feel like throwing in the towel at times. Between unsupportive administrators, heavy workloads, angry parents, disrespectful students, and external pressures from policymakers, it can be overwhelming to find joy in teaching. That's why it's no surprise that many teachers plan to quit after this school year if they haven't already. But if you're feeling burnt out and tired of teaching, and aren't quite ready to give up on your...

Teaching can be a rewarding and fulfilling profession, but it can also be demanding and stressful. Many teachers experience burnout and rapid aging due to the pressures of the job. In this episode, I explore the importance of self-care, stress management, and work-life balance for teachers. By following these steps, teachers can prevent rapid aging from teaching and enjoy a long and successful career in education. Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here...

Are you one of those teachers who’s a little more introverted or serious, and maybe not categorized as the “fun” teacher? Do you wish that your students were more engaged and that you had more buy-in from them without having to put on a dog and pony show? In this episode, I discuss four tricks to get a more positive classroom culture without having to be one of those bubbly extroverted teachers. Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here...

When a major event happens in your life, it can be hard to figure out how to get everything done. Teachers especially struggle with the day-to-day in terms of planning lessons, teaching, and grading, and that's without anything big happening in their lives! In today's episode, I discuss ten ways that teachers can do less and save time so that they can focus on handling tough situations in their lives. There won't always be challenging seasons, but it's good to know what to do when they...

Are you a teacher who's feeling overwhelmed with grading? You're not alone! All teachers fall behind on grading at some point in their careers, and it can be a HUGE source of stress. But don't worry, there are ways to grade faster and catch up. In this episode, we'll explore some strategies that can help you grade more efficiently without sacrificing quality. We'll discuss the importance of setting realistic grading goals, utilizing technology tools, and developing a grading system that...

One aspect of teaching that frustrates literally EVERY TEACHER is students not turning in their homework. No matter what consequences or how much extra time you give, it seems like some students just REFUSE to do any work, let alone submit it! In this episode, I discuss why students aren't turning in their work, as well as some actionable ways to finally get them to submit their homework. Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here...

Teachers tend to spend HOURS of time grading, and especially outside of their work hours. Whether you're physically taking papers home or online, grading assignments is often the bane of all teachers. Surprisingly, there ARE ways to cut down on grading without reducing the effectiveness of your teaching! In this episode, I cover 6 ways to cut down your grading without sacrificing the amount of learning in your classroom. Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide...

Many students have been struggling with their behavior in the classroom since the start of the pandemic. Parents and students went through tremendous amounts of stress and anxiety, which caused a disruption in student behavior. It can be difficult to understand why these changes are occurring, but the key here is understanding why students are feeling this way so that we can work together on developing effective solutions for everyone. Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson...

Are you tired of spending countless hours on lesson planning, grading, and answering emails? ChatGPT is here to change that! This cutting-edge AI technology can assist teachers in so many aspects of their job and make their lives in their classrooms easier. In this episode, you will learn how ChatGPT can help streamline a teacher's workflow so that they can spend more time focusing on what's important - like their students. From creating engaging lesson plans to grading assignments in a...

Many teachers today can trace their successes and difficulties in the classroom back to their own experiences when they were students. Unfortunately, if those experiences were negative or traumatic, that can affect how they interact with their current students. In this episode, I discuss how teachers’ past experiences in school can have a negative effect on their current teaching practices. I explore how these experiences can lead to students feeling overlooked or unheard, and how teachers...

A lot of teachers are truly dissatisfied and fed up with teaching for many reasons, but one of the main ones is student behavior. Students, their parents, other staff, and admin can definitely behave in ways that trigger us and make us want to give up completely. Recognizing when a situation is triggering us and our ego-based responses is crucial. In this episode, I explore what this means and how it can manifest itself in the classroom. Understanding and working on being less reactive can...

Having difficulty managing behavior in the classroom as a newer teacher? This video explores how to break the cycle of cause and effect between student behaviors and your own. Learn to be honest with yourself about your presence in the classroom, as well as how you cope with confrontation and conflict. Find out how to be a firm but a caring presence that is respected by students. But I also delve deeper into the psychological side of things. I talk about how student behavior is influenced by...

In this video, I cover how to deliver effective lessons in the classroom. It covers how to explain concepts in a way that students understand, use lectures, have students read a text, watch a video, or solve a problem. If you've been struggling with figuring out how to actually TEACH a lesson, then this video is for you. Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there...

In this episode, I discuss three bad habits that are killing student engagement in the classroom and provide strategies for educators to improve learning experiences. I look at ways to talk less, be more engaging, and be more flexible and relatable. No time to take notes? I've created a workbook with all of my tips 👉🏼 https://teachersneedteachers.com/3badhabitsyt I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can...

In today's episode, I'm discussing the pros and cons of quitting mid-year so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not to leave your job. I talk about the benefits of continuing to work through the end of the semester, as well as the potential drawbacks to leaving before a break. Whether quitting is right for you depends on your individual circumstances, but you can be confident in taking action if it is after listening to this episode. Grab my Stay or Go Checklist! I have...

It's that time of the year again - finals are quickly approaching and you have a limited amount of time to make sure your students are prepared. Preparing for any test can be an overwhelming task, but with the right strategies in place, it is possible to help your students succeed! In this episode, I cover three activities that you can do to cover all the content needed before finals or major assessments, from getting a chance to preview the test material to putting students in charge of...

With the amount of pressure and things on their to-do list, many new teachers struggle with planning effective lessons. And while they probably have knowledge of their state standards, they're not using them fully to their advantage. In today's episode, I not only break down how I would study the standards but also how I would research the scope and sequence of those standards and then look for materials. I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions,...

So you’ve survived the first couple of months of school (or maybe you were just thrown in), and you’re figuring out what you need to teach. If you’re lucky, you’ve been handed a curriculum, but that doesn’t mean you know where to start. In this episode, I’m going to go through the lesson planning process so that you not only figure out what you’re supposed to be teaching but help you figure out how to tell if your students are actually learning. Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the...

The pandemic and distance learning have been difficult for both teachers and students, but especially our special education students. In this episode, I talk to Brandie Rosen and we discuss how teachers can support our SPED students online as well as how to simplify the IEP process. How to reach Brandie: https://iepsuntangled.com/ https://brandierosenconsulting.com/ https://www.instagram.com/teachers_love_learning/ https://www.pinterest.com/brandierosenconsulting/ ...

It's been months since my last episode, but I'm back. In today's episode, I discuss where I've been, my thoughts and experiences on distance learning, and the future of the podcast. Check out my new YouTube Channel! Your Own Damn Way Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at [email protected] Connect with me Subscribe to Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or Stitcher Join my Facebook Group Message me through Instagram or Twitter

Being a new teacher is difficult for everyone, but SPED teachers have a unique set of challenges that most of us gen ed teachers never realize. Part teacher, part curriculum writer, and part parent liaison (among other things), SPED teachers wear many hats. In this episode, Brandie Rosen and I discuss not only the challenges but how to attack these without losing your mind.   How to reach Brandie: Her website Instagram Facebook Grab your free resources: SPED classroom toolkit:...

We will all have special ed, or SPED students at some point in our classrooms, and we often feel lost in terms of how to support them. New teachers especially struggle since they struggle to know things like accommodations and IEPs. So I brought on special education expert, Brandie Rosen, and we discussed all things SPED.  Sign up for the New Educator Conference in Santa Clara, CA at CTAGO.ORG Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Want to ask a question and be featured on the podcast?...

As a new teacher, can you imagine how awesome it would be if your classroom basically ran itself so that you could focus on small group and individual instruction? There are obviously a ton of ways to get a classroom to run smoothly and to keep students engaged, but what if you could do it while teaching them about personal and fiscal responsibility? In this episode, Thom Gibson describes just how he accomplishes this through a system he tweaked and innovated over the years and that he keeps...