Episodes
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Classroom organization is really important for elementary teachers. Solid organization can help you plan and prep more efficiently. As teachers, we have tons of options for how to organize our classrooms. But what are the best options that will make keeping up with classroom organization easy? In this episode, Iâm sharing 3 of my favorite tools for teacher organization.
Whatâs Covered In This Episode:
My favorite tool for digital organization - Google Drive - plus how to keep it organized. The best bins to organize your teacher resources Why drawers are a versatile tool for classroom organization and how to use them in your classroom.Links Mentioned:
Monthly Bin Labels 10 Drawer Cart Free Download: 5 Simple Tools to Organize Your ClassroomReady to be more productive during your limited prep?
Take my FREE Quiz for Elementary Teachers to find out âHow YOU Can Get More Done During Your Planning Timeâ
Send me a DM on Instagram - I love chatting with elementary teachers like you! Send me a message with your thoughts and questions about teacher time management
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Teacher moms, this oneâs for you! During the school year, we have a routine every single day. Then summer comes⊠and while the break is much needed, this big shift in routine can be challenging, especially with kids. In this episode, Iâm sharing the very flexible daily routine that I follow as a teacher mom on summer break.
Whatâs Covered In This Episode:
Why having a general routine for summer break is helpful
How I break up our day
Examples of activities we do during each part of our day
Links Mentioned:
College 2 Classroom Summit is happening TODAY: June 27th. Grab your ticket here!
Free Self Care Summer Planner
Loving the podcast? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. I'll give you a shout out on an upcoming episode, and you'll be helping other teachers decide if The Teacher Time Podcast is going to be their next listen. You can leave your review HERE. Thank you for your support, teacher friend!
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Missing episodes?
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If I could go back in time and tell my first year teacher self anything ⊠these would be the first two pieces of advice I would give. And since I canât go back in time, Iâm just recording myself sharing this advice with all of you. Whether youâre a new teacher, seasoned teacher, or somewhere in between, this episode has advice everyone can use!
Whatâs Covered In this Episode:
What makes teaching so hard during the first year (my personal experience)
The one thing you absolutely must be clear on before students step foot in your classroom
How to make teaching sustainable from the beginning
Links Mentioned:
Grab your ticket to the College 2 Classroom Virtual Summit! Iâll be guest speaking on todayâs topic. Youâll gain access to all presentations from experienced educators who are ready to help you be the best teacher you can be!
Editable Classroom Handbook
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Your school year has been busy and you are ready for summer break. But shutting your teacher brain off is easier said than done. How can you decompress after a busy school year so that youâre able to truly relax this summer? Weâll answer that question in this episode.
The rule that will help you actually take a break
How routines can be helpful tools for teachers on summer break
Ideas that will get your mind off your classroom
Links Mentioned:
End of Year Teacher Guide
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There's so much to do at the end of the school year. You have report cards to complete and a classroom to pack up. But what about your students? Maybe you feel the pressure to plan some extra fancy activities. Maybe you're so overwhelmed by everything else on your to-do list that you have no idea what to plan. I have good news - You can keep your last week plans simple, but meaningful.
What's Covered in this Episode:
Easy activity ideas for the end of the school year Tips that will save you time and energy Simple end-of-year gift ideasLinks Mentioned:
End of Year Series Playlist End of Year Checklists and Guide End of Year Slideshow Template -
It's time for a replay! This week, we're republishing a highly requested episode from our End of Year Teacher Series that went live in 2022.
This episode is the second of four in our End of Year Teacher Series. In this episode, we talk all about one thing you should be doing at the end of the school year to make your life easier later. What is it? Decluttering your classroom.
Inside the episode, I'll go through 3 steps to make sure you're tidying your classroom so you're scrambling to do it during the back to school season. You can find the full website show notes here.
What's Covered In This Episode:
The importance of decluttering A rule of thumb for deciding what to keep and what to get rid of Why you should be taking inventory of what you have How to put things back so you're not kicking yourself later -
Itâs about that time in the school year where youâre going to be packing up your classroom. Maybe you're decluttering a little bit and thinking about what you want to change for the upcoming year. Whether you're making updates to your classroom set up, classroom organization, planning, or even classroom management. In this episode, I'm sharing a big picture of the 4 ways you can make sure to be packed and organized before leaving your classroom for summer break!
What's Covered in this Episode:
What to include in your pack up steps A rule of thumb that will help you declutter The main things to organize at the end of the year What you actually want to prep nowDownload the Free End of Year Guide for checklists, tips, and a podcast playlist that will help you leave work at work over the summer.
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Does writing report card comments take hours because youâre just not sure what to write? If you dread report card season every quarter and desperately want writing comments to be easier, youâve come to the right place. In todayâs episode, weâre breaking down how to make writing report card comments easy in 3 steps.
In This Episode About Report Card Comment Tips, Youâll Learn:
How to make sure you're not writing comments at the very last minute The easiest hack to remember what you've written for students each quarter The best tip that will save you HOURS on comment writingLinks Mentioned in the Episode:
Get Done for You Report Card Comment Templates, including editable resources for you to write/save comments and go-to phrases for when you get stuck! Listen to Episode 95 for report card mistakes to avoidSend me a DM on Instagram - I love chatting with elementary teachers like you! Send me a message with your thoughts and questions about teacher time management
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Report cards can be a hefty task, I get it. If report cards have been taking you hours upon hours to do, then you are going to love this episode! Iâm sharing 3 mistakes that Iâve made when it comes to writing report cards to help you with what not to do so you can write accurate and objective report cards for your students in less than 2 hours.
What's Covered in This Episode:
A quick fix to make sure you're not super stressed during report card season How I always know what to write in report card comments (and you can too) One thing you need to make grading easierLinks Mentioned:
Report Card Comment Templates + GuideIf you're loving the podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts HERE.
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We're nearing the end of the year and your students are tired, you're tired, but learning still has to happen. How are you going to keep your students engaged? Today I'm sharing 3 engagement strategies that you can use with your students right away. Not just at the end of the year, but all the time! The best thing about these strategies is they are absolutely no-prep. The only thing you need is yourself and your students!
What's Covered In This Episode:
Why easy engagement strategies are the way to go 3 super simple ways you can engage your students and make learning fun How these engagement strategies help students practice active listening skillsLinks Mentioned In This Episode:
What's Your Secret to Weekend Freedom as a Teacher? Take the Free Quiz to find out! Send me a DM on Instagram - I love chatting with elementary teachers like you! Send me a message with your thoughts and questions about teacher time management -
This month we’ve been covering topics around teacher burnout and stress management. And I cannot think of a better way to wrap up this month’s episode than with this conversation I had with Jen Rafferty. Talking with Jen truly felt like talking with a friend who just gets it and who understands the importance of teachers taking care of themselves so they cna show up as their best selves, not only in the classroom but outside of the classroom too. There is so much to take away from thos conversation, from how to aim for a work life BLEND, not balance, what’s keeping teachers from true work satisfaction, and so much more.
Presenter and author Jen Rafferty started her teaching career as a middle school teacher in Central New York for 15 years. She founded Empowered Educator in 2020 as a response to teacher burnout during the pandemic. Jen is known for bringing her energy, humor and expertise in her presentations while inspiring educators to stay connected to their "why." Jen is a certified Emotional Intelligence Practitioner and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology.
Since its inception, the Empowered Educator has reached teachers and school leaders all over the world. Jen has been featured in Authority Magazine, Medium, Thrive Global, and VoyageMIA. She is the author of the Amazon bestseller, A Place in the Staff: Finding Your Way as a Music Teacher.
Jen's insatiable curiosity continues to make the Empowered Educator programs relevant and reflective of the most up-to-date research in mindset, leadership, and cognitive neuroscience. She is committed to inspiring teachers and school leaders to discover their voice and maintain a healthy longevity throughout their careers.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
What your sacrifice/renewal cycle is and how it’s both the problem & the solution for burnout.
Why Work/life balance is a lie
The difference between positive psychology and toxic positivity.
The impact that "Shoulds" and "supposed-to's" have on your work satisfaction
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
https://empowerededucator.com/resources
Ready to be more productive during your limited prep?
Take my FREE Quiz for Elementary Teachers to find out “How YOU Can Get More Done During Your Planning Time” -
Do you experience the Sunday Scaries as a teacher? Unfortunately, this can be a common experience, but it doesn't have to be your "normal." In this episode, we're talking about understanding what the Sunday Scaries are, why they happen, and some really simple things you can do to help eliminate those feelings.
In this Episode, You'll Learn:
What causes you to experience the Sunday Scaries How proactive planning during the week can help on Sunday Simple mindset shifts to decrease feelings of anxiety at the start of a new week Why routine is importantLinks Mentioned:
Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle Download this Free To-Do List for TeachersShop my TPT Store: Teaching Little Leaders for time-saving templates + activities
Ready to be more productive during your limited prep? Take my FREE Quiz for Elementary Teachers to find out âHow YOU Can Get More Done During Your Planning Timeâ
Send me a DM on Instagram - I love chatting with elementary teachers like you! Send me a message with your thoughts and questions about teacher time management
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Teacher burnout is unfortunately a common experience for many. But did you know that your burnout is unique to you? And how you overcome that burnout depends on what kind of burnout youâre experiencing? This week Iâm joined by Amber Harper, who shares how she used her teacher burnout as a catalyst for change and how you can too!
Amber Harper is a Kindergarten Teacher, author of Hacking Teacher Burnout, podcaster, and Teacher Burnout Coach. She gives struggling teachers a path to follow as they navigate their way out of burnout by helping them grow through their burnout and take their next best steps toward what they want from their career in education and in life. You can learn more about her and the services she offers at www.burnedinteacher.com.
In This Episode About Overcoming Teacher Burnout Youâll Learn:
Common signs of burnout Unconventional, but effective, self care tips Different types of burnout that teachers experience How that burnout can be a catalyst for changeLinks Mentioned in the Episode:
Free Quiz: Identify Your Teacher Burnout Type Hacking Teacher Burnout by Amber Harper Visit Amberâs website: http://www.burnedinteacher.com/ TPT Store Connect with Amber on InstagramReady to be more productive during your limited prep?
Take my FREE Quiz for Elementary Teachers to find out âHow YOU Can Get More Done During Your Planning Timeâ
Send me a DM on Instagram - I love chatting with elementary teachers like you! Send me a message with your thoughts and questions about teacher time management
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How often have you heard someone say they're feeling "teacher tired?" More times than you can count, right? We're all excited for Friday afternoon and the weekend break, but more often than not, many teachers spend their entire weekend working ... writing lesson plans and preparing materials.A break never happens. Recharging doesn't happen. And then we re-enter another work week on Monday feeling just as drained as we did when we left work on Friday. It's time to break this cycle!
In This Episode, You'll Learn:
Why and how to let go of the "shoulds" in your life The importance of redefining what it means to be a good teacher A practical way to use "planful problem solving" to maximize the time you haveLinks Mentioned in the Episode:
Download the Free To-Do List Template for Busy Teachers Join Prep Time Makeover Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress CycleReady to be more productive during your limited prep?
Take my FREE Quiz for Elementary Teachers to find out âHow YOU Can Get More Done During Your Planning Timeâ
Are you a fan of The Teacher Time Podcast? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts and I'll give you a shoutout in an upcoming episode!
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As a teacher, it can be frustrating when your students won't stop talking and interrupting your lessons. However, there are effective strategies you can use to manage student talking and create a more productive learning environment.
In this episode, Gina from Teaching with Heart joins me to share simple, effective ways to address constant talking in your classroom that will best support your students.
Gina is a kindergarten teacher with over 10 years of classroom experience. She is a classroom and behavior management coach for teachers both in person and online through her website, Teaching with Heart. She is passionate about helping elementary educators change challenging student behavior by figuring out the "why" behind it.
In this Episode About Managing Student Talking in your Classroom, You'll Learn:
Common responses that most teachers have when trying to stop students from talking and why they don't work
How you can start decreasing the amount of talking that's happening in your classroom
The importance of understanding the "why" behind the talking
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
Download the Free Guide: The 1 Thing You Need to Know to Stop the Constant Talking
Join Teaching Uninterrupted
Listen to Episode 62: 5 Parts to an Effective Classroom Management Plan
Teaching With Heart Website
Connect with Gina on Instagram: @teachingwithheart
Teaching with Heart TpT Store
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How many times have you sat down during your prep time and felt too exhausted to get anything done? Or by the time you do have the energy to start prepping, your planning time is over? In this episode we address what's causing that teacher tired feeling and a simple strategy that will help you have a productive prep time throughout the week.
In This Episode About Teacher Time Management, Youâll Learn:
How decision fatigue plays a role in your ability to get things done during your prep time The most common mistake teachers make that's costing time and energy What a prep routine is and why it's essential for elementary teachers Simple tips for creating your own prep routineLinks Mentioned in the Episode:
Join Prep Time Makeover! Listen to episode 87: 5 Essential Time Management Tips for Busy Teachers Listen to episode 88: 3 Common Prep Time Problems and Their SolutionsSend me a DM on Instagram - I love chatting with elementary teachers like you! Send me a message with your thoughts and questions about teacher time management
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So you want to get planned and prepped ahead of time, BUT all of these problems keep popping up during your already limited prep time. How are you ever going to catch up on everything you have to do? Is it even possible to enjoy a weekend without having your teacher bag by your side? In this episode, we are addressing some common prep time problems that elementary teachers experience AND tips and tricks to help you solve them.
In This Episode About Teacher Prep Time We Cover:
Solutions for dealing with distractions and interruptions during your prep time A practical way to combat feeling overwhelmed by your to-do list What to do if you feel like you just donât have enough timeLinks Mentioned in the Episode:
Join Prep Time Makeover Listen to Episode 86: 5 Essential Time Management Tips for Busy Elementary Teachers Listen to Episode 55: Getting Planned with 0 Minutes of Prep Time with KassandraReady to be more productive during your limited prep?
Take my FREE Quiz for Elementary Teachers to find out âHow YOU Can Get More Done During Your Planning Timeâ
Send me a DM on Instagram - I love chatting with elementary teachers like you! Send me a message with your thoughts and questions about teacher time management
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You are a busy elementary teacher with a lot on your plate and not a ton of time to do it in. This episode is kicking off our prep time productivity series, where we'll explore time management and prep time tips you haven't been getting trained on, but should be! In this episode, we will talk about essential time management strategies that every elementary teacher needs in order to make the most of their planning time so they can focus more on teaching!
In This Episode About Teacher Time Management, Youâll Learn:
How to instantly decrease mental overwhelm Strategies for minimizing distractions What to do if you find yourself multi-tasking A proven productivity strategy that will help you make the most of your timeLinks Mentioned in the Episode:
Top 10 Time Management Tips for Elementary Teachers Prep Time Makeover Pre-Sale - Get more info about the mini-training and join at a discounted rate!Ready to be more productive during your limited prep?
Take my FREE Quiz for Elementary Teachers to find out âHow YOU Can Get More Done During Your Planning Timeâ
Send me a DM on Instagram - I love chatting with elementary teachers like you! Send me a message with your thoughts and questions about teacher time management
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Ever wonder how to write a small group lesson plan that's effective but also doesn't take a ton of your time? In this episode, we'll walk through a guide to crafting plans for your small group instruction. I'm sharing my best tips and strategies for creating clear and specific objectives, warm-up activities, teaching points, and practice activities.
This episode is part 2 of 2 in our small group planning series.
In this episode about small group instruction, youâll learn:
How to write clear and specific objectives Ideas for different types of warm-up activities to use in small group instruction Tips for breaking down new skills into manageable chunks for students to learn Ideas for activities that provide students with opportunities to practice the new skillRelated Links:
Listen to Episode 84: 5 Strategies for Meaningful Small Group Instruction Small Group Lesson Planning TemplatesTake a screenshot of this episode, share it on social media, and tag me @teachinglittleleaders! Let me know which lesson planning tip was your favorite.
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Does planning for small group lessons feel like one more thing on your plate (that often gets pushed to the back burner)? If youâre struggling to fit planning for small groups into your day and looking for effective strategies that will help you keep it simple and get them done, this episode is for you!
Small group instruction is a great way to engage students and promote active learning. In this episode, youâll learn five strategies to make the most of your small-group lessons.
This episode is part 1 of 2 in a small group planning series!
In this episode about small group instruction, youâll learn:
The first thing to do if youâre feeling stuck about what to teach during small groups Why having a framework for your lessons will save you tons of time on planning (plus get an example you can use right away). An important shift in grouping that will help you plan purposeful lessonsTakea screenshot of this episode, share on social media, and tag me @teachinglittleleaders! Let me know which strategy youâre most excited to try!
In next weekâs episode, weâre diving into how to write a small group lesson plan thatâs effective in a snap. Make sure to tune in every Tuesday for more time management and planning tips that will help you keep things simple, find joy in teaching, and leave work at work!
Related Links:
Brand New Small group Template Pack! (COMING SOON - Click here to get notified when it's live) This resource has everything you need to plan lessons for your small groups! - Show more
