Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers

You know the look: the blank stare, the shrugged shoulders, the quiet "I don't care" that shows up no matter how engaging the lesson or activity is. When students feel apathetic, it can be one of the most discouraging challenges in the elementary classroom. But apathy isn't a lack of ability; it's a disconnect. In today's episode, I take a deeper look at why this is happening and share practical, simple strategies you ...

There's a moment every elementary teacher experiences - the one where a behavior repeats, a parent asks a question, or an administrator says, "Can you tell me when this started?". Suddenly, you're replaying weeks of memories in your head, wishing you had written it down. Documentation may not feel like teaching, but it's one of the most powerful tools you have to protect your time, your students, and yourself. In today...

If you've ever watched a student stare at a messy desk, forget a direction you gave 10 seconds ago, or melt down at the sight of a multi-step task, you're witnessing something bigger than "behavior" - you're seeing developing executive functioning skills in action. The good news? These skills can be taught, strengthened, and practiced every single day in the elementary classroom. In this episode, I explain what executi...

There's a certain chaos that walks back into your classroom after recess or lunch with the buzzing energy, side conversations, and constant movement in students' seats. But what if those notoriously tricky transitions could become some of the calmest, most focused moments of your day? With the right strategies, those post-playtime minutes can shift from stressful to smooth...and even a little fun.  In today's episode, ...

The beginning of the year is always full of promise and hope for a successful, smooth school year - and that same optimism often extends to the support we expect from our administration. But when the reality sets in that you're suddenly navigating everything on your own, the question becomes: What now?  In today's episode, I'm sharing strategic steps you can take to regain your power, protect your boundaries, and build...

When a handful of students seem determined to derail your lesson plans, it can feel like your classroom is running you instead of the other way around. But the most successful teachers know how to redirect chaos into cooperation by understanding what's driving the disruption and transforming it into engagement. Doing so not only protects the learning environment for all students but also turns disruptive behavior into ...

Teachers naturally want to manage everything that happens in their classrooms and handle student behaviors independently. But when the tension between wanting to do it all yourself and knowing you've reached your limit starts to spill over, you've reached that pivotal moment every teacher faces, when you wonder, "Is this something I handle, or is it time to bring in admin?" In today's episode, I'm walking you through h...

Imagine walking into a classroom where students greet each other with smiles, celebrate one another's efforts, and notice the small things that make each day special. That's the power of gratitude - it transforms the classroom atmosphere from ordinary to uplifting. In today's episode, I'm sharing seven fresh, practical, and engaging ways to weave gratitude into your classroom, and why it matters so much for your studen...

Some students seem to need your help every few minutes, whether it's finding a pencil, getting assistance with an assignment, or asking what to do next. While their constant need for reassurance can feel overwhelming, these moments are golden opportunities to teach independence. In today's episode, I'm exploring why needy kids are showing up more often in classrooms, what research tells us about supporting them, and pr...

Mornings and transitions can be tricky moments for teachers, but they don't have to stay that way. By establishing clear routines and teaching students exactly how your classroom runs, you create a calm, structured, and predictable environment that leads to more engagement and productivity. In today's episode, I'm sharing several practical, low-prep strategies to help you keep your mornings, and your after-recess and l...

There comes a moment when even the most passionate teachers whisper to themselves, "I don't know if I can do this anymore". The exhaustion, the negative interactions, and the weight of it all can feel overwhelming. And while it's easy to dwell on the negative (trust me, I have!), since that noise is often louder and takes up more space in your mind, I want you to do the opposite. In this episode, I share how shifting y...

After years of letting interruptions disrupt my teaching, I realized that blurting wasn't usually about disrespect. It was about impulse control. With that mindset shift, I began approaching blurting as a skill gap my students needed help with. In today's episode, I'm sharing three simple, practical, and ready-to-use strategies to stop blurting and turn those interruptions into focused, respectful participation.

October can be one of the most engaging months of the school year when you weave in seasonal themes, keep lessons interactive, and give students ownership of their learning. This month, my goal is to help stock your seasonal resource bucket with ideas that are both effective and fun. To kick things off, today's episode shares six simple, creative strategies to keep students engaged during October, so learning stays fro...

When parents question your decisions as a teacher, it can feel like your professionalism is on trial, but it's actually an opportunity. Instead of bracing for conflict, what if you leaned in with clarity, calm, and confidence? 

As the excitement of a new school year wears off, new and challenging situations often arise. That's why I created the September Survival Series; to give you practical tips, strateg...

Every September, teachers get swept into the "stress spiral" - the endless to-do lists, stacks of papers to grade, and the constant feeling of barely keeping your head above water. But what if this season didn't have to drain you? 

In last week's episode, I kicked off the September Survival Series, which highlights how teachers can regain control and re-establish routines and procedures with confidence onc...

At the start of the school year, everything feels fresh. Students are eager, polite, and full of curiosity. But as the weeks go on, that initial sparkle can begin to fade. Routines get tested, boundaries are pushed, and the excitement starts to wear off. For most teachers, this transition tends to happen in September, when reality starts to set in.

That's why I'm launching a brand-new series called the S...

When teachers feel like their admin doesn't have their back, it can be exhausting, isolating, and even hopeless at times. But you're not powerless. In fact, there are ways to protect your well-being, advocate for yourself, and create positive change—even when support from the top is lacking. In today's episode, I'm sharing what to do when you're dealing with mean or unsupportive admin, and how to protect your peace by...

If you're a beginning teacher dealing with students who constantly ignore you, here are two things you need to know: you're not alone, and it doesn't mean you're a bad teacher. Need some good news? It doesn't have to stay this way! In today's episode, I'm sharing why students might not be listening and giving you a clear, 5-step action plan to help your students follow directions without having to repeat yourself over...

While many of us use books to support lessons or create a calm, engaging moment with our class, did you know there are other powerful ways to use them? Children's literature isn't just about telling stories. It's an effective tool for establishing expectations, modeling behavior, and building a positive classroom culture. In today's episode, I'm sharing five of my favorite children's books that will help you teach cla...