Teacher Approved: Elementary Teacher Tips & Strategies

This week we're replaying one of our favorite back-to-school episodes because it's a reminder every teacher needs: don't just prepare your classroom, prepare yourself. We're sharing simple, practical ways to create a softer landing into the school year by setting up your home life, supporting your teaching self, and planning for rest and recovery before the first day even begins. If back-to-school is starting to feel overwhelming, ...

We’ve learned the hard way that panic-prepping for back-to-school season isn’t the answer. It can leave teachers feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and still unprepared. In today’s episode, we introduce our simple three-step Overwhelm Buster to help you take back control! Join us as we talk through practical ways to calm your nervous system, prioritize the tasks that matter most, and create a realistic plan so you ca...

Have you ever left a conference or PD full of inspiration... only to realize you never actually used any of those great ideas? In this replay episode, we’re sharing a simple framework to help you get the most out of Teacher Summer Talks, from choosing the sessions that fit your biggest needs to capturing ideas, taking meaningful notes, and actually putting what you learn into action. If you’re joining us for Teacher Sum...

In this special episode, we share a sneak peek at our upcoming Teacher Summer Talks Summit with quick, practical tips from eight expert educators! From writing instruction and math routines to classroom management and teacher well-being, you'll walk away with fresh ideas to help you prepare for the new school year. We also share one of our favorite productivity strategies for making back-to-school prep more effective by managing yo...

Back-to-school prep doesn't have to feel like an endless, overwhelming to-do list! In this replay episode, we're sharing the six areas we believe every teacher needs to have ready before the first day of school so you can head back feeling calm and confident instead of overwhelmed. We walk through practical tips for preparing your classroom, supplies, procedures, welcome plans, lessons, and even yourself, so you can focus on what m...

If your back-to-school overwhelm is ramping up, this episode will help calm the stress and tackle those to-do lists. We share a simple framework for prioritizing your endless tasks based on four essential student needs: safety, belonging, competence, and growth. We share why routines and procedures matter so much, how to help students feel welcomed and capable, and why focusing on the right tasks first creates a smoother start to t...

Summer can cause teachers to either put off school prep and then panic when August arrives, or miss out on a restful summer break because they’re too focused on work. In this episode, we’re revisiting a simple, sustainable approach to back-to-school preparation that helps you feel ready without sacrificing your summer. We walk you through our six-step "Teacher Power Hour" system, showing you how to identify meaningful p...

Recovery is about more than just rest, so in this episode we’re making the case for adding a little whimsy to your summer. We share how playfulness can help teachers reconnect with themselves, the science behind why positive emotions matter, and simple ways to create a summer that feels more memorable, meaningful, and fun. Give yourself permission to enjoy things simply because they bring you joy!

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Are you enjoying your summer lounge time but feel that itch to get ahead for back-to-school? We’re revisiting 20 simple “TV tasks” that teachers can tackle from the comfort of the couch while still protecting their summer rest and recovery. We talk about the importance of setting boundaries around summer work, creating both a summer no list and a summer yes list, and finding ways to make back-to-school prep feel l...

In this episode, we revisit one of our favorite summer philosophies: recovery and readiness. To focus on the ‘readiness’ side of things, we share seven simple tasks that take 10 minutes or less but can help you feel more prepared for the new school year without turning your summer into a work project. From choosing your first-day outfit and first read-aloud to updating your emergency kit and collecting community-buildin...

In this episode, we revisit the six back-to-school pressures we’re saying no to this summer: elaborate classroom themes, laminating everything, chasing every social media trend, overspending on classroom decor, making our rooms look picture-perfect, and comparing ourselves to other teachers online. We share practical reminders for staying grounded during back-to-school season by focusing on meaningful instruction, simple syst...

In this special summer reading episode, we’re sharing some of our favorite recent reads that will inspire you to kick back with a good book on your break. From magical realism to historical romance, we discuss the books that have surprised and delighted us this year, and we share recommendations for professional development and classroom inspiration. Plus, we give an exciting update on our upcoming book, Structure and Spark, ...

In this replay episode, we’re exploring why boundaries are the secret ingredient to a joyful, restorative summer and a smoother transition back to school. We walk through practical ways to set healthy boundaries around time, technology, and task load so summer doesn’t turn into “a quieter form of burnout.” Along the way, we talk about balancing recovery with back-to-school readiness, avoiding comparison trap...

In this episode, we explore why crashing on the couch isn’t the same as true recovery and share our four-part framework for summer restoration: relax, refresh, refocus, and recharge. We talk about how to know when you might need each type of recovery, the common traps teachers fall into during summer break, and how to create a more intentional approach to rest so you can head into the next school year feeling like yourself ag...

In this episode, we revisit the 10 emotional stages of summer break for teachers, from the pure joy of the first day of freedom and relaxation, to productivity bursts, procrastination, panic, and finally the excitement of a brand-new school year. We also share relatable teacher stories, practical ways to recover from burnout without drifting through summer, and strategies for avoiding back-to-school overwhelm. Make the most of this...

The start of summer feels like it should instantly refresh teachers, but too often we find ourselves wondering how to spend our time. In this episode, we share teacher summer break tips for easing into summer without falling into guilty rest or the productivity trap. We walk through a simple seven-day decompression plan designed to help teachers transition out of school mode, reconnect with fun and creativity, and enjoy the small t...

The end of the school year is the perfect time to notice the recurring problems in your work day, and to plan new systems to make next year easier. We’re sharing the “decide once” strategy that helps reduce the decision fatigue teachers face every day by creating simple systems for predictable classroom problems. From behavior management and unfinished work to grading and email boundaries, we talk about practical ...

As the school year winds down, it’s important to find meaningful ways to celebrate the year with intention. Drawing on ideas from our Teacher Approved community, we explore countdowns, theme days, and creative class celebrations that bring both fun and purpose to those final weeks. These strategies will help keep students engaged, create lasting memories, and honor the classroom community you’ve built, so you can wrap u...

May can be a tough stretch for teachers, with high emotions, routine pushback, and packed calendars. In this episode, we share why the mid-May slump feels so challenging and how trying to tighten control can backfire. Instead, we walk through five simple ways to rebalance structure and spark so you can keep students engaged, reduce chaos, and finish the school year feeling more steady and in control. These small shifts can bring fr...