Teach 4 the Heart

The culture at a school can be difficult to navigate. Cliques, tense relationships with administration, negativity--these can all make the already hard work of teaching extra hard, and sometimes lonely. Listen in as Linda and Karly share about how to care about your fellow educators and make a difference at your school. Get notes + links at https://teach4theheart.com/313

Does your classroom sometimes feel as if it slipping out of your control? Do you feel overwhelmed by student behavior? Managing a classroom effectively is not easy, but there are simple steps you can take to get things under control. Listen in as Linda shares the five parts of an effective classroom management plan. Get notes + links at https://teach4theheart.com/312

In this special bonus episode, Linda takes you behind-the-scenes and shares some of the story behind the popular Pray & Plan teacher planner. Listen as Linda discusses the ups, the downs, and the lessons she's learned in between.   Interested in Pray & Plan? Check out the teacher planner at www.teach4theheart.com/planner .

The end of the year can be so hard to plan. How do we keep learning? How do we celebrate and end well? Listen in as we share ideas from teachers like you for end-of-year activities that make the best use of that time. Get the notes and links at www.teach4theheart.com/311

Teaching is full of unexpected situations, and it can be hard to respond to every one with the same calm and consistency. You can help yourself be ready for anything by developing and using Pocket Phrases. Listen in to find out what they are, how to use them, and why they might be the next best tool in your classroom management tool belt. Get notes and links at https://www.teach4theheart.com/310

We live in a culture that requires technology in the classroom, but it can be overwhelming to navigate the many types available. Which technologies do I use? How do I use them? How much is too much technology? Matt from Ditch That Textbook joins us to clear the way and help us teach meaningfully with technology, or as his book title puts it--Tech Like a Pirate.  Get notes and links at https://www....

Pray & Plan is a planner designed specifically for Christian teachers to help you welcome God into your planning and prioritize what matters most - both at home, at school, and in your spiritual walk. Find out all about Pray & Plan and orders your copy at www.teach4theheart.com/planner .

Our students can be the best and hardest part of teaching. But the way we manage our classrooms can reflect the character of Christ to them, even in a public school. Linda shares some ways we can think about classroom management as a way to be more Christ-like and encourage our students to do the same.  Get the notes and links at www.teach4theheart.com/308

Does Artificial Intelligence bring up more questions than it can answer? How do we handle it responsibly and wisely in our classrooms? Vicki Davis has answers and encouragement for teachers wondering about AI ethics.  Get notes & links at www.teach4theheart.com/307.

Staying up to date on the best resources out there can be challenging. Figuring our which resources are a good fit for your needs can be hard, too. Teach 4 the Heart has gathered our team's favorite resources to share with so you can grow as a Christian and as a Teacher! www.teach4theheart.com/306

Teaching is a stressful job, and can feel overwhelming. It can be hard to stay calm and keep going in the midst of the school day. But one simple practice can help us to look to Christ for encouragement: prayer. Sheila Quinn Delony joins us to share encouraging prayers she has written just for teachers like you in her book "This Year, Lord" that will give you words for your weariness.   Get the no...

Finding meaningful consequences to support classroom control and discipline can be challenging. But there are simple, effective ideas out there. Listen in as members of the Teach 4 the Heart Community share their best ideas about meaningful consequences in any classroom! Get the notes and links at www.teach4theheart.com/304

It can be hard to find joy and have fun in the everyday grind of teaching. With all the pressures teachers face, how do we prioritize joy and play in the limited time we have in the classroom? Caitlin Lore joins us today to share fun activities for a classroom that help keep joy a part of teaching for teachers and students of all ages. Get the notes and links at  www.teach4theheart.com/303

Join us for the NEW free training Classroom Management Answers where you'll discover 6 simple strategies to reduce disruptions and rebuild respect. Get all the details & sign up at www.teach4theheart.com/training . 

Teachers make thousands of decisions a day—no wonder we have decision fatigue! But what if there are some simple ways to lighten the load? Join Linda and Karly as they discuss rhythms in teaching that help relieve the decision fatigue and cultivate classrooms where teachers and students thrive. Get the notes and links at www.teach4theheart.com/302

Sometimes the generation gap between us and our students feels too wide to cross. Why is it so hard to connect with the younger generation right now? Join us to hear advice from Val O'Brien on how we can reach students meaningfully and build relationships across generations. Get the notes and links at www.teach4theheart.com/301

Do you remember in the book of Job when Job's friends told him he must be doing something wrong to have these bad things happen to him? If you've been in a similar situation, you know how these negative ideas can cloud your judgement. The bad advice we are discussing in this week's episode is: "If it's too hard, you need to get out!" Sometimes those thoughts sound like, "Maybe I'm not called to be...

False dichotomies are one of society's favorite lies and worst pieces of advice. We have been sold the lie that we have to affirm someone to prove our love for them and that if we are not affirming, then we are hating. This episode of the Teach 4 the Heart Podcast presents another solution: to love without affirming. And, though many people believe this is impossible, Linda will share a multitude...

We at Teach 4 the Heart have heard this week's bad advice A LOT. We get a lot of comments and feedback from people who say, "Check your religion at the door when you enter the classroom." We don't agree. For Christians, our faith isn't something we "put on" and "put off." Our beliefs are part of us. Even if we aren't directly sharing our faith, it should impact every part of our lives because we r...

Controversial opinion: As a teacher, you NEED to sweat the small stuff! In this week's podcast episode, we look at another piece of bad advice - don't sweat the small stuff! Here's the problem: if you let the little things go, especially in the beginning of the school year, they quickly lead to bigger and bigger problems. However, that doesn't mean we need to nitpick students. Listen to this week'...

Our culture celebrates all things "self." From selfies & self-reliance, to the mantra "I am enough," we are told that "me" is all we need. But, what happens when we inevitably fall short? This bad piece of advice is not only heard by teachers, but nearly everyone in our culture. Our podcast today is tackling this common but harmful advice with biblical and practical truths, including 3 steps to sh...

If grading, paperwork, and lesson planning are taking up way too much of your time, you won't want to miss this podcast! Join us as the Teach 4 the Heart team shares a variety of ideas to streamline and save time in multiple areas that need our attention but shouldn't be taking over our lives. This episode is part of the series Highlights: The Best Solutions for Teachers' Biggest Problems. Check o...

Christian teachers: do you struggle with and feel attacked by the culture around you? Listen to this week's podcast as Alistair Begg talks about how we as Christians can stand for truth and shine Christ's light as we teach and interact...even when the culture around us becomes more and more hostile. Despite the difficulty, with God-sized confidence you can firmly and lovingly stand fast on your co...

Too often we find ourselves trying to be superheroes, thinking somehow we can keep going, serve everyone, and get everything done without getting the rest and refreshment that we need. In this week's episode, we will speak with Pratia Jordan, an award-winning educator, as she shares the need to establish patterns of work and rest, bear each others' burdens, and see Jesus as the Superhero, not ours...

Trying to differentiate work for varying levels of students can be stressful and time consuming, but it doesn't have to be. Laura Kebart shares practical strategies to make differentiation simple and relatively easy. Check out one of our very best sessions Summit sessions from 2020 here. This episode is part of the series Highlights: The Best Solutions for Teachers' Biggest Problems. Check out the...