The Balanced Educator Podcast

Struggling with classroom management? One powerful solution is teaching emotional regulation through yoga and mindfulness! In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we interview Giselle Shardlow, founder of Kids Yoga Stories, to explore how yoga and mindfulness can help students self-regulate and manage their behaviors in the classroom. We dive into: - What kids yoga is and how it differs...

Are you a new teacher feeling overwhelmed by the demands of the classroom? Wondering how to avoid burnout and find balance? You’re not alone! In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we’re joined by Alisha, a seasoned educator and co-host of the Rainbow Skies for New Teachers podcast. Together, we dive into the most common challenges new teachers face and offer practical strategies to hel...

Are you struggling with teacher burnout and finding it hard to balance work and life? It’s time to reclaim your personal time and reduce overwhelm! In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we sit down with Shawna Lapointe, teacher, entrepreneur, and mom of four, to learn practical strategies for achieving a healthier work-life balance and preventing burnout. Shawna shares: The key questio...

Winter is the perfect time to bring mindfulness and social-emotional learning into your classroom. In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we explore winter-themed mindfulness activities that help promote self-regulation and improve classroom management. Whether you're teaching elementary or high school students, these no-prep winter mindfulness activities are perfect for creating a...

Looking for Simple Mindfulness Activities for Your Classroom? Mindful coloring is one of the easiest and most effective ways to help students practice self-regulation and improve classroom management. In this practical episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we dive into the benefits of mindful coloring for kids—plus, we’ve got a special treat for you: free coloring pages to use in your classroo...

Feeling Stressed and Overwhelmed as a Teacher? If the start of the school year has left you feeling burnt out, this episode is for you! In today’s The Balanced Educator Podcast, we chat with Grace Stevens, a former VP who transitioned into teaching to help educators like you feel less stressed and more empowered. With 20 years of classroom experience and a background in behavioral therapy and posi...

Struggling with Off-Task or Distracted Students in Your Classroom? If you're finding it difficult to keep students focused and engaged, you're not alone. Distractions and lack of focus can be a major challenge in K-12 classrooms. But don't worry—help is here! In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we walk you through a simple, no-prep lesson plan designed to teach your stude...

Feeling overwhelmed by the stress your students face? In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, mindfulness expert Lindsay Miller shares practical strategies to help kids manage stress and build resilience. With over 20 years of child development experience, Lindsay guides us through identifying stress symptoms in children and offers proven tools for emotion regulation, social-emotional le...

Struggling with Student Behaviour? It Could Be Your Stress Affecting the Whole Classroom! In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, Kailey dives into the neurobiology behind why emotions are contagious and how they impact both teacher and student behaviour. You’ll learn how emotions serve as a form of communication, both internally and interpersonally, and how you can harness this understa...

Need a Quick and Effective Way to Get Students Ready for Learning? Try This Calm Classroom Strategy! In this quick and practical episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we share a simple self-regulation strategy that helps create a calm, focused, and respectful classroom environment—perfect for getting your students ready to learn in just 5 minutes! We understand how busy every school day can be...

Classroom Management Struggles? Here’s How to Make It Easier with Breathing Exercises. In this short episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we share practical strategies to improve classroom management by teaching emotional regulation through breathing exercises. Learn 6 easy breathing techniques to add to your students’ coping skills toolbox, helping them manage big emotions and stay focused....

Struggling with Students’ Technology Use in the Classroom? You’re Not Alone. In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we dive into the challenges of managing students' use of smartphones and devices, especially in middle and high school. While technology can be a powerful classroom tool, it often becomes a major distraction. We interview Emily Cherkin, The Screentime Consultant, an in...

Looking for the Best Books to Teach Social-Emotional Learning in Your Classroom? In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we sit down with 4th-grade teacher Andrea Burns to explore her top book recommendations for supporting social-emotional development in students. From picture books to chapter books, Andrea shares her favorite literature to help students build emotional intelligence, re...

Looking for Easy, No-Cost Mindfulness Activities for Your Classroom? In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we chat with Sandi Schwartz, founder of the Ecohappiness Project, about the power of nature in fostering emotional health for kids. Learn the science behind why mindful nature engagement benefits children's emotional well-being and discover creative ways to incorporate nature...

Are You Struggling with Burnout and Perfectionism? You’re Not Alone. In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we dive deep into the pressure that perfectionism can place on teachers, especially women, and how it can lead to burnout and overwhelm. Our guest, Shibani Joshi, shares her powerful insights on how to break free from the cycle of perfectionism, manage expectations, and speak up f...

Are you concerned about the impact of social media on your students' mental health? In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, Richard Capriola, a mental health expert, dives into the growing impact of social media, specifically Instagram, on teen mental health. Did you know that 60% of teen girls and 40% of teen boys experience negative social comparison on Instagram? Richard shares al...

Curious about bringing mindfulness into your classroom but not sure where to start? Or have you struggled with making it stick in the past? In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we share a mini training on the 3 phases of mindfulness in the classroom, giving you actionable steps to make it a success. Plus, we introduce our free, ready-to-use mindfulness and social-emotional learning (S...

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the number of mindfulness and social-emotional learning (SEL) programs available for your classroom? Choosing the right one can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be! In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we break down the outcomes, benefits, and evidence behind the Educalm mindfulness and SEL program. Learn how this research-backed and evidence-based p...

Are you looking to implement a mindfulness and social-emotional learning (SEL) program in your classroom or school? It’s crucial to choose a research-backed and evidence-based curriculum that works. But with so many options, how do you know where to start? In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we break down the research and evaluation behind the Educalm mindfulness and SEL program for...

With screen time on the rise, critical thinking skills related to media literacy are more important than ever. In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we’re joined by Amy Jussel, Founder of ShapingYouth.org, to explore how to integrate media literacy, mindfulness, and SEL in the classroom. Amy shares strategies for a transdisciplinary approach that helps students navigate the digital lan...

Feeling overwhelmed by the endless mindfulness resources? We’ve got you covered! In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we walk you through a beginner mindfulness practice that’s perfect for starting, revitalizing, or deepening your own practice. Plus, we’ll show you how to use this mindfulness exercise with the students in your classroom or with the kiddos in your life, so everyone can...

What do you need to know about adolescent substance abuse today? In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we welcome Richard Capriola, a mental health and addictions counselor and author of The Addicted Child: A Parent’s Guide to Adolescent Substance Abuse. Richard shares his expertise on teen substance abuse and mental health, covering crucial topics for educators. You’ll learn about: -...

Are your students struggling with self-regulation? You’re not alone! In today’s episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we explain why focusing on co-regulation first is the key to fostering emotional regulation in your classroom. You’ll discover concrete strategies for co-regulating with your students, so that everyone can thrive and be ready for effective teaching and learning.

Feeling overworked and stressed? Struggling to complete your never-ending to-do list? In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we’re joined by Dan Jackson, educator and author of Work Less, Teach More. Dan shares powerful time management strategies that will help you manage your workload, reduce stress, and create balance in your life—so you can be the effective, energized teacher you wan...

Tired of struggling with student engagement in your classroom? We’ve got solutions for you! In today’s episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we dive into our tried-and-true methods for boosting student participation in mindfulness and social-emotional learning (SEL) activities. These engagement strategies will help you get even the most reluctant learners involved and excited, making mindfulne...