Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers

Are you ready to say goodbye to blurting, tantrums, and interruptions? These are challenges that every teacher faces and they have only increased in the recent years post-COVID. We've all tried things that we thought would help our students with their impulse control, and many times, our efforts simply did not work. But that doesn't mean that nothing will work. In this episode, I am sharing seven...

Amazing classroom management starts on the very first day of school. We all know building genuine relationships, focusing on the positive, and consistently reinforcing natural consequences is key to effective classroom management. But the problem so many new teachers run into is that nobody shows us how to do these things, so we struggle to figure it out on our own when we get into the classroom....

How can I effectively manage my classroom when my students just don't care about praise or natural consequences? This is a question that so many teachers have. If you've found yourself asking this question, it can seem like nothing is working and you aren't sure what to do next. The good news is that there  are things you can do to get your classroom management back on track.  In this episode, I a...

Are you worried about classroom management when you take on your own classroom in the Fall? If that's you, this 4 part mini-series is perfect for thinking through how you are going to plan and implement your classroom management strategies.  In this series, I am sharing how to manage the tiny humans in your classroom, set your classroom management foundation, and how to troubleshoot things that co...

Which subject are you  least excited to teach? Is it writing? If so, you are in good company! Many new (and experienced) teachers find teaching writing to be challenging. So if you are just starting out and you're nervous to teach writing, then this episode is for you, my friend. Sara Marye of The Stellar Teacher Company is joining me to give you some amazing advice for teaching writing in a manag...

What would you do if you were given $1,000 to spend on your classroom? 🤯 I'm sure your mind is filled with ideas of everything you want in your classroom to help it run more smoothly, engage students, and create a fun space. During our new teacher giveaway earlier this year, I was so excited to give $1,000 to an amazing new teacher, Leia Hunt, so she could check off some things on her wishlist! L...

The path to your first job as a teacher may not go how you expect it to and that is absolutely okay! Sometimes the unexpected and nontraditional paths lead to an amazing opportunity. That's how my guest today, Beth Bowe, ended up in her position where she is happier than she ever thought she could be. Beth Bowe started out subbing and quickly realized that she was meant to be a teacher. She went b...

There is something so comforting about hearing another teacher share about their struggles, what they've gone through, and how they worked through the challenges they've faced. It helps us feel less alone when we're navigating the confusion and pressure that comes along with being a beginning teacher.  That's why I am so grateful to have Kelsey Moody join me today to share about how she had impost...

You got your first year of teaching out of the way but you are realizing that you just survived the year and you are ready to up your game in year two. Been there, done that! That is why I am so excited to be joined by my guest today, Teresa Grosboll, who is sharing all about her experiences, insights, and what made a huge impact on her second year teaching. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.c...

You've spent four years at college in a teacher prep program but you still aren't feeling prepared to handle all the non-academic tasks that come along with having your own classroom. You're absolutely not alone! There is so much that goes into setting up a classroom, running a classroom, and effectively teaching your students, that there's no way it can all be covered in four years. And unfortuna...

It's always so exciting and inspiring to hear other teachers share their experiences, struggles, and accomplishments. That's why I am so excited for our New Teacher Spotlight Series that we're launching this month!   Jenna Barron is our first guest as we kick off this series. In this episode, she is sharing all about her experience teaching abroad, why she is so glad she invested in the  R.E.A.D.Y...

One unexpected but real change that comes with moving into a classroom teacher role is the importance of being professional on social media. Up until now, you likely haven't had to be too concerned with your social media presence. But as teachers, we must be proactive and aware of what we post online. That's why I'm sharing best practices for social media as an elementary teacher, and creative way...

The first year of teaching is so memorable and exciting, but also challenging. Nothing can fully prepare you for the realities and responsibilities of having your own classroom but there are things that you can do to prepare yourself for being solely in charge of your own classroom. I am sharing some tips to help you feel successful and confident as you head into your first year of teaching. Show...

Has the overwhelm and struggle of the last few months left you wondering if you are actually cut out for teaching? If you're feeling defeated, frustrated, or discouraged with having your own classroom, you are not alone. Unfortunately, many new teachers (including me!) have felt this way when they realize that there is very little support for new teachers at their school. I'm sharing what you can...

Improving and preventing challenging behaviors starts with creating a safe and consistent, caring space for all students. As much as we love fun seasonal classroom management strategies and a good classroom management hack, they won't be successful unless there is already a foundation of respect and consistency. A great way to establish a safe and consistent classroom is to implement restorative c...

Social-Emotional learning is here to stay and we can expect to see it become a more formal part of our curriculums in the near future. SEL is so incredibly beneficial to our students and incorporating it into the classroom has such a positive impact. But how are you going to find time to add  another thing to your already packed schedule? In this episode, I'm sharing eight ways that you can easily...

It's the time of year when we start thinking ahead to the next school year and maybe this is the year you've decided you'll be transferring schools. You might be moving, looking to switch to a different grade, or don't feel supported by your current team or admin. Whatever the reason is, there can be so many emotions that come along with deciding to transfer schools.  The excitement that you're fe...

Spring fever is hitting classrooms everywhere. The warmer the weather gets, the more restless students are becoming. If we're being honest, as teachers, we're probably feeling the same way!   With spring fever often comes challenging behaviors and very short attention spans. You still have a few months left in the school year, so how can you push forward and keep students engaged and motivated? I'...

What do I do with my students for the rest of the day after taking a big test? Should I play a movie? Have extended recess? Review content? 🤔 If these are questions that you have, today's episode is for you. This marks part four in a four-part series about how to prepare your students for standardized testing.   Throughout the episode, I'm sharing five ideas on how to structure the rest of your d...

This week on the podcast, we're continuing our conversation about how to prepare your students for state standardized testing. In part one of this series,  episode 232 , we talked about test-taking strategies in language arts. In part two, episode 233 , I shared test-taking strategies in math. I recommend going back and listening to those episodes first if you haven't already! Now it's time to foc...

Does the idea of standardized testing leave you feeling stressed? You're not alone, and that's why this week we are going to be continuing our four-part series on test taking strategies for second to fifth graders.   Last week,  inside episode 232 , we focused on effective and simple test taking strategies for students in Language Arts. This week I'm sharing five more of these helpful strategies,...

It's that time of year again. Spring is quickly approaching, and that means that all kinds of testing is just around the corner. With testing comes long days, anxious students, and stressed out teachers. 😵‍💫 I want you to have all the tools you need in order to feel confident in teaching your students effective test taking strategies. That's why this episode is kicking off a 4-part series all ab...

Teaching a class full of students means that you're always going to have a wide range of ability levels. Over the years, we've talked on this podcast about effective ways to support your students who are struggling academically. However, I'll bet that you also have students who are high-achieving, which can lead to a new set of challenges for you as the teacher. I have ten fun, simple, and creativ...

You are only one person leading a class of 20-30 students. How can you ensure that some students aren't falling behind in their understanding of the concept that you're teaching? Exit tickets just may be your answer! Exit tickets measure how well your students understand specific concepts as you teach them inside your classroom. They are a very valuable teacher tool because they are quick to imple...

Today we're talking about a topic that many of you may currently be planning for, or will be planning for in the near future, and that is maternity leave. Maybe you've just finished college, recently gotten married, and landed your dream teaching job. Day by day, you're checking off all the boxes, and your next hope and dream might be to start a family. This is such an exciting time, but it can al...