Happy Teaching

In this episode, Alex shares the mindset and strategies for a successful first week of school. Instead of rushing into academics, you'll learn why focusing on routines, independence, and classroom community sets the foundation for the rest of the year. Plus, hear why going slow in the beginning helps you move faster later on. ✨ You'll learn: Why routines should be your lesson plan durin...

In this episode, Alex shares practical strategies for making parent communication simpler and less stressful. You'll hear easy ways to keep families informed, build trust, and maintain healthy boundaries throughout the school year. ✨ You'll learn: Simple ways to communicate consistently without adding more work Why newsletters and classroom apps can strengthen family relationships When...

In this episode, Alex shares one of her favorite tools for building independence in the classroom: book boxes . Book boxes can do much more than hold books. They can help students manage materials independently, support small group routines, encourage a love of reading, and make it easier for children to use the entire classroom space. ✨ You'll learn: How book boxes support independence and...

In this episode, Alex tackles one of the most common questions she hears from teachers: What if I'm not allowed to play? If you love the idea of playful learning but work in a school with strict pacing guides, scripted curriculum, or little room for centers and exploration, this episode is for you. You'll hear strategies for working within the system while still honoring what young child...

In this episode, Alex dives into an important early childhood topic: the difference between free play and purposeful (or guided) play . Alex explains what each one looks like, how they support children's growth, and why play is never "just playing." You'll also hear why classroom environment and presentation play such an important role in engagement, independence, and meaningfu...

In this episode, Alex breaks down one of her favorite classroom systems: free-flowing centers . If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by center rotations, timers, constant prep, or trying to manage every student’s movement during math and literacy time, this episode introduces a different approach — one built around independence, playful learning, and strong routines. ✨ You’ll learn: What free-flowing...

In this episode, Alex shares why she made the switch from individual student supplies to whole-class community supplies and why she never went back. If you’ve ever dealt with missing pencils, broken crayons, overflowing supply boxes, or constant classroom clutter, this episode will give you a different perspective on how supplies can actually support independence, responsibility, and classroom man...

In this episode, Alex builds on last week’s conversation about playful classroom areas by introducing the idea of the “mullet of classroom design.” What does that mean? Many classrooms are set up with all the “learning” in the middle with tables, chairs, and teacher-directed spaces, while anything playful or engaging gets pushed to the edges of the room. Alex explains why this setup can actually w...

In this episode, Alex shares some of the most important classroom areas to include in a playful, developmentally appropriate learning environment. This conversation isn’t about having the “perfect” classroom or expensive setups—it’s about creating intentional spaces that help students learn through play, movement, exploration, and connection. ✨ You’ll learn: The key classroom areas that support p...

In this episode, Alex talks about something many teachers know all too well — the Sunday Night Blues . That anxious feeling as the weekend winds down can make it hard to fully enjoy your time off. Alex shares simple, realistic ways to reduce Sunday stress so you can protect your weekend and head into Monday feeling more prepared and calm. ✨ You’ll learn: Why the Sunday Night Blues happen in the f...

In this episode, Alex tackles a classroom challenge that sounds simple but rarely feels easy: walking in line . Getting young students from point A to point B can quickly become chaotic, especially during transitions and hallway travel. Alex shares practical ways to teach line expectations, reduce struggles, and make travel time calmer and more manageable. ✨ You’ll learn: Why walking in line is a...

In this episode, Alex tackles one of the most chaotic parts of the school day — dismissal . Even with a plan in place, dismissal can feel rushed, stressful, and overwhelming. You'll hear simple, practical strategies to help you create a smoother, calmer dismissal routine so you can end your day feeling more in control (and actually enjoy those final moments with your students). ✨ You’ll lear...

In this episode, Alex shares a simple, low-prep way to celebrate the end of the year with an Alphabet Party. If you’re feeling the end-of-year crunch, these easy ideas still feel fun and special without adding more to your plate. ✨ You’ll learn: Simple ways to turn snacks or manipulatives into hands-on learning activities Easy games like Alphabet Bingo and a “mystery letter” game How to keep the...

In this episode, Alex shares a simple, go-to game that every teacher needs in their back pocket, especially during those high-energy, “we need something different right now” moments. Whether you’re dealing with spring fever, indoor recess, or filling in for PE, Four Corners is an easy, low-prep game that gets students moving, engaged, and having fun in minutes. ✨ You’ll learn: How to set up and p...

In this episode, Alex challenges a common classroom practice: limiting how many students can be in each center. Before you think, “There’s no way that would work in my classroom”... stick with this one. This episode is all about shifting perspective and rethinking how much control we actually need during center time. ✨ You’ll learn:  Why limiting centers may be more about control than student nee...

In this episode, Alex breaks down AI in a way that actually feels manageable for teachers. Whether you’re excited about AI, completely overwhelmed by it, or somewhere in between, this episode will help you shift your mindset and see how it can support you — without taking over your teaching. ✨ You’ll learn: How to use AI as a simple tool to support (not replace) your teaching Why starting small c...

In this episode, Alex shares two simple shifts that can dramatically improve how students respond to directions in your classroom. If you’ve ever given instructions and looked around to see students doing something completely different, or felt like you’re constantly saying “Don’t do that” or “Stop running” — this episode is for you. ✨ You’ll learn: Why we often give too many directions at once w...

In this fun and relatable episode,  Alex shares seven classic signs you might be a Kindergarten (or early childhood) teacher. From hoarding office supplies to decoding student writing that looks like hieroglyphics, it’s a lighthearted look at the little things only Pre-K, TK, and Kindergarten teachers truly understand. ✨ You’ll Hear:  The irresistible pull of a good office supply sale  Why early...

In this episode, Alex shares three simple, practical strategies to help you calm the chaos of morning arrival. If your day starts with ringing phones, attendance stress, parents needing you, kids arriving at different times, and you already feel overwhelmed ten minutes in — this episode is for you. Because just like adults, kids feel it when a morning starts off rocky. And when we can create a pre...

In this episode, Alex dives into one of the most common (and frustrating) classroom challenges: students not keeping their hands to themselves. Whether it’s pestering, poking, constant touching, or more serious hitting and shoving, this episode walks you through how to move beyond just saying “Keep your hands to yourself” and actually teach students what that means. ✨ You’ll hear: • The differenc...

In this episode, Alex shares a simple strategy that delivers big results: how to re-engage students with materials they’re ignoring, without buying anything new. If you’ve ever set up a center you were excited about, only to watch students completely pass it by, this episode is for you. Sometimes the fix isn’t replacing the activity — it’s rethinking how it’s presented. ✨ You’ll Hear: • Why rotat...

In this episode, Alex shares how to make circle time more engaging, effective, and developmentally appropriate — without adding more to your plate. If you’ve ever felt like your students just can’t sit still or that you’re constantly relying on brain breaks to keep things moving, this one’s for you. ✨ You’ll Hear: • Why shorter circle times actually lead to better focus and fewer behaviors • How...

Valentine’s Day in the early childhood classroom can feel like a whirlwind, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming or over the top. In this short and sweet episode, we’re talking about what really matters when it comes to celebrating Valentine’s Day in Pre-K and Kindergarten. In This Episode, You’ll Hear: A gentle reminder that Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be Pinterest-perfect Why simplicity an...

In this episode, we’re tackling a challenge every early childhood teacher faces: what to do when a student refuses to work. Whether it’s ignoring directions, sitting with arms crossed, or simply saying “no,” these moments can be tricky and emotionally draining . But there’s a way through that builds connection and cooperation. You’ll learn: Why refusal might be happening (hint: it’s not always def...

Small groups can feel like one of the hardest parts of the day to manage, but they don’t have to be! In this episode, Alex breaks down how to keep small group time simple, doable, and impactful in a Pre-K or Kindergarten classroom. Whether you’re just getting started or trying to make your groups more consistent, this episode offers realistic tips and encouragement to help you feel more confident....