Happy While Teaching Podcast

In this episode, I share about my European travels and what I'm doing to get the most out of my summer vacation. I explore the lessons I will bring into to my teaching next year. I also share about my FREE Teacher Wellness Webinar that I will be doing on September 10, 2026 @ 7pm CST. This is a FREE , one-hour webinar to start your school year with clarity and a commitment to your wellbeing. It...

In this episode, I provide tools to reflect on the past school year so you can get clear on what you want to create next year. I love doing this at the end of the year when things are still fresh in my mind. It's a great opportunity to acknowledge what we have done well in the past year, what we struggled with and and what we want to improve upon in the coming school year. I encourage you to u...

In this episode, Dr. Janet Duckham shares her wisdom from retirement. She reminds us that relationships are at the heart of teaching, to follow what we know is right, to have boundaries around our energy and not to sweat the small stuff! This is a great way to wrap-up the year! Also: Visit https://www.happywhileteaching.com/ I can't wait to share about my very first Teacher Wellness Toolbox course...

In this episode I discuss the launch of happywhileteaching.com, including why I created it and the kinds of resources you will find there. I can't wait to share about my very first Teacher Wellness Toolbox course and Happy While Teaching Community! Both will be offered in the fall of 2026 to help educators prioritize their wellbeing with the tools and support they to continue to do so throughout t...

In this quick episode I want to bear witness to the fact that this time of year is frickin hard! You are not crazy, and more importantly, you are not alone. I provide some strategies to make it to summer vacation as a whole, healthy human being. We can do this if we take extra care of ourselves in this most challenging part of the school year. *If you liked this episode, hit subscribe so you will...

In this conversation with art teacher Patricia Chavez, we discuss her life as an artist, how therapeutic art can be for educators, and how to get started with an art practice. She encourages us to maintain a beginners mindset, where we feel free to experiment and play with this practice without judgment. I encourage everyone to give it a try! *If you liked this episode, hit subscribe so you will b...

In this episode, I explore my own dilemma of being too busy and overbooking myself. This can be a recipe for burnout, so I share the steps I took to change this pattern. Here they are in a nutshell: 1. Notice how you are feeling. 2. Hit the pause on saying yes to anything. 3. Explore how much activity is ideal for you. 4. Have a ritual of looking at your calendar before the week so you can avoid o...

In this episode, I speak with my dear friend and Montessori School owner and educator, Florence Kramer. She shares her wisdom from decades of being a Montessori educator, as well as ways we can incorporate these student-centered principles into non-Montessori classrooms. I walked away feeling inspired to create more community in my classroom and to bring back the joy and wonder into learning! Chec...

In this short episode, I discuss the importance of taking care of ourselves when we are sick. We all know how challenging it can be to take time off from this profession, but our health needs to come first. If you need a pep talk, this is the episode for you. I share my own recent bout with illness and how, even for me, it was challenging for me to make the decision to put my health first. I am so...

In this episode, we explore the benefits of a pilates practice with Tara Jeffery, owner of Ojai Pilates and Fitness. We discuss what made her want to become a pilates instructor and studio owner and how the practice can benefit teachers and anyone! Check out her studio: https://ojaipilates.com/ If you want to get started with online mat classes, check out Jessica Valant's YouTube channel. She...

Are you curious about starting a meditation practice but don't know where to begin? In today's episode I discuss how I started my meditation practice, what resources helped me and the personal and researched benefits of doing so. I provide a number of free resources to get you started. Free Resources for Getting Started: YouTube Daily Calm : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZToicYcHIOU Happy While...

In this episode, I interview my school districts IT Coordinator, Adam Stirrat, about how we can approach AI with wisdom and a human touch. That way we can guide our use, and that of our students, in the best possible way. This is a much needed and terrific conversation! *If you liked this episode, hit subscribe so you will be notified when new episodes come out. *If you want help prioritizing your...

In this episode, I dive into the research about the importance of getting enough sleep and the impacts when we do not get the sleep we need. I also share their research-based recommendations for setting yourself up for healthy sleep habits. Sources reference in the podcast: From Harvard Medical School: https://sleep.hms.harvard.edu/education-training/public-education/sleep-and-health-education-pro...

In this episode, I share evidence-based strategies to formatively assess student learning that do not involve more grading for teachers! In a field with constantly increasing demands, teachers need to find ways to diminish their workload while still supporting student learning. Here are the five strategies: 1. Self-evaluating rubrics that include student effort 2. Visual formative feedback 3. Thin...

In this episode, I interview Brenda Wilson about teaching at Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital, where she works with teenagers to keep them on-track and connected to their education. She highlights the importance of building relationships with our students and finding out what they need to learn and grow, as well as prioritizing her own wellbeing to be the most effective teacher. It is such an...

In this episode, I discuss what I have in store for the podcast in 2026. I have some great interviews about, AI, grading less, Qigong, Montessori education and so much more! Let's kick off the new year together with the goal of supporting our wellbeing in 2026! *If you would like support in prioritizing your own wellbeing, check out my new book, Happy While Teaching Workbook: Practical Tools t...

In this episode I share I empowering strategies to reflect on your semester, acknowledge your achievements and hone in on areas of growth. The goal is to appreciate all you do and get clear on things you want to into incorporate next semester. Remember to give yourself credit for showing up for your students every single day! *If you would like more support in prioritizing your own wellbeing, chec...

In this quick episode, I discuss things you can do to finish the semester with grace and dignity, rather than stress and panic. By keeping our eyes on a few key strategies, we can end the year with a celebratory bang and not a whimper. Hope it helps! Also, check out my new book: Happy While Teaching Workbook: Practical Tools to Help Maintain Your Joy & Wellbeing While Teaching Get your copy on...

In this episode, I interview Johanna Hill, coordinator of the Eco Act Environmental Leadership Program at the Missouri Botanical Gardens in St. Louis. The program works with high school juniors and seniors, teaching environmental education and leadership skills. Johanna reminds us of the importance of incorporating ecological education into our curriculum and the value of reconnecting with the nat...

In this episode, I tell you all about by new book, the Happy While Teaching Workbook: Practical Tools to Help Maintain Your Joy and Wellbeing While Teaching . I wrote this to help teachers prioritize their own wellbeing through short chapters and reflection questions that put your health and happiness front and center. It is available in ebook and paperback on Amazon and I will link the book below...

In this episode I discuss evidence-based teaching strategies with Robyn Haug. She shares a treasure chest of strategies that support both teacher wellbeing and student learning. Robyn is the Director of Assessment and Professional Learning at the School District of Clayton who is on a mission to ensure that there is an effective and supported educator in every classroom for every child! Check her...

What do you do when you are exhausted and feeling burned out? A little gratitude and planning can save the day! In today's episode, I discuss how I used these strategies recently to turn my day and week around. *If you found this episode useful, please leave a comment and hit subscribe so you will be notified when new episodes come out. Also, check out my instagram for bonus happywhileteaching vid...

In this episode, I interview Adrienne Adkison about teenage mental health. She is a middle school counselor, mom and therapist who specializes in teen and young adult mental health. This is such a rich conversation with some key takeaways: 1. Teens are feeling overwhelmed 2. They need connection to be healthy 3. Devices are a blessing and curse as they can be a tool for connection and disconnectio...

Do you find yourself a little extra stressed these days? Are the papers piling up with parent-teacher conferences just around the corner? I call this the October-November Slump and it happens to me every year at this time. So how do we find ways to survive and even thrive during this stressful time of the year? This is what I will discuss in this episode. I hope it empowers you to reflect and figu...

In this first of a series podcasts I am doing on the healing power of nature, I share my own transformative experience getting out into nature and the potential benefits for educators. I provide suggestions around ways to immerse yourself in nature or to bring nature into your indoor spaces. I hope you leave feeling inspired to get outside! *If you found this episode useful, please share it, leave...