New Teacher Talk

Join third-year English teacher Abby Bartle from Oswego High School as she shares hard-earned wisdom about navigating your first year of teaching. Drawing from her own experience with second-year burnout, Abby provides practical strategies for managing overwhelming workloads and maintaining your sanity during the challenging October slump. In this episode, you'll discover Abby's game-changing thre...

Join Nicole Heaver (middle school STEM teacher) and Joanie Thrush (5th/6th grade teacher) from Central Intermediate School in Ottawa, Illinois, as they share their combined 35+ years of co-teaching wisdom. With Nicole's 8 years co-teaching special education and 6 years with science teachers, plus Joanie's 15+ years in reading, math, and science co-teaching, these hosts know what really works. Disc...

Dr. Beth and Dr. Anna tackle one of the biggest challenges facing new educators: the overwhelming isolation that can derail promising teaching careers. In this essential episode, they break down exactly who you need in your professional support network and how to find them. From identifying mentor teachers who truly align with your values to leveraging instructional coaches without fear of judgmen...

In this episode of New Teacher Talk, we invite Keon Ruiter, a dedicated second-grade teacher with 18 years of experience at Maria Sanchez Elementary School, to share his time-tested approach to classroom management through relationship building. Keon reveals how positive connections with students and families create the foundation for everything else that happens in the classroom. From the moment...

Join us for an essential conversation with Brad Sever, assistant principal and PBL expert, as he breaks down the secrets to making project-based learning sustainable in your classroom. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by PBL or wondered how to make it work long-term, this episode is for you. Brad takes us through the seven "gold standard" design elements of project-based learning as defined by PBLW...

What if changing just a few words could transform your entire classroom management approach? Join us as district administrator, author, and blogger Heather Lyon reveals how the simple shift from "No running" to "Walk please" can revolutionize student behavior and classroom dynamics. Inspired by a classic "Who's the Boss?" episode where "No parking" became "Park elsewhere," Lyon shares the science...

Join PE teachers and education veterans Tom Rocco and Mike Gillespie on New Teacher Talk as they break down the four pillars every new educator needs to master. Whether you're stepping into your first classroom or looking to refine your approach, this episode delivers actionable strategies you can implement immediately. Discover proven methods for building authentic student relationships through s...

1 of 3 in a Series: Join education professor Ken King from Aurora University as he debunks one of education's most persistent myths: that repetition alone leads to learning mastery. In this essential episode for new teachers, King reveals why the brain science shows repetition isn't enough and introduces four evidence-based strategies that actually work for long-term retention. King explores the d...

Join Executive Principal Jesse Kraft as he reveals the missing piece in most classrooms: the "why" behind every lesson. While teachers excel at explaining what students will learn and how they'll learn it, Jesse discovered through his classroom observations that students rarely understand why the content matters to their lives. In this insightful episode, Jesse shares a pivotal moment observing an...

Join educator Byron Earnest as he shares transformative insights on student engagement and contextual learning. Drawing from years of teaching experience, Byron reveals why traditional abstract learning falls short and how connecting education to real-world applications creates those magical "light bulb moments" every teacher dreams of. In this episode, Byron explores the philosophy that "schoolwo...

Join Dr. Anna and Dr. Beth as they dive deep into one of the most crucial aspects of teaching success that often gets overlooked, building meaningful professional relationships. In this episode, our hosts share personal experiences and actionable strategies for new teachers to connect with colleagues, support staff, and the entire school community. Discover how to integrate into your grade-level t...

Join us for an essential conversation about one of teaching's most critical skills: classroom management. Executive Principal Jesse Kraft from Fairfax County Public Schools shares his comprehensive approach to creating classrooms that run effectively while keeping students focused, respectful, and engaged. Key Topics Covered: The four fundamental reasons why classroom management matters How to est...

Join Todd Leban, a passionate middle-level  board-certified art teacher from suburban Chicago, to explore his transformative teaching philosophy: "Think Big, Not Small." In this inspiring episode, Todd shares how new and early career teachers can develop bold visions for their classrooms without feeling overwhelmed. He breaks down his refined approach of "Think Big, Start Small," offering practica...

Join us on New Teacher Talk as we welcome Kwame Sarfo-Mensah, author of Learning to Relearn from Routledge, for an essential conversation about classroom management that every new educator needs to hear. In this episode, Kwame shares his expertise on creating welcoming yet structured classroom environments that serve as orderly and safe spaces for learning communities to thrive. Moving beyond trad...

Join us as Dr. Anna sits down with Emma Moore, a recent graduate of the Teaching Well Program at Johns Hopkins University, who shares her unexpected transition from pursuing medicine to discovering her calling in the classroom. Emma opens up about how working as a kindergarten teacher's aide completely changed her career trajectory and ignited her passion for education. In This Episode: Emma's car...

Welcome to New Teacher Talk! In this essential episode, Blake Reddick, an experienced middle school social studies teacher, explores the often-overlooked aspects of school year preparation that go far beyond decorating classrooms and writing lesson plans. Blake reveals that successful teaching starts with intentional preparation work that happens outside the classroom. He shares his proven strateg...

Join us for an invaluable conversation with veteran educator Lori Abbott, who shares 33 years of teaching wisdom to help new teachers thrive. In this episode, Lori covers the fundamentals of effective classroom management, explaining how all student behavior is purposeful and offering strategies for building positive relationships that prevent issues before they start. She dives into the game-chan...

Welcome to the new season of New Teacher Talk! Hosts Dr. Anna and Dr. Beth kick off the school year with essential mental preparation strategies for early career and aspiring educators. This episode focuses on building the right mindset for August and setting yourself up for success before stepping into the classroom. Key Segments Segment 1: Let's Talk "Mental Setup" Normalizing August emotions: A...

Join Dr. Anna and Dr. Beth as they celebrate the milestone season finale of New Teacher Talk! Exciting updates are in store! This summer, catch bonus content on their YouTube channel (NewTeacherTalk1), packed with short, practical videos on classroom procedures, rules, routines, behavior plans, and incentive ideas. The new season launches August 4th, featuring fresh guests, free classroom download...

🔥 New Teachers, Let’s Unlock LinkedIn’s Power! 🔥 If you're a new teacher looking to elevate your career, LinkedIn is your ultimate networking tool—but are you using it right or using it at all? In this episode, Dr. Beth reveals five essential strategies to help educators build a standout profile, connect with education leaders, and showcase classroom successes. Whether you’re seeking growth oppo...

🔥 TEACHER TALK: SUMMER EDITION 🔥 Teachers, it’s time to hit pause, grab your favorite iced coffee, and tune in—because we’re serving up the ultimate summer survival guide! Whether you're sticking with your current school, scouting for a new teaching gig, or just vibing through summer break, Drs. Beth and Anna have got your back. 💡 INSIDE THE EPISODE: Sticking Around? Lock in classroom upgrades,...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with EdRising Illinois leaders Christy Schweitzer, Maya Moneze, and Carson Mizell as they share how this incredible organization is transforming the future of education. Discover why students in Educators Rising are 400% more likely to enter teaching after high school and learn about the powerful community, leadership opportunities, and support systems that ma...

In this episode, English teacher Abby Bartle from Oswego High School shares invaluable advice for new educators preparing for their first year in the classroom. Drawing from her own experiences and insights from fellow first-year teachers, Abby offers a chronological guide taking you from the end of student teaching through summer preparation and into those crucial first days of school. Discover p...

📣 In this enlightening episode of New Teacher Talk, guests Melissa Axelsson and Susan Olszewski explore NJCTL's game-changing online courses designed specifically for science, mathematics, and computer science educators. Discover how these self-paced programs can help you: Strengthen your subject expertise 💪 Explore new teaching areas 🔍 Advance your career path 📈 Access perfectly aligned teach...

Join Dr. Beth and Dr. Anna as they explore how to make the most of the final weeks with your students. This episode focuses on creating meaningful closure through reflection, celebration, student voice, and transitions. Discover practical strategies for student self-reflection, including visual growth timelines, reflection question prompts, and work sample comparisons that help students see their...