Shaping Little Minds

Have you ever had the thought of "I'm not enough"? This is a thought that so many teachers struggle with, especially when they face challenges in the classroom.  In this podcast episode, I spoke to mental health expert Sabrina Trobak all about this belief and what you can do to help yourself break out of that belief and how to help your students do the same.  Connect with Sabrina Co...

"Getting ahead does not mean that you’re constantly working. Getting ahead means that you’re working smarter, not harder." In this episode, we dive into the difference between getting ahead and working constantly as a teacher. It's important to note that the two don't necessarily have to coincide.  Connect with Adva Apply for 1:1 coaching Send Adva an email with questions on cl...

"Does this sound familiar? Answering emails at 10pm because you feel like you have no choice Dragging yourself out of bed exhausted, because everyone says burnout is “just how it is” Skipping dinner with your family to finish grading or prepping, so you don’t feel like a bad teacher If you said yes to any or all of this, I want you to know this:  It’s not your fault you feel this way. Teachin...

Challenges always come up but it's really about how you handle those challenges to help you get through each day. So many new teachers end up leaving because they don't have the tools to handle the challenges that come up. In this episode, we dive into 3 challenges and unpack various tools you can use to help you handle challenges with more ease. Challenge #1: Classroom and Behavior Mana...

Have you ever tried to implement a routine or procedure without much luck? When I presented at a conference in October, I found a process that helps you not only implement but plan and practice. Are you ready for it? Step 1:  plan and practice Step 2:  Stand and speak with purpose Step 3:  Do it again These steps will require some support, if you don't already have it. Should you need any ext...

If you're back from winter break and struggling to enforce routines and procedures, this one's for you.  In this episode, we dive into 4 ways to help you re-teach routines and procedures in your classroom after a long break. Each of these 4 ways have reflective questions that you can answer at your own time.  Set expectations for yourself as a teacher and as a human being outside of the...

Can you believe 2024 is coming to a close? I definitely can't! This was a year of big changes for me and I want you to feel those transformations too! Being a busy classroom teacher is no easy feat so inside of this episode I give you 5 tools you can use and implement in order to end your year with a BANG! Are you ready for it? Happy Listening! Apply for 1:1 coaching Follow: @coachforteachers

I had the pleasure of being invited to be a part of an early childhood roundtable discussion on various topics within the field. I was one of ten who took part. I am so excited to be able to share part 2 with you!! There is truly so much value in the information that gets shared. If you haven't tuned into part 1, please go back and do that before you dive into this episode. It's SO good!...

I had the pleasure of being invited to be a part of an early childhood roundtable discussion on various topics within the field. I was one of ten who took part. I am so excited to be able to share this with you!! There is truly so much value in the information that gets shared throughout.  Stay tuned for part 2! Follow: @coachforteachers

Have you ever felt the pull to invest in mentorship? Or maybe you're struggling because you don't have the support you thought you would? You've come to the perfect place! Unfortunately, mentorship and support is not always a given when new teachers come into a school building. Sometimes you have to invest and go outside of your comfort zone in order to get the support and mentorshi...

In today's episode,I decided to speak from a leadership lens but one that is more geared toward teachers being leaders in the classroom. If you don't already know this... teachers ARE leaders whether or not they’re willing to see it for themselves. It’s something I used to preach about but want to revisit the topic this week. Here’s what we’ll cover: What we’re taught versus what it mean...

Today, I have Erica on the podcast. She is a childcare owner and director and has been in the education space for many years. She speaks at various conferences and has her very own podcast called The Child Care Directors Chair that I had the pleasure of being a guest on. Please help me welcome Erica to the podcast! We cover: why teacher support is so critical what teacher support can look like in...

It’s November which means there’s a brand new theme to the month on the podcast. This month I wanted to bring you a different perspective to the education world. You are going to be hearing from various education leaders; leaders that share their perspectives and give you a little insight into what they do that you may not see in your day to day interactions with your administration.  Today, I hav...

You probably are sick of hearing about reconnecting with your "WHY" but today's podcast episode will give you an inside look at how you can create your "WHY" and then continue to reconnect to it.  Reflection questions to help you: What happened today that made me consider leaving the classroom? What are my favorite parts of teaching? How can I work through the hardships so...

Do you feel like you need a reset inside your classroom? It's October, which means the kids are comfortable and behaviors are likely popping up if they haven't already. On today's podcast, we are diving into 5 ways you can hit the reset button inside your classroom. #1: changing bulletin boards and decor #2: Review routines and expectations #3: Take a day off, if you haven’t already...

I wanted to reflect back to you guys about my first month back in the classroom after being out of the classroom for three years. This month’s theme: Reset, Reflect, and Reconnect. I know how busy September can be and how much busier October can get. I want to make sure each and every one of you is able to reset, reflect, and reconnect.  Reflection #1:  the transition back into the classroom was N...

Have you ever heard of nerdy teaching? I was recently introduced to this new way of teaching. It's a way of teaching that focuses on connection with students. Chris explains it all! On today's podcast episode, I have Chris Longwell. He is an educator with over 15 years of experience as well as experience in coaching teachers and in camp. He’s taken his years of experiences in the classro...

Creating a work-life balance can feel pretty impossible, especially as a new teacher. There is so much to do with very little time to get the work done. Over the years, I've found that there are 3 key elements to having the ability to create the work-life balance you're looking for. Time management Prioritization Boundaries Find out how you can implement each of these elements to help yo...

If you're struggling to navigate stress and overwhelm during these first weeks of school, you've come to the right place! In today's podcast episode, I am pulling the curtain back and giving you a little taste into what it's like to be in my world. Transform Your Teaching was a free live event for teachers as they prepared for the first weeks of school. On the very first day, w...

Transitions can make or break a classroom routine. Transitioning from one activity to the next can pose as a stressful and overwhelming time in the classroom. The students don't know what to do or what's expected and you're also trying to figure it out. In this episode, I give you the one key ingredient that many new teachers tend to miss when teaching transitions. Follow: @coachfor...

September's theme is going to be "navigating the first weeks of school." In this series, we're going to be discussing various topics that relate to making sure those first weeks of school set you up for success inside your classroom. This is a time that can be extremely challenging to do on your own, especially if you don't have the mentorship or support. Today's epis...

The first year of teaching is not usually an easy one. It's a huge learning curve. In today's podcast, I speak to Christina about her experience as a first year teacher. Christina teaches in the New York City public school system.  We talk about: Struggles walking into the classroom as a new teacher Importance of support + community Advice for any teachers walking into the classroom for...

This is another episode of the teacher talks podcast series. Melly is a bi-lingual teacher and focuses on parental involvement in her classroom. She’s created a system to help bridge the gap between her classroom and home not only for her students but also for their families. She’s been teaching for eight years and is still passionate about everything she does. Connect with Melly - melissa.gonzale...

Welcome back to another episode of our Teacher Conversations series! I am SO excited to bring you a new guest on today's podcast episode. In this conversation, we dive into looking at students ABILITIES rather than their DISABILITIES and truly creating a safe space for each of your students. This was such an inspiring episode to record and I know Dr. Shani is going to do great things for both...

Transform Your Teaching is a brand NEW 3 day event I want you to be a part of!! And it's completely free! What you need to know: Transform Your Teaching is taking place on August 15th, 16th and 17th. Day 1 will focus on navigating the stress and overwhelm in those first weeks, day 2 will focus on coping with the hardships of teaching, and day 3 will dive into a brand new way for you to approa...