TeachinginYour20s

In this episode, I’m sharing practical strategies to help you stop taking work home and create healthier grading routines. You’ll learn how to batch your grading, use quick checks, streamline rubrics, and grade more work in real time. These simple systems reduce overwhelm while still giving you the student data you need. If you’re ready to protect your time and build better work-life balance, this...

If you’ve ever sat staring at a stack of curriculum books wondering where do I even start? , this episode is for you. I remember how overwhelming it felt to juggle new curriculum for multiple subjects while trying to be the “perfect” first-year teacher. In this episode, I’m sharing the mindset shifts and strategies that helped me stop stressing and start teaching confidently, including how to simp...

Conflict with coworkers can be one of the hardest parts of teaching — especially when you’re new. In this episode of Teaching in Your 20s , I am sharing advice for navigating tricky relationships with partner teachers, admin, and other staff members. Learn how to communicate clearly, set professional boundaries, and protect your peace without burning bridges. Whether you’re dealing with tension, c...

Classroom management can feel overwhelming—especially in your first year of teaching. In this episode of Teaching in Your 20s , I am sharing real classroom management tips for new teachers who are struggling with defiance, balancing being strict and fun, building effective routines, and knowing when to involve parents or administration. You’ll also hear practical de-escalation strategies, ways to...

Communicating with parents can feel overwhelming when you’re a first-year teacher. From tough conversations about grades and student behavior to emails and conferences that pop up out of nowhere, it’s easy to feel anxious and unprepared. In this episode, I am opening up about the struggles I faced as a new teacher when talking to parents and sharing practical tips to ease the anxiety, build confid...

Your first year of teaching is often the hardest year of your entire career. In this episode, I open up about the overwhelming responsibilities, constant uncertainty, and emotional toll that every first year teacher faces. From managing a classroom for the very first time to carrying the full weight of the job right out of college, I share the struggles that often leave new teachers feeling anxiou...

Teaching can feel overwhelming especially when anxiety, imposter syndrome, and self-doubt creep in. In this episode of the Teaching in Your 20s Podcast , I am sharing daily affirmations designed to help new teachers build positive self-talk habits and protect their peace. From handling unexpected student behaviors, to facing tough parent conversations, to reminding yourself that a rough lesson doe...

Teaching can feel like it takes over your entire identity, especially in your first few years. In this episode I am sharing honest stories and practical tips for keeping your hobbies, friendships, and passions alive while navigating the demands of the classroom. From setting hard cutoffs with work to redefining what it really means to be a “good teacher,” this conversation will help you protect yo...

Welcome back to the Calm Classroom Series ! I’m Cristina Himelhoch, and in this episode I’m sharing practical tips every new teacher needs to hear about setting boundaries and avoiding burnout. From protecting your planning time, to saying no without guilt, to leaving school stress at school, I’ll walk you through simple shifts that can protect your peace and bring balance back into your life. If...

If mornings feel rushed and stressful, this episode is for you. I’m Cristina Himelhoch, host of the Teaching in Your 20s podcast, and I break down practical tips for creating a mindful morning routine—helping you leave the house calm, energized, and prepared for the school day. -- ⁠⁠Keep up with the podcast Instagram ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Check out my Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Follow me on TikTok⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Watch the Episode on YouT...

In this first Calm Classroom Series episode, I unpack why back-to-school can feel so overwhelming—and why you’re not the only one feeling it. From high expectations and admin pressure to comparison and uncertainty, I share common triggers for teacher anxiety. You’ll leave with simple mindset shifts to help you start the year feeling open-minded, positive, and calm. -- ⁠Keep up with the podcast Ins...

If you're a new teacher wondering what you actually need to buy for your first classroom — this episode is for you. I'm sharing the real must-haves for first year teachers so you can save money , avoid feeling overwhelmed, and start the year prepared (not broke). From smart classroom investments to things I think are unnecessary, I’ll walk you through what’s truly essential and how to keep your bu...

Setting up your classroom for the first time can feel completely overwhelming, so in this episode, I break it down into five steps for success to help you feel more confident and prepared. From creating a vision board to organizing the must-have areas for week one, I share practical tips and lessons I learned through trial and error. You'll walk away with a clear plan, time-saving advice, and the...

This week's episode is all about my transition from being a kindergarten teacher to becoming a fourth grade teacher at the beginning of this school year. I talk about the challenges that I faced, things I like about teaching older students, and what I recommend for you guys! I hope you enjoy the episode and please make sure to rate the podcast and leave a comment!

Today's episode is all about my updates as a teacher from 2024. I switched grade levels, moved, and felt like I started all over again. In this episode I open up about the mental health struggles I experienced when teaching at my previous school. I hope this helps some of you who might be struggling as well or who can relate to what I've been through and know you are not alone. Make sure t...

Being a teacher in your 20s most likely means that you spend lots of time questioning what exactly you are doing with your life and you are not alone. Today's episode talks all about how it feels to not know what you are doing with your life but feeling a huge responsibility to have it all figured out because each day you show up to work to be a role model for a group of children. This episode...

Let's dive deep into how to help ourselves overcome difficult days as teachers. Whether you've had a bad day because you are struggling with classroom management or you've had a disagreement with a coworker, this episode will help you to push through the bad days and look forward to the good ones.

If you have been curious about how I was able to teach in Spain, this episode will have all the answers for you! This is my second year living in Spain and I have worked here as a language assistant and just started a position as a Kindergarten teacher at an American School in Madrid. This episode is a story time about my experience and telling you all the details as to how I made this dream of mi...

Here are ten tips for making sure that you do not lose yourself in being a teacher. Find a balance between your teacher self and your 20 year old self who wants to live their best life! If you feel like you don't know who you are outside of teaching, now is the time to discover :)

Where do you even being when thinking about the routines you need to have in you kindergarten classroom? What things should you be thinking about, how do you teach them, and what works best? If you have been thinking about this, then this episode is for you. I am talking all about the routines and procedures that need to be set at the beginning of the year in order to help the school year go smoot...

Let's talk all about building lasting, genuine, and positive relationships with students! Today's special guest is my mother who has been teaching for a long time and has experience with all different age groups. If you want to hear about the key to building relationships with students, tips for doing so, and some story time chats, this episode is for you! I hope you enjoy and make sure to...

Teaching is exhausting and trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle can be super overwhelming. In today's episode I am sharing all the things I did my first year teaching to stay as healthy and happy as possible. From the workouts I did to the meals I was eating, I get into lots of different aspects of living a healthy lifestyle. If you are trying to start building healthy habits as the school y...

Being a first year teacher is nerve-racking, stressful, and overwhelming. In today's episode I share all the things I wish I knew before starting my first year with my own classroom. Basically, the advice I would give to myself if I could go back in time. If you are about to start your first year of teaching, this episode truly is meant for you!

As teachers, we all know how difficult it is to get everything done while not working overtime. With our ongoing to-do lists, it is so easy to want to stay in our classrooms past contract time. In today's episode I am sharing five tips I have to help diminish the amount of time we spend working outside of school. Let's talk through all the things I learned from my first year of teaching an...

I have brought my dad on as a special guest for today's episode. We talk all about the most important things you need to know as you are starting off your teaching career, advice on saving money, strategies for speaking with coworkers/administration, and how things have changed since my generation has entered the work force. Make sure to rate and follow the podcast! You can find more content f...