The Balanced Educator Podcast

Struggling to stay organized in your classroom? You're not alone! In this episode, Kelly Jackson from The Simply Organized Teacher shares expert tips on simplifying your classroom setup, from organizing your desk to managing student tasks and files. Learn how small organizational changes can reduce stress and make your teaching life easier.

In this episode, we share 5 personal development books that have had a major impact on our lives. These books offer valuable lessons on living with balance, building emotional intelligence, and developing a growth mindset. Whether you're a teacher, parent, or someone looking to improve their life, these books provide practical tips to help you grow personally and professionally.

As teachers, sleepless nights can be all too familiar—especially during stressful seasons. In this episode, we share 8 proven tips to help you fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and wake up refreshed. From guided meditations and bedtime yoga to creating a calming nighttime routine, these strategies are easy to implement and highly effective. Here’s what we cover: - How guided meditations and...

Are you torn between focusing on social-emotional learning or covering the academic curriculum in your classroom? You’re not alone. In this episode, we dive into the challenges of balancing academics with social-emotional development, sharing insights that every educator can relate to. We know the pressure of trying to "teach it all," but what if the secret to better learning outcomes li...

In today’s episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we’re diving into the essential steps for starting a mindfulness practice in your classroom. Whether you’re new to mindfulness or looking to build a stronger routine, this episode will guide you through a simple, actionable plan to set your students up for success. Here’s what we cover in this episode: - Creating a Daily Routine We discuss the i...

How long does it take for mindfulness to work in the classroom? Habits take at least 6 weeks to solidify – and that’s for adults! If you’ve started mindfulness practices in your classroom and haven't seen immediate results, don’t worry—STICK WITH IT! It’s normal for students to need time to adapt. Setting clear expectations for behavior during mindfulness practices is key. Start with simple gu...

Effective Classroom Transitions & Mindfulness Techniques for Calm Struggling with classroom transitions and finding calm? In today’s episode, we share practical tips to make transitions smoother and strategies to bring mindfulness into your classroom. Learn how to reduce transitions, simplify routines, and teach your students calming techniques like 5-Finger Breathing.

Looking for fun and easy mindfulness activities for your classroom? In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we’re sharing 5 engaging mindfulness exercises to boost your students' focus, calm, and emotional regulation: - Five Finger Breathing – A simple visual breathing exercise. - Flower Petal Breathing – A printable exercise to guide deep breathing. - Mindful Eating – A script to en...

Feeling stuck when it comes to practicing mindfulness with your students? In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we’re continuing our conversation with Nicola Harvey, author of Mindful Little Yogis. Nicola, a qualified Special Needs Educator and Children’s Yoga and Mindfulness Practitioner, shares concrete, actionable strategies for building self-regulation in kids. From mindful movemen...

Looking for ways to support emotional regulation in the classroom? In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we’re joined by Nicola Harvey, author of Mindful Little Yogis, who shares her expert insights on using mindfulness to help kids self-regulate. Nicola, an experienced Special Needs Educator, Therapist, and Children’s Yoga and Mindfulness Practitioner, talks about how mindfulness can...

Want to know how mindfulness can enhance academic success? In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we chat with Jen Kreitz, a K-4 resource teacher and Educalme ambassador, about how to prioritize social-emotional learning (SEL) in the classroom. Jen shares her journey from a Master’s in Education to specializing in Special Education and how focusing on SEL before literacy and numeracy cr...

Are your beliefs holding you back? In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, Kailey dives into how our childhood beliefs shape us as adults and how to change them for the better. Learn how beliefs are formed, how they influence our thoughts and actions, and how to identify when a belief is no longer serving you. Kailey also shares her top four powerful methods for shifting limiting beliefs...

Looking to bring more peace and intention to family life? In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we welcome back Melissa Russell from Simple Lionheart Life to dive into mindful parenting. Melissa shares how minimalism and mindfulness have transformed her life, giving her more time, freedom, and joy with her family. Discover her insights on: - Practicing mindfulness and breathing techniq...

Struggling with stress or anxiety? In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we’re sharing five easy, proven techniques to quickly shift from anxious to calm. Discover simple strategies like: Belly breathing to regulate your body with deep breaths Using calming essential oils like lavender to ease tension Practicing legs-up-the-wall for instant relaxation Repeating positive affirmations to...

Curious about creating a positive, motivated classroom environment? In this special Q&A episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we dive into your top questions on social-emotional learning, student motivation, and mindfulness in education! Join us as we explore powerful strategies for: - Motivating students to be excited about learning and building intrinsic motivation - Effectively using cl...

Discover how to bring mindfulness to children with author-illustrator Tamara Hackett of Mindful ABCs and Mindful 1, 2, 3 in this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast. Tamara shares her journey into mindfulness and her experiences creating purposeful, awareness-centered books for kids. Learn how teachers use her books in the classroom, explore the process of self-publishing, and hear her tips f...

Discover how mindfulness and heartfulness can transform lives in this special episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast. We sit down with Charlotte Jackson, a special education teacher and author of Finnigan’s Bliss, a heartfelt children’s book on mindfulness. Charlotte shares her journey into writing, the inspiration behind her book, and how her student Helen Yang brought the story to life with be...

In this episode of The Balanced Educator podcast, we chat with Amanda Warren, an Educalm Teacher alumni and Educalm program user, about her unique teaching approach at Bridge School, a small independent elementary school in Vermont. Amanda shares how the school's values of community, creativity, exploration, and communication shape their student-led learning environment. She also discusses how loo...

In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we’re interviewing Carolina Smith, a Grade 1 teacher, Educalm Teacher alumni, and Educalm ambassador from Calgary, Alberta. This is Carolina's second appearance on the podcast, and she’s back to share exciting updates about her new venture, the LIA project—a community empowering women to connect with themselves and others. Carolina discusses ho...

In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we’re interviewing Renée Lapointe, a first-year grade 1 teacher and Educalme ambassador. Renée shares her journey of starting her teaching career on the right foot by taking the Educalm Teacher course before her first day in the classroom. She reveals how the course helped her establish healthy self-care habits and mindfulness routines, setting her...

In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, Kailey shares her daily classroom routine and how she creates a calm, focused environment for her students. She discusses how she starts each day with mindfulness, shares tips for managing a calm classroom, and explains how she integrates mindfulness practices into her curriculum. Kailey also opens up about the challenges she’s faced in establishin...

Ready to Declutter Your Life and Embrace More Joy? In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we’re joined by Melissa Russell from Simple Lionheart Life, a minimalist and simplicity advocate. Melissa shares her journey of embracing minimalism to create a simpler, more intentional life. By decluttering and owning less, she’s gained more time, space, and financial freedom—transforming her hou...

In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we chat with Catherine Greer, the Canadian-Australian author of Jacaranda Snow, a picture book that beautifully teaches kids about growth mindset and finding flow. Catherine shares her creative journey, from writing the book to collaborating with composers, illustrators, and Educalm to create an engaging lesson for classrooms. Catherine discusses t...

In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we dive deep into the power of mistakes and why embracing imperfection is a game-changer for both teachers and students. If you're a recovering perfectionist, this one’s for you! We explore the concept of "perfect" and why it often leads to unnecessary stress and self-criticism. You’ll hear how these unrealistic standards can affect y...

Struggling with work-life balance? In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we share 5 strategies to stop bringing work home. Learn how setting boundaries benefits both teachers and students. Feel more productive, less guilty, and reclaim your evenings. Tune in to find out how!