The Joyous Classroom

Join Angela & Brandy, two veteran teachers, as they share practical, uplifting strategies to survive testing season and pre and post-spring break without losing your joy. Learn the five biggest mistakes to avoid, five actions to replace them, and quick pre- and post-break routines to reset your classroom. Topics include pacing vs. pushing, using data to target gaps, teaching student responsibi...

Join host Brandy (sans Angela tonight) as she explores how clarity transforms teams, PLCs, and classrooms. Casey Watts, author of The Craft of Clarity, shares practical strategies to move from faux collaboration to authentic teamwork, ask the right questions, reduce resistance, and celebrate meaningful wins—so educators can find purpose, capacity, and joy.
Catching Up with Casey Podcast: Why Are P...

Two veteran teachers share a candid episode about post-conference exhaustion, hatching chicks, and the pressure of STAAR testing season. They reflect on passionate moments from TCEA, creative workshop ideas (including a choose-your-own-adventure PD), and how their practical, no‑prep strategy workshops give teachers ready to implement activities that they can take back to the classroom. Listeners a...

Two veteran teachers share how tiny wins — shorter weeks, homecoming fun, a simple STEM night, and presenting at TCEA — bring joy during a chilly January. They also reflect on students facing hardship during school closures, the importance of community and caring adults, and encourage educators to look for one small joyful moment each day.

Join us on fb at: The Joyous Classroom on fb Message us a...

A bonus solo episode celebrating "Joy in January" with short, heartwarming classroom moments including poetry debates, an audiobook read-aloud of Harry Potter, math games (scoot and dice multiplication), and a hands-on cardboard robot engineering project that practices area and perimeter. We invite you to a FREE evening Zoom every Monday from January 19th - April 6th as we kick-off The Joyous Jour...

In this episode, veteran teachers Angela & Brandy reframe January as a month of permission to begin again, not pressure. They discuss slowing down to reconnect with students, reteaching routines, and using small, intentional steps to build momentum for the rest of the year. Practical ideas include community-building activities, goal-setting with students, and simple classroom projects. The hos...

Join veteran teachers Angela and Brandy as they unpack insights from Kristina Smekens on the power of read-alouds, think-alouds, and scaffolded writing. Learn practical, classroom-ready strategies—start small, model thinking voices, use pictures and cross-modal experiences, and teach students to choose the best text evidence. This episode shows how making thinking visible turns readers into...

Angela and Brandy discuss practical, and quick ways teachers can reset their classrooms at the end of the first grading period. From visiting other rooms for fresh ideas to re-establishing routines, positive behavior incentives, and small organizational systems that save time, you’ll be set to make the most out the next part of your year.  The episode emphasizes starting small, prioriti...

Hosts Brandy and Angela open with light Halloween jokes before welcoming Nikki Jordan, an alt-certified teacher turned entrepreneur, inspirational speaker, consultant, personal business coach, and founder of Confidence at Any Size. Nikki shares her journey into education, her belief in building authentic relationships with students and colleagues, and practical social-emotional strategies—li...

Veteran teachers Angela and Brandy share joyful, research-backed strategies to make writing less scary and more effective—especially for Texas ECRs. Learn quick creative writing routines like Color Your Sentence, Spoken Word, Figurative Language Friday, and the Because–So–Which Means expansion technique for depth, PLUS organization ideas like storyboard planning to build voi...

Join veteran teachers Angela and Brandy on The Joyous Classroom as they share playful, practical strategies to get kids excited about reading. Great tried & true reading engagement & Interest-building ideas are shared on this episodes. Everything from Mystery Bags to build inference skills, running a digital 'Elite Eight' book bracket to inspire school wide reading engagement, and ideas li...

Veteran teachers and community thespians pull back the curtain on the surprising connections between teaching and live theater — presence, improvisation, empathy, and collaboration — sharing stories from rehearsals, moments of hilarity & flexibility from live productions, and the importance of listening and collaboration. Hear practical tips, joyful anecdotes, and how bringing perf...

In this episode of The Joyous Classroom, veteran teachers Angela and Brandy explain how intentional positive communication with families can transform your school year. They emphasize starting early to build trust so parents are more receptive when challenges arise. It's short and to the point, because they are in the midst of practicing for their community play which opens in just two weeks. They...

Angela and Brandy candidly discuss the special exhaustion of the early weeks of being back at school—migraines, tech issues, drills, extra duties, and decision fatigue—and remind teachers they are not alone. They share simple, realistic recovery tips like five-minute resets, lowering weekday expectations, and learning to say no, encouraging listeners to protect their energy and find jo...

This episode explains why greeting students at the door matters and reviews the neuroscience behind rapport—dopamine for motivation and oxytocin for safety—plus research showing long-term benefits like reduced aggression and improved engagement. Hosts share practical actions (assess, address, respond, request, tell), the 5-to-1 positive-to-corrective interaction ratio, and a simple tak...

Welcome to The Joyous Classroom, a podcast dedicated to educators passionate about fostering a positive learning environment. Join veteran teachers Brandy and Angela as they share practical tips and insights to help you establish effective routines, teach essential procedures, and build a nurturing classroom community. Discover strategies to create a culture of consistency, connection, and calm fr...

In this enlightening episode of "The Joyous Classroom," Angela and Brandy dive deep into the importance of teacher self-care, especially during the hectic back-to-school season. They discuss simple, yet effective ways educators can take care of themselves without sacrificing much time or resources. From starting your day with intentionality to setting healthy boundaries, this episode is packed wit...

Welcome to The Joyous Classroom, Episode 10, where veteran educators Angela and Brandy help teachers navigate the overwhelming back-to-school season with heart, humor, and practical advice. Join them as they share tips on resetting your mindset, preparing with purpose, and embracing grace during this busy time. In this episode, discover how to find joy and purpose without the pressure for perfecti...

Welcome to The Joyous Classroom, a podcast crafted for passionate educators by two veteran teachers with a collective experience of over 60 years in the field. In this episode, we delve into the valuable advice and insights shared by our own Facebook group members, aimed at helping both new and seasoned teachers create a more joyful and effective classroom environment. Join us as we explore top ti...

Join veteran educators Angela and Brandy in this exciting episode of "The Joyous Classroom" as they unravel eight common myths surrounding Tier 1 instruction. Discover what Tier 1 truly entails beyond the buzzwords of RTI and MTSS meetings, and learn how it serves as the bedrock of effective education for all students. From differentiation to engagement and behavior management, this episode covers...

Welcome to an exciting episode of The Joyous Classroom, where veteran educators Angela and Brandy share their experiences and insights from the Get Your Teach On conference in Dallas, Texas. With over 6,500 attendees from around the globe, this national event brought teachers, leaders, and educators of all kinds together for a celebration of learning and growth. Set against the stunning backdrop o...

Welcome to the Joyous Classroom podcast, where veteran educators Angela and Brandy share their passion for teaching and learning. In this episode, join them as they dive into the highlights and key takeaways from the recent Elementary Technology Conference in Galveston, Texas. Featuring insights from guests Gwen Sharp, Tyler Johnson, and Jennifer Mitchell, this episode covers innovative approaches...

Welcome to The Joyous Classroom, where veteran educators Angela and Brandy, alongside their guest Eliza Rudston, explore effective strategies for teaching students with autism. In this episode, Eliza, an experienced teacher and author of 'Confidently Teach Students with Autism', shares her insights on creating empathetic and inclusive classrooms. The conversation delves into practical strategies f...

In this episode of The Joyous Classroom, veteran educators Angela and Brandy tackle a pressing concern for teachers: the high cost of professional development (PD). They explore the challenges faced by educators in accessing valuable PD due to limited funds and share innovative and affordable solutions. Listeners will discover various strategies to access quality PD without breaking the bank, incl...

Welcome to The Joyous Classroom, a podcast for passionate educators led by seasoned teachers Angela and Brandy. With a combined 60+ years of experience, they delve into why they choose to keep teaching, sharing their passion and wisdom along the way. This episode explores their unique journey in education, their motivation to inspire, and how they continue to learn and grow. Be a part of their vib...