The Resilient Teacher Podcast

We talk a lot about surviving the school year on this podcast but today we're talking about something that impacts every single one of your students: reading. And I brought in someone who's been fighting this fight for two decades. Dr. Gene Kerns is a third-generation educator and a 20-year veteran of Renaissance , the company behind Accelerated Reader. We got into why kids are reading less than e...

Have you ever walked into the copy room, stood there for a full ten seconds, and genuinely couldn't remember why you came in — and it wasn't even noon? That's not forgetfulness. That's your brain after hours of nonstop, emotionally loaded decisions. And if you're carrying teacher guilt every night on top of that — the voice that says you should be doing more — those two things are quietly feeding...

If you have ever felt like you spend more time managing compliance than actually teaching, this conversation is going to hit home. In this episode, I sit down with former educator Joel Smith to unpack what is really driving teacher burnout right now. We dig into fear based compliance, evaluation pressure, stacked cognitive load, and what happens when teachers lose agency in their own classrooms. J...

After six months away from the microphone, I knew this episode couldn’t be about catching up. It had to be about telling the truth. Because sometimes life changes us before we fully realize it… and the pace that once felt natural no longer fits. In this return, I’m sharing what I learned when my own capacity shifted, why I chose to get quiet, and how that decision reshaped the way I think about bu...

Are you constantly exhausted, stuck in survival mode, and wondering why burnout feels impossible to overcome? What if your constant fatigue and lack of motivation have less to do with willpower and more to do with your blood sugar? In this episode, I’m joined by Laura Banks , a former teacher turned health coach, who completely transformed her life by healing her relationship with food and ditchin...

Teachers are being asked to do more than ever—with less time, support, and capacity. And when it comes to implementing research-backed approaches like the Science of Reading, the last thing they need is another thing on their plate. In this episode, recorded live at ISTE, I'm joined by Aaron Ingold from Learning A-Z to talk about how they're helping teachers implement foundational literacy practic...

Ever wonder how the chronic stress from teaching is impacting your summer lifestyle? While summer break is the ultimate goal of resting and recharging; stress knows no rest. Its impact on our bodies lingers, even in the moments of supposed tranquility, silently eroding our well-being. The weird period of transition from heavy stress-induced overwork in teaching to summer break can be a shock to yo...

Ready to finally get out of teacher burnout cycle this summer once and for all? Stop right now and give this one a listen! Teachers often think that summer break is the ideal time to kick burnout to the curb, but the sad truth is that summer is not THE SOLUTION, but it is one of the essential ingredients needed. (And spoiler alert, leaving the classroom isn't either) There is h...

If you are a veteran teacher, maybe you’re used this song and dance.  You’ve finally made it, you can breathe.  Maybe you are already anticipating school returning in the fall - only 48 days until school starts back.  Maybe you’re a brand new teacher and you feel like you can rest again and you’ll return back to school in the fall ready to conquer.  Either way, there’s a huge m...

Have you ever wondered if that student’s outburst is really just misbehavior—or a sign of something deeper? If you're a teacher facing challenging classroom behaviors and are feeling unsure about how to support students who seem to be struggling as well, this episode is a must listen. I am so excited to have Polina Shkadron to share some key insights that will help you not only understand what’s g...

How many times have you found yourself repeating yourself in your classroom? The truth is, students - and even adults- struggle to truly listen. If you’re an educator or parent feeling the daily frustration of repeating yourself and wondering why it’s so hard for your students to listen, this episode is for you! Christine Miles, creator of the Listening Path, joins us to shed light on the “crisis...

Have you found yourself staring at a stack of ungraded papers and wondering if you care as much as you used to? Teaching is a heart-centered profession, but we all know that the pressures and emotional toll of being in the classroom can leave even the most dedicated educators feeling frustrated, exhausted, or emotionally detached. If you’ve noticed yourself counting down the years to retirement or...

If you're a teacher feeling burned out and longing to reconnect with your passion, this episode is for you. Balancing the demands of personal life while staying energized in the classroom can be challenging for many educators. That’s why I’m excited to introduce you to Stephanie Clinise, a passionate and inspiring ninth grade English teacher who has rekindled her love for teaching by embracing her...

Have you ever experienced that internal tug, wondering if it's time to move on from the classroom? If you have, it doesn't mean you're a bad teacher or that you are giving up. In fact, many educators find themselves wrestling with these thoughts. In this episode, we provide a space to explore this decision free of guilt, helping you reflect, gain clarity, and discover what opportunities are availa...

Teaching in today's world feels more challenging than ever. The stress and anxiety in our classrooms is higher than ever before and it's not just affecting our students but educators as well. In this episode, we dive into the root causes of this rising anxiety, particularly focusing on insights from Jonathan Haidt's book, "The Anxious Generation." These insights could completely change how you man...

Let’s be honest, meeting the diverse needs of 25+ students every day is exhausting. But what if I told you that there’s a practical way that teachers are reclaiming their time, reducing stress, and actually enjoying teaching again? In this episode, I am joined by Robert Barnett from the The Modern Classrooms Project, to chat about how The Modern Classrooms Project has empowered countless teachers...

Classroom management challenges can leave teachers feeling overwhelmed and frustrated—but what if the key to better behavior isn’t stricter rules, but sensory regulation? In this episode, Dr. Bethany Bilodeau, an expert in human behavior with a Doctorate of Arts in Leadership, shares groundbreaking strategies that help both students and teachers feel safe, stay engaged, and reduce stress in the cl...

If you find yourself caught between the stress of work demands and the pressures of home life, this episode is just for you. Teachers often find it especially challenging to find a balance between doing everything they feel they need to for work and maintaining their personal life and well-being. I am so excited to have Steven Langer join me today to talk all about maintaining wellness in both the...

Are you feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and just overall struggling with burnout, this episode is for you. The truth is burnout isn’t just about stress or workload, but it's actually rooted in disconnection. If you've been trying all the right things like holding boundaries and prioritizing self-care, but you’re still feeling like something's missing, this might just be it. As teachers, we know fi...

There’s no doubt that student behavior and managing our classrooms is a common challenge and can be a big component to teacher burnout. If you’re feeling exhausted and stressed over student behavior but aren’t sure where to go for solutions, you’re in the right place! I have Michele Holiday joining me today to share some practical strategies for managing classroom dynamics effectively. Michele Hol...

Social media's impact on students and teachers goes far beyond just distraction. For many teachers, social media, managing digital distractions in the classroom, and keeping up with the latest tech trends are fueling their stress and burnout. In this episode I am joined by Laura Tierney to chat about the impact of social media on teacher burnout and what we can do about it. Laura Tierney is the fo...

Have you been feeling overwhelmed and stressed out with the increasing challenges in the classroom? It seems like ever since the pandemic, there are just more and more challenges that teachers face every day such as growing workloads and rising behavioral challenges. This can make it difficult for even the most passionate teachers. My guest today, Dr. Jessica Werner of Northshore Learning, is here...

Teachers everywhere are searching for ways to revitalize their teaching experience and reconnect with their students. That's why I'm thrilled to have Tisha Poncio joins me live from the TCEA conference to share innovative tools and strategies to transform your teaching and alleviate some common stressors teachers are feeling in the classroom. Tisha Poncio, a seasoned educator, former burned out te...

Education technology is rapidly advancing, and understanding how it can benefit both student and teacher well-being is more crucial now than ever. If you're an educator wanting to integrate innovative digital solutions into your classroom to improve your classroom management, enhance student support, and safeguard student well-being, we got you covered! In this episode, I am joined by Toby Hartman...

Language diversity in the classroom can create both challenges and opportunities. In this episode, we’re joined by Arturo Guajardo, Director of K-12 Partnerships at Pocketalk, live from FETC. With over 30 years of experience in education and bilingual teaching, Arturo shares how Pocketalk’s AI-powered translation solutions are revolutionizing classrooms. From making meaningful connections with mul...