This Teacher Life

Looking for ONE classroom idea that could make your spring awesome? You are in the right place. In this episode we will take a deck of Uno cards and show you how to: increase student motivation, decrease problematic behaviors, boost classroom camaraderie, and create SO much fun. Literally all you need to implement this super simple, but super effective idea is a deck of uno cards and a classroom o...

Do you feel like you are on a roller coaster of emotions right now in education? One day you love teaching and your school or students bring you so much joy, The next day you are so tired, so stressed, and don’t know if you can do it anymore. In this week’s episode we talk about the ups and downs, the twists and turns, the love and the hate of teaching right now. The 90s references abo...

Shopping, coupons, margaritas, and Macys. If you like any or all of those things, this episode is totally for you! My BFF Jack Berckemeyer and I dive into all things 80’s and 90’s fashion in this hilarious interview. We also get real on fashion emergencies, school uniforms, and covid shopping problems. There is SO many funny one-liners, tips, and tricks thrown out in these 30 minutes....

Teachers don’t need another program, software, curriculum, or flowchart. Teachers need help with the things that kids need most. And I think we can all agree that right now every student needs more social-emotional support. The problem is, we don’t always have the time, energy, or resources to plan for dynamic SEL. We need ideas, structure, support, and simple ideas that will make a si...

What is one thing that could change your teacher life forever? According to fellow educator Vanessa, the thing is yoga. Before you think, “No-ga!” Maybe you should have a listen to this episode. In these super dynamic 30 minutes Vanessa will explain the why behind this self-care practice and give some practical, simple ways to get started. If you have any teacher stress, anxiety, fear,...

Sometimes it feels like we are surrounded by big problems in education. But the reality is, those big problems were once small problems. And those small problems likely had big solutions. The big question is, what can we do to tackle;e those little issues that have the power to change everything? What can we do to target the micro so we get macro results in education? If you need inspiration and m...

Sometimes the best thing we can do in schools is laugh. Parents, students, and fellow teachers will say something or ask a question and then our jaw drops to the floor. “Did you really just saw that?” “Did that really just happen?” Yes, yes it did! Come take a listen to this episode where I will share hilarious, ridiculous things that have actually been said or done in scho...

Needing help with time management? Wondering how you are supposed to handle everything on your teacher plate? Trying to find ways to maximize your time and energy? This episode is for you! Fellow teacher and special guest, CJ Reynolds, drops some seriously simple but significant ideas on how we can optimize our school day and our life in this short and sweet episode. Episode Notes:   Game Changers...

Do you have a door to your classroom?  If so, I’ve got an engaging idea for you! Do you want to keep kids quiet at the right times? If so, I’ve got an engaging idea for you. Do you want students engaging rather than staring at the wall? Of course you do! So, I’ve for an engaging idea for you. 3 ideas will come your way in this episode that is all about being a Game Changer for ki...

Do you have a sharpie marker in your classroom?  If so, I’ve got an engaging idea for you! Do you have even one piece of technology in your classroom? If so, I’ve got an engaging idea for you. Do you have students in your classroom for at least 1 minute? Of course you do! So, I’ve for an engaging idea for you. 3 ideas will come your way in this episode that is all about being a G...

Sometimes the things we do in our classrooms don’t seem like they are making an impact. Sometimes the things we aren’t doing in our classrooms would make a massive impact. So how we do we figure out the “dos” and “don’ts” in today’s world of education? In this episode you will get 3 super simple things that will make a huge difference for both you an...

Want 2022 to be awesome? Tired of creating resolutions that don’t last past January? Feeling like your new year’s goals never get off the ground? If you are truly ready for this year to be different then this episode is for you. We will dive into 4 small habits that will set your morning up for total success so you can have an incredible day in the classroom. These 4 habits will make y...

Get ready for the best teacher game night of your life! If you like competition. If you like games. If you like beer. If you like to laugh. Then you are in the right spot. In this episode, special guest Whitney Ramirez talks about some of her favorite games, drinks, and ideas. This is the teacher break you need in your life right now! Episode Notes:   Looking for some positive teacher books that a...

Needing new teacher ideas? Looking for awesome lessons and dynamic conversations for your classroom? Are you 100% confident you are looking in the right place? Back in 2015 I started getting the BEST ideas for education in a place where I didn’t expect it. In this episode you will hear 3 places where I found some of my favorite lesson plans for 2021. Get your pen ready, you are going to want...

Are you thinking about leaving teaching? Are you considering saying goodbye to education? Am I contemplating quitting this year too? In this monthly motivation episode you will find out what you need to do, say, or think before making this big decision. By the end you will know what path is the right path for you, for your purpose, and for your profession. Episode Notes:  Looking for a teacher boo...

Sometimes it feels like we are alone in education. Students are experiencing trauma. We are experiencing stress. Students are struggling. And we are just plain teacher tired. What do we do and where do we turn when we hit a wall? In this episode we will talk about how we can find celebrations and success among the hard and heavy. I promise when you finish this episode a weight will have been lifte...

Need some teacher laughs? Want to learn a little about the significance of being silly? You are in the right place! In this episode special guest Gaspare Randazzo talks about using humor and how comedy can be for the classroom. You will walk away with lots of laughs and also be ready to crush it in your classroom! Episode Notes:  This 21-Day virtual teacher course is all about SEL, relationships,...

Looking for ways to not let one student or one class period ruin your whole day? I’ve got an idea. Looking for ways to not feel super overwhelmed with all the extra roles and responsibilities of this year? I’ve got an idea. Looking for ways to balance or separate home life and teacher life? I’ve got an idea. This episode is all about answer the top 3 biggest questions that we as...

Teachers are always “cooking up” something. This is true both literally and figuratively. In this week’s episode the amazing, Jess Martin and I sit down and talk about how teachers handle cooking, crock-pots, and crazy recipes. Lots of laughs and lots of hacks boil to the surface in this segment of teachers just talking. Episode Notes:   $35 Off! Want to try Home Chef for the fir...

Feeling like you are literally falling into fall as a teacher? Need a quick motivational boost? Looking for a teacher pep talk? This episode has a 4-step idea that is going to totally change the way you approach this November and every month of this whole school year. No doubt you are going to be thankful you spent 20 short minutes listening to this episode that will have long-term impacts. Episod...

Teachers like us are always looking for helpful tips and tricks from other fellow teachers. And that is why education podcasts are so stinkin positive. Podcasts are a weekly opportunity for freaking awesome, free insight to help us live this teacher life. And in this episode I sat down with Jacob Chastain, host of the wildly popular Teach Me, Teacher podcast. We geek out over how to create high qu...

Spoiler alert: I am sharing an idea that has created a MAJOR decrease in classroom issues. The term “classroom management” is thrown around a lot. We had whole classes dedicated to it in undergrad. Our principals talk about it in our evaluations. And in 2021 some teachers are even saying we need to “ditch it.” Some educators believe that classroom management “isn&#821...

Music moves us in really meaningful ways. And as teachers sometimes we just have to have a classroom dance party right? In this episode I sit down with the amazing Kayse Morris as we talk about our best karaoke songs, our first concerts, and jams we know every lyric to. Because sometimes at the end of a hard school day, the best way to get ourselves out of a funk is to play some rap music and sing...

This is not what I thought this year was going to look like…. That is a statement that has been said by nearly every teacher this year and we are heart-broken about it. If you are struggling to get your foot this year. If you feel this year has been your hardest in education to date. If you are needing a big boost. Then this episode is for you because it’s all about setting realistic e...

What makes the greatest teachers, school leaders, and educators? The answer may not be what you think! In this episode I sat down with Super, Joe Sanfelippo and he shared one of the greatest secrets of his school. Spoiler alert: It’s a bike rack. What does that have to do with teaching and learning? Find out as we talk and tell stories together. Episode Notes:  Looking for 180 Days worth of...