Now if getting ready for school was really as easy as listening to 5 podcasts life as an educator would be so much better! Let's get real. You and I both know it isn't. We know that it takes more than the time given us to get everything all set. Most teachers I know have to go back weeks before school actually begins. It's a lot to ask, and we are often not thanked for doing it. So I want to say on behalf of children across the world- THANK YOU! Thank you for your continued dedication and commitment to excellence. Even if you do it to save your own sanity, THANK YOU! You continue to make a difference in the lives of others.

Today we will be talking about all things organization. This topic can be pretty tricky for those of us who are not necessarily gifted in this area. {I do like to keep the following quote in mind when my space gets less than tidy. LOL}

Classroom set up requires a great deal of intentional thinking. Where is your furniture? Can you get around quickly? Do you offer an alternative seating option? Do you have a cool down spot? Remember that proximity is the key.

Procedures and routines are such a vital part of a well-run classroom. Without them, everything falls apart. For real! Every time I have ever disliked a time in my school day it has all come down to what procedure I had in place during that time. Systems really are that crucial.

Today we talk all about getting into the right mindset for back-to-school. When we know that what we do has a purpose, we have to find ways to motivate and inspire ourselves to do the job well.

Getting your classroom ready for back-to-school can often feel like a daunting and overwhelming task. I mean you have back-to-school decor and decorations to figure out, open house, beginning of the year essentials and back-to-school printables to prepare and copy. The list could go on and on! But you get my point.

How do teachers know when it is time to walk away from teaching? As education changes and teachers are asked to do more with less, educators can find themselves questing the very profession in which they have dedicated their lives. It can be a tough decision whether to stay or to go.

Taking time to recharge is vital for teachers. It clears our minds, nourishes our soul, and prepares us for the year ahead. Today, I gathered answers from teachers on what they do over the summer. I hope you are reminded to take a breath.

Today I am talking with Jackie Waldman about recharging over the summer. She asks us to think about recharging over the summer for teachers as a way to get back what we have lost or let go of through the year that has left us depleted.  What can we do to get just a little of that back. So powerful! I hope you’ll join us. 

Today we are talking all about getting your makerspace up and running in your learning space. We will discuss storage ideas, labels and signs, procedures to have in place, and student expectations all around a makerspace.

Today we talk all about the 5 fundamental steps you need to launch a makerspace in your learning environment. If you missed episode 30: Why Every Teacher Should Have a Makerspace, then check that out first.

There are five astonishing reasons every classroom needs a makerspace. Join me today to hear how classrooms can utilize engagement, critical thinking, discovery, and more with a makerspace.

Talking curriculum, professional development, and building a community of teachers is one of my favorite things to do. That probably explains why Deedee Wills from the Facebook group Primary Collaborative and I speak for over an hour! It's a long one, but I loved every moment of it.

There is a love hate relationship with the end of the school year for teachers. We often hate all the tedious tasks we are asked to do like pack up our entire classroom just to unpack 2 months later, create class lists, and say goodbye to our kids and co-workers. We also love the idea of starting fresh in August, organizing our things, and getting a much needed break from the daily grind.

Today’s show takes a look at a system that is holding children to standards that are causing them to believe that their worth resides only in being college and career ready. Is this the message we should be sending to the next generation? Preparing kids to think and learn and problem solve is crucial, but it doesn’t have to be in college.  I hope you will join me as I share a letter that I wrote to my daughter when she didn’t get into the colleges she chose due to the message we sent her based on a test score.

Hey! So today I am so excited to have my dear friend Andrea here to welcome new teachers into the tribe of teaching. Andrea has always been a gift to other teachers, most notably for me. She offers practical advice for teachers who are just starting out in this big world of education. We hope you will join us as we pay tribute to our graduating teachers!

Surviving the end of the year is a difficult task for many teachers! Just ask a teacher which time in the year is hardest, and you will probably hear- the beginning of the year and the end of year tired is like no other teacher tired. So this week on One Tired Teacher, we are talking all about ways to survive the end and actually thrive during this time.

Makerspace is a rapidly growing trend in schools across the country. Most makerspaces can exist in Media Centers or Libraries. However, teachers can utilize the power of makerspace in their classrooms, as well. So why not have a makerspace in your classroom?

Hi there! Welcome to One Tired Teacher Episode 18 Integrating Technology into the Primary Classroom. On today’s show, I sit down with Brandi, a second-grade teacher from a Title One school in Oklahoma City Public Schools. Brandi shares an inspiring story about how Apple has come into their school and transformed it into a one-to-one school K-6th grade and has included 3 years of professional development support and beyond. Now THAT is how you integrate technology. The tools and strategies she has learned through 3 years of PD with Apple, are going to blow you away. You won’t want to miss a minute of this. So press play, and let’s start talking about technology in the classroom.

Should students be allowed to bring their phones to school? That is the question I am asking teachers on this week's show.