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Have you heard any of these this semester: Remember your why. We're here for the kids. It could be worse. We're a family. Toxic positivity can be difficult to deal with when the realities of the classroom, right down to your own safety, seem to be staring you in the face. The end of October is also a stressful time for teachers trying to avoid burnout and take care of themselves despite the demands of school. In this episode, you'll learn three ways to combat toxic positivity so you can focus on what matters and protect your own well-being.  FAN MAIL: Have a question or idea for a future episode on teacher burnout or classroom management? Want to be a guest interview? Send me a text - I'd love to hear from you! Support the show Watch my TEDx talk on teacher resilience and burnout here. Get your copy of Teachaholic: The 7-Day MindSET Shift to Conquer Burnout, Build Life-Changing Boundaries, and Reignite Your Love for Teaching at www.erinsponaugle.com/book.  Download the Teachaholic Action Guide to begin your journey back from burnout!   SUBSCRIBE to Next Chapter for Teachers on YouTube! Download The Great 88: Rules, Routines, and Expectations to Go Over and Over! For more resources on classroom management, time management, and  teacher burnout, visit www.erinsponaugle.com. Find more upper elementary classroom resources by visiting Next Chapter Press on Teachers Pay Teachers. Instagram Facebook Pinterest

It's October and Emotional Wellness Month. It's also the time of year when teacher burnout hits educators head-on amid report cards, conferences, and student behavior issues. In this episode, I revisit the impact my book Teachaholic had on changing mindsets about teaching in a system that continues to be in need of overhaul, and what we can focus on going forward to protect our mental health and create a better future for tomorrow's educators.  FAN MAIL: Have a question or idea for a future episode on teacher burnout or classroom management? Want to be a guest interview? Send me a text - I'd love to hear from you! Support the show Watch my TEDx talk on teacher resilience and burnout here. Get your copy of Teachaholic: The 7-Day MindSET Shift to Conquer Burnout, Build Life-Changing Boundaries, and Reignite Your Love for Teaching at www.erinsponaugle.com/book.  Download the Teachaholic Action Guide to begin your journey back from burnout!   SUBSCRIBE to Next Chapter for Teachers on YouTube! Download The Great 88: Rules, Routines, and Expectations to Go Over and Over! For more resources on classroom management, time management, and  teacher burnout, visit www.erinsponaugle.com. Find more upper elementary classroom resources by visiting Next Chapter Press on Teachers Pay Teachers. Instagram Facebook Pinterest

Do you feel buried under a mountain of ungraded assignments? Is grading stressing you out because it feels like it consumes every minute you aren't teaching? Giving grades and assessing student progress is a large part of classroom life, but it doesn't have to leave you overwhelmed. Let's shrink that giant bag of assignments you're carrying in your back seat. In this episode, you'll learn why grading is leaving you on the brink of burnout and some strategies for reducing and condensing the number of assignments needing to be scored. Having issues getting students to turn in their work so you can even give it a grade to begin with? Make sure you listen to this episode on what to do when students don't complete assignments! FAN MAIL: Have a question or idea for a future episode on teacher burnout or classroom management? Want to be a guest interview? Send me a text - I'd love to hear from you! Support the show Watch my TEDx talk on teacher resilience and burnout here. Get your copy of Teachaholic: The 7-Day MindSET Shift to Conquer Burnout, Build Life-Changing Boundaries, and Reignite Your Love for Teaching at www.erinsponaugle.com/book.  Download the Teachaholic Action Guide to begin your journey back from burnout!   SUBSCRIBE to Next Chapter for Teachers on YouTube! Download The Great 88: Rules, Routines, and Expectations to Go Over and Over! For more resources on classroom management, time management, and  teacher burnout, visit www.erinsponaugle.com. Find more upper elementary classroom resources by visiting Next Chapter Press on Teachers Pay Teachers. Instagram Facebook Pinterest

Lesson planning is an important part of being prepared to meet your students' needs… but how can you do it efficiently with everything else that is expected of you as a teacher? In this episode, I'll cover the key things to remember when you feel overwhelmed by the planning process, so you can be prepared for the week ahead without it taking extra time off the clock.  FAN MAIL: Have a question or idea for a future episode on teacher burnout or classroom management? Want to be a guest interview? Send me a text - I'd love to hear from you! Support the show Watch my TEDx talk on teacher resilience and burnout here. Get your copy of Teachaholic: The 7-Day MindSET Shift to Conquer Burnout, Build Life-Changing Boundaries, and Reignite Your Love for Teaching at www.erinsponaugle.com/book.  Download the Teachaholic Action Guide to begin your journey back from burnout!   SUBSCRIBE to Next Chapter for Teachers on YouTube! Download The Great 88: Rules, Routines, and Expectations to Go Over and Over! For more resources on classroom management, time management, and  teacher burnout, visit www.erinsponaugle.com. Find more upper elementary classroom resources by visiting Next Chapter Press on Teachers Pay Teachers. Instagram Facebook Pinterest

Ever feel like you live at school? If you are used to being the last car in the parking lot, this episode is for you. Being a teacher shouldn't mean you forfeit your right to take care of your needs and have a life outside of school. It's one of the quickest ways to end up in teacher burnout. Leaving school on time gives you the chance to reboot and recoup for the next school day. In this episode, you'll learn why going home on time is so important to your health and effectiveness in the classroom, and tips to make it happen starting today. FAN MAIL: Have a question or idea for a future episode on teacher burnout or classroom management? Want to be a guest interview? Send me a text - I'd love to hear from you! Support the show Watch my TEDx talk on teacher resilience and burnout here. Get your copy of Teachaholic: The 7-Day MindSET Shift to Conquer Burnout, Build Life-Changing Boundaries, and Reignite Your Love for Teaching at www.erinsponaugle.com/book.  Download the Teachaholic Action Guide to begin your journey back from burnout!   SUBSCRIBE to Next Chapter for Teachers on YouTube! Download The Great 88: Rules, Routines, and Expectations to Go Over and Over! For more resources on classroom management, time management, and  teacher burnout, visit www.erinsponaugle.com. Find more upper elementary classroom resources by visiting Next Chapter Press on Teachers Pay Teachers. Instagram Facebook Pinterest

Are you tired from making decisions all day as a teacher? It can often feel like you're on a hamster wheel, dealing with things that require your input during the school day, only to come home...and have to make more decisions! Decision fatigue is real, and it can contribute to teacher burnout. In this episode, you'll learn an "idea" for how to approach decision-making in and out of the classroom. It's a process you can apply to all the demands you've been thrown at throughout the year to streamline and focus on what matters most.  FAN MAIL: Have a question or idea for a future episode on teacher burnout or classroom management? Want to be a guest interview? Send me a text - I'd love to hear from you! Support the show Watch my TEDx talk on teacher resilience and burnout here. Get your copy of Teachaholic: The 7-Day MindSET Shift to Conquer Burnout, Build Life-Changing Boundaries, and Reignite Your Love for Teaching at www.erinsponaugle.com/book.  Download the Teachaholic Action Guide to begin your journey back from burnout!   SUBSCRIBE to Next Chapter for Teachers on YouTube! Download The Great 88: Rules, Routines, and Expectations to Go Over and Over! For more resources on classroom management, time management, and  teacher burnout, visit www.erinsponaugle.com. Find more upper elementary classroom resources by visiting Next Chapter Press on Teachers Pay Teachers. Instagram Facebook Pinterest

How do you write a book as a teacher? What do you need to do to become an author? A little more than ten years ago, I was asking myself these questions and desperately trying to find the answers. I felt pulled to put a children's book into the world, and then a book for teachers. If you are a teacher who has ever wanted more than just teaching in the traditional classroom to be a part of your legacy, you don't want to miss this episode. Learn how I got into writing books when I knew absolutely nothing about publishing and why putting a book into the world was important in my journey as an educator.  FAN MAIL: Have a question or idea for a future episode on teacher burnout or classroom management? Want to be a guest interview? Send me a text - I'd love to hear from you! Support the show Watch my TEDx talk on teacher resilience and burnout here. Get your copy of Teachaholic: The 7-Day MindSET Shift to Conquer Burnout, Build Life-Changing Boundaries, and Reignite Your Love for Teaching at www.erinsponaugle.com/book.  Download the Teachaholic Action Guide to begin your journey back from burnout!   SUBSCRIBE to Next Chapter for Teachers on YouTube! Download The Great 88: Rules, Routines, and Expectations to Go Over and Over! For more resources on classroom management, time management, and  teacher burnout, visit www.erinsponaugle.com. Find more upper elementary classroom resources by visiting Next Chapter Press on Teachers Pay Teachers. Instagram Facebook Pinterest

What's it like to be the teacher of the year? This week, I'm looking back on my experience as a state Teacher of the Year and what it taught me about self-worth and making an impact in education. If you are someone who is going through the interview process for a teaching job or for an award, you'll want to listen to this episode on how the unexpected twists in life can lead you to discover new ways to have an impact. You can listen to my interview on teacher burnout last week with Rainboad Sky Creations here. FAN MAIL: Have a question or idea for a future episode on teacher burnout or classroom management? Want to be a guest interview? Send me a text - I'd love to hear from you! Support the show Watch my TEDx talk on teacher resilience and burnout here. Get your copy of Teachaholic: The 7-Day MindSET Shift to Conquer Burnout, Build Life-Changing Boundaries, and Reignite Your Love for Teaching at www.erinsponaugle.com/book.  Download the Teachaholic Action Guide to begin your journey back from burnout!   SUBSCRIBE to Next Chapter for Teachers on YouTube! Download The Great 88: Rules, Routines, and Expectations to Go Over and Over! For more resources on classroom management, time management, and  teacher burnout, visit www.erinsponaugle.com. Find more upper elementary classroom resources by visiting Next Chapter Press on Teachers Pay Teachers. Instagram Facebook Pinterest

What do you think of when you hear "school leadership?" Being an effective school leader goes beyond test scores and the management of behavior and staff. Although those are important elements, how you impact those around you in your words and actions accounts for the most important parts of school leadership - and you don't have to be an administrator to have an impact. In this brief summer series episode, I share the leadership interaction that impacted my teaching career the most and how you can influence through leadership without leaving the classroom. FAN MAIL: Have a question or idea for a future episode on teacher burnout or classroom management? Want to be a guest interview? Send me a text - I'd love to hear from you! Support the show Watch my TEDx talk on teacher resilience and burnout here. Get your copy of Teachaholic: The 7-Day MindSET Shift to Conquer Burnout, Build Life-Changing Boundaries, and Reignite Your Love for Teaching at www.erinsponaugle.com/book.  Download the Teachaholic Action Guide to begin your journey back from burnout!   SUBSCRIBE to Next Chapter for Teachers on YouTube! Download The Great 88: Rules, Routines, and Expectations to Go Over and Over! For more resources on classroom management, time management, and  teacher burnout, visit www.erinsponaugle.com. Find more upper elementary classroom resources by visiting Next Chapter Press on Teachers Pay Teachers. Instagram Facebook Pinterest

My first two years of teaching were rough. While I was a great student in college, navigating being a new teacher and a young adult with an anxiety disorder left me in turmoil and wondering if I was meant to be a teacher. I look back on this time in my life and wish I had someone I could have confided in who would have told me I could turn things around. If you are a new teacher wondering if things will get better personally and professionally, this episode is for you. Too often, we discount young adults who are just starting out instead of giving them the support, space, and guidance to become who they are meant to be. You can learn more about my experience with panic attacks and beginning my teaching career in this post and podcast episode.  FAN MAIL: Have a question or idea for a future episode on teacher burnout or classroom management? Want to be a guest interview? Send me a text - I'd love to hear from you! Support the show Watch my TEDx talk on teacher resilience and burnout here. Get your copy of Teachaholic: The 7-Day MindSET Shift to Conquer Burnout, Build Life-Changing Boundaries, and Reignite Your Love for Teaching at www.erinsponaugle.com/book.  Download the Teachaholic Action Guide to begin your journey back from burnout!   SUBSCRIBE to Next Chapter for Teachers on YouTube! Download The Great 88: Rules, Routines, and Expectations to Go Over and Over! For more resources on classroom management, time management, and  teacher burnout, visit www.erinsponaugle.com. Find more upper elementary classroom resources by visiting Next Chapter Press on Teachers Pay Teachers. Instagram Facebook Pinterest

Why did you become a teacher? If you ever wanted to know more about how I got where I'm at in education, this summer is your chance to learn about me! In this "Walk with Me" summer series, I'm sharing all the (well, almost all :-) the things that have brought me to this point in my life, starting with how I chose to become a teacher in college. While I didn't come across as your ideal teacher education candidate, it was an idea I couldn't get out of my head and chose to pursue, regardless of the obstacles ahead. Listen and stay tuned for more Meet the Teacher episodes this summer!  FAN MAIL: Have a question or idea for a future episode on teacher burnout or classroom management? Want to be a guest interview? Send me a text - I'd love to hear from you! Support the show Watch my TEDx talk on teacher resilience and burnout here. Get your copy of Teachaholic: The 7-Day MindSET Shift to Conquer Burnout, Build Life-Changing Boundaries, and Reignite Your Love for Teaching at www.erinsponaugle.com/book.  Download the Teachaholic Action Guide to begin your journey back from burnout!   SUBSCRIBE to Next Chapter for Teachers on YouTube! Download The Great 88: Rules, Routines, and Expectations to Go Over and Over! For more resources on classroom management, time management, and  teacher burnout, visit www.erinsponaugle.com. Find more upper elementary classroom resources by visiting Next Chapter Press on Teachers Pay Teachers. Instagram Facebook Pinterest

If the end of the school year has you feeling exhausted and unable to function, you aren't alone. The demands of the school year and the stress of closing out the year in your classroom can leave you feeling like you've been sucked of all your energy. I have five things I focus on as soon as the school year ends to help me recover and enjoy all that the break from going to school each day for a few months can offer. Listen to this episode if you want more from your summer break than zoning out in a sea of fatigue or jumping from one form of stress to another. Give yourself permission to focus on your family and personal needs, and you may be surprised how healing it can become. For more on teacher self-care over the summer, check out my YouTube playlist here! FAN MAIL: Have a question or idea for a future episode on teacher burnout or classroom management? Want to be a guest interview? Send me a text - I'd love to hear from you! Support the show Watch my TEDx talk on teacher resilience and burnout here. Get your copy of Teachaholic: The 7-Day MindSET Shift to Conquer Burnout, Build Life-Changing Boundaries, and Reignite Your Love for Teaching at www.erinsponaugle.com/book.  Download the Teachaholic Action Guide to begin your journey back from burnout!   SUBSCRIBE to Next Chapter for Teachers on YouTube! Download The Great 88: Rules, Routines, and Expectations to Go Over and Over! For more resources on classroom management, time management, and  teacher burnout, visit www.erinsponaugle.com. Find more upper elementary classroom resources by visiting Next Chapter Press on Teachers Pay Teachers. Instagram Facebook Pinterest

As the school year comes to an end in the United States, many of us are already thinking about what the next school year will bring. At some point, even if it's in August, you will be gearing up for back-to-school and the extra energy it will require of you. What if we took this summer to think about how we could approach the many tasks and asks of the school year so we could focus on what matters most?  In this interview with Ashleigh Smith of Rainbow Sky Creations, you will get a refreshing reminder of how things can work better in your classroom without reinventing the wheel and feeling like you have to check every item off your to-do list in order to be an effective teacher. You'll enjoy this practical, fun conversation that will have you reflecting on how you can spend your time in the classroom to make the best use of it, without being distracted by things that don't make the best use of our time and energy. Ashleigh is one half of Rainbow Sky Creations, where she works alongside her business partner Alisha to create resources and content for primary school teachers. With a genuine love for teaching, Ashleigh is passionate about helping educators feel more confident, supported, and inspired in their classrooms. She is driven to find ways to make learning meaningful and engaging for students while simplifying the day-to-day demands placed on teachers. At the heart of her work is the belief in working smarter, not harder. Ashleigh understands classroom realities and is committed to creating practical tools and ideas that lighten the load without compromising impact. Through Rainbow Sky Creations, she aims to ensure teachers feel supported, valued, and never alone, always reminding them that rainbows lie ahead. To connect with Ashleigh: Online shop: https://shop.rainbowskycreations.com/ Blog: https://rainbowskycreations.com/blog Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rainbowskycreations/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rainbowskycreations?lang=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rainbowskycreations/ FAN MAIL: Have a question or idea for a future episode on teacher burnout or classroom management? Want to be a guest interview? Send me a text - I'd love to hear from you! Support the show Watch my TEDx talk on teacher resilience and burnout here. Get your copy of Teachaholic: The 7-Day MindSET Shift to Conquer Burnout, Build Life-Changing Boundaries, and Reignite Your Love for Teaching at www.erinsponaugle.com/book.  Download the Teachaholic Action Guide to begin your journey back from burnout!   SUBSCRIBE to Next Chapter for Teachers on YouTube! Download The Great 88: Rules, Routines, and Expectations to Go Over and Over! For more resources on classroom management, time management, and  teacher burnout, visit www.erinsponaugle.com. Find more upper elementary classroom resources by visiting Next Chapter Press on Teachers Pay Teachers. Instagram Facebook Pinterest

When most teachers hear the word ‘observation,’ it doesn’t exactly bring a sense of excitement or growth. It brings pressure and performance, and for many teachers, the feeling of being judged rather than supported. But what if observations could actually do what they were originally intended to do: help teachers grow, reflect, and feel more confident in their practice? In this conversation, I’m joined by Craig Randall, who specializes in trust-based observation models that aim to shift evaluations from a ‘gotcha’ moment into something far more meaningful and human-centered. We’re talking about why traditional evaluation systems often miss the mark, how trust completely changes what happens in a classroom, and what teachers can do (even within imperfect systems) to make observations feel a little less performative and a lot more productive. Craig Randall is the developer and author of Trust-Based Observations, an Amazon number-one bestseller in five countries. Craig has spent the last 30-plus years in education working as a counselor, coach, teacher, and principal. Craig spends the majority of his time training school leaders in Trust-Based Observations (TBO), building mastery, and transforming the world of teacher observations to a model of trust and support that fosters growth mindsets, cultures of trust, and creates collective teacher efficacy in action.  To connect with Craig and learn more about his book and resources for Trust-Based Observations, check out the links below: Website: https://trustbased.com/ X: https://x.com/TrustbasedCraig LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trustbasedcraig/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/craig.randall.7311 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trustbasedcraig/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/trustbasedcraig.bsky.social FAN MAIL: Have a question or idea for a future episode on teacher burnout or classroom management? Want to be a guest interview? Send me a text - I'd love to hear from you! Support the show Watch my TEDx talk on teacher resilience and burnout here. Get your copy of Teachaholic: The 7-Day MindSET Shift to Conquer Burnout, Build Life-Changing Boundaries, and Reignite Your Love for Teaching at www.erinsponaugle.com/book.  Download the Teachaholic Action Guide to begin your journey back from burnout!   SUBSCRIBE to Next Chapter for Teachers on YouTube! Download The Great 88: Rules, Routines, and Expectations to Go Over and Over! For more resources on classroom management, time management, and  teacher burnout, visit www.erinsponaugle.com. Find more upper elementary classroom resources by visiting Next Chapter Press on Teachers Pay Teachers. Instagram Facebook Pinterest

Do you feel like you have too many tabs open right now as a teacher? Stressed out and overwhelmed from the noise, stuff accumulating in your classroom, and hearing your students say your name on repeat? It's easy to become overstimulated as a teacher, especially as the school year comes to a close or right before the holidays. How do you combat the sensory overload and avoid starting your summer break on the brink of burnout? In this episode, you'll learn why it's important to address overstimulation instead of powering through the insanity and ways you can manage the craziness, no matter what the end of the school year throws at you. Other episodes related to this topic: 58. My Class Is Driving Me Crazy! (Student Behavior) 37. Dealing With Repetitive and Distruptive Noises in the Classroom FAN MAIL: Have a question or idea for a future episode on teacher burnout or classroom management? Want to be a guest interview? Send me a text - I'd love to hear from you! Support the show Watch my TEDx talk on teacher resilience and burnout here. Get your copy of Teachaholic: The 7-Day MindSET Shift to Conquer Burnout, Build Life-Changing Boundaries, and Reignite Your Love for Teaching at www.erinsponaugle.com/book.  Download the Teachaholic Action Guide to begin your journey back from burnout!   SUBSCRIBE to Next Chapter for Teachers on YouTube! Download The Great 88: Rules, Routines, and Expectations to Go Over and Over! For more resources on classroom management, time management, and  teacher burnout, visit www.erinsponaugle.com. Find more upper elementary classroom resources by visiting Next Chapter Press on Teachers Pay Teachers. Instagram Facebook Pinterest