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Due to gun violence in the US, it's understandable that schools are focused on physical safety. On today's episode, Coach Ed Bradley discusses his desire to bring emotional and psychological safety into schools as priority as well.  Coach Ed Bradley is a retired educator and coach with more than 20 years of experience and the co-founder and co-owner of Powerful Minds Counseling. He is a best-selling author, educational consultant, motivational speaker, certified life coach, and Youth Mental Health First Aid instructor who provides training that helps educators recognize, respond to, and connect young people experiencing mental health challenges with appropriate support. Through Powerful Minds Counseling and the Empowered Minds Collaborative, he works to strengthen school culture, support educator well-being, and help schools see the person before the behavior.  3 KEY TAKEAWAYS: Because Coach Ed knew a student really well, he was able to get him the counseling he needed and saved him life. He was planning to take his life over break.Knowing your students psychologically and emotionally can help prevent them from harming themselves and one anotherIt's important you address concerns rather than keeping it to yourself and thinking you can help on your own. CONNECT WITH COACH ED: https://www.coachedbradley.comhttps://www.empoweredmindsonline.orghttps://www.powerfulmindscounseling.netSupport the show

Your classroom most likely feels chaotic because of a lack of systems or a lack of clarity around the systems you do have.  Systems are the processes in which you do something inside of your classroom and the lack of systems is usually the reason the classroom feels chaotic. So let’s talk about the different systems you can implement into your classroom in the next 24 hours that could support you and create a sense of calm.  We dive into 3 systems you can take with you and implement into your daily routine: Morning RoutinePost Lunch and Recess RoutineTransitionsIt’s important that we develop these systems at the start of the school year in order to set us up for success and set up the classroom as a place of learning. RESOURCES MENTIONED: Rooted: 3 Days of Building Classroom Foundations. A live 3-day Zoom workshop for new and student teachers, October 19-21 at 7pm ET (It was POSTPONED). Replays included. Only $9!MORE FROM ADVA: Follow Adva on Instagram Follow Adva on LinkedIn

Right now, you're probably reacting to every behavior that pops up. You feel like you're constantly putting out fires and never actually getting to teach. This isn't what you signed up for. That's why, today's episode is giving teachers the 3 shifts that completely changed the way I handle behavior after my first year of teaching and three years in early intervention. * Shift #1: It's not about control. It's about predictability and connection. * Shift #2: A circle time that fits little ones (7 minutes, MAX) * Shift #3: Routines over academics Here's my challenge for you this week: Grab a piece of paper and draw a line down the middle. Write "Behaviors" on one side and "My Response" on the other. List the behaviors you're seeing (and the ones you know might come up), then plan how you'll respond to each one. Behavior is communication. When you plan ahead, the chaos gets quieter. RESOURCES MENTIONED: Rooted: 3 Days of Building Classroom Foundations. A live 3-day Zoom workshop for new and student teachers, October 12-14 at 7pm ET. Replays included. Only $9!From College to Classroom [Adva's book]MORE FROM ADVA: Follow Adva on Instagram Follow Adva on LinkedIn

This is when things start to really show up for teachers. This is also when teaching can start to feel HARD and you question if you'll even make it through. That's why, today's episode is giving teachers 3 systems they can start to implement before October to minimize that stress and chaos. System #1: A predictable arrival routineSystem #2: Transitions that do the work for youSystem #3: Your end-of-day shutdownHere's my challenge for you this week: Don't try to implement all 3. Pick ONE. The one that would make the biggest difference in your classroom right now. Start there. RESOURCES MENTIONED: Rooted: 3 Days of Building Classroom Foundations [a 3-day workshop for new teachers]MORE FROM ADVA: Follow Adva on Instagram @coachforteachersFollow Adva on LinkedIn Support the show

If you've ever been to a professional development workshop, wanted to take something specific into your classroom but then either weren't supported in that endeavor or not knowing how to implement it... you're in the right place. Dr. Cheryl Hovey is an early childhood educator, consultant, and national presenter with more than 30 years of experience in the field. Her work focuses on infant and toddler development, temperament, resilience, and leadership, bringing research and real-world practice together with humor, honesty, and strategies educators can actually use. 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS: Support from admin is critical to be able to fill the gap between knowing and doing in an early childhood classroom.Having a strong foundation is KEY for you to be the educator that's meeting expectations each day.Children develop in time, not on time.CONNECT WITH DR. CHERYL: https://www.ezed2go.comhttps://www.instagram.com/ezed2go

In today's podcast episode, I got to talk to Coach Rae -- an established coach and mentor in the early education sector. She supports teachers via her Hey, Coach Rae Educational venture, promoting the importance of collaboration among staff and understanding the efficacy of quality systems. Coach Rae and I have similar stories in their growth paths in our journeys as early childhood educators. This episode is all about taking the risk if you feel it's time for you to grow beyond the position you're currently in.  3 KEY TAKEAWAYS: The path to growth in education doesn't necessarily end with you in administration.Purpose is something you discover and something that you buildWhen you experience fear in doing pursuing something new within education, don't let that stop you.CONNECT WITH COACH RAE: Instagramhttps://www.heycoachrae.com

In conversation with new teachers, the anxiety around parent communication comes up often. In this episode, we dive into: Setting the foundation for parent communicationDelivering "bad" news to parents and a preferred method of communication3 strategies to help you navigate parent communication Importance of setting boundaries in communicating with parentsRESOURCES MENTIONED: Built to Last: Classroom Foundations for Teachers [grab those scripts!]MORE FROM ADVA: Follow Adva on Instagram @coachforteachersFollow Adva on LinkedIn

If you were building a house, you'd want to build it on a solid foundation. So why are new teachers expected to build their teaching careers on a rocky foundation?Part of new teachers building a solid foundation requires them to be provided with mentorship and in-class support.  It's why I wrote my book, From College to Classroom. And it's why I'm launching my course, Built to Last: Classroom Foundations for Teachers. Building a solid foundation doesn’t come from learning as you go, although you could try that. It comes from investing in your knowledge and learning from those who have done this before.  RESOURCES MENTIONED: Get the book!Built to Last: Classroom Foundations for Teachers [Course Waitlist]MORE FROM ADVA: Follow Adva on Instagram @coachforteachersFollow Adva on LinkedIn

If you've ever struggled to navigate challenges as an early childhood educator, this episode is for you! Today, I have the incredible Dr. Jamie Lewis as a guest. Dr. Lewis is an award-winning early childhood education leader, entrepreneur, speaker, and Founder/CEO of SheEO Educational Institute and New Horizon Learning Academy in Louisiana. With years of experience in childcare leadership, mentorship, and professional development, she is passionate about helping educators build strong programs, develop confident leaders, and create lasting impact for children, families, and communities. Please help me welcome Dr. Jamie Lewis to the podcast! 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS: Parents struggle for childcare due to a lack of funding and therefore creates a loss of income for preschoolsTeacher retention is another challenge, struggling to find teachersHow your admin handles struggles that you bring to the table makes a huge difference in the way you feel about your job as a teacherCONNECT WITH DR. JAMIE Instagramhttps://www.sheeo-institute.orgnhlanola.comMORE FROM ADVA: Grab the book!Follow Adva on Instagram @coachforteachersFollow Adva on LinkedIn

You're starting the school year and feeling the excitement but that excitement is also mixed in with a little stress and a little overwhelm. That stress and overwhelm may have you shutting down or going even harder -- doing everything you can, even if it means you sacrifice your life outside of teaching. In this episode, Adva dives into ways in which you can start the school year without feeling the burnout creeping in within weeks of the first day of school. 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS: Bringing fun back into life is so important, especially as we get into the thick of busy season as teachersSetting boundaries from day 1 is crucial to your well-beingYour homework: do 1 fun thing for yourself this week! No matter how busy life and work may feel.MORE FROM ADVA: Grab the book!Follow Adva on Instagram @coachforteachersFollow Adva on LinkedIn

As teachers, we always hear that "behavior is communication." In today's episode, you'll learn the science behind the emotions that can drive behavior especially in young children.  Today's guest is someone who believes early childhood education should be taken more seriously because it all starts in early childhood – what we absorb and the environment around us makes us who we are. But today, he is here to talk to us about emotions, specifically navigating the big emotions we see in our classrooms every day. And then being able to navigate our own emotions once we step outside of the school building as teachers. He has a background in neuroscience and is bringing us all the knowledge we need to understand emotions and behavior.  Please help me welcome Chris to the podcast! 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS: The way you take in information, there is no way for you to not feel first. It's harder to try to not react. The question is: how quickly can I move through this reaction? Jumping in and solving problems for our students is counter-intuitive and doesn't help them to be good problem solvers. CONNECT WITH CHRIS: InstagramWebsiteMORE FROM ADVA: Grab the book!Follow Adva on Instagram @coachforteachersFollow Adva on LinkedIn

We're BACK! And ready to dive in as if this extended break never really happened. I'm on a mission to bring this podcast back and make it better than ever. 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS: I blamed the wrong people for the hardships I was going through this past school yearI let fear take over certain decisions I made in and out of my businessI (once again) did not listen to my gut, my intuition. I let thoughts of scarcity take over and steer the wheel.MORE FROM ADVA: Grab the book!Follow Adva on Instagram @coachforteachersFollow Adva on LinkedIn

I'm tearing up as I write this.  This school year has been extraordinarily tough on me and I have to make some hard decisions as I go into the craziness of the last few weeks. I've struggled with mental health (depression and anxiety), I've struggled with a lot of resentment toward the classroom, and really struggled to show up the way I wanted to.  I'm taking an extended break and will be back very soon. I'm not sure exactly when that will be but I promise it'll happen. The reality is, I need to take something off my plate in order to come back even stronger. This isn't goodbye, this is: I'll see you soon.   You got this! STAY CONNECTED: @coachforteachersMore than a Teacher NewsletterSupport the show

This time of year can feel like a lot for so many teachers. It's almost the end of the school year, the students are even more chaotic than they were at the start, everyone is ready for summer vacation, BUT there are still a few weeks left before you are officially on summer vacation. Today, I dive into 3 habits that will help make teaching more sustainable during this time of year. Consistently (across the board)No scrolling at night (before bed)Setting time as for ME and my loved onesThese are habits I'm locking in over the next few weeks that have always helped me create a more sustainable schedule for myself as a teacher. You can take what resonates and leave the rest.  RESOURCES MENTIONED: Grab my newest book!MORE FROM ADVA: Follow Adva on Instagram @coachforteachersFollow Adva on LinkedInSupport the show

It can be really hard to hear the news of non-renewal. It makes it hard to show up to work each day. It makes you question whether or not you were meant to be teaching. In today's episode, I have Stephanie on the podcast.  She speaks from prior experiences of being non-renewed more than once and gives those in this position some incredible advice to get through; especially if you want to stay in education.  3 KEY TAKEAWAYS: One of the most common reasons teachers get non-renewed is due to their classroom and behavior management.Unfortunately, non-renewals happen and many times the reasons are unknown or vague.You CAN stay in education after a non-renewal -- this doesn't end your career as a teacher.CONNECT WITH STEPHANIE: InstagramJoin her Support GroupMORE FROM ADVA: Grab her new book!Follow Adva on Instagram @coachforteachersFollow Adva on LinkedInSupport the show