Teacher Approved: Elementary Teacher Tips & Strategies
by Heidi and Emily, Elementary School Teacher and Resource Designer
Do you ever feel like there’s just not enough time in the day to be the kind of teacher you really want to be? We know that feeling and we’re here to help! Each week on The Teacher Approved podcast, we discuss how to be the teacher you dream of being by elevating what matters and simplifying the rest.Join co-hosts Emily and Heidi of Second Story Window as they share research-based and teacher-approved strategies you can count on to make your teaching more efficient and effective than ever before. Topics include classroom management, routines for the elementary school classroom, planning, student-teacher relationships, teacher organization hacks, student engagement, classroom management, and more. Whether you’re a new teacher seeking guidance or a seasoned educator looking for fresh ideas, the Teacher Approved podcast is your guide to fostering a thriving elementary classroom!For more teacher approved tips and resources, head to www.secondstorywindow.net and follow along on Instagram
Episodes
-
293. 3 Things Smart Teachers Do Before December Hits
December has a way of sneaking up on you, and suddenly your classroom routines are unraveling while your energy and to-do list are stretched to the limit. In this episode, we’re sharing how to use November to get ahead of the December chaos by prioritizing what matters, letting go of what can…
more -
292. 5 Reliable Steps to Stop Classroom Behavior Problems
When classroom behavior starts to slide, it can feel like your only options are to ignore it or stop everything to shut it down. In this episode, we’re sharing our four-step behavior response ladder, plus how to use consequences that teach instead of punish. We talk about avoiding power…
more -
291. Can't Miss Classic: Halloween Classroom Management That Actually Works
Halloween in the classroom can be a whole lot of fun, but when the excitement starts climbing, it can feel like you’re trying to teach a room full of caffeinated squirrels! In this classic replay episode, we’re sharing our Halloween survival guide for keeping the fun without letting your…
more -
290. How to Read the Room When Student Behavior Feels Off
What if the behavior you’re seeing in your classroom is actually giving you useful information? In this episode, we’re looking at how to read the energy in your classroom, use (you guessed it!) structure and spark to understand what students need, and make small, targeted adjustments instead of...
-
289. How to Boost Engagement and Keep Students Thinking with Guided Notes
There’s nothing quite like looking around your classroom mid-lesson and wondering, “Are they learning, or am I just talking?” In this episode, we’re talking about student engagement and how guided notes can keep students thinking during instruction. We break down five steps for creating guided...
-
288. Can't Miss Classic: Your Seating Chart Could Fix Classroom Behavior
Once you’ve had a few weeks to get to know your students, it’s the perfect time to take another look at your seating chart. In this replay episode, we’re sharing our best strategies for choosing a seating arrangement, using proximity to keep students on task, and recognizing when a seating setup...
-
287. The Friday Teacher Routine That Makes Monday Easier
Mondays can feel overwhelming when you’re carrying unfinished tasks and trying to remember EVERYTHING that needs to happen! In this episode, we’re sharing a 5-step weekly reset to help you wrap up loose ends, prepare for the week ahead, and create a clearer starting point for Monday. It’s not…
more -
286. 6 Simple Steps for Smoother Classroom Transitions
Transitions can quietly eat up valuable instructional time, especially when students start moving before directions are finished. In this episode, we’re breaking down a simple framework for making prompted transitions smoother, more efficient, and easier to manage by standardizing your approach....
-
285. Positive Classroom Culture is Your Management Secret Weapon
Your classroom culture is what teaches students how to behave, whether you’re the one doing the teaching or not! In this episode, we’re talking about how to intentionally shape a positive classroom culture that makes classroom management easier. We break down five practical steps and explain how...
-
284. Want Better Classroom Behavior? Start in the Hallway
Hallway procedures might seem like a small part of classroom management, but they can have a much bigger impact on classroom success than you might expect. In this classic replay episode, we’re breaking down how to create effective hallway procedures by planning strategically, responding to...
-
283. Can't Miss Classic: Why Reaching for a Reward System Might Be the Wrong First Move
Rewards might feel like an easy classroom management solution, but are they actually making your life harder? In this Can't Miss Classic, we’re taking a closer look at when rewards help, when they can backfire, and how to use them more intentionally. We’re sharing why you probably don’t need a...
-
282. 3 Ways to Hold Students Accountable to Your Classroom Expectations
By the third week of school, the novelty starts to wear off and classroom expectations can begin to slip. In this episode, we explore how to hold students accountable without becoming harsh, using three practical strategies: reteaching procedures, giving clear directions and expecting...
-
281. Can't Miss Classic: The Two Hours That Shape Your Entire First Day
The first day of school doesn’t have to leave you completely wiped out! In this replay episode, we’re talking about the “back-to-school sandwich” and the often-overlooked moments before and after students arrive. We’re sharing practical ways to prepare emotionally, handle the logistical details,...
-
280. 4 Teacher Lessons We Wish We'd Learned Sooner
As our book Structure and Spark gets ready to go out into the world, we’re looking back at four lessons we wish we had learned much earlier in our teaching careers. In this episode, we unpack the ideas that changed the way we approached teaching, from building the right systems and staying on the...
-
279. Can't Miss Classic: What Every Student Needs to Hear in the First Three Days
The first few days of school set the tone for everything that follows, so how can you intentionally build a classroom where students feel safe, seen, and needed? In this can’t-miss classic episode, we’re sharing practical ways to answer those three questions from day one through clear procedures,...
-
278. Want Better Behavior? Start with Relationships
Strong teacher student relationships are the foundation of effective classroom management! In this episode, we share practical ways to build trust from the very beginning of the school year and explain why cooperation is more powerful than compliance. You'll walk away with simple strategies to...
-
277. Can't Miss Classic: 10 Questions That Make Your Classroom Procedures Actually Work
Ever wonder why some classroom procedures seem to run effortlessly while others constantly need reminders? In this replay episode, we're sharing how a few simple guiding questions can help you plan classroom procedures that actually work...for both you and your students! We'll walk you through 10...
-
276. The Real Reason Teachers Are Exhausted in August
Back-to-school exhaustion isn't just about long hours or a heavy workload! In this episode, we explore the surprising reason behind back-to-school fatigue and explain how a lack of automaticity creates extra mental strain. We also share practical systems that help you build external structure,...
-
275. Can't Miss Classic: The Most Important Back-to-School Prep Teachers Usually Forget
This week we're replaying one of our favorite back-to-school episodes because it's a reminder every teacher needs: don't just prepare your classroom, prepare yourself. We're sharing simple, practical ways to create a softer landing into the school year by setting up your home life, supporting…
more -
274. The Overwhelm Buster: 3 Steps to Beat Back-to-School Stress
We’ve learned the hard way that panic-prepping for back-to-school season isn’t the answer. It can leave teachers feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and still unprepared. In today’s episode, we introduce our simple three-step Overwhelm Buster to help you take back control! Join us as we talk through...
-
[TST26] Building the Teaching Life You Actually Want (Starting With Back-to-School) with Heidi Van Natter & Emily Stephenson
🎧 This episode is part of Teacher Summer Talks! Click here for fun. We’re sharing it for free on our Teacher Approved podcast feed for 48 hours only! Be sure to grab your free ticket so you don’t miss all the other summit happenings. And don’t forget you can upgrade to the Max Pass to get…
more -
[TST26] How to Stop Dreading September Before It Even Starts with Kelsey Sorenson
✨ Featured Speaker! ✨ 🎧 This episode is part of Teacher Summer Talks! We’re sharing it for free on our Teacher Approved podcast feed for 48 hours only! Be sure to grab your free ticket so you don’t miss all the other summit happenings. And don’t forget you can upgrade to the Max Pass to get...
-
[TST26] Protect Your Energy: 3 Back-to-School Boundaries Every Teacher Needs with Jacey Schank
✨ Featured Speaker! ✨ 🎧 This episode is part of Teacher Summer Talks! We’re sharing it for free on our Teacher Approved podcast feed for 48 hours only! Be sure to grab your free ticket so you don’t miss all the other summit happenings. And don’t forget you can upgrade to the Max Pass to get...
-
[TST26] Building Your Reading Intervention Schedule for the First Month of School with Shannon Moore Ed.S
🎧 This episode is part of Teacher Summer Talks! We’re sharing it for free on our Teacher Approved podcast feed for 48 hours only! Be sure to grab your free ticket so you don’t miss all the other summit happenings. And don’t forget you can upgrade to the Max Pass to get ongoing access to all...
-
[TST26] The Conversation Every Teaching Team Needs Before School Starts with Lisa Hollady
🎧 This episode is part of Teacher Summer Talks! We’re sharing it for free on our Teacher Approved podcast feed for 48 hours only! Be sure to grab your free ticket so you don’t miss all the other summit happenings. And don’t forget you can upgrade to the Max Pass to get ongoing access to all...
-
[TST26] How to Set Up a School Year That Doesn't Require Nights and Weekends with Tam Milledge
🎧 This episode is part of Teacher Summer Talks! We’re sharing it for free on our Teacher Approved podcast feed for 48 hours only! Be sure to grab your free ticket so you don’t miss all the other summit happenings. And don’t forget you can upgrade to the Max Pass to get ongoing access to all...
-
[TST26] How to Make Time for STEM Before Your Schedule Fills Up with Trina Deboree
🎧 This episode is part of Teacher Summer Talks! We’re sharing it for free on our Teacher Approved podcast feed for 48 hours only! Be sure to grab your free ticket so you don’t miss all the other summit happenings. And don’t forget you can upgrade to the Max Pass to get ongoing access to all...
-
[TST26] Don't Let Social Studies Get Crowded Out This Year with Kirsten Hammond
🎧 This episode is part of Teacher Summer Talks! We’re sharing it for free on our Teacher Approved podcast feed for 48 hours only! Be sure to grab your free ticket so you don’t miss all the other summit happenings. And don’t forget you can upgrade to the Max Pass to get ongoing access to all...
-
[TST26] Teacher Burnout Starts Earlier Than You Think: 5 Ways to Protect Your Energy From Day One with Dr. Jen Rafferty
🎧 This episode is part of Teacher Summer Talks! We’re sharing it for free on our Teacher Approved podcast feed for 48 hours only! Be sure to grab your free ticket so you don’t miss all the other summit happenings. And don’t forget you can upgrade to the Max Pass to get ongoing access to all...
-
[TST26] The 5-Minute Writing Routine That Builds Better Readers and Writers with Leigh Langton from The Applicious Teacher
🎧 This episode is part of Teacher Summer Talks! We’re sharing it for free on our Teacher Approved podcast feed for 48 hours only! Be sure to grab your free ticket so you don’t miss all the other summit happenings. And don’t forget you can upgrade to the Max Pass to get ongoing access to all...
-
[TST26] The 3 BTS Investments That Save You Hours Every Month with Heidi Van Natter & Emily Stephenson
🎧 This episode is part of Teacher Summer Talks! We’re sharing it for free on our Teacher Approved podcast feed for 48 hours only! Be sure to grab your free ticket so you don’t miss all the other summit happenings. And don’t forget you can upgrade to the Max Pass to get ongoing access to all...
-
[TST26] Launching the Mentor Sentence Routine in Your First Two Weeks with Jessica Ivey-Smith
✨ Featured Speaker! ✨ 🎧 This episode is part of Teacher Summer Talks! We’re sharing it for free on our Teacher Approved podcast feed for 48 hours only! Be sure to grab your free ticket so you don’t miss all the other summit happenings. And don’t forget you can upgrade to the Max Pass to get...
-
[TST26] How to Target Instruction in Math Small Groups Without Winging It with Greg Coleman
✨ Featured Speaker! ✨ 🎧 This episode is part of Teacher Summer Talks! We’re sharing it for free on our Teacher Approved podcast feed for 48 hours only! Be sure to grab your free ticket so you don’t miss all the other summit happenings. And don’t forget you can upgrade to the Max Pass to get...
-
[TST26] The Word Problem Shift: Helping Students Stop Guessing and Start Making Sense with Jennifer Findley
🎧 This episode is part of Teacher Summer Talks! We’re sharing it for free on our Teacher Approved podcast feed for 48 hours only! Be sure to grab your free ticket so you don’t miss all the other summit happenings. And don’t forget you can upgrade to the Max Pass to get ongoing access to all...
-
[TST26] The First Collaborative Learning Routine to Teach Before Group Work Falls Apart with Michele Giannattasio
🎧 This episode is part of Teacher Summer Talks! We’re sharing it for free on our Teacher Approved podcast feed for 48 hours only! Be sure to grab your free ticket so you don’t miss all the other summit happenings. And don’t forget you can upgrade to the Max Pass to get ongoing access to all...
-
[TST26] AI Can Do It. Should It? Three Questions to Ask Before Using AI for Back-to-School Prep with Jen Manly
🎧 This episode is part of Teacher Summer Talks! We’re sharing it for free on our Teacher Approved podcast feed for 48 hours only! Be sure to grab your free ticket so you don’t miss all the other summit happenings. And don’t forget you can upgrade to the Max Pass to get ongoing access to all...
-
[TST26] 5 Simple Math Routines to Teach Before Small Group Math Begins with Marcy Bernethy
🎧 This episode is part of Teacher Summer Talks! We’re sharing it for free on our Teacher Approved podcast feed for 48 hours only! Be sure to grab your free ticket so you don’t miss all the other summit happenings. And don’t forget you can upgrade to the Max Pass to get ongoing access to all...
-
[TST26] The 3 Decisions that Make Every Classroom Easier to Organize All Year with Jamiela Stewart
🎧 This episode is part of Teacher Summer Talks! We’re sharing it for free on our Teacher Approved podcast feed for 48 hours only! Be sure to grab your free ticket so you don’t miss all the other summit happenings. And don’t forget you can upgrade to the Max Pass to get ongoing access to all...
-
[TST26] Setting Up a Sound Wall in Your First Week of School with Naomi O'Brien
🎧 This episode is part of Teacher Summer Talks! We’re sharing it for free on our Teacher Approved podcast feed for 48 hours only! Be sure to grab your free ticket so you don’t miss all the other summit happenings. And don’t forget you can upgrade to the Max Pass to get ongoing access to all...
-
[TST26] Don't Plan Your First Quarter. Map It So Every Week Has a Purpose. (with Jennifer Oatts)
🎧 This episode is part of Teacher Summer Talks! We’re sharing it for free on our Teacher Approved podcast feed for 48 hours only! Be sure to grab your free ticket so you don’t miss all the other summit happenings. And don’t forget you can upgrade to the Max Pass to get ongoing access to all...
-
[TST26] The Visual Schedule Setup That Prevents Problems Before They Start with Jenn Adams
🎧 This episode is part of Teacher Summer Talks! We’re sharing it for free on our Teacher Approved podcast feed for 48 hours only! Be sure to grab your free ticket so you don’t miss all the other summit happenings. And don’t forget you can upgrade to the Max Pass to get ongoing access to all...
-
[TST26] The Math Routines That Bring Calm and Engagement to Your Classroom with Debrice Hill
🎧 This episode is part of Teacher Summer Talks! We’re sharing it for free on our Teacher Approved podcast feed for 48 hours only! Be sure to grab your free ticket so you don’t miss all the other summit happenings. And don’t forget you can upgrade to the Max Pass to get ongoing access to all...
-
[TST26] The Back-to-School Setup That Saves You on Your Hardest Day with Heidi Van Natter & Emily Stephenson
🎧 This episode is part of Teacher Summer Talks! We’re sharing it for free on our Teacher Approved podcast feed for 48 hours only! Be sure to grab your free ticket so you don’t miss all the other summit happenings. And don’t forget you can upgrade to the Max Pass to get ongoing access to all...
-
[TST26] 3 First-Week Steps to Build a Classroom Where Every Student Belongs and Speaks Up with Dr. Shelby Kretz
✨ Featured Speaker! ✨ 🎧 This episode is part of Teacher Summer Talks! We’re sharing it for free on our Teacher Approved podcast feed for 48 hours only! Be sure to grab your free ticket so you don’t miss all the other summit happenings. And don’t forget you can upgrade to the Max Pass to get...
-
[TST26] Parents Aren’t Just Partners - They’re Power Players with Queen Mosby
🎧 This episode is part of Teacher Summer Talks! We’re sharing it for free on our Teacher Approved podcast feed for 48 hours only! Be sure to grab your free ticket so you don’t miss all the other summit happenings. And don’t forget you can upgrade to the Max Pass to get ongoing access to all...
-
[TST26] The Read Alouds That Shape Classroom Culture From Day One with Courtney Frazier
🎧 This episode is part of Teacher Summer Talks! We’re sharing it for free on our Teacher Approved podcast feed for 48 hours only! Be sure to grab your free ticket so you don’t miss all the other summit happenings. And don’t forget you can upgrade to the Max Pass to get ongoing access to all...
-
[TST26] A Gentle Start to Building Classroom Community for Students Who Aren't Ready to Mingle with Tanya G. Marshall
🎧 This episode is part of Teacher Summer Talks! We’re sharing it for free on our Teacher Approved podcast feed for 48 hours only! Be sure to grab your free ticket so you don’t miss all the other summit happenings. And don’t forget you can upgrade to the Max Pass to get ongoing access to all...
-
[TST26] Building the Classroom Culture of Your Dreams with Evalaurene Jean-Charles
🎧 This episode is part of Teacher Summer Talks! We’re sharing it for free on our Teacher Approved podcast feed for 48 hours only! Be sure to grab your free ticket so you don’t miss all the other summit happenings. And don’t forget you can upgrade to the Max Pass to get ongoing access to all...
-
[TST26] 3 Calm Cues to Teach in the First Week (So You Stop Repeating Yourself All Year) with Andriana Zarovska
🎧 This episode is part of Teacher Summer Talks! We’re sharing it for free on our Teacher Approved podcast feed for 48 hours only! Be sure to grab your free ticket so you don’t miss all the other summit happenings. And don’t forget you can upgrade to the Max Pass to get ongoing access to all...
-
[TST26] Setting Up a Shame-Free Behavior System from Day One with Allie Szczecinski
🎧 This episode is part of Teacher Summer Talks! We’re sharing it for free on our Teacher Approved podcast feed for 48 hours only! Be sure to grab your free ticket so you don’t miss all the other summit happenings. And don’t forget you can upgrade to the Max Pass to get ongoing access to all...
About this show
Do you ever feel like there’s just not enough time in the day to be the kind of teacher you really want to be? We know that feeling and we’re here to help! Each week on The Teacher Approved podcast, we discuss how to be the teacher you dream of being by elevating what matters and simplifying the rest.Join co-hosts Emily and Heidi of Second Story Window as they share research-based and teacher-approved strategies you can count on to make your teaching more efficient and effective than ever before. Topics include classroom management, routines for the elementary school classroom, planning, student-teacher relationships, teacher organization hacks, student engagement, classroom management, and more. Whether you’re a new teacher seeking guidance or a seasoned educator looking for fresh ideas, the Teacher Approved podcast is your guide to fostering a thriving elementary classroom!For more teacher approved tips and resources, head to www.secondstorywindow.net and follow along on Instagram
Hosted by
Heidi and Emily, Elementary School Teacher and Resource Designer
Categories