Episodes
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Teacher Hack: An Easy AND Engaging Ways to Help Students with Behavior Management & Classroom Management (We Need to Talk About This…)
Teachers, do you feel like behavior management and classroom management is harder than ever? What if some of the behaviors we’re trying to “manage” in our classrooms is actually a student struggling to regulate their emotions? In this episode of This Teacher Life, we’re talking about a simple but...
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4 Things Teachers Should NEVER Do (But Let’s Be Honest… We Do) With Special Guests Jack Berckemeyer & Rachael McCoy
If you use file folders, worksheets, competitions, or quieting techniques in your classroom, this episode is for you! And spoiler alert…. none of those are bad things! But the dialogue in this week’s episode of the This Teacher Life podcast will get you thinking differently about each of them.…
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1 Classroom Idea that Will Solve All Problems in the Morning AND It’s a Blast (Full Lesson Details Included)
In this episode, we’re diving into one simple classroom idea that can completely transform your mornings—yes, really. If your mornings with students feel chaotic, disengaged, disconnected, or just plain exhausting, this is the reset your classroom needs. This strategy is easy to implement,...
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How to Host the Easiest, Most Effective Parent-Teacher Conferences Ever (And All You Need Are Raisins!?)
Do you get 100% attendance at your parent teacher conference? Do you get 100% of people engaged at the table during those conferences? I’ve got an idea that can make BOTH of those happen. And the best part these conferences will create LESS work and LESS stress in your teacher life. Sometimes in...
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6 Things Teachers, Principals, & Educators Need to Normalize This School Year (And They Are REALLY Simple)
This school year doesn’t need more shiny initiatives or complicated systems. It needs a few simple things done consistently . In this episode, we’re breaking down 6 things teachers, principals, and educators need to normalize this school year to protect their energy, support student well-being…
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1 Super Successful Idea for Your School- The Passport for Participation: A Fun Way to Get Families More Involved in Your Classroom & School Community
Family engagement can feel like one of those things schools are constantly trying to improve—but getting families to actually show up and participate can be a whole different story! In this week’s episode of the This Teacher Life Podcast, I’m sharing one super successful idea that can help…
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The 1 Idea That Your School Absolutely NEEDS This Year (Teachers This Will be Your FAVORITE Thing)
What if one simple idea could completely change how supported you and all the teachers in your school feel this year? In this week’s episode of the This Teacher Life podcast, I’m sharing the 1 idea your school absolutely NEEDS—and yes, it just might become your favorite thing too. We’re breaking...
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5 Simple & Strategic Ways to Determine if You are Using Worksh*ts or Worksheets In Your Classroom
Let’s be real teachers—there’s a huge difference between a worksheet and a “worksh*t”. One of those is about authentic learning, amazing feedback, and active engagement. The other is about busy work, creating frustration, and a time vampire. The good news is… worksheets CAN be an amazing thing IF...
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How to Create an Amazing Classroom Climate Using a Simple Competition with The Game Plinko (Summer Replay Episode)
If you want a powerful, practical strategy to boost student engagement, motivation, and classroom culture THIS is it! All with a little help from the iconic game of Plinko. In this week’s episode of the This Teacher Life, you’ll learn how to turn a simple competition into a classroom climate...
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UNO Classroom Idea that Will Make Your Students WILD-In a Good Way (Summer Replay Episode)
Looking for ONE classroom idea that could make your school year 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…
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The BEST Behavior Management System for Schools that is SO Simple- Using the 3 Cs (Summer Replay Episode)
We know as teachers that classroom management is essential, but we also understand that it can be very difficult. Sometimes students are defiant. Sometimes students don’t want to work. Sometimes students are antsy and energetic. Sometimes this causes stress and struggles in school. But what if...
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THIS Classroom Management Idea is EXACTLY What We Teachers Need To Start The School Year (Summer Replay Episode)
Last year was your classroom a tornado of disorganized, disrespectful, or disengaged students? Is your teacher heart currently a tsunami of frustration, fear, or freaking stressed? If you said YES to any of that I hear you. And I have the exact strategy to solve it! In this episode of the This...
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A Classroom Management Idea that Feels like a Game Show- Spinning and Winning- REMIX! (Summer Replay Episode)
Want students to be prepared for class? This episode is for you! Want students to listen in class? This episode is for you? Wants students to have respectful attitudes? This episode is for you! Want students to have charged Chromebooks? This episode is for you! Creating classroom competitions is...
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How a Deck of UNO Cards Can FLIP Your Classroom Into Something AWESOME This School Year (Summer Replay Episode)
Want this school year to be your best UNO yet? Sometimes things like classroom management and behavior management cam bog us down. But what if I told you this year can totally be flipped over in a good way?! What if there was one simple way to increase participation, decrease disrespect, get 100%...
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Really Dumb Classroom Management Strategy Using Only a Pen!? (Summer Replay Episode)
Sometimes the silliest ideas end up being the most strategic ideas! So let me ask you, how is classroom management going in your teacher life right now? Are students getting disorganized? Are students struggling to keep their hands to themselves? Are students simply not turning in work? If you…
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1 Class Idea That Gets Students ROLLING In the Right Direction-A Dynamic Class Competition (Summer Replay Episode)
Is there a behavior or classroom expectation that drives you crazy? Would you like to increase student motivation and decrease problems with students? Do you want to add a little bit of fun while also creating organized, effective, and engaged kids? If you said YES to any (or all) of those things...
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The 1 Classroom Management Strategy That Will Change Everything-Seriously! (Summer Replay Episode)
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 these days some teachers are even saying we…
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How to MOTIVATE Kids (Using Just a Door), How to Get Kids Quiet FAST, and How to ENGAGE Kids Staring at the Wall (Summer Replay Episode)
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...
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4 Habits That Will Take Your Teacher Game to New Levels (Summer Replay Episode)
Tired of creating resolutions that don’t last more than a few days? 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…
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2 Biggest Things Causing Stress in Schools: Apathy & Attendance with Special Guest Jack Berckemeyer (Best Episode Replay)
Needing or wanting 3 extremely easy and practical solutions to solve today’s problems in schools? In this week’s episode of the This Teacher Life podcast, we tackle two of the biggest stressors teachers face—apathy and attendance—and how they’re affecting classrooms everywhere. From students who...
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You Can’t Make This Sh*t Up! Crazy Stuff That Has Been Said in Schools (Get Ready to LAUGH)- (Summer Replay Episode)
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 say that?” “Did that really just happen?” Yes… yes it did! Come take a listen to this episode where I will...
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3 Funny & Real Reasons Why Teachers SHOULD Take a Mental Health Sick Day (And Leave the Guilt & Fear Behind)
Let’s be honest—teachers are absolute pros at showing up for everyone else… but not always for themselves. In this episode of the This Teacher Life podcast, we’re breaking down three hilarious but totally real reasons why it’s time to take that mental health sick day—without the guilt, the fear…
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Principals Are You Accidently Making This Massive Mistake At Your School? Be Proactive About Your Plan With This Simple Solution
Principals & School Leaders! What if all that effort… all those initiatives… all that time spent solving school problems… is actually leading your staff and students right back to where they started? In this week’s episode of This Teacher Life, we unpack a frustrating (and very real) cycle many...
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How Teachers Can Use YouTube to Our Advantage and Bring SO Much Fun & Connection to the Classroom
In a world where students are constantly watching, scrolling, and engaging with video… what if we stopped fighting it—and started using it to our advantage? In this week’s episode of the This Teacher Life, we’re diving into how teachers can harness the power of YouTube to create more fun, deeper...
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4 Ideas to Get All Teachers, Staff, & Students on the Same Page and Create Real Change for Your School (You Are Going to Want to Bookmark This)
Are all the teachers in your school, hallway, or team on the same page figuratively AND literally? Probably not! And that’s ok! But in this week’s episode of the This Teacher Life podcast, I’m breaking down four fun, realistic, and actually effective ways to help with that! I’ll talk about how to...
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1 Really Easy Classroom Idea to End the School Year on a Good Note(card)
Looking for a meaningful but low-prep activity to wrap up the school year? In this week’s episode of the This Teacher Life, we’re sharing one super simple idea that can leave a lasting impact: having your students write letters to their future selves. It’s reflective, personal, and powerful—plus,...
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How 1 Activity Got 100% of Students Discussing, Debating, and Dialoguing on a REALLY Important Topic
Want to spark real, meaningful conversations in your classroom—conversations that matter now and in your students’ futures? In this week’s episode of This Teacher Life, we break down one powerful activity that got every single student engaged in discussion, debate, and dialogue around a question...
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The 1 Classroom Game that is Going to INCREASE Student’s Turning in High Quality Work AND INCREASE Effective Communication in Your Classroom (And All You Need is a Box)
Tired of chasing missing assignments and feeling like your classroom communication is a game of telephone? In this week’s episode of the This Teacher Life podcast, we’re unpacking the one simple classroom game that dramatically boosts students’ willingness to turn in high-quality work and...
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How to Get Students HIGHLY Engaged with 1 Simple Question… Would You Try This?
What if one simple question could instantly boost participation, spark real conversations, and pull even your most disengaged students into the lesson? In this episode, we’re breaking down how a single, strategic question can transform the energy of your classroom—and no, this isn’t your typical...
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6 Super Simple and Special Ideas to Celebrate Principal Appreciation Day in May
Ready to shower your principal with some well-deserved love? In this playful and practical episode of This Teacher life, we’re serving up 6 super simple and special ways to celebrate your school leader like a rock star! From quick class surprises to heartfelt group efforts, these ideas are...
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Classroom Yahtzee: A Fun Competition That Boosts Positive Behavior & Lowers Teacher Stress
Get ready to roll with laughter and learning in this fun-filled episode. This idea is shaking up the typical classroom routine with a Yahtzee dice challenge that’s sure to make your students take a chance on changing behaviors in a good way! Join us as we reveal how to set up a competitive game...
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5 Simple Ways To End This School on a Good Note (And NOT Feel Crushed By the Classroom)
It’s easy for us, as teachers, to feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and honestly… crushed by the classroom at this point in the year. But it doesn’t have to end that way. In this week’s episode of the This Teacher Life podcast, we’re talking about 5 Simple Ways to End This School Year on a Good...
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4 Hotel Hacks for Teachers to Save SO Much Money (You Won’t Believe How Easy These Are)
Teachers work hard—and we shouldn’t have to overpay when we travel! In fact, we should be able to SAVE money! In this week’s episode of This Teacher Life, I’m sharing 4 shockingly easy hotel hacks that teachers can use to save serious money on trips, conferences, weekend getaways, or school…
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The EASIEST SEL Lessons to Get ALL Students Engaged & Communicating (All You Need is About 3 Minutes)
Struggling to fit SEL into an already packed school day? OR Struggling to come up with ideas that actually engage kids? In this week’s episode of the This Teacher Life podcast I will show you how you can spark powerful conversations, build trust, and get every student participating—using…
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Teachers CAN Be Millionaires!? 3 Helpful Hacks to Show Educators Financial Freedom
Teachers CAN Be Millionaires!? Yes—really. And no, it doesn’t require winning the lottery, working three extra jobs, or giving up your summers. In this week’s episode of This Teacher Life, I’m breaking the biggest myth in education: that TRS alone will set us up for financial freedom forever....
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4 Awesome Questions that That Create Strong Relationships with Students & Staff (Easy to Implement Too)
Strong relationships don’t happen by accident—they’re built on intentional conversations. In this week’s episode of the This Teacher Life, we’re breaking down 4 simple but powerful questions that can instantly strengthen relationships with students and staff. These aren’t fluffy icebreakers or...
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The 1 Simple, Silly Community Event Your School Needs to Host ASAP (It’s SO Much Fun)
Looking for a fresh, nearly free, low-stress way to bring your school community together? In this fun-filled episode of This Teacher Life, we share a wildly simple and ridiculously entertaining event your staff and students will love: a school-friendly remix of Name That Tune! We’ll break down…
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How Students Can Go to College Or University For FREE?! Helpful Hacks for Scholarship Success
College doesn’t have to come with a lifetime of debt—and this will prove it. In this week’s episode of This Teacher Life we break down real, practical strategies students can use to drastically reduce—or completely eliminate—the cost of higher education. From finding hidden scholarships most…
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3 Powerful Teaching Ideas that Will Engage 100% of Our Students (AND Take No Extra Time… Seriously)
What if engaging every student didn’t require longer lesson plans, fancy tools, or extra prep time? In this week’s episode of This Teacher Life, we share three powerful, classroom-tested teaching ideas that boost student engagement to near 100%—without adding a single minute to your day. These...
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How a Simple Notecard Strategy Can Surprisingly Boost Student Participation for ALL Teachers
What if we told you that one of the simplest and strangest ideas could completely transform your classroom dynamics? In this week’s episode of the This Teacher Life podcast, we’re diving into a “really dumb idea” that sounds too easy to be effective—but trust us, it works wonders, and all you…
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Teacher Travel Hack: How to Fly for Nearly $0 For the Rest of Your Life!
Teachers, find out about the most powerful and underrated travel hacks for teachers: leveraging points to unlock nearly-free travel—year after year. If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring new places on a teacher’s budget, this episode is your new best friend. We break down, step-by-step, how…
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Classroom Engagement Hack: How Teachers Can Get Every Student to Participate with Just a Dice
Looking for a simple, yet powerful tool to boost student participation and spark creativity in your classroom? In this week’s episode of the This Teacher Life podcast, we reveal how you can transform classroom discussions and interactions with just one small, unexpected tool—a dice! We know that...
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The 1 Behavior Hack for Teachers That Actually Changes Student Goals (for Real)
Teachers, if you’ve been searching for a real behavior strategy that actually works (and doesn’t require a magic wand or a daily bribe of candy), this episode is for you. This week on the This Teacher Life podcast, we’re diving into the power of goal-setting with accountability partners — and...
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The Teacher Secret to MORE Engaged Students Without Endless Lesson Prep (Real-World Learning Without Losing Your Weekend)
Teacher Truth: Paper assignments? Easy to make… but not exactly student engagement gold. Also Teacher Truth: Hands-on activities? Way more work… but also way more worth it. So here’s the real challenge—how do we get students pumped about real-world learning without spending every ounce of our…
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4 Books to Read in 2026 to Transform Your Year (They Are Legit Good)
Ready to make 2026 your most inspired, energized, and growth-filled year yet? In this week’s episode of the This Teacher Life podcast, I’m breaking down four legitimately amazing books that will challenge your thinking, spark new habits, and fuel real transformation—personally, professionally…
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Get All of Your School Staff Onboard This 1 Idea That Will Create SO Much Fun (And Fist Bumping)
What if one simple idea could bring teachers together, spark joy in the hallways, and actually make people want to come to work on Monday? In this week’s episode of This Teacher Life, we dive into a simple, high-energy idea that’s all about helping your school staff connect, celebrate each other,...
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How to Celebrate Little Debbie December in Your School to Make it a Big Dynamic December (This Will Bring Smiles & Sugar to Staff & Students)
The holidays can be really stressful in schools. But the holidays are also a perfect time to spread smiles in schools. What is a small but significant want to surprise staff and students? Sometimes all you need is a little sugar and a little support. In this week’s episode of the This Teacher…
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How a Paper Raccoon Might Be the Key Raising Reliability In Your Classroom & School
Get ready to dive into a hilariously unconventional yet surprisingly effective approach to boosting student reliability. Join us as we explore the wild idea of using a raccoon as a quirky connection for kids. In this episode of This Teacher Life, we’ll discuss how positive signage on the walls…
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1 Really Dumb Idea to Boost School Culture and Have a Dynamic December (All You Need is a Calendar)
Needing something SUPER fun and SUPER simple to make December sweeter and also less stressful? In this week’s episode of the This Teacher Life podcast, we’re sharing a really dumb idea that’s so simple, it might just work wonders for your school’s culture this December! What’s the secret? A...
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The Easiest Thanksgiving Holiday Classroom Game You’ll Ever Play (and Love)
Classroom games are a great way to build relationships with kids and create student engagement. But sometimes those games can be complicated, take a ton of prep, and can get chaotic. What if I told you there was a SUPER simple game that is easy to implement, takes practically no time to prep, and...
About this show
A weekly podcast for teachers full of tips and tricks, stories and strategies, celebrations and struggles, all from the real life we are living every day. Welcome to This Teacher Life with Monica Genta.
Hosted by
Monica Genta
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