New Teacher Talk

Ep 140: New Teacher Talk Season Finale - Heading for Summer Break!

Join Dr. Anna and Dr. Beth as they celebrate the milestone season finale of New Teacher Talk! Exciting updates are in store! This summer, catch bonus content on their YouTube channel (NewTeacherTalk1), packed with short, practical videos on classroom procedures, rules, routines, behavior plans, and incentive ideas.

The new season launches August 4th, featuring fresh guests, free classroom downloads, enhanced social media resources, and a new twice-per-week episode schedule. Stay connected and inspired! Follow @newteachertalk on Instagram and BlueSky for free teaching resources every Tuesday and motivation boosts every Thursday.

#newteachertalk #podcast

Ep 139: Why New Teachers Need LinkedIn: 5 Steps to Optimize Your Profile

🔥 New Teachers, Let’s Unlock LinkedIn’s Power! 🔥

If you're a new teacher looking to elevate your career, LinkedIn is your ultimate networking tool—but are you using it right or using it at all? In this episode, Dr. Beth reveals five essential strategies to help educators build a standout profile, connect with education leaders, and showcase classroom successes. Whether you’re seeking growth opportunities, wanting to build your professional brand, or just looking for an engaged community of educators, this episode gives you the insider tips you need to make LinkedIn work for you.

🎙️ Ready to transform your professional presence? Hit play now!

Nicole Heaver: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-heaver-361181334/

Dion Copeland: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dion-copeland-m-ed-59863b109/

Dr. Rudy Ruiz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rudyruiz2/

Edifying Teachers: https://www.linkedin.com/company/edifying-teachers/posts/?feedView=all

Educators to Follow in 2025 on LinkedIn written by Leisa Grace Wilson: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/top-50-educators-follow-linkedin-2025-according-me-wilson-lqnrf/

#LinkedIn #newteachers #professionalnetworking #careerdevelopment #newteachertalk #podcast

Ep 138: New Teacher Summer Survival Guide: Preparing for Success in the Next School Year

🔥 TEACHER TALK: SUMMER EDITION 🔥

Teachers, it’s time to hit pause, grab your favorite iced coffee, and tune in—because we’re serving up the ultimate summer survival guide! Whether you're sticking with your current school, scouting for a new teaching gig, or just vibing through summer break, Drs. Beth and Anna have got your back.

💡 INSIDE THE EPISODE:

• Sticking Around? Lock in classroom upgrades, connect with your admin, and level up your lesson plans.
• Job Hunting? Optimize that resume, network like a pro, and decode school cultures BEFORE signing that contract.
• Summer Mode? Rest, reflect, reset—yes, that means Netflix marathons AND professional glow-ups.
• AAEE Job Search Handbook for Teacher? Use this helpful resource in your job search.

Teaching isn’t just a job—it’s an art and a science, and summer is your time to refresh and reimagine. So, whether you’re prepping for the next school year or just basking in some well-earned freedom, hit play and let’s make this summer count! ☀️💛

#TeacherLife #SummerPrep #RestIsProductive #NewTeacherTalk #Podcast

Ep 137: Building the Next Generation of Educators: Inside Educators Rising

Join us for an inspiring conversation with EdRising Illinois leaders Christy Schweitzer, Maya Moneze, and Carson Mizell as they share how this incredible organization is transforming the future of education. Discover why students in Educators Rising are 400% more likely to enter teaching after high school and learn about the powerful community, leadership opportunities, and support systems that make this program so impactful. 🎓 Hear Carson's unexpected journey to becoming state president and his hands-on classroom experiences  🤝 Learn about Maya's networking adventures and connections with educators at every level 💡 Get insider advice on building relationships, incorporating your passions into teaching, and supporting students' social-emotional needs  🏫 Explore how to find the right school culture and navigate early career challenges  ✨ Bust common teaching misconceptions and discover what it really takes to succeed in education Whether you're considering teaching, already in the classroom, or supporting future educators, this episode offers valuable insights into building a thriving educational community and career. Check out these resources to start your own EdRising chapter! EdRising Illinois Flier 4 Step Guide to Start a Chapter #EducatorsRising #EdRisingIllinois #newteachers #educatorpipeline

Ep 136: Summer Prep for First-Year Teachers

In this episode, English teacher Abby Bartle from Oswego High School shares invaluable advice for new educators preparing for their first year in the classroom. Drawing from her own experiences and insights from fellow first-year teachers, Abby offers a chronological guide taking you from the end of student teaching through summer preparation and into those crucial first days of school.

Discover practical tips on:

• What to save from student teaching
• How to use your summer effectively (hint: it's not all about lesson planning!)
• Establishing classroom procedures while building authentic relationships
• Finding balance between structure and personality
• Reflecting on your first year to grow as an educator

Whether you're finishing student teaching, job hunting, or anxiously awaiting your first classroom, this episode provides the encouragement and practical wisdom you need to approach your first year with confidence.

#NewTeacherTalk #FirstYearTeacher #TeacherTips #StudentTeaching #TeacherLife #NewTeacher #EducatorAdvice

Ep 135: 🚀 Empower Your Teaching Journey with NJCTL’s Online Courses! 🎓

📣 In this enlightening episode of New Teacher Talk, guests Melissa Axelsson and Susan Olszewski explore NJCTL's game-changing online courses designed specifically for science, mathematics, and computer science educators.

Discover how these self-paced programs can help you:

• Strengthen your subject expertise 💪
• Explore new teaching areas 🔍
• Advance your career path 📈
• Access perfectly aligned teaching resources—at no cost!

Learn how teachers are earning professional learning credits, graduate credits, and salary increases through NJCTL's recognized agreements in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New York. Plus, find out about their partnership with Adams State University for seamless credit transcription, and how New Jersey educators can add endorsements to their certification!

Ready to transform your teaching journey? 

Visit NJCTL.org today and follow New Teacher Talk on social media for ongoing inspiration and resources.

 #TeacherGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment #STEMEducation

Ep 134: The End of the School Year is In Sight: Meaningful Closure with Students

Join Dr. Beth and Dr. Anna as they explore how to make the most of the final weeks with your students. This episode focuses on creating meaningful closure through reflection, celebration, student voice, and transitions.

Discover practical strategies for student self-reflection, including visual growth timelines, reflection question prompts, and work sample comparisons that help students see their progress. Learn how to facilitate collective reflection through class memory books, collaborative wisdom walls, and appreciation circles that build community.

The hosts discuss how to address transitions explicitly—whether students are moving to the next grade level, changing schools, or facing the shift into summer—and provide tools to help students manage these changes. They also emphasize the importance of teacher reflection as a crucial part of developing professional practice.

Whether you're a new teacher or a veteran educator, this episode offers valuable insights for creating a meaningful end to your school year that honors student growth and your classroom community.

#NewTeacherTalk #EndOfYear #TeacherReflection #StudentGrowth #ClassroomCommunity #TeacherPodcast #MeaningfulClosure #EducatorResources #ProfessionalDevelopment #StudentVoice #TransitionSupport #SchoolYearEnd

Ep 133: Recruiting Talent: A District Leader's Perspective on Educational Staffing

Join host Ryan Lamping, Vice President at Amergis Educational Staffing, as he welcomes Cathy Leaver, Director of Special Education at Bellevue School District. With over four years as Special Education Director and previous experience as a teacher and principal, Cathy brings valuable insights into how districts can effectively partner with educational staffing companies.

In this episode, Cathy discusses how Bellevue School District successfully navigated post-COVID staffing challenges by partnering with Amergis to fill critical vacancies in specialized roles including paraprofessionals, school psychologists, and teachers. Discover why Amergis has become their "best partner" through consistent follow-through and responsive service.

Ryan and Cathy explore both advantages and challenges of using staffing companies, practical advice for contracted staff integration, and key qualities districts look for in early career educators. Whether you're a district administrator, education professional, or considering a career in educational staffing, this conversation offers practical wisdom for creating successful partnerships that ultimately benefit students.

#EducationStaffing #SpecialEducation #SchoolDistricts #TeacherRecruitment #AmergisEducation #EducationCareers

Ep 132: The Mentorship Mindset: Build Trust and Transform Your Teaching

Join Maryellen Friel, a National Board Certified Teacher in Exceptional Needs, as she unpacks the transformative power of educational mentoring. Drawing from her extensive experience mentoring teachers in Baltimore and Texas, Maryellen shares practical strategies for building mentoring relationships based on trust and shared purpose. Learn her five-step feedback process and discover how active listening can turn challenging situations into growth opportunities. Whether you're a mentor, mentee, or educational leader, this episode offers actionable insights to elevate your practice and ultimately improve student outcomes.

#mentoring #mentees #mentor #feedback #listening #newteachers #newteachertalk #podcast

Ep 131: Wrap Up Your School Year: Organizational and Student Engagement Tips for New Teachers

In this practical episode of New Teacher Talk, second-grade teacher Dr. Jacqueline J. Cleven from South Prairie Elementary shares her expert strategies for managing the hectic end of the school year. Discover the innovative A to Z Book Countdown that transforms traditional countdowns into meaningful literacy experiences, keeping students engaged right up to the final bell.

Download her Resource: A-Z Book Countdown Handout

Dr. Cleven tackles common end-of-year challenges including increased student energy levels, managing schedule disruptions, and completing administrative tasks without burning out. Learn about simple visual systems to communicate schedule changes, creating effective to-do lists for year-end responsibilities, and preparing smartly for next fall.

Get practical advice on classroom organization, proper library storage, and thoughtful ways to acknowledge support staff and students as the year concludes. Whether you're a first-year teacher or a veteran educator, these actionable strategies will help you finish the school year strong while preparing for a successful return.

Action Items:

• Implement the A to Z Book Countdown with rotating book lists
• Incorporate movement opportunities throughout the day
• Create a comprehensive end-of-year administrative checklist
• Prepare copy orders for the next academic year
• Organize your classroom library before summer storage
• Plan ahead for end-of-year appreciation and student gifts

#newteachers #endofschoolyear #studentengagement #newteachertalk #podcast