New Teacher Talk

Ep 149: Light Bulb Moments: Creating Relevant Learning Experiences

Join educator Byron Earnest as he shares transformative insights on student engagement and contextual learning. Drawing from years of teaching experience, Byron reveals why traditional abstract learning falls short and how connecting education to real-world applications creates those magical "light bulb moments" every teacher dreams of.

In this episode, Byron explores the philosophy that "schoolwork must be like and look like real work," sharing compelling examples from kindergarten pumpkin counting to high school community garden projects. He discusses how a welding class building wheelchair ramps naturally led students to discover the Pythagorean theorem, and how an Indiana school revolutionized education by teaching everything through soccer.

Byron emphasizes the importance of "skill mixing" in our rapidly changing world, where future careers demand hybrid skill sets rather than isolated abilities. He provides practical strategies for creating engaging learning environments through connections, collaboration, and student choice, while stressing that passionate, prepared teachers who genuinely care about their students are the foundation of effective education.

Whether you're a new teacher seeking inspiration or a seasoned educator looking to reinvigorate your practice, this episode offers actionable insights on making learning personal, relevant, and deeply engaging for every student.

#Education #Teaching #StudentEngagement #ContextualLearning #RealWorldLearning #TeacherTips #EducationPodcast #LearningMatters #ClassroomInnovation #TeachingTips

Ep 148: Building Strong Professional Relationships

Join Dr. Anna and Dr. Beth as they dive deep into one of the most crucial aspects of teaching success that often gets overlooked, building meaningful professional relationships. In this episode, our hosts share personal experiences and actionable strategies for new teachers to connect with colleagues, support staff, and the entire school community.

Discover how to integrate into your grade-level team or department without stepping on toes, navigate Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) effectively, and build trust through reliability and curiosity rather than trying to change everything on day one. Learn why school secretaries are the "nerve center" of your building and how cafeteria staff can provide unique insights into student behavior.

From writing thank-you notes to volunteering for the right committees, Dr. Anna and Dr. Beth provide a roadmap for transforming your teaching experience through authentic connections. Remember: teaching isn't a solo journey. It’s a collaborative effort that thrives on strong professional relationships.

Perfect for new teachers, student teachers, and anyone looking to strengthen their school community connections.

#NewTeacherTalk #TeachingTips #ProfessionalDevelopment #NewTeachers #TeacherSupport #EducationPodcast #SchoolCommunity #TeachingSuccess #CollaborativeTeaching #TeacherMentorship #BackToSchool #EducationLeadership #TeacherLife #SchoolCulture #ProfessionalGrowth

Ep 147: Classroom Management: Be a Warm Demander

Join us for an essential conversation about one of teaching's most critical skills: classroom management. Executive Principal Jesse Kraft from Fairfax County Public Schools shares his comprehensive approach to creating classrooms that run effectively while keeping students focused, respectful, and engaged.

Key Topics Covered:

• The four fundamental reasons why classroom management matters
• How to establish clear rules and teach them explicitly to students
• Building effective systems through routines and procedures
• Delivering consequences with calm consistency
• The power of positive reinforcement
• Body language and projecting confident leadership
• Becoming a "Warm Demander" - balancing approachability with firm expectations

Key Takeaways:

• Classroom management prevents teacher burnout and ensures long-term success
• Rules must be clearly posted, explicitly taught, and consistently reinforced
• Procedures for transitions and materials distribution create classroom efficiency
• Teachers should remain calm and matter-of-fact when implementing consequences
• Positive feedback for rule-following is just as important as consequences for rule-breaking

Perfect for: New teachers, student teachers, veteran educators looking to refine their management approach, and anyone supporting classroom teachers.

#NewTeacherTalk #ClassroomManagement #TeachingTips #EducationPodcast #TeacherLife #NewTeacher #TeachingSkills #EducationLeadership #FairfaxCounty #WarmDemander #TeacherBurnout #ClassroomRules #TeachingSuccess #EducatorSupport #PodcastEpisode

Ep 146: Think Big, Start Small: Building Your Teaching Vision with Todd Leban

Join Todd Leban, a passionate middle-level  board-certified art teacher from suburban Chicago, to explore his transformative teaching philosophy: "Think Big, Not Small."

In this inspiring episode, Todd shares how new and early career teachers can develop bold visions for their classrooms without feeling overwhelmed. He breaks down his refined approach of "Think Big, Start Small," offering practical strategies across four crucial areas: student growth, classroom culture, equity, and mental health support.

Whether you're struggling with classroom organization, looking to support all students equitably, or seeking ways to believe in every student's potential, Todd provides actionable steps that any teacher can implement. From using alphabetical seating charts to creating "take what you need" mental health resources, this episode is packed with real-world advice from an educator who's transformed his own teaching practice.

Perfect for aspiring teachers, student teachers, and early career educators across all subjects and grade levels. Discover how small, strategic actions can help you achieve your biggest teaching goals.

#NewTeacherSupport #ThinkBigStartSmall #ClassroomCulture #TeacherMentalHealth #EquityinEducation #newteachers #newteachertalk #podcast

Ep 145: Building Community Through Structure: Essential Classroom Management Techniques with Kwame Sarfo-Mensah

Join us on New Teacher Talk as we welcome Kwame Sarfo-Mensah, author of Learning to Relearn from Routledge, for an essential conversation about classroom management that every new educator needs to hear.

In this episode, Kwame shares his expertise on creating welcoming yet structured classroom environments that serve as orderly and safe spaces for learning communities to thrive. Moving beyond traditional "discipline" approaches, he focuses on proactive strategies that build connection while maintaining the structure students need to succeed.

You'll discover four immediately actionable techniques:

• Call and Response - Engaging students while establishing rhythm and attention
• Power of Proximity - Using your physical presence as a gentle management tool
• Silent Pause and Stare - The art of strategic silence in classroom management
• Positive Family Communication - Building bridges through intentional positive phone calls home

Whether you're struggling with classroom chaos or looking to refine your management approach, Kwame's practical wisdom will help you create the kind of classroom where both teaching and learning can flourish. This episode is packed with strategies you can implement immediately to transform your classroom culture.

Perfect for new teachers, student teachers, and anyone looking to strengthen their classroom management toolkit with relationship-centered approaches that actually work.

#NewTeacherTalk #ClassroomManagement #NewTeachers #TeachingTips #Education #TeacherPodcast #StudentTeachers #ClassroomCulture #TeachingStrategies #EducationPodcast #TeacherSupport #LearningCommunity #PositiveClassroom #TeacherTraining #TeachingLife #EdChat #TeacherWisdom #ClassroomTechniques #TeachingAdvice #EducatorLife

Ep 144: Embracing Bold Teaching: Lessons from Student Teaching to First-Year Ready

Join us as Dr. Anna sits down with Emma Moore, a recent graduate of the Teaching Well Program at Johns Hopkins University, who shares her unexpected transition from pursuing medicine to discovering her calling in the classroom. Emma opens up about how working as a kindergarten teacher's aide completely changed her career trajectory and ignited her passion for education.

In This Episode:

• Emma's career pivot from aspiring physician's assistant to dedicated educator
• How student teaching transformed her understanding of classroom management—from control to co-creation
• The evolution of her teaching philosophy around student-centered learning, inquiry-driven instruction, and culturally responsive teaching
• A powerful story about learning from mistakes and the importance of questioning our assumptions
• Practical strategies for managing multiple middle school class sections
• Creative classroom traditions including "scientist of the week" and celebrating small wins
• Essential advice for future student teachers: give yourself grace, document everything, and embrace each student's uniqueness
• Why taking risks and being bold in teaching matters for both educators and students

Emma's authentic reflections on growth, mentorship, and the importance of creating classrooms where every student feels safe to learn, question, and be themselves offer valuable insights for both new and experienced educators.

#NewTeacherTalk #StudentTeaching #TeachingPhilosophy #ClassroomManagement #StudentCentered #InquiryLearning #CulturallyResponsive #TeacherGrowth #EducationPodcast #TeachingJourney #FirstYearTeacher #TeacherMentorship #MiddleSchoolTeaching #TeacherReflection #BoldTeaching

Ep 143: Beyond the Bulletin Boards: How to Really Prepare for the School Year with Blake Reddick

Welcome to New Teacher Talk! In this essential episode, Blake Reddick, an experienced middle school social studies teacher, explores the often-overlooked aspects of school year preparation that go far beyond decorating classrooms and writing lesson plans.

Blake reveals that successful teaching starts with intentional preparation work that happens outside the classroom. He shares his proven strategies for building relationships before day one, from crafting meaningful letters to students and families to connecting with department chairs and understanding IEP and 504 plans. You'll learn how to set yourself up for success by getting to know your school community before you even step foot in your classroom.

Key topics covered include:

• Building early relationships with colleagues, students, and families
• Mastering time management and setting healthy work-life boundaries (including Blake's personal rule about not taking work home)
• The critical importance of mental and emotional preparation during summer breaks
• Navigating school policies, protocols, and key contacts
• Embracing continuous professional learning and growth

Blake emphasizes that mental and emotional preparation is "the very most important thing," sharing practical advice on how to recharge through hobbies, family time, and establishing routines that sustain you throughout the demanding school year. As he puts it, "If you fail to prepare, prepare to fail."

Whether you're a brand new teacher or a veteran looking to refine your approach, this episode provides a comprehensive roadmap for starting the school year with confidence, clarity, and strong foundations for success.

#NewTeacherTalk #TeacherPrep #BackToSchool #TeachingTips #NewTeachers #MiddleSchoolTeacher #TeacherWellbeing #SchoolYearPrep #TeacherSupport #EducationPodcast #TeachingLife #TeacherBoundaries #ProfessionalDevelopment #TeacherMentalHealth #EducatorLife #TeachingStrategies #TeacherPodcast #SchoolPreparation #TeacherAdvice #EdChat

Ep 142: The New Teacher Survival Guide: AI Tools, Classroom Management, and Beating Burnout with Lori Abbott

Join us for an invaluable conversation with veteran educator Lori Abbott, who shares 33 years of teaching wisdom to help new teachers thrive. In this episode, Lori covers the fundamentals of effective classroom management, explaining how all student behavior is purposeful and offering strategies for building positive relationships that prevent issues before they start. She dives into the game-changing potential of generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini for lesson planning, providing step-by-step guidance on writing effective prompts that incorporate student demographics and learning goals. Lori also addresses the critical importance of work-life balance, sharing practical tips for avoiding burnout and managing the workload that inevitably comes home. Finally, she tackles imposter syndrome head-on, encouraging new teachers to embrace their humanity and reconnect with their "why" when facing challenges. Whether you're a first-year teacher or supporting someone who is, this episode is packed with actionable advice from someone who truly understands the profession.

Ep 141: August Mindset Matters: Mental Prep for Your New School Year

Welcome to the new season of New Teacher Talk! Hosts Dr. Anna and Dr. Beth kick off the school year with essential mental preparation strategies for early career and aspiring educators. This episode focuses on building the right mindset for August and setting yourself up for success before stepping into the classroom.

Key Segments

Segment 1: Let's Talk "Mental Setup"

• Normalizing August emotions: Acknowledging the mix of nervous energy, excitement, dread, and summer nostalgia
• Quick exercise: Write down three emotions you're feeling about returning to school, then ask "What do I need to feel more grounded?"
• Simple solutions: Often what we need isn't fancy—just sleep, time with friends, or clarity about the first week

Segment 2: Planning Without Overplanning

• The overplanning trap: Why color-coded binders and backup plans for backup plans can cloud mental clarity
• Planning for flexibility: Creating real space in your calendar for the unknown
• Breathing room strategies: Block time for reflection after the first week and informal teacher huddles

Segment 3: Find Your Anchor

• Mental habits and mantras: Grounding techniques that help during challenging moments
• Dr. Anna's anchor: "Connection first, content second"—relationships pave the way for learning
• Dr. Beth's anchor: "They're just kids—not critics"—combating perfectionism when lessons don't go as planned
• Action step: Choose your anchor now and write it where you'll see it daily

Segment 4: Protect Your Energy

• Understanding mental fatigue: Recognizing that the first few weeks naturally drain your battery
• Energy rituals: Commit to one proactive practice (stretching before dismissal, 5-minute journaling, walking without distractions)
• Setting boundaries early: Learning to say "I'd love to help once I find my rhythm this year"

Quick Mental Prep Checklist

1. Check in with your emotions
2. Plan for flexibility
3. Choose a mental anchor
4. Commit to an energy ritual
5. Set one clear boundary for August

Upcoming August Episodes

This month's focus: Supporting teachers while preparing for the beginning of the school year 

Featured Guests:

• Lori Abbott: AI tools for planning, classroom management ideas, and work-life balance
• Blake Reddick: Preparation tips for setting yourself up for success before entering the classroom
• Emma Moore: First-year teacher perspective and preparation insights
• Kwame Sarfo-Mensah: Immediately implementable classroom management tips
• Todd Leban: "Think Big, Not Small" - encouragement and tips for a fulfilling year start

Connect with New Teacher Talk

• Instagram & Blue Sky: @newteachertalk
• Tuesday Teacher Resource: Weekly classroom resources
• Thursday Thought: Midweek inspiration

Key Takeaway: You don't have to know everything right now, you just need a foundation. That foundation starts with taking care of your mindset before the school year kicks into full gear.

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