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Dive into the complete episode list for Teachers Need Teachers. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

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Pub. DateTitleDuration
22 Jul 2019TnT 70 Actionable strategies for becoming a more engaging teacher00:20:56
Every teacher understands the need for students to be engaged, but what if they constantly find themselves staring back at blank stares? How can a teacher deliver a lesson so that their students aren't falling asleep or spacing out? In addition to proper planning, lesson delivery is key to getting kids motivated to learn and do the hard work to improve. Here are actionable strategies that teachers can use today to keep their students excited throughout the class period. How to be an engaging teacher
  • Have a developmentally appropriate teacher presence
  • The teacher does less talking and the students do more
  • Develop strong relationships with your students
  • Learn how to respond to them without shutting them down
  • Read the room
Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Don't forget to leave a voicemail! Let your voice be heard! Click here how to find out how you can be a part of the podcast by telling us your favorite parts of teaching! Listeners who leave a voicemail will be eligible to receive a FREE Teachers Need Teachers sticker! Click HERE to find out more! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
09 Sep 2019TnT 77 How to plan so you're teaching everything you're supposed to00:24:22
For many new teachers, lesson planning ALONE is a huge source of stress and anxiety. Not only is there a billion other things to do as a teacher, but there's the tiny detail of knowing how and what to plan. Yes, you definitely learned about it and even did some practice lesson plans. But now that you're faced with your own students (and possibly teaching a grade that you weren't prepared for), it's a whole new ballgame. In this episode, I don't tell you how to plan - I explain the mindset and big-picture view of planning an entire year, then down to quarters, units, and daily lessons. You can help make this podcast better! Please click the button below to complete this survey so that I can discuss the topics that matter to you most! Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Want to ask a question and be featured on the podcast? Let your voice be heard! Click here how to find out how you can be a part of the podcast by asking a question! Listeners who leave a voicemail will be eligible to receive a FREE Teachers Need Teachers sticker! Click HERE to find out more! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
19 Nov 2018Ep 31: How to tackle grading when you're waaay behind00:24:02
Do you have piles of assignments that need grading? Are you feeling overwhelmed by it? You're not alone! All teachers find themselves buried in grading at some point, and it can seem like there's no way out of it. While there's probably no way around having to sit down and do the dirty work, here are some tips to do it efficiently as well as avoid getting into this situation again.  Steps for getting your grading under control
  • Commit to being organized
  • Stop adding assignments (seriously!)
  • Reconsider how you grade
  • Set aside blocks of time
  • Streamline your feedback
Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
02 Dec 2019TnT 89 5 crucial steps to fix your lessons when they're not working00:25:15
No matter how much time we spend planning a lesson, there WILL be lessons that don’t work quite how we had anticipated. This is especially true if you’re a new teacher because you’re still figuring out lesson delivery and pacing, student engagement, and classroom management. But how do we handle this when we're supposed to stay on pace but only a few of your students are getting it? On today’s episode, I’m going to cover five steps to take when your lesson isn’t working out so that you can regroup and correct your course.  Sign up for the New Educator Conference in either San Diego or Santa Clara, CA at CTAGO.ORG Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Want to ask a question and be featured on the podcast? Let your voice be heard! Click here to find out how you can be a part of the podcast by asking a question! Listeners who leave a voicemail will be eligible to receive a FREE Teachers Need Teachers sticker! Click HERE to find out more! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
29 Oct 2018Ep 29: How to handle an angry parent email00:32:33
Every teacher will receive at least one (if not more) emailed from disgruntled parents. Regardless of who's at fault, it can be a nerve-wracking experience and have lasting negative effects if not handled properly. How can we address the email in a diplomatic way without having to compromise our class policies and dignity? I provide 10 steps on how to handle the email so that the situation doesn't escalate to the point where the parent becomes angrier and you set off red flags with your administration.   Steps for handling an angry parent email: 1) Investigate the issue the parent is upset about. 2) Take a moment to understand the parent’s perspective. 3) Have another colleague take a look at it. 4) If you feel compelled to, draft your angry reply in a different medium 5) Give your principal a heads-up. 6) No matter what, you'll need to respond, but stay cool. 7) After crafting that email, save it as a draft and come back to it when you’re not upset. 8) Don’t blame or lecture the student the next day. 9) Find a way to prevent this issue from popping up again. 10) If you’re delivering unhappy news, have another colleague take a look at it. Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
06 Aug 2018Ep 17: How to use a syllabus to communicate with parents00:25:29
It's back-to-school time! There's always so much to prepare for your first teaching position, one thing that you definitely want to plan ahead is your syllabus. Use this document as a communication tool with your students' parents so that you can all be on the same page. Here's a link to my Syllabus. Click HERE for an editable copy of this syllabus, as well as other free resources. Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
07 Jan 2019Ep 39: Six aspects of teaching that always need improvement00:49:29
New teachers often feel stressed out and depressed their first few years. Aside from struggling with so many aspects of the job and worrying about job security and pay, they often feel like they're doing a horrible job. Teaching is definitely tough and it can be difficult to know how to improve, but the best way to do it without going insane is to work on one aspect of teaching at a time. Here are six areas that will make the most impact, but you should only work on ONE per semester. Don't overwhelm yourselves with trying to do too much! Once you've chosen which aspect you want to work on, go back to Episode 38 to learn how to break it down into manageable steps. Six areas of improvement
  1. Classroom management
  2. Lesson planning
  3. Lesson delivery
  4. Assessment
  5. Grading
  6. Parents and colleagues
Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
15 Oct 2018Ep 27: Differentiation doesn't have to be difficult00:59:03
All teachers know that they need to differentiate, but what does that look like in a classroom? During the planning stages? In real time? How can a teacher be expected to plan for students performing two grades below and those performing two grades above in the same class? Laura Kebart describes how this doesn't have to be a daunting task, and gives tips on how to streamline and even make grading simpler! Click HERE to grab Laura's resource with 10 Questions and Answers for how to respond to parents or administrators who want to know what you're doing to differentiate, which includes a link to her hands-on workshop! How to get in touch with Laura: Middle School ELA Teachers Community for Grades 6-7-8 Her Language Arts Teachers Membership Site Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
11 Apr 2023Ep 116 Introverted teachers can still be the fun teacher00:17:19
Are you one of those teachers who’s a little more introverted or serious, and maybe not categorized as the “fun” teacher? Do you wish that your students were more engaged and that you had more buy-in from them without having to put on a dog and pony show? In this episode, I discuss four tricks to get a more positive classroom culture without having to be one of those bubbly extroverted teachers. Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
30 Sep 2019TnT 80 Teachers drowning in student loan debt can save so much money by doing this00:38:36
Student loan debt is no joke, and it creates so much anxiety for just about everyone, ESPECIALLY newer teachers. Programs like Teacher Loan Forgiveness promise to help with this burden, but it barely helps to bring down the tens of thousands of dollars in debt that teachers have. And misinformation about the best way to pay back these loans results in teachers losing thousands of dollars. Why doesn't anyone tell us about this? Why is it so complicated. In this second part of my conversation with Travis Hornsby from the Student Loan Planner, we get down to the details, and he goes as far as to crunch some numbers so that you can get a really clear idea of just how much you can save. Where you can find Travis Sign up for the New Educator Conference in either San Diego or Santa Clara, CA! at CTAGO.ORG Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Want to ask a question and be featured on the podcast? Let your voice be heard! Click here how to find out how you can be a part of the podcast by asking a question! Listeners who leave a voicemail will be eligible to receive a FREE Teachers Need Teachers sticker! Click HERE to find out more! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me You can help make this podcast better! Please click the button below to complete this survey so that I can discuss the topics that matter to you most!
02 May 2023Ep 119 End-of-the-year prep for teachers - how to survive without hating life00:14:18
The end of the school year is both a time of excitement and dread. Excitement because we’re almost at summer break and dread because things can get really hectic. And it can be super stressful if you don’t plan for it correctly because there are so many factors that are out of your control that throw a wrench in your normal school routine. In today's episode, I’m covering how to prepare for the end of the school year so that it’s more manageable and possibly even enjoyable. Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
27 Aug 2018Ep 20: How your mindset becomes your reality in the classroom00:25:21
It's no secret that teaching is a rewarding but difficult job. Many teachers go into the career only to become overwhelmed, disillusioned, disheartened, and lost. Could have this been prevented? Possibly, but only if they had examined their own mindset and determined if they were truly ready for the challenges of teaching. Questions to ask yourself:
  • Are you a blamer?
  • Do you have thick skin?
  • Do you like the sounds of kids' voices more than your own?
  • When was the last time someone changed your mind?
  • Are your educational policies, procedures, and philosophies truly serving students and learning?
Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
04 Nov 2019TnT 85 How to set yourself up for success with station rotations00:37:39
In the last episode, we covered why teachers should incorporate station rotations into their teaching, the logistics of planning for them, and how they can help with differentiation and classroom management. But if you've done them in the past and they were a disaster, chances are you didn't set them up properly. Today I bring Laura Kebart back to discuss how to use stations for small group instruction as well as how to train your students so that your stations are a success. Where you can find Laura: languageartsteachers.com Station rotation freebie: https://languageartsteachers.com/easystations Sign up for the New Educator Conference in either San Diego or Santa Clara, CA! at CTAGO.ORG Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Want to ask a question and be featured on the podcast? Let your voice be heard! Click here to find out how you can be a part of the podcast by asking a question! Listeners who leave a voicemail will be eligible to receive a FREE Teachers Need Teachers sticker! Click HERE to find out more! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
25 Nov 2022Ep 101 Planning a lesson that ensures student learning00:16:27
So you’ve survived the first couple of months of school (or maybe you were just thrown in), and you’re figuring out what you need to teach. If you’re lucky, you’ve been handed a curriculum, but that doesn’t mean you know where to start. In this episode, I’m going to go through the lesson planning process so that you not only figure out what you’re supposed to be teaching but help you figure out how to tell if your students are actually learning. Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
25 Mar 2019TnT 50 Five steps for giving impactful feedback00:22:30
Effective feedback is KEY to moving students forward, but how what does it actually mean to give good feedback? What does it look like? How can you tell if it's working? Simply correcting students won't lead to improved student outcomes, so here are five steps to up your feedback game. In Part 4 of this 4-part series on feedback, I discuss how to best give feedback so that your students act on it and improve. If you missed the first three parts of this series: TnT 47: How to get truly helpful feedback to inform your teaching TnT 48: Student feedback can completely change your teaching TnT 49 Why you might be wasting that valuable feedback If you have a moment this week, please complete this Google Form. This will help me know if it’s worth the time to create it, as well as what you think I should include. If you complete the form and leave your email, then if I create it, you’ll be invited to beta test it and make it better! Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Don't forget to leave a voicemail! Let your voice be heard! Click here how to find out how you can be a part of the podcast by telling us your favorite parts of teaching! Listeners who leave a voicemail will be eligible to receive a FREE Teachers Need Teachers sticker! Click HERE to find out more! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me  
03 Dec 2018Ep 34: Your students have the right to fail00:25:47
This idea of students needing to fail, it seems counterintuitive, right? But what if it's actually in the best interest of the student? Why should a teacher "allow" a student to fail a class? While teachers are charged with ensuring that all students learn and grow academically, there are times when it's just not possible for a student. In this case, letting a student fail gives an accurate picture of their abilities and deficiencies, and allows them to get the proper support they deserve. Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
09 Jul 2018Ep 11: How some administrators use data for hiring01:04:34
Hiring new teachers based on a resume and a gut feeling during an interview can sometimes result in someone who is a wrong fit for the school. Scott Schwartz describes the meticulous process his district uses to hire a great teacher every time, as well as the implications for teachers interested in working there. He also conducts a mock interview with me and asks me questions that he uses after the initial prescreening process.  Where you can find Scott Schwartz: Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
05 Aug 2019TnT 72 The many advantages of being a second-career teacher00:26:16
Many new and current teachers came to the profession as a second career. They take the plunge for many reasons and find themselves in a tough but completely fulfilling job. Some question whether or not it's a good idea or if they have anything to offer in education, and others are worried about the age gap between them and teachers coming straight from college. On today's episode, I discuss not only why many teachers make the switch, but I also showcase the advantages that second-career teachers have, as well as how they can be successful in education.  Sign up for Tailor-Ed and receive 3 months FREE! Just use the code TEACHERSNEEDTEACHERS Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Don't forget to leave a voicemail! Let your voice be heard! Click here how to find out how you can be a part of the podcast by telling us your favorite parts of teaching! Listeners who leave a voicemail will be eligible to receive a FREE Teachers Need Teachers sticker! Click HERE to find out more! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
02 Dec 2022Ep 102 Why you're not using state standards the right way00:21:52
With the amount of pressure and things on their to-do list, many new teachers struggle with planning effective lessons. And while they probably have knowledge of their state standards, they're not using them fully to their advantage. In today's episode, I not only break down how I would study the standards but also how I would research the scope and sequence of those standards and then look for materials. I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me  
03 Feb 2020TnT 98 Actionable strategies for new special education teachers00:41:14
Being a new teacher is difficult for everyone, but SPED teachers have a unique set of challenges that most of us gen ed teachers never realize. Part teacher, part curriculum writer, and part parent liaison (among other things), SPED teachers wear many hats. In this episode, Brandie Rosen and I discuss not only the challenges but how to attack these without losing your mind.   How to reach Brandie: Grab your free resources:   Check out my new YouTube Channel! Your Own Damn Way Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
22 Apr 2019TnT 56 JOB INTERVIEW SERIES: How to answer authentically while still impressing in job interviews00:41:52
New teachers looking for that first teaching job are often worried about their lack of experience when doing their first round of interviews. How can they talk about their experiences when they've only finished student teaching? Should they be upfront or pad their experiences? Rick Mohrien explains how newer teachers can still be authentic while still making a good impression on the interview panel. Click HERE for a copy of all of the interview questions from this series!
  1. Tell me your story, how did you end up here today wanting to be a teacher here at Winget Park?
  2. What’s the best lesson you ever taught, and tell me why it was the best lesson?
  3. It’s the first week of school, tell me what you’re doing to build relationships with your students.
  4. It’s the first week of school, tell me what you’re doing with your students’ families.
  5. How do you help yourself grow as a learner? What are some things you like to do to support your own professional growth outside the required professional development?
Where you can find Rick Mohrien: Rick’s Twitter: @Mohrien Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Don't forget to leave a voicemail! Let your voice be heard! Click here how to find out how you can be a part of the podcast by telling us your favorite parts of teaching! Listeners who leave a voicemail will be eligible to receive a FREE Teachers Need Teachers sticker! Click HERE to find out more! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me    
27 May 2019TnT 62 How to repair relationships with students that misbehave00:24:25
It’s hard to get past someone who annoys you - whether it’s a child or adult. And we tend to place blame on circumstances beyond our control, such as parent involvement or accountability, lack of consequences from the administration, the apathy of the student. But what did WE do to mitigate those circumstances? How have WE tried to repair the relationship in order to get a different outcome? In this episode, I discuss how to deal with that ONE student you’ve been battling with all year as well as how to be more proactive in the future so that you can deal with those types of students head-on. Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Click here to get your FREE preview lesson of the End-of-the-year Sanity Saver! Don't forget to leave a voicemail! Let your voice be heard! Click here how to find out how you can be a part of the podcast by telling us your favorite parts of teaching! Listeners who leave a voicemail will be eligible to receive a FREE Teachers Need Teachers sticker! Click HERE to find out more! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
19 Jul 2018Ep 14: Growing as an educator to stand out in job interviews00:55:17
Even though they will vary, most interview panels ask similar questions. Ross Cooper gives us one of the best ways to stand out in an interview and discusses the importance of always growing and learning as an educator. 
  1. Tell us about yourself and what brings you here today.
  2. Why are you a good fit for our organization?
  3. How do you grow professionally?
  4. Talk to us about a time in which you learned from an experience via a mistake.
  5. What do you do in your free time?
Where you can find Ross Cooper: Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
01 Jun 2018Introducing Teachers Need Teachers00:01:47
What is the Teachers Need Teachers podcast about and who is it for? Why should you subscribe? What makes this different from other teaching podcasts? How will this change your teaching? Listen in and get all of the details in 106 second flat. Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
14 Mar 2023Ep 114 Hacks for grading assignments fast when you're falling behind00:10:28
Are you a teacher who's feeling overwhelmed with grading? You're not alone! All teachers fall behind on grading at some point in their careers, and it can be a HUGE source of stress. But don't worry, there are ways to grade faster and catch up. In this episode, we'll explore some strategies that can help you grade more efficiently without sacrificing quality. We'll discuss the importance of setting realistic grading goals, utilizing technology tools, and developing a grading system that works best for you. Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
24 Jan 2023Ep 108 How to finally find happiness in teaching00:13:19
A lot of teachers are truly dissatisfied and fed up with teaching for many reasons, but one of the main ones is student behavior. Students, their parents, other staff, and admin can definitely behave in ways that trigger us and make us want to give up completely. Recognizing when a situation is triggering us and our ego-based responses is crucial. In this episode, I explore what this means and how it can manifest itself in the classroom. Understanding and working on being less reactive can help enable beneficial outcomes in the classroom and beyond. Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
11 Mar 2019TnT 48 Student feedback can completely change your teaching00:19:39
You can almost consider students as your “customers” in that they’re the ones that have to sit through your lesson, participate in your activities, and prove whether or not they learned anything. While you don't have to entertain them, I’ve mentioned several times that having engaging and relevant content is crucial and that every activity, handout, lecture, etc. you do has to result in learning. So in addition to having colleagues observe us and give us feedback, it’s important to know the temperature and climate of your classroom. And the only way to truly know is to survey your students. This is Part 2 of my 4-part series on feedback. If you missed the first part on getting better feedback from your colleagues and administrators, be sure to listen to it here. If you missed the other parts of the series: TnT 47: How to get truly helpful feedback to inform your teaching TnT 49: Why you might be wasting that valuable feedback TnT 50: Five steps for giving impactful feedback If you have a moment this week, please complete this Google Form. This will help me know if it’s worth the time to create it, as well as what you think I should include. If you complete the form and leave your email, then if I create it, you’ll be invited to beta test it and make it better! Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Don't forget to leave a voicemail! Let your voice be heard! Click here how to find out how you can be a part of the podcast by telling us your favorite parts of teaching! Listeners who leave a voicemail will be eligible to receive a FREE Teachers Need Teachers sticker! Click HERE to find out more! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me  
21 Oct 2019TnT 83 The founders of Prac-E tell us how new teachers can survive in difficult schools00:49:13
New teachers come out of their practicum excited and ready to dive head-first into teaching. But they often run into the problem of trying to decide which schools to teach at, being a positive force for students with difficult home lives, and a long list of other serious issues. How do they know if a school is right for them? How can they handle being a long-term substitute or start in the middle of the year? In this special interview with Liam Auliciems and Scott Harding, the founders of Prac-E, we answer these questions plus discuss what to do if your school has a toxic culture. Where to find Prac-E:   Sign up for the New Educator Conference in either San Diego or Santa Clara, CA! at CTAGO.ORG Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Want to ask a question and be featured on the podcast? Let your voice be heard! Click here to find out how you can be a part of the podcast by asking a question! Listeners who leave a voicemail will be eligible to receive a FREE Teachers Need Teachers sticker! Click HERE to find out more! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
12 Jul 2018Ep 12: Why you should be honest in job interviews00:52:04
When preparing for an interview, we’re often faced with the fear of the unknown. What if we don’t have an answer or know what the interviewer is talking about? Rob Fulk gives new teachers valuable and honest tips about how to handle these common interview situations.
  1. What do you know about our school?
  2. What’s more important to education in the success of our students - tradition or innovation? Defend your answer.
  3. What perspectives outside of a Euro-centric curriculum can you bring to our classrooms?
  4. Can you give me specific examples in an ELA classroom of literature you would bring in from a non-Euro perspective?
  5. What specific supports are you going to need to be successful in our building?
  6. What are your expectations of a team/PLC, and how do you uphold your expectations of your team/PLC? 
Where you can find Rob Fulk: Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
27 Jan 2020TnT 97 How gen ed teachers can support SPED students00:35:36
We will all have special ed, or SPED students at some point in our classrooms, and we often feel lost in terms of how to support them. New teachers especially struggle since they struggle to know things like accommodations and IEPs. So I brought on special education expert, Brandie Rosen, and we discussed all things SPED.    Check out my new YouTube Channel! Your Own Damn Way Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
09 May 2023Ep 120 Forget videos - project-based learning will get your students excited to learn!00:21:42
Are you tired of traditional classroom methods that leave students bored and unengaged? Look no further than project-based learning! In this video, Nancy Mikhail from BuildaProject.net and I explore how project-based learning can transform your classroom into a dynamic and exciting environment that fosters student creativity and critical thinking. Join us in this exciting exploration of project-based learning and discover how it can revolutionize your classroom and your students' learning experiences. Where to find Nancy: Instagram 👉🏼 https://www.instagram.com/nancymikhailedu Podcast 👉🏼 https://www.nancymikhail.com/educationalpodcast Resources and lessons 👉🏼 https://www.nancymikhail.com Nancy Mikhail is an Educational Consultant specializing in the creation and design of engaging pedagogy and active learning projects that excel beyond the requirements of California State Standards. Nancy earned her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and Multiple Subject Teaching Credential at the California State University at Long Beach, and furthered her education by earning her Master’s of Science in Curriculum and Instruction from California State University at Fullerton. Her experience within the education system ranges from preschool to twelfth grade. However, Nancy’s skills go above and beyond the classroom. She has taken her passion for teaching and education into after school programs, academic advising, and nonprofit organizations. She is an active participant and presenter in educational conferences and workshops.   Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
02 Jul 2018Ep 9: How a teacher's approach to classroom management can make or break an interview00:48:11
A topic that many job-seeking teachers are asked about is classroom management. Every school has its own philosophy and mission in terms of behavior, but some take it a step further. James Moffett dives deep into how being a trauma-informed school is the best form of classroom management and how it influences his hiring decisions. He also conducts a mock interview with me and asks me questions that help him decide if a candidate would be a good fit for his school.   Where you can find James Moffett:   Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
14 Jun 2018Ep 4: It's time to grade your grading policies00:15:31
As a newer teacher, you probably used the grading system from student teaching or a haphazard combination of what you “heard” you should do. By taking the time to closely examine your grading policies, you can ensure that your gradebook clearly communicates your students’ academic progress. Click HERE to grab the workbook plus other free resources! Using weighted grades: How much is each of these categories worth in your gradebook?
  • Homework
  • Tests
  • Classwork
  • Projects
How about late work and effort? What are your grading policies for:
  • Late work
  • Partial completion
  • Test retakes and assignment redos
  • Extra credit
  • Absences
  • Cheating 
Still not sure what you want for your grading? Here’s an article that might help you: https://www.mrslepre.com/grading-your-gradebook/  I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
18 Apr 2023Ep 117 Teaching Stress Can Age You - Find Out How to Reverse the Damage!00:29:00
Teaching can be a rewarding and fulfilling profession, but it can also be demanding and stressful. Many teachers experience burnout and rapid aging due to the pressures of the job. In this episode, I explore the importance of self-care, stress management, and work-life balance for teachers. By following these steps, teachers can prevent rapid aging from teaching and enjoy a long and successful career in education. Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan SUNSCREENS: For my face, neck, and chest 👉🏼 Skin Aqua: https://amzn.to/3KFOExv For my arms and legs 👉🏼 Eucerin: https://amzn.to/41ue483 For the tops of my hands 👉🏼 Aveeno: https://amzn.to/43CpatG Driving gloves: https://amzn.to/43v6ThX RETINOLS: Musely (prescription strength): https://www.musely.com/facerx/referral_code/use?code=KL9367 Avene: https://amzn.to/40aS0hG Differin (not just for acne): https://amzn.to/3L40MtN Cerave: https://amzn.to/3A1Ma7D GET MORE PROTEIN: Myprotein (tastes like fruit juice): https://amzn.to/3L37Lmy Barebells (tastes like a candy bar): https://amzn.to/3MP12Om SLEEP AID: Sleep Fairy: https://amzn.to/3ohGWlT These are affiliate links which means if you buy something, I'll receive a small commission. I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
05 Jul 2018Ep 10: EPIC job interview tips00:46:55
As a new teacher, your advisors in your credentialing program probably gave you some interviewing advice and practice questions. While these are helpful, it’s definitely even more valuable to hear from someone on a hiring committee and know exactly what types of answers they’re looking for. Asia Cunningham not only shares with us some of the more common interview questions but also gives advice on what types of answers you should prepare. She also conducts a mock interview with me and asks me questions that allow her to put the puzzle pieces together about a potential candidate.   Where you can find Asia Cunningham: Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
07 Oct 2019TnT 81 How to support LGBTQ educators and students in our schools00:37:11
Even though it's 2019 and it seems like there would be more acceptance and inclusion of the LGBTQ people, there is still a lot of work to do. And while I personally support those in the community, I wanted to know more about how I can do a better job as a teacher. So on Part 1 of my interview with Cody Miller, an assistant professor in New York who gives professional development on these issues,  we discuss what has and hasn't improved with schools, how cisgender and hetero educators can support their queer colleagues and students, and how to address those that don’t approve of the LGBTQ community. Where you can find Cody: Twitter Links mentioned in this episode:   Sign up for the New Educator Conference in either San Diego or Santa Clara, CA! at CTAGO.ORG Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Want to ask a question and be featured on the podcast? Let your voice be heard! Click here to find out how you can be a part of the podcast by asking a question! Listeners who leave a voicemail will be eligible to receive a FREE Teachers Need Teachers sticker! Click HERE to find out more! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
23 Jul 2018Ep 15: The only advice you'll need on how to nail that next teaching interview00:13:33
Now that I've interviewed seven administrators and answered their top job interview questions, it's time to take all of that valuable information and put it to good use. Here are my key takeaways that you can use to nail your next teaching interview and land that job! Click here to get a copy of all of the interview questions from Episodes 9-14! Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
01 Jun 2018Ep 1: Using end-of-the-year student feedback to guide your teaching00:15:09
Do you collect student feedback? If not, you should! It's a great way to know how students perceive your effectiveness, and whether or not you're creating relationships and connecting with them. It's also a quick and easy way for students to feel that they have a voice in their education. Here's a link so you can see the types of questions I ask: https://goo.gl/forms/R8ejdjhPF4gSPEAH2 Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
28 Feb 2023Ep 112 How to cut your grading time in HALF00:14:07
Teachers tend to spend HOURS of time grading, and especially outside of their work hours. Whether you're physically taking papers home or online, grading assignments is often the bane of all teachers. Surprisingly, there ARE ways to cut down on grading without reducing the effectiveness of your teaching! In this episode, I cover 6 ways to cut down your grading without sacrificing the amount of learning in your classroom. Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
16 Jan 2023Ep 107 The truth about problematic student behaviors00:18:44
Having difficulty managing behavior in the classroom as a newer teacher? This video explores how to break the cycle of cause and effect between student behaviors and your own. Learn to be honest with yourself about your presence in the classroom, as well as how you cope with confrontation and conflict. Find out how to be a firm but a caring presence that is respected by students. But I also delve deeper into the psychological side of things. I talk about how student behavior is influenced by past experiences and coping mechanisms, and how the teacher's behavior is also influenced by past experiences. I explore the idea that student behavior is not always personal and that students will always test the teacher's emotions. It's important to address these underlying issues in order to effectively manage classroom behavior. Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
25 Apr 2023Ep 118 5 Alternatives to Quitting Teaching00:10:35
Let's be real - teaching is a tough job, and it's not uncommon to feel like throwing in the towel at times. Between unsupportive administrators, heavy workloads, angry parents, disrespectful students, and external pressures from policymakers, it can be overwhelming to find joy in teaching. That's why it's no surprise that many teachers plan to quit after this school year if they haven't already. But if you're feeling burnt out and tired of teaching, and aren't quite ready to give up on your passion, you're in the right place. In this episode, we're exploring five alternatives to quitting teaching that can actually help reignite your love for the profession. From seeking out mentorship and collaboration with fellow educators to exploring leadership roles to taking a sabbatical or pursuing a new specialty, we'll cover actionable tips and strategies to help you find fulfillment and satisfaction in your career as an educator. Insider tips on how to get your DonorsChoose.org project funded: https://teachersneedteachers.com/68 Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
17 Dec 2018Ep 36: You're doing TOO MUCH!00:46:01
There's never a shortage of teachers who feel overwhelmed and stressed by all of the demands of teaching. It honestly feels like there's no time to get everything done AND have time for family, friends, and self-care. That's about to change. Angela Watson shares her candid insight on how new teachers can finally learn how to prioritize and do what will have the most impact on their teaching. We also discuss how she helped me become the efficient and effective teacher that I am today. Are you ready to ditch the teacher tired? Join the 40-hour Teacher Workweek Club! Click HERE to learn more, and when you sign up, please mention Kim Lepre or kim@teachersneedteachers.com. Here's how to connect with Angela: Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
14 Oct 2019TnT 82 What teachers can do to foster LGBTQ inclusivity in the classroom00:39:14
New teachers often come into teaching already supporting LGBTQ rights and have good intentions to demonstrate this support but can fall short on implementation. How can they start eradicating cisnormativity and heteronormativity that has been institutionalized for many students? How can they create a safe space that goes beyond rainbow flags and stickers? In part 2 of my interview with Cody Miller, we continue to discuss how to support queer educators in our schools, how to deal with derogatory slurs involving being gay, and how non-English and history teachers can do their part to be LGBTQ allies. Where you can find Cody: Twitter Links mentioned in this episode:     Sign up for the New Educator Conference in either San Diego or Santa Clara, CA! at CTAGO.ORG Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Want to ask a question and be featured on the podcast? Let your voice be heard! Click here to find out how you can be a part of the podcast by asking a question! Listeners who leave a voicemail will be eligible to receive a FREE Teachers Need Teachers sticker! Click HERE to find out more! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
02 Sep 2019TnT 76 How to upgrade your group work strategy00:28:05
Many teachers have students work in groups on assignments, but there are also quite a few that limit it. They don’t like the potential for chaos and bad behaviors, so for the most part, they avoid it. However, it’s impossible to keep students on-task and in silence for an entire class period. Those students may seem like they're paying attention but are in fact playing the role of a student who’s working. They’re tuning out from the lack of opportunity to talk to their peers. This is where group work also helps! In this episode, I’ll discuss the pros and cons of cooperative learning, as well as my tips for how to make it not only just WORK in your classroom but increases student achievement. You can help make this podcast better! Please CLICK HERE to complete this survey so that I can discuss the topics that matter to you most! Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Want to ask a question and be featured on the podcast? Let your voice be heard! Click here how to find out how you can be a part of the podcast by asking a question! Listeners who leave a voicemail will be eligible to receive a FREE Teachers Need Teachers sticker! Click HERE to find out more! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
20 May 2019TnT 61 Is teaching right for me?00:27:08
Click here to get your FREE preview lesson of the End-of-the-year Sanity Saver! How do you know if teaching is really for you? This question is on the minds of new teachers year round, but especially at the end of the year. Sometimes student teaching or that first year will be that crucial time when you start feeling like something isn’t right, or maybe it’s just a little further down like 6 or 7 years. In any case, let’s be introspective and be honest about the answers to these questions. 
  • Another podcast episode to listen to (with admittedly similar information) is Episode 20 where I ask questions so you can determine if you have the right mindset to survive as a teacher.
  • In Episode 30 I discuss what you can do when your lessons aren’t working. I’d definitely take time to listen and reflect on how you can catch yourself in the midst of a dying lesson before it gets away.
  • Episode 49, which is about how to take feedback so that you don’t shut down when you receive it. I discuss how to process it so that you don’t go into defense mode, but actually take action and improve.
  • I go into depth in Episode 47 about how to get better feedback and help.
Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Don't forget to leave a voicemail! Let your voice be heard! Click here how to find out how you can be a part of the podcast by telling us your favorite parts of teaching! Listeners who leave a voicemail will be eligible to receive a FREE Teachers Need Teachers sticker! Click HERE to find out more! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
06 May 2019TnT 59 Foreign language teaching struggles are relatable to us all00:51:25
Click here to sign up for the End-of-the-year Sanity Saver! Foreign language teachers have a wonderful and life-changing subject area, but it definitely comes with its challenges. Reluctant speakers, struggling readers, and a subject area that is relegated as "just an elective" can make it difficult to feel like one is making an impact. Elena Spathis offers strategies on how to overcome this and turn those students into lifelong language learners. Where you can find Elena: @SrtaSpathis Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Don't forget to leave a voicemail! Let your voice be heard! Click here how to find out how you can be a part of the podcast by telling us your favorite parts of teaching! Listeners who leave a voicemail will be eligible to receive a FREE Teachers Need Teachers sticker! Click HERE to find out more! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
03 Jan 2023Ep 105 3 bad habits that kill student engagement00:17:14
In this episode, I discuss three bad habits that are killing student engagement in the classroom and provide strategies for educators to improve learning experiences. I look at ways to talk less, be more engaging, and be more flexible and relatable. No time to take notes? I've created a workbook with all of my tips 👉🏼 https://teachersneedteachers.com/3badhabitsyt I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
18 Jun 2018Ep 5: Expecting your students to be mind-readers is a waste of time00:12:04
Properly communicated classroom policies and procedures ensure that you can maximize the learning time in a safe and productive environment. When we start out teaching, it’s a time of experimentation to see what works. Here are four important points to consider when deciding on what and how to implement your policies and procedures. Click HERE to grab the workbook plus other free resources!
  • How students come into the classroom, where they keep their belongings, expectations for the beginning and end of class
  • Policies for students leaving their seats: bathroom use, getting supplies, sharpening pencils, etc.
  • How you transition between activities
  • Electronic device usage (cell phones, tablets, etc.)
Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
08 Oct 2018Ep 26: Helping science teachers make sense of NGSS00:49:39
The Next Generation Science Standards, or NGSS, have been rolled out the past few years with much confusion and anxiety. Veteran science teachers have been grappling with how to shift their way of teaching while new teachers are still attempting to fit all of the pieces together. Erin Sadler and I discuss the continuing struggles with implementation, as well as how to reframe our idea of how science instruction should be delivered. Resources mentioned in this episode: National Science Teachers Association: https://www.nsta.org/ iExplore Science: https://iexplorescience.com/ San Diego Unified School District's Science Resources: https://sites.google.com/a/sandi.net/ngss-draft-lessons/ Oakland Unified School District's Science Resources: https://sites.google.com/ousd.k12.ca.us/science HHMI: https://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive PHET at the University of Colorado in Boulder: https://phet.colorado.edu/ How to reach Erin: Instagram: sadlerscience Twitter: @sadlersci Blog: Sadler Science Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
18 Mar 2019TnT 49 Why you might be wasting that valuable feedback00:19:56
Teachers receive a LOT of feedback, and as a new teacher, how you deal with it will determine how successful you’ll be. But what is it about receiving constructive feedback that makes us shut down or ignore it? How do we take something that, from the giver, was well-intentioned, and transform it into an attack? The teachers that are the most receptive to feedback and TAKE ACTION are the ones that grow and improve the fastest. In Part 3 of this 4-part series on feedback, I discuss how to best receive feedback so that you don't shut down when you hear it. If you missed the other parts of the series: TnT 47: How to get truly helpful feedback to inform your teaching TnT 48: Student feedback can completely change your teaching TnT 50: Five steps for giving impactful feedback Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Don't forget to leave a voicemail! Let your voice be heard! Click here how to find out how you can be a part of the podcast by telling us your favorite parts of teaching! Listeners who leave a voicemail will be eligible to receive a FREE Teachers Need Teachers sticker! Click HERE to find out more! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me  
11 Apr 2019TnT 53 JOB INTERVIEW SERIES: Don't forget to do your research before an interview!00:36:20
When teachers prepare to apply for jobs, they polish their resume, many create a portfolio of curriculum and experiences, and most scour the internet for interview questions (which you no longer have to do because of this series!). But do you research the schools for which you're interviewing? Do you know the ethos and culture of that school? In today's interview, Asia Cunnigham discusses why you MUST do your due diligence and research a school in the same way that any administrator will research YOU. Click HERE for a copy of all of the interview questions from this series!
  1. Tell me about you and your teaching experience with your cooperating teacher.
  2. Tell me about how you empower students to become involved in their learning process in the classroom.
  3. As a teacher, how do you build relationships equitably with all the students in your environment so that they’re able to demonstrate mastery and reach their maximum potential?
  4. What is a typical day in your literacy classroom look like?
  5. Tell me what you do in terms of your students that are unmotivated. What does that look like?
  6. How do you ensure parental involvement in their learning process in your classroom?
  7. What ways are you a collaborative working colleague?
Where you can find Asia Cunningham: Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Don't forget to leave a voicemail! Let your voice be heard! Click here how to find out how you can be a part of the podcast by telling us your favorite parts of teaching! Listeners who leave a voicemail will be eligible to receive a FREE Teachers Need Teachers sticker! Click HERE to find out more! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me    
13 May 2019TnT 60 You don't have to quit because you're burnt out00:23:18
Click here to sign up for the End-of-the-year Sanity Saver! You may already be feeling burnout at this early point in your career. Luckily, there is no shortage of articles, podcasts, books, or Youtube videos on the topic. And the reason is obvious - teaching is hard, requires long hours with little pay, so burnout is inevitable. With all of the content on teacher burnout comes recommendations on getting past it.  So I wanted to share with you five things that I did this year to still be an effective and seemingly happy teacher while dealing with burnout. Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Don't forget to leave a voicemail! Let your voice be heard! Click here how to find out how you can be a part of the podcast by telling us your favorite parts of teaching! Listeners who leave a voicemail will be eligible to receive a FREE Teachers Need Teachers sticker! Click HERE to find out more! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
31 Jan 2023Ep 109 How your past experiences in school are hurting your teaching00:21:31
Many teachers today can trace their successes and difficulties in the classroom back to their own experiences when they were students. Unfortunately, if those experiences were negative or traumatic, that can affect how they interact with their current students. In this episode, I discuss how teachers’ past experiences in school can have a negative effect on their current teaching practices. I explore how these experiences can lead to students feeling overlooked or unheard, and how teachers can become more aware of their own biases. Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
30 May 2023Ep 123 15 streams of income for teachers you can start this summer to make more money00:21:53
With summer break coming up, it’s the perfect time to start a side hustle and add different streams of income since you’ll have more time and mental energy to try a new endeavor. And who knows, some of these might even produce enough income to replace your teacher’s salary. It’s no secret that teachers are underpaid despite the many hours we dedicate to our profession. Even if you live and teach in an area with a low cost of living, you’re still probably living paycheck to paycheck and often need a second source of income.

In this episode, I share 15 exciting side-hustle ideas and different recurring streams of income specifically tailored for teachers to explore during their summer break. Whether you're looking to supplement your income or simply want to pursue a passion project, these side hustles offer great opportunities. From online tutoring and content creation to freelance writing and handiwork services, I've curated a diverse range of options to suit various interests and expertise. Discover how you can leverage your teaching experience and embark on new ventures that align with your strengths. Get ready to explore these side-hustle ideas and make the most of your summer break as an educator.

Want a copy of these side hustles and websites to get started? Click here 👉🏼👉🏼👉🏼 https://teachersneedteachers.com/sidehustles 💯💯💯

Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan

I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe!

Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com

Connect with me
17 Jun 2019TnT 65 The importance of developing a healthy lifestyle when you're a busy and overwhelmed teacher00:48:13
Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Pretty much everybody has good intentions to implement healthy habits after January 1, but for teachers, the BEST time to do this is when school is out for the summer! We have more time to think about it, more time to plan, and more time to gently adopt a new lifestyle without the pressures of planning, teaching, and grading. But how do we do this so that it sticks and we don't throw it away with the stress of the new year? In this episode, Sheri Traxler and I discuss how to develop healthy habits in a slow and sustainable way that isn't judgemental or strict. If you've ever wanted to be a healthy eater and someone who exercises regularly, then this episode is for you! Click here to get Sheri's FREE guide, How to Overcome the Guilt and Shame of Diets, and Get Fit the Sane Way Where you can find Sheri: Don't forget to leave a voicemail! Let your voice be heard! Click here how to find out how you can be a part of the podcast by telling us your favorite parts of teaching! Listeners who leave a voicemail will be eligible to receive a FREE Teachers Need Teachers sticker! Click HERE to find out more! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me A transcript of this episode can be found at https://teachersneedteachers.com/65
20 Jan 2020TnT 96 How to create a self-running classroom using a classroom economy00:33:30
As a new teacher, can you imagine how awesome it would be if your classroom basically ran itself so that you could focus on small group and individual instruction? There are obviously a ton of ways to get a classroom to run smoothly and to keep students engaged, but what if you could do it while teaching them about personal and fiscal responsibility? In this episode, Thom Gibson describes just how he accomplishes this through a system he tweaked and innovated over the years and that he keeps on perfecting. Sign up for Thom's course at https://teachersneedteachers.com/economy Sign up for the New Educator Conference in Santa Clara, CA at CTAGO.ORG Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Want to ask a question and be featured on the podcast? Let your voice be heard! Click here to find out how you can be a part of the podcast by asking a question! Listeners who leave a voicemail will be eligible to receive a FREE Teachers Need Teachers sticker! Click HERE to find out more! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
19 Aug 2019TnT 74 Conquering classroom management right from the start00:22:30
Having a solid classroom management plan is ESSENTIAL for a successful year. No amount of curriculum planning will be effective if you have multiple students disrupting the learning. So now that you have a plan, how do you implement it? What are the possible things that could go wrong, and why do they happen? In Part 2 of this 2-part series, I dive into how to train your students to follow your plan, as well as how to deal with parents when their student misbehaves. Sign up for Tailor-Ed and receive 3 months FREE! Just use the code TEACHERSNEEDTEACHERS Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Want to ask a question and be featured on the podcast? Let your voice be heard! Click here how to find out how you can be a part of the podcast by asking a question! Listeners who leave a voicemail will be eligible to receive a FREE Teachers Need Teachers sticker! Click HERE to find out more! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
21 Mar 2023Ep 115 When life gets really hard, here's how to survive teaching00:15:44
When a major event happens in your life, it can be hard to figure out how to get everything done. Teachers especially struggle with the day-to-day in terms of planning lessons, teaching, and grading, and that's without anything big happening in their lives! In today's episode, I discuss ten ways that teachers can do less and save time so that they can focus on handling tough situations in their lives. There won't always be challenging seasons, but it's good to know what to do when they arise.   Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
21 Jan 2019TnT 41 Using TpT, unannounced observations, and sub plans00:27:27
Here are some questions I frequently see in teacher Facebook groups and on Twitter:
  • I feel bad for using Teachers Pay Teachers. Is this a disservice to my students?
  • How do others deal with unannounced observations?
  • What are your go-to sub plans?
Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Don't forget to leave a voicemail! Let your voice be heard! Click here how to find out how you can be a part of the podcast by telling us your favorite parts of teaching! Listeners who leave a voicemail will be eligible to receive a FREE Teachers Need Teachers sticker! Click HERE to find out more! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
11 Nov 2019TnT 86 How Open Middle Math lessons can get your students addicted to math00:50:35
Math tends to be one of those subjects that kids either understand and love or are completely befuddled by and hate. New math teachers often find themselves struggling between teaching procedures versus concepts. Unfortunately, there's still a lot of controversy in terms of which way leads to greater student success. In this interview, Robert Kaplinsky of openmiddle.com lets us in on why Common Core is given such a bad rap, the concept of Open Middle Math (and if you’re a math teacher who hasn’t heard of it, you’re in for a treat), and then we both get into the complicated discussion of grading. Where to find Robert: Open Middle Math RobertKaplinsky.com Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Sign up for the New Educator Conference in either San Diego or Santa Clara, CA! at CTAGO.ORG Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Want to ask a question and be featured on the podcast? Let your voice be heard! Click here to find out how you can be a part of the podcast by asking a question! Listeners who leave a voicemail will be eligible to receive a FREE Teachers Need Teachers sticker! Click HERE to find out more! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
29 Apr 2019TnT 58 It's time to start planning for the end of the year00:17:12
Click here to sign up for the End-of-the-year Sanity Saver! Many new teachers are just trying to make it to the end of the year in one piece so that they can finally welcome summer break. But before we can hit happy hour and celebrate, we need to plan it out. Here are the four areas you need to start taking action on now so that you can have a stellar end of the school year. Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Don't forget to leave a voicemail! Let your voice be heard! Click here how to find out how you can be a part of the podcast by telling us your favorite parts of teaching! Listeners who leave a voicemail will be eligible to receive a FREE Teachers Need Teachers sticker! Click HERE to find out more! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me  
21 Jun 2018Ep 6: Classroom management doesn't have to suck00:14:11
Thinking about and dealing with classroom management is often a beginning teachers’ nightmare. Taking the time to have a crystal clear picture of your rules and consequences will help to improve student behaviors with each coming year. Click HERE to grab the workbook plus other free resources!
  • What are your 5-7 rules? Are they phrased in the positive rather than negative?
  • What is the logical progression of consequences when students don’t follow those rules?
  • Have you clearly and concisely communicated your rules and consequences to both the students and their parents?
  • How do your classroom rules and consequences align with school and district policies?
  • What are you doing to build relationships with students so that you can minimize behavior problems? 
Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
25 Jun 2018Ep 7: Close reading is the first tool new teachers should have under their belt00:22:19
Teaching literacy is a responsibility for all teachers of all subjects, but what if you don’t know how to teach reading? Brooklyn Khan dives into a simple but powerful strategy that every new teacher should have readily available. To access the show notes, go to https://teachersneedteachers.com/7.   Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
28 Oct 2019TnT 84 Why station rotations can positively impact your teaching practice00:38:15
A lot of teachers have different strategies for cooperative learning or to facilitate more engaging learning experiences. One that most know of and not enough try is station rotations. I'd seen these done with various teachers and even dipped my toe in a bit, but I wanted to know more about how to do them effectively. So I invited my friend, Laura Kebart from languageartsteachers.com, who is an expert on making stations fit within the context of your class. We go into what stations are, why we should use them, how to group students, how to create an assignment that lends itself to stations, how to make them work in a 45-minute period, classroom management, AND grading. Where you can find Laura: languageartsteachers.com Sign up for the New Educator Conference in either San Diego or Santa Clara, CA! at CTAGO.ORG Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Want to ask a question and be featured on the podcast? Let your voice be heard! Click here to find out how you can be a part of the podcast by asking a question! Listeners who leave a voicemail will be eligible to receive a FREE Teachers Need Teachers sticker! Click HERE to find out more! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
18 Aug 2018Ep 19: Taking on Twitter as a teacher00:41:14
Most new teachers have experience using social media, but are they taking advantage of the on-demand professional development and support? Mari Venturino dives into how Twitter can be the PD you're looking for to grow and become confident as an educator.  Sentence frames for tweeting about teaching: One new thing I tried in my class today was ____ and it went _____. One thing I’m excited for next week is _____. One thing I am working on or trying to grow in is _____. One of my goals is ______. Has anyone done ______ with their students? Where to find Mari: Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
24 Jun 2019TnT 66 Jennifer Gonzalez clears up what purposeful tech integration REALLY looks like00:36:19
Many newer teachers feel unprepared for integrating technology into their teaching. Their credentialing program or student teaching experience may have exposed them to some basic tech, but figuring out WHEN and WHY to use it is a different story. How can we meaningfully use tech in a way that isn't overwhelming to both us and the students? How do we know if it's actually improving outcomes? Jennifer Gonzalez from The Cult of Pedagogy and I discuss the thought processes teachers should go through when choosing tech, as well as tips before actually implementing it.   Jennifer also has an online technology course for educators, Jumpstart Plus, that will not only teach you about the 10 most impactful technology processes but also helps you implement them in your teaching. She only offers this five times a year, and the next cohort isn't until October. So click below to learn more and join hundreds of educators in their edtech journey.   JOIN JUMPSTART PLUS!   Where to find Jennifer: Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Don't forget to leave a voicemail! Let your voice be heard! Click here how to find out how you can be a part of the podcast by telling us your favorite parts of teaching! Listeners who leave a voicemail will be eligible to receive a FREE Teachers Need Teachers sticker! Click HERE to find out more! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me Click here for a transcript of this episode
09 Jan 2023Ep 106 No-brainer hacks for effectively teaching a lesson00:15:30
In this video, I cover how to deliver effective lessons in the classroom. It covers how to explain concepts in a way that students understand, use lectures, have students read a text, watch a video, or solve a problem. If you've been struggling with figuring out how to actually TEACH a lesson, then this video is for you. Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
24 Sep 2018Ep 24: How you can best serve your students with IEPs00:55:20
Students with disabilities that are mainstreamed have unique educational struggles that all teachers must address. New teachers often wonder what they're required to do with students with IEPs, and how to balance that with the million other things they need to take care of. Latisha Chisholm, LICSW dispels myths and misconceptions about teaching students with IEPs, as well as breaking down just how easy it can be to teach this wonderful population of students. Click HERE to grab my Data Collection Contact Sheet to help you remember the key people in your school who manage the different types of student data! Want to connect with Latisha? Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
24 Dec 2018Ep 37: All about student teaching00:38:15
You've finally made it to the point where you're ready to student teach! You're filled with excitement, anticipation, and ANXIETY about how to prepare. Yes, your teacher preparation program has prepared you for this moment, but you still can't help but feel like you don't know what to do the weeks leading up to it. Here's practical advice on how to frame your thinking to get the most out of your student teaching experience.  Preparing for student teaching GETTING TO KNOW THE STUDENTS
  • Have a clearly thought-out Day One. That first day is REALLY important. You truly only get one chance to make a good first impression.
  • Learn every student’s name by the end of week one, and use their name every time you see them. You aren’t teaching a class, you’re teaching individuals.
  • Work on creating a good rapport with your students as fast as possible without trying to be their friend.
  • Focus on building relationships
  • Be prepared for all of the questions students will ask you - appropriate or not. They’re genuinely curious, and if you’re young, they see you less as a teacher and more as a family member. That’s ok, just draw the line on what you share.
  • Let them get to know you without revealing too much. Be real.
GETTING TO KNOW THE STAFF
  • Talk to the teachers you will be around. They have been there. Lean on their expertise.
  • Be involved in the school - meetings, clubs, school events. This will create a deeper connection with the students.
  • Be observant of all teachers, not just your master teacher.
  • Introduce yourself to the office and custodial staff, and befriend them IMMEDIATELY. This is actually a good practice every time you start at a new school, but they will save and support you in more ways you can imagine.
CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT
  • Simplify your classroom expectations, like having only a few rules. Pick some all-encompassing rules that relate to being good human beings rather than “don’t do this” and “don’t do that.” It also makes it easier to enforce.
  • Be willing to use the authority you're given to create a positive learning environment.
  • Learn and use your master teacher’s classroom routines and procedures. Figure out how to incorporate your own way of teaching into them.
  • In terms of classroom management, follow what the master teacher has already established. You don’t want to create a situation where they say, “Well Mr. White lets us do that.” You also want to take their recommendations on discipline to heart, especially if they have a well-run classroom.
  • Classroom management will be the bane of your existence in your first few years of teaching, so try to glean whatever you can. This means record how they handle discipline issues. Ask them for copies of all of their forms. Ask them why they did “that” when they choose a particular consequence. Communicate that you’re not challenging their authority, you just want to know the rationale behind their decisions.
PLANNING
  • When it comes to planning definitely ask for help or input
  • Try to plan far in advance if possible, but be ready to pivot as necessary. Being flexible will save you a lot of headache and anxiety.
  • If you're a 1:1 school, ALWAYS have paper copies and a plan B if the wifi goes down!!
  • If students are just staring at you with blank looks, have them do a quick think-pair-share and ask them to teach what you just discussed, but in their own words
  • Accept that not all lessons will be successful.
  • Admit when you make a mistake and laugh about it together with the students. Being human goes a long, long way.
YOUR MASTER TEACHER:
  • Go in with an open mind when working with your master teacher.
  • Even if you don’t agree with what they’re doing, absorb everything because later on in your career you may find that you want to adopt some of their policies and procedures!
  • If you don’t like/get along with your guide teacher try to find some common ground and avoid any confrontation just because they are doing us a huge service by helping us and they can also serve as a reference later on
  • Keep a journal and take notes.
  • Ask for feedback a lot, and when you get the feedback you don’t like, take it as an opportunity to improve
Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
18 Apr 2019TnT 55 JOB INTERVIEW SERIES: What to say in an interview when you don't know the answer to a question00:29:43
So you've sent in your resume, and finally got a call for an interview. AWESOME! You put on your most professional-looking outfit, walk in tall, shake hands firmly, and finally sit down for those questions. But what if you don't know the answer to a question? What should you say? Should you lie? What if you said, "I don't know?" Would you look like an idiot? Rob Fulk asks me some compelling interview questions that I wasn't necessarily ready for (but did my best to think on the fly), and he gives advice to new teachers on how to answer difficult questions. Click HERE for a copy of all of the interview questions from this series!
  1. What do you know about our school?
  2. What’s more important to education in the success of our students - tradition or innovation? Defend your answer.
  3. What perspectives outside of a Euro-centric curriculum can you bring to our classrooms?
  4. Can you give me specific examples in an ELA classroom of literature you would bring in from a non-Euro perspective?
  5. What specific supports are you going to need to be successful in our building?
  6. What are your expectations of a team/PLC, and how do you uphold your expectations of your team/PLC?
Where you can find Rob Fulk: Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Don't forget to leave a voicemail! Let your voice be heard! Click here how to find out how you can be a part of the podcast by telling us your favorite parts of teaching! Listeners who leave a voicemail will be eligible to receive a FREE Teachers Need Teachers sticker! Click HERE to find out more! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me    
18 Nov 2019TnT 87 How to tackle organization when you're naturally disorganized00:22:53
Imagine if teaching only involved the part where you're interacting with students. Things would be much easier, right? But the reality is that there are so many facets of teaching that pull at us, and unless you're hyper-organized, it can be easy to get overwhelmed by it all. I know that there are many of you that are FAR more organized than I am, but I really want to help out the rest of us that are too frazzled or absent-minded to be that way. Through a lot of trial and error I’ve been able to keep my organization in check and at a manageable level, and I wanted to share some tips I’ve learned along the way.  Sign up for the New Educator Conference in either San Diego or Santa Clara, CA! at CTAGO.ORG Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Want to ask a question and be featured on the podcast? Let your voice be heard! Click here to find out how you can be a part of the podcast by asking a question! Listeners who leave a voicemail will be eligible to receive a FREE Teachers Need Teachers sticker! Click HERE to find out more! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
31 Dec 2018Ep 38: Make one small change for a huge impact00:26:23
Second semester or the time after Winter Break is a great time to make adjustments in your teaching. You know your students and have some systems in place, so why not pick something small but significant to change and improve? These small changes add up over time and will lead to longer lasting results. So here’s the process I’ve found to be successful time and again, as well as what I plan to adjust this semester.  Are you ready to ditch the teacher tired? Join the 40-hour Teacher Workweek Club! Click HERE to learn more, and when you sign up, please mention Kim Lepre or kim@teachersneedteachers.com. Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me  
  • Identify ONE thing that you want to work on, and be specific. Don’t just say “classroom management.” Determine which students are the instigators and decide how you’re going to fix those relationships.
  • Now set realistic goals to fix that one thing. Don’t try to fix everything because then it won’t stick. You have all of your teaching career to try to fix everything, so pick one thing at a time
  • Next, picture your classroom, your students, and you. Picture what it would be like if that one change was successful. Be a fly on the wall and imagine the activities you would do, how the students would behave and work, how you would deliver the lesson and assess students, etc.
  • Now, write it down somewhere - on paper, in a Note on your phone, in a Google Doc. Just write it down and set your intention.
  • Next, write down what it will take to achieve that, and be really, really honest with yourself. You might have to rebuild relationships with some students. You might have to change some aspect of your teaching or planning. You might have to ask for someone to observe you and give you feedback. You might have to go on Teachers Pay Teachers and find a lesson or activity that will help you.
  • Your next step is to figure out when you’re going to start this. When is your deadline for starting this?
  • How will you track and assess your progress? Will your create some sort of graph, chart, or graphic organizer? Will your journal your progress? Make it concrete so that when you take a few steps back (which will inevitably happen in the process), you can look at the situation objectively and know what to fix.
  • How will you reward yourself along the way for hitting certain benchmarks? This part is REALLY important to keeping you motivated! Don’t just think that success is its own reward, you need something tangible so that you can push through when things get tough. It could be an extra night of Netflix, a piece of chocolate, a glass of wine...whatever makes you happy. But have a planned reward system so that you don’t give up and revert to bad habits.
Information about hyperdocs: https://hyperdocs.co/
10 Jun 2019TnT 64 How to fit in exercise when you're a busy and overwhelmed teacher00:57:24
Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Finding time to exercise when you've got a 9-5 job can be tough. The thing is, teachers don't just work 9-5, they often take work home, which means that there's even less time to exercise. How can we fit this in when we're exhausted at the end of the day, don't really like to exercise in the first place, or are burnt out from trying? In this episode, Sheri Traxler and I discuss how to find movement that you enjoy sneaking in some exercise, as well as how to craft your own program if you can't stand those pre-made ones. Click here to get Sheri's FREE guide, How to Overcome the Guilt and Shame of Diets, and Get Fit the Sane Way Things to look for in a new gym:
  1. Is it an all-inclusive gym? Or is it boutique like martial arts studios, group/personal training
  2. Are there kids around? Is there childcare or classes for kids
  3. Staff - ask for credentials - American Council on Exercise - best overall health/wellness focus, with an emphasis on client progression and overcoming some health issues - American College of Sports Medicine - perfect for clients needing help overcoming complicated health issues - National Strength and Conditioning Association - ideal for clients wanting to compete at a high level athletically
  4. Cleanliness - restrooms
  5. Don’t worry about repair sign, only if it hasn’t been fixed in a while
5 Principles of strength training
  • Adaptation: your body will adapt to the same exercise after time
  • Overload: to keep building muscle, overload beyond what you've been doing
  • Safety - if you increase more than 10-15% more, you can get injured
  • Specificity - don’t do crunches to reduce abs, think of overall calorie burning
  • Rebuilding - microscopic tears in the fibers, 48-72 hours to rebuild. Don’t do the same muscle every day
Where you can find Sheri: Don't forget to leave a voicemail! Let your voice be heard! Click here how to find out how you can be a part of the podcast by telling us your favorite parts of teaching! Listeners who leave a voicemail will be eligible to receive a FREE Teachers Need Teachers sticker! Click HERE to find out more! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
22 Oct 2018Ep 28: Maximize the impact of your lesson planning00:20:24
Many teachers come into the profession with one of two extremes - they have no idea what they're supposed to teach and have to plan everything themselves, or they're given a completely scripted and planned curriculum and have no autonomy. Both of these scenarios can be frustrating especially when these teachers are given little to no direction. Here are three areas to consider when determining what your students are expected to learn and demonstrate. They'll help you get a better picture of your curriculum and make the most of your lesson planning. What's your why?
  • Go back to your why for the lesson: what do you want students to learn vs. what you want students to be able to show you.
  • How do you get to that why? What are the logical steps to get there? What are the gaps in knowledge that you need to fill?
  • How will you know that your students “got it"?
How can you connect what they're learning to real life?
  • Students are more engaged and willing to participate when they can relate to or recognize something from pop culture.
  • How can something happening in the news apply to what they’re learning?
  • How can something that they’ve experienced apply to your material?
  • Try to use analogies as much as possible so that they can make connections and get more than a surface level understanding.
What are meaningful products that they can produce? How does this affect grading and feedback?
  • Is it really necessary for you to grade EVERY part of the process, or can circulating around the classroom, stopping with each student at some point, giving feedback, and documenting be enough?
  • If students get real-time feedback, then you don’t have to give as much when you grade the final product. You’ve already told them what they need to know to be successful.
  • If you wait until the end to give feedback, you’re too late. Unless you have them revise, they won’t take anything way from your feedback, and they probably won’t apply it to future assignments.
Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
10 Dec 2018Ep 35: Stop obsessing about what you SHOULD be doing00:21:40
It’s not unusual for a teacher to suffer from a case of the “shoulds” – a ubiquitous and harmful affliction that affects ALL teachers (ok…everyone). When images of Pinterest-perfect classrooms and abundant sharing on social media are paired with less-than-ideal student work or a miserable teaching environment, teachers start thinking about the things they should be doing. Here’s my personal experience as well as how I plan to deal with it. Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
01 Oct 2018Ep 25: Use preassessment data and Lexile scores to improve how you teach00:18:54
In this final installment of my series on examining student data, we look at how preassessment data and Lexile scores can really illuminate gaps in learning for students in any subject area. Getting baseline data in the form a preassessment can help teachers know what skills students come prepared with, and what they may need to reteach. Tie this together with Lexile scores, and teachers can fully understand their students' ability to access grade-level material. Click HERE to grab my Data Collection Contact Sheet to help you remember the key people in your school who manage the different types of student data!  Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
17 Sep 2018Ep 23: Examining student demographics00:16:44
On the first day of school, neither you nor your students know much about each other. However, looking at their demographic data prior to that initial meeting can help you get a clearer picture of their particular circumstances. From their socioeconomic status to their English language proficiency, you can use this data before the school year starts to start planning culturally responsive lessons. Here are the particular data points I look at and how I use that information to guide my teaching. Click HERE to grab my Data Collection Contact Sheet to help you remember the key people in your school who manage the different types of student data!  Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
16 Dec 2022Ep 104 8 Uncomfortable Truths About Quitting Teaching00:16:16
In today's episode, I'm discussing the pros and cons of quitting mid-year so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not to leave your job. I talk about the benefits of continuing to work through the end of the semester, as well as the potential drawbacks to leaving before a break. Whether quitting is right for you depends on your individual circumstances, but you can be confident in taking action if it is after listening to this episode. Grab my Stay or Go Checklist! I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
26 Nov 2018Ep 33: When your students won't do any work00:26:19
Every teacher is faced with one or several students each year who just refuse to do any work. No matter what they try, these students slouch in their seats and avoid all attempts to produce any evidence of learning. Many teachers give up on these students eventually and just let them fail. But what if they didn't? Here are some reasons why YOU as their teacher deserve much more from these students and why you should keep persisting until they do. Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
09 Nov 2020Ep 99 I'm Back! Updates On Teaching and The Future Of This Podcast00:25:20
It's been months since my last episode, but I'm back. In today's episode, I discuss where I've been, my thoughts and experiences on distance learning, and the future of the podcast. Check out my new YouTube Channel! Your Own Damn Way Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
28 Jan 2019TnT 42 How can you tell if your students are actually learning?00:20:11
We often find ourselves slaving over creating lessons, only to feel deflated when it seems like our students didn't understand the lesson at all. What's going on? Is it the lesson? Is it us? Is it the students? How can you tell? Here are three aspects of your teaching to evaluate when trying to figure out whether or not your students are actually learning, and how to improve your teaching if most of them are missing the mark.   Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Don't forget to leave a voicemail! Let your voice be heard! Click here how to find out how you can be a part of the podcast by telling us your favorite parts of teaching! Listeners who leave a voicemail will be eligible to receive a FREE Teachers Need Teachers sticker! Click HERE to find out more! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
03 Jun 2019TnT 63 Intuitive eating for the busy and overwhelmed teacher01:10:03
Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Teachers often develop poor eating habits from the limited time to eat and the constant barrage of work. Think about how you work while eating, have barely any time to really enjoy your food, eating while supervising, etc. How can we possibly enjoy our food? And for those of us trying to lose weight, how can we do that if we're mindlessly stuffing our faces at school? In this episode, Sheri Traxler and I discuss how to regain control in a practical way that works for teachers. I also dive into my own bad eating habits and Sheri helps me work through those. Click here to get Sheri's FREE guide, How to Overcome the Guilt and Shame of Diets, and Get Fit the Sane Way Where you can find Sheri: Click here to get your FREE preview lesson of the End-of-the-year Sanity Saver! Don't forget to leave a voicemail! Let your voice be heard! Click here how to find out how you can be a part of the podcast by telling us your favorite parts of teaching! Listeners who leave a voicemail will be eligible to receive a FREE Teachers Need Teachers sticker! Click HERE to find out more! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
05 Nov 2018Ep 30: When your lessons just aren't working00:23:41
Regardless of how long you've been teaching, there will be many moments when your lessons just don't seem to be working. This is especially frustrating when you've taken time to plan the "perfect" lesson or unit, and the students still can't grasp the concept! When this happens, it can be a valuable learning experience if you take the right steps to correct your course. 5 steps (in order) to making it better next time:
  • Don't blame the students
  • Take responsibility
  • Reevaluate
  • Use something that has worked before
  • Ask for help
Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
04 Sep 2018Ep 21: How preservice teachers can make the most of their education00:44:51
Preservice teachers have a unique task of cramming as much information and experience on pedagogy, classroom management, educational technology, and much more. How can they leverage what they learn in their credentialing programs so that they have a higher chance of success? Dr. Sam Fecich dives into the core essentials and even has even created a resource to inspire and guide hopeful educators. Where to find Sam:
    1. Her website: sfecich.com
    2. Twitter: @Sfecich 
    3. Instagram: @Sfecich
    4. Her Edumagic Podcast
Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
13 Jan 2020TnT 95 How new teachers can invest in their future now and have big wins in retirement00:40:44
In the last episode, we discuss how to pay off debt and save for an emergency fund, as well as the need for a budget, and today we discuss our financial future - which can be difficult for some to consider when they’ve got another 30 years of teaching to go! But it’s so important that we start early because when it comes to retirement savings, time is your friend! So Rob discusses how to plan so that you can have the lifestyle you want when you retire, how you can retire earlier than planned, and how the financial independence movement that’s taking storm can benefit you.  Sign up for the New Educator Conference in Santa Clara, CA at CTAGO.ORG Recommended Podcasts for learning how to manage your money:
  • ChooseFI
  • Afford Anything
  • Stacking Benjamins
  • Teach and Retire Rich (teacher-specific)
  • One Million Apples (teacher-specific)
Facebook Group ChooseFI Educators - has lots of great financial tips for teachers who are looking to improve their financial situation as well as a community for encouragement! Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Want to ask a question and be featured on the podcast? Let your voice be heard! Click here to find out how you can be a part of the podcast by asking a question! Listeners who leave a voicemail will be eligible to receive a FREE Teachers Need Teachers sticker! Click HERE to find out more! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
23 Sep 2019TnT 79 The best and least expensive way to pay off your student loans00:33:41
The large majority of new teachers have some form of student loan debt are probably trying to figure out how they’re going to pay it off with their new salary. What if I told you that some of you could pay as little as $100 a month AND have all of your debt taken care of in 10 years? Sounds too good to be true, right? In this episode, Travis Hornsby from the Student Loan Planner tells us not only why we’re entitled to do this but also how we can save tens of thousands of dollars on our debt.  Where you can find Travis Sign up for the New Educator Conference in either San Diego or Santa Clara, CA! at CTAGO.ORG Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Want to ask a question and be featured on the podcast? Let your voice be heard! Click here how to find out how you can be a part of the podcast by asking a question! Listeners who leave a voicemail will be eligible to receive a FREE Teachers Need Teachers sticker! Click HERE to find out more! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me You can help make this podcast better! Please click the button below to complete this survey so that I can discuss the topics that matter to you most!
16 Dec 2019TnT 91 The right and wrong way to deal with angry parent emails00:35:50
There isn't ONE TEACHER who hasn’t received an email, phone call, or message from a parent who is concerned or upset about something that a teacher did. For new teachers (and veterans, too), this can be really intimidating or worrisome because not handling it correctly can make the problem worse. How can you respond without losing face? In today’s episode, I’m covering the steps that you should take so that you don’t further anger the parent and save face in front of your administration.  Sign up for the New Educator Conference in Santa Clara, CA at CTAGO.ORG Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Want to ask a question and be featured on the podcast? Let your voice be heard! Click here to find out how you can be a part of the podcast by asking a question! Listeners who leave a voicemail will be eligible to receive a FREE Teachers Need Teachers sticker! Click HERE to find out more! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
30 Dec 2019TnT 93 Ways to reignite your passion for teaching when you want to quit00:19:49
Many new teachers get to the point where they're just DONE with their teaching situation, or maybe just teaching in general. While most of you are still excited about teaching since you've just started, there are still some of you that are already overwhelmed and just over it all and are wondering what to do next. You may be wondering if teaching is still right for you. You may have hated the first semester for a variety of reasons that seem beyond your control. Maybe you still love teaching but there’s just something that’s making it less enjoyable or less fulfilling. In today's episode, I give you some options aside from quitting teaching altogether that may make teaching more enjoyable and keep you in the field.  Sign up for the New Educator Conference in Santa Clara, CA at CTAGO.ORG Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Want to ask a question and be featured on the podcast? Let your voice be heard! Click here to find out how you can be a part of the podcast by asking a question! Listeners who leave a voicemail will be eligible to receive a FREE Teachers Need Teachers sticker! Click HERE to find out more! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
15 Apr 2019TnT 54 JOB INTERVIEW SERIES: Your resume and education aren't the most important factors when landing a teaching position00:45:25
Teachers often spend quite a bit of time polishing and perfecting their resumes, but is that what really gets them a job? What if a teacher has limited experience - do they still have a shot when they're up against more seasoned veterans? Resumes are only one small factor in the hiring process (but PLEASE spellcheck!), and personality and fit are the biggest ones. Scott Schwartz discusses which personality traits tend to predict success in any job, as well as how his district eliminates the "gut feeling" factor and relies on data. Click HERE for a copy of all of the interview questions from this series!
  1. Tell me about a difficult circumstance that you handled, what action did you take, and what were the results?
  2. What is the difference between a good teacher and a great teacher?
  3. A student in your class consistently causes disruptions. Explain the steps you take to help the child and maintain your positive classroom environment.
  4. Do you believe that placing a zero in the grade book teaches responsibility?
  5. Describe your understanding of what a standards-based learning environment looks like.
Where you can find Scott Schwartz: Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Don't forget to leave a voicemail! Let your voice be heard! Click here how to find out how you can be a part of the podcast by telling us your favorite parts of teaching! Listeners who leave a voicemail will be eligible to receive a FREE Teachers Need Teachers sticker! Click HERE to find out more! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me    
07 Mar 2023Ep 113 How to get students to submit their homework00:13:34
One aspect of teaching that frustrates literally EVERY TEACHER is students not turning in their homework. No matter what consequences or how much extra time you give, it seems like some students just REFUSE to do any work, let alone submit it! In this episode, I discuss why students aren't turning in their work, as well as some actionable ways to finally get them to submit their homework. Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
15 Jul 2019TnT 69 5 strategies for creating an engaging lesson00:23:51
All teachers know that student engagement is essential for successfully teaching a lesson. Why? Because students don't necessarily want to learn and participate in school, and as a result, miss out on mastering important skills. When students are engaged, they switch on their natural curiosity and are self-motivated to learn, explore, and solve problems. But it's up to teachers to create optimal learning experiences to foster this passion for learning, which can at times be difficult to do. Here are five tried-and-true ways to create lessons that keep students engaged and hooked from the start to finish. 5 ways to create an engaging lesson or unit
  • Give them an essential question/challenge
  • Give student choice
  • Connect the work to student interests
  • Give them real-world scenarios - Make them demonstrate their learning rather than just completing a worksheet
  • Showcase student work
Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Don't forget to leave a voicemail! Let your voice be heard! Click here how to find out how you can be a part of the podcast by telling us your favorite parts of teaching! Listeners who leave a voicemail will be eligible to receive a FREE Teachers Need Teachers sticker! Click HERE to find out more! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
25 Feb 2019TnT 46 Why your students won't do your assignment00:23:11
Every teacher has had that one student that refuses to do their work. No matter what you do, you just can't get them to do anything. This problem only gets worse when you decide to write them off. The thing is, these students typically have a very logical reason for not working, and it's up to us to figure it out and help them move past that. Here are seven reasons why your students aren't doing their work in your class. Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Don't forget to leave a voicemail! Let your voice be heard! Click here how to find out how you can be a part of the podcast by telling us your favorite parts of teaching! Listeners who leave a voicemail will be eligible to receive a FREE Teachers Need Teachers sticker! Click HERE to find out more! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
16 Jul 2018Ep 13: Reassuring interview advice for new teachers00:58:18
One of the biggest fears that many brand new teachers have is that they won’t be hired due to their lack of experience. Rick Mohrien tells us what’s REALLY important to most principals and what beginning teachers should focus on for the interview.
  1. Tell me your story, how did you end up here today wanting to be a teacher here at Winget Park?
  2. What’s the best lesson you ever taught, and tell me why it was the best lesson?
  3. It’s the first week of school, tell me what you’re doing to build relationships with your students.
  4. It’s the first week of school, tell me what you’re doing with your students’ families.
  5. How do you help yourself grow as a learner? What are some things you like to do to support your own professional growth outside the required professional development?
Where you can find Rick Mohrien: Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
12 Nov 2018Ep 31: How to personalize math and make it meaningful to students00:48:50
Math teachers are tasked with teaching students concepts that they'll use for life while also getting past students' fixed mindset of, "I hate math, and I suck at it." How can teachers keep students motivated and engaged in a Common Core world? Ray Steinmetz explains how personalizing learning, setting up strong systems for formative assessment, and using targeted interventions will produce huge math gains. We also discuss advice for new teachers on what to focus those first years of teaching. How to get in touch with Ray: Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
04 Mar 2019TnT 47 How to get truly helpful feedback to improve your teaching00:14:53
As teachers, we constantly give feedback to our students. We usually do it verbally or written, and the intent is to help students improve and grow. However, when it comes to receiving feedback, it’s a different monster.  How did we progress to a state where we feel we’re too good for feedback? How can we become better at asking and receiving it? In this 4-part series, I’m going to discuss the different aspects of feedback, from asking for it, to how to optimally receive it, and how to craft it in a better way for our students. Today I’m going to be discussing asking for it. If you missed the other parts of the series: TnT 48: Student feedback can completely change your teaching TnT 49: Why you might be wasting that valuable feedback TnT 50: Five steps for giving impactful feedback Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Don't forget to leave a voicemail! Let your voice be heard! Click here how to find out how you can be a part of the podcast by telling us your favorite parts of teaching! Listeners who leave a voicemail will be eligible to receive a FREE Teachers Need Teachers sticker! Click HERE to find out more! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me  
11 Feb 2019TnT 44 10 reasons to stop hiding out in your classroom00:21:55
It's an understatement to say that there just isn't enough time in the day for teachers to get everything done. There are emails to answer, assignments to grade, lessons to plan, and so much more. Naturally, many teachers use their breaks or lunchtime to get work done or check social media, but often to the detriment of their professional growth. Getting out of the classroom is essential to make the necessary connections that all teachers need. Here are ten reasons why new teachers should hang out with colleagues during lunch. Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Don't forget to leave a voicemail! Let your voice be heard! Click here how to find out how you can be a part of the podcast by telling us your favorite parts of teaching! Listeners who leave a voicemail will be eligible to receive a FREE Teachers Need Teachers sticker! Click HERE to find out more! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
01 Jul 2019TnT 67 The ONLY advice you need to write a killer resume01:03:58
New teachers around the world are gearing up to find their first new job OR find a better one. Part of that job hunt is the dreadful but necessary part of writing a resume. But what if you don't have much experience to list on your resume? Should it be one page or more? What if you took a year off to travel? There's so much conflicting information on the Internet, so I brought professional resume writer Lauren Hamer to answer these questions. From cover letters to thank-you emails, Lauren and I go into all of the details that will make you stand out and get an interview. Click here for the Weeknight Resume Builder   Where you can find Lauren: Click here for Lauren's article on follow-up emails after an interview   Love this show? Become an AWESOME SUPPORTER! Don't forget to leave a voicemail! Let your voice be heard! Click here how to find out how you can be a part of the podcast by telling us your favorite parts of teaching! Listeners who leave a voicemail will be eligible to receive a FREE Teachers Need Teachers sticker! Click HERE to find out more! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
10 Sep 2018Ep 22: Five types of data you must collect at the beginning of the school year00:23:19
At the beginning of the school year, many teachers prioritize tasks such as setting up their classroom, going over the curriculum, working on their syllabus, and ironing out classroom procedures and policies. But do they spend the same amount of energy examining student data? Teachers can't effectively differentiate and measure student growth without first collecting and analyzing data. Here are the five types of data that are essential for back-to-school. Click HERE to grab my Data Collection Contact Sheet to help you remember the key people in your school who manage the different types of student data!  Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
16 May 2023Ep 121 Non-renewal notices for teachers and what it means00:12:17
If you're a teacher and received a notice of non-renewal, it's important to understand your rights and options. It's a scary and frustrating time, especially when you don't know what to do next. In this episode, we'll be discussing notice of non-renewal for teachers and what you can do if you receive one. We'll cover important topics such as reviewing your contract, understanding your rights, and seeking legal advice. Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me
28 Jun 2018Ep 8: 6 revealing reasons why you didn't get that teaching job00:15:55
As a new teacher, you’ve probably been on many, many interviews without any luck. While it’s awful to be rejected, the best thing you can do is use it as a learning experience. Here are some reasons why you may not have been hired for that position.
  • Many factors are out of your control
  • They may have had someone else in mind
  • There were candidates that were a better fit
  • You set off red flags
  • Too many people applied
  • There were questions about your resume
This episode kicks off a series where I interview several principals who tell me what they’re looking for when hiring brand new teachers. They also interview ME, and we’ll see whether or not they’d hire me! Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com Connect with me

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