EP 161 Simple Strategies to Make the Upcoming School Year Easier
Adventures in ESL: A Podcast for K-12 ESL Teachers
Release Date: 05/12/2025
Ep. 175 From Planning as Chore to Thinking as Design: A Mindset Shift for ESL Teachers
Adventures in ESL: A Podcast for K-12 ESL Teachers
Welcome educators! Before we dive in, donât forget to check out the engaging ESL resources available at myadventuresinesl.com/store. Episode Overview As we move closer to Winter Break, itâs completely normal to feel the weight of the season â the planning, the paperwork, the constant juggling. In this episode, we explore a powerful mindset shift that can bring clarity, purpose, and even joy back into your weekly planning: seeing lesson planning not as a chore, but as an act of design. This episode offers encouragement, practical strategies, and a refreshing way to approach planning...
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Ep. 174 3 Smart Ways to Find High-Quality ESL Resources Fast
Adventures in ESL: A Podcast for K-12 ESL Teachers
Welcome educators! đ Before we dive in, take a deep breath â youâre doing an incredible job. This time of year can be challenging, but every lesson, every smile, and every word of encouragement you give your students truly matters. đ In todayâs episode, weâre talking about something every ESL teacher struggles with â finding high-quality resources that actually save time instead of wasting it. If youâve ever spent hours searching for the âperfectâ lesson only to end up disappointed, this episode is for you. Youâll learn: đŻ 3 Smart Strategies for finding high-quality...
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Ep. 173 Myth: You Canât Teach Multiple Levels Effectively â Why Thatâs Not True
Adventures in ESL: A Podcast for K-12 ESL Teachers
Teaching ESL across multiple language levels can feel overwhelmingâbut it doesnât have to be! In this episode, weâre breaking down practical strategies to help you confidently teach newcomers, intermediate, and advanced students all in one classroom. Youâll learn how to: Simplify lesson planning with one core learning goal Use flexible grouping to boost collaboration and engagement Offer scaffolded choices that meet every student where they are These tips will help you save time, reduce stress, and create a more inclusive, empowered classroom for all learners. đ Resources...
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Ep. 172 My Plan to increase student engagement this year!
Adventures in ESL: A Podcast for K-12 ESL Teachers
Welcome to the My Adventures in ESL podcastâthe show dedicated to helping ESL teachers like you feel confident, supported, and inspired in your classroom. Iâm so excited youâre here! As ESL teachers, we know how much time and energy goes into planning lessons, organizing materials, and meeting our studentsâ diverse needs. But even the best lesson plan can fall flat if students arenât engaged. In this episode, Iâm sharing three practical and easy-to-implement strategies that will help you create an engaging classroom where students are excited to participate and eager to learn....
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Ep. 171 What do I teach next month? October Edition
Adventures in ESL: A Podcast for K-12 ESL Teachers
October can feel like a turning point in the school year. Your routines are set, your students are finding their rhythmâbut sometimes, the excitement from August and September starts to fade. If youâve ever stared at your lesson plans this month thinking, âI need something fresh!ââthis episode is for you. In this episode of My Adventures in ESL, Iâm sharing three simple, seasonal, and interactive lesson ideas that you can start using in your classroom right away. These activities are designed to save you time, engage your students, and make learning fun againâwithout adding hours...
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Ep. 170 Where do I Start? Tips to get you started
Adventures in ESL: A Podcast for K-12 ESL Teachers
Welcome back, amazing teachers! đ The beginning of the school year is here, and if youâre anything like me, you know it can feel like a whirlwind. Between screening new students, managing schedules, creating lessons, writing language plans, and juggling everything else on your plateâitâs a lot! In this episode, Iâm sharing three practical, high-impact strategies that will help you start the school year feeling calm, confident, and organized. My goal is to take some of the overwhelm off your shoulders so you can focus on what truly mattersâsupporting your students and building a...
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Ep. 169 Effective Organization Tips
Adventures in ESL: A Podcast for K-12 ESL Teachers
Hey there, amazing ESL teachers! đ A brand-new school year is here, and I know youâre already working hard to create a classroom where your students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn. But letâs be realâthese first few weeks can feel like a whirlwind. Thatâs why todayâs episode is all about practical, effective organization strategies that will save you time, reduce stress, and create the calm, focused classroom your students need to thrive. In this episode, Iâm sharing simple systems that actually workâwithout adding more to your plate. From student bins that keep...
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Ep. 168 First Two Weeks of School
Adventures in ESL: A Podcast for K-12 ESL Teachers
Welcome, ESL educators! In todayâs episode, weâre diving into the real, unfiltered experience of your first two weeks back in the classroom. Whether youâre brand new to teaching English learners or a seasoned pro, this episode will help you walk into the school year with clarity, confidence, and calm. đĄ Before we get startedâdonât forget to sign up for my FREE professional development training: Youâll walk away with practical tools to reduce overwhelm, simplify planning, and build meaningful connections with your studentsâplus a PD certificate just for attending! đïž...
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Ep. 167 Mixed Groups? How to Prepare and Plan
Adventures in ESL: A Podcast for K-12 ESL Teachers
Welcome educators! In todayâs episode, weâre diving into one of the biggest challenges ESL teachers face: planning for mixed-level groupings. Whether you have newcomers just arriving in the U.S. or students on the verge of exiting your ESL program, finding ways to support every learner can feel overwhelmingâbut it is possible, and todayâs episode will show you how. đ In this episode, youâll learn: Why planning for mixed-level groups is essential for ESL success How to build tiered activities for different language levels Simple ways to scaffold support for all students ...
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EP 166 Creating Systems for the New Year
Adventures in ESL: A Podcast for K-12 ESL Teachers
Welcome educators! In this weekâs episode of My Adventures in ESL, weâre diving into how to use your summer intentionally by building simple, effective systems that will support youâand your studentsâall year long. Whether youâre a first-year teacher or a veteran, setting up classroom systems during the summer isnât about perfection. Itâs about preparation. With the right tools and routines in place, you can avoid the chaos of survival mode and step into the new school year with clarity, calm, and confidence. Youâll walk away with ideas for routines across the four language...
info_outlineWelcome, educators! đ©đœâđ«đšâđ«
Before we dive into this weekâs episode, donât forget to check out the engaging resources available to support your ESL classroom at myadventuresinesl.com/store.
đ A Heartfelt Thank You
To all the incredible ESL teachersâthank you for the heart, patience, and dedication you pour into your students every day. You do more than teach English; you inspire confidence, courage, and future success. Your work is truly life-changing, and every small victory you help create leaves a lasting impact.
đŻ Episode Goal
This episode is all about equipping you with practical, actionable strategies to help you prepare for the upcoming school yearâstarting now.
đ What Youâll Learn in This Episode:
- Why end-of-year planning is essential for a successful school year start
- How to overcome planning fatigue and stay productive despite a packed schedule
- A step-by-step guide to creating your custom roadmap for back-to-school preparation
- How to reflect on the current school year to build a stronger one ahead
- What fixed tasks you should always include in your yearly planning (like student file organization)
𧩠Featured Resource: The ESL Teacher Master Plan
Feeling overwhelmed by everything on your plate? The ESL Teacher Master Plan is a self-paced course that walks you through organizing, planning, and preparing for the new school year with confidence.
âš Get on the waitlist now at myadventuresinesl.com
â Quick Start To-Do List:
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Download the free planning guide
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Reflect on the past school yearâwhat worked and what didnât?
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Brainstorm fixed, recurring tasks (e.g., student folders)
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Use a calendar to break the roadmap into weekly chunks
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Assign tasks, attach deadlines, and celebrate your progress đ
Remember: You donât have to feel stuck in survival mode. With a simple roadmap and the right tools, you can finish strong and start the next school year empowered and prepared.
đ Visit myadventuresinesl.com/store for more tools and support.