384. When Half Your Class Seems “Checked Out” — Motivation Strategies That Actually Work
Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers
Release Date: 01/21/2026
408. When Students Refuse to Work: How to Use Reflection Forms Without Creating a Power Struggle
Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers
When a student refuses to work, it's easy to feel like you have to win the battle, but power struggles rarely lead to lasting change. In this episode of Beginning Teacher Talk, Dr. Lori shares how refusal-to-work reflection forms can help teachers respond calmly, protect instructional time, and guide students toward accountability without escalating the situation. What You'll Learn: • How to use refusal-to-work reflection forms without creating a power struggle • When a student needs support versus when they are choosing to refuse an assignment • Why calm accountability is more effective...
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407. Classroom Mascots: An Amazing First-Weeks Community Builder
Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers
In this episode of Beginning Teacher Talk, Dr. Lori shares one of her favorite back-to-school community-building strategies: using a simple classroom mascot to help students feel connected, safe, and excited to be part of your classroom family. She explains why classroom mascots are about so much more than a stuffed animal; they're a powerful tool for building relationships, teaching routines, supporting emotional regulation, and creating a strong classroom community during the first weeks of school. What You'll Learn: • How a classroom mascot can build community during the first weeks of...
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406. If Last Year Was the Hardest Year of Your Teaching Life, Listen to This
Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers
In this episode of Beginning Teacher Talk, Dr. Lori Friesen shares an encouraging message for every teacher who ended the last school year feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, or questioning whether they were cut out for teaching. Through three powerful mindset shifts, she explains how a growth mindset for teachers can transform the way we view classroom management challenges, difficult seasons, and our own ability to grow. What You'll Learn: • How a growth mindset can help you move forward after a difficult school year • Why classroom management is a set of skills and systems that can be...
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405. Before You Quit Teaching, Listen to This: With Middle School Teacher Amber Duane
Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers
In this episode of Beginning Teacher Talk, Dr. Lori Friesen sits down with middle school teacher Amber Duane to share how she went from nearly leaving teaching after her first year to feeling confident and excited about heading back to school. Amber opens up about the classroom management struggles she faced as a beginning teacher, the mindset shifts that changed everything, and the practical strategies that helped her build a calmer, more successful classroom. What You'll Learn: • Why strong classroom management starts before students ever walk through your door • How preparing your...
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404. Specials Teachers: Why Classroom Management Feels So Different (And Why Most Advice Doesn't Work)
Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers
In this episode of Beginning Teacher Talk, Dr. Lori speaks directly to art, music, PE, library, STEM, and other specials teachers who often feel overlooked when it comes to classroom management advice. She explains why classroom management for specials teachers is fundamentally different from homeroom teaching and shares simple strategies to reduce behavior challenges through stronger transitions, predictable routines, and effective classroom systems. What You'll Learn: • Why classroom management for specials teachers requires a different approach • How transitions—not behavior—are...
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403. Teaching Today's Kids with 22-Year Veteran Jodie Culpepper
Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers
In this episode of Beginning Teacher Talk, Dr. Lori sits down with veteran teacher Jodie Culpepper, who shares how years of classroom management challenges, student behavior concerns, and overwhelming stress nearly led her to resign after 22 years in education. Jodie opens up about what helped her regain confidence, find hope again, and rediscover the joy of teaching through stronger classroom routines, simple behavior strategies, and a renewed focus on relationships with students. What You'll Learn: • Why many experienced teachers feel like beginning teachers in today's classrooms • How...
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402. Adding Elements of Surprise to Engage Your Students with 4th Grade Teacher Amanda Muri
Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers
In this episode of Beginning Teacher Talk, Dr. Lori sits down with fourth-grade teacher Amanda Muri to talk about how small elements of surprise can create big shifts in classroom management. Amanda shares her journey from feeling confident at the start of the school year to struggling with student engagement after winter break, and how a simple podcast episode helped her rediscover the joy, connection, and excitement that transformed the energy in her classroom. What You'll Learn: • Why classroom routines and student engagement often begin to slip after winter break • How simple surprises...
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401. How Small Changes Lead to Big Results in Pre-K Classroom Management With Special Guest Lindsay Parsons
Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers
In this episode of Beginning Teacher Talk, Dr. Lori sits down with pre-K and kindergarten teacher Lindsay Parsons to talk about what classroom management really looks like with today’s students. Lindsay shares how simple shifts completely changed the energy in her classroom and helped her feel hopeful again after struggling with student behavior, social-emotional skill gaps, and teacher overwhelm. What You'll Learn: • Why so many teachers feel like traditional classroom management strategies are no longer working • How whole class motivators can improve student behavior and classroom...
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400. 5 Reasons Your Classroom Felt So Much Harder Than It Needed to Be
Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers
In this episode of Beginning Teacher Talk, Dr. Lori Friesen breaks down the five hidden classroom patterns that quietly drain teachers day after day. If you’ve ever felt exhausted by constant reminders, difficult transitions, student behavior interruptions, or feeling like you’re always playing catch-up, this episode will help you understand why classroom management can feel so overwhelming and what actually needs to change to make teaching feel calmer, smoother, and more sustainable. What You'll Learn: • Why small classroom breakdowns create major teacher exhaustion over time • The...
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399. Why Next Year Will Feel Exactly the Same (Unless You Do This First)
Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers
What if next year doesn’t feel easier… not because of your students, but because nothing actually changed? In this episode of Beginning Teacher Talk, Dr. Lori Friesen shares a powerful mindset shift that can completely transform your classroom management and systems before the new school year even begins. If you’re hoping for a fresh start, this episode will show you how to actually create one. What You'll Learn: • Why a new group of students doesn’t automatically create a better classroom experience • The real reason common classroom management challenges keep showing up • How...
info_outlineFor many teachers, student motivation seems to disappear after winter break. Energy is low, and students who were once eager are suddenly dragging their feet and checking out. But January doesn’t have to be a slump. With the right reset, it can become the moment you reignite connection, rebuild momentum, and help students rediscover their spark for learning. In today’s episode, I’m sharing simple, effective ways to boost student motivation in ways that feel meaningful and rewarding.
Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/student-motivation
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Grab a copy of my book, Dear New Teacher, Here's Exactly What to Do: Your 5-Step R.E.A.D.Y. for School Roadmap for Elementary Classrooms: https://amzn.to/3w3zZJ7
Lung Cancer Free: One Couple’s Journey Through a “Lungs in a Box” Double Lung Transplant: https://www.lungcancerfree.com/
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I hope you have a wonderful week, and remember - just because you are a beginning elementary teacher, there is no need for you to struggle like one.
Xo Lori
P.S. Do you have your copy of my FREE Ultimate Classroom Management Checklist? Get yours by clicking here now! https://www.drlorifriesen.com/ultimate-classroom-management-checklist