Libsyn Directory

414: The Impossible Standards Series: You're Not Failing - Your Classroom Just Needs a Reset

Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers

Release Date: 09/16/2026

414: The Impossible Standards Series: You're Not Failing - Your Classroom Just Needs a Reset

Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers

If your classroom felt calm during the first week but is already beginning to slide, it does not mean your classroom management plan failed. In this episode of Beginning Teacher Talk, Dr. Lori challenges the impossible standard that students should master expectations the first time and explains why your classroom may simply need a focused reset. What You’ll Learn: • Why students testing expectations does not mean you are failing at classroom management • How treating behavior and routines like curriculum changes the way you respond • Why collecting random classroom management...

413. A Back-to-School Pep Talk for the Teacher Who Already Feels Exhausted

Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers

If the school year has barely begun and you already feel exhausted, there is nothing wrong with you. In this episode of Beginning Teacher Talk, Dr. Lori offers a reassuring back-to-school pep talk for elementary teachers who feel overwhelmed, depleted, or pressured to have everything figured out from day one. What You’ll Learn: • Why back-to-school teacher exhaustion is not a sign that you are weak, ungrateful, or failing • How to separate what is truly essential from what is simply impressive at the beginning of the school year • Why readiness does not require a perfect classroom, a...

412. I Built a Classroom Management App in 24 Hours… and THIS Happened

Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers

What if classroom management could feel a little more positive and a lot more fun? In this episode of Beginning Teacher Talk, Dr. Lori introduces Feed the Monster, a free classroom management app that helps elementary teachers reinforce positive behavior, build stronger classroom routines, and celebrate progress together. What You’ll Learn: • How Feed the Monster turns one specific classroom behavior into a fun, motivating whole-class goal • Why naming and reinforcing the exact behavior you want is more effective than simply telling students to “be good” • How immediate,...

411. Who Threw the Eraser? What to Do When Misbehavior Happens Behind Your Back

Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers

What should you do when classroom misbehavior happens but you do not know which student was responsible? In this episode of Beginning Teacher Talk, Dr. Lori shares a calm, fair approach to classroom management that protects students’ dignity while still promoting student accountability and teaching responsibility. Instead of punishing the entire class, demanding a confession, or ignoring the behavior, you’ll learn how to create a predictable process that encourages honesty, repairs harm, and helps students make better choices moving forward. What You’ll Learn: • How to respond fairly...

410. An Inspirational Song for Teachers to Start the Year

Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers

Episode Summary: As you step into a new school year, you may feel excited, hopeful, nervous, and unsure of yourself all at once. In this special episode, Dr. Lori shares a few thoughts about the growing impact of AI and her decision to use it to create One Child at a Time, an inspirational song for teachers and a reminder that you don’t have to be perfect to make a difference. Your patience, kindness, and the way you help each child feel safe, seen, and valued matter more than you may ever know. In this episode, you'll be reminded: • You don’t have to be a perfect teacher to make a...

409. I Feel Like a General with All These Strict Rules and Expectations

Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers

Many teachers want calm, well-managed classrooms, but they also want students to feel trusted, creative, and independent. In this episode of Beginning Teacher Talk, Dr. Lori explores why strong classroom routines and student autonomy don't compete with one another. Instead, she explains how thoughtful structure gives students the confidence, clarity, and support they need to become more independent. What You'll Learn: • Why structure and student autonomy are not opposites, and how thoughtful routines actually build independence • Questions you can ask yourself to evaluate whether your...

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...

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...

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...

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...

More Episodes

If your classroom felt calm during the first week but is already beginning to slide, it does not mean your classroom management plan failed. In this episode of Beginning Teacher Talk, Dr. Lori challenges the impossible standard that students should master expectations the first time and explains why your classroom may simply need a focused reset.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why students testing expectations does not mean you are failing at classroom management

• How treating behavior and routines like curriculum changes the way you respond

• Why collecting random classroom management strategies creates more overwhelm instead of a reliable system

• How to reset one challenging routine through modeling, practice, specific feedback, and consistent follow-through

• Why calm, related, and predictable consequences can support reteaching while still holding students accountable

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Learn more about Dr. Lori's programs

You do not need to become a harsher teacher, scrap everything you have created, or wait for a new group of students. Listen to this episode to learn how a deliberate classroom management reset can help you rebuild calm, clarity, and confidence, then follow and subscribe to Beginning Teacher Talk for more practical support for elementary teachers.

Need to regain control of your classroom? Save your seat at Dr. Lori's new, free class:

Save your seat at the tropical island virtual teacher retreat, where we'll talk about how to prevent challenging behaviors from derailing your entire day, even if you feel like you've already tried everything, you don't have admin support, and parents don't seem to care.

Click here to save your seat! https://www.drlorifriesen.com/need-this

Stay connected with us!

Looking for quick, actionable PD? Visit our YouTube channel!

Be sure to follow, rate, and subscribe to the Beginning Teacher Talk podcast so you never miss an episode.

Warmly,
Dr. Lori

TOPICS