From Overwhelmed to Accomplished: The Ultimate Guide to Making the Most of Your Prep Time
Not So Wimpy Teacher Podcast
Welcome to the podcast for elementary teachers who often feel burnt out and overwhelmed! In this episode, we are going to discuss the number one way to get more done during your prep time. As teachers, we are experts at planning every moment of our students' day, but we often forget to plan our own plan time. Instead of creating endless to-do lists that can make us feel busy instead of productive, we will be using a calendar and a 6 step process to help us prioritize our tasks and accomplish more. By following this 6 step process, you can increase your productivity, decrease the number of...
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Unleashing Your Potential: How to Be a Great Teacher on Your Own Terms
Not So Wimpy Teacher Podcast
Welcome to the Not So Wimpy Teacher Podcast, where we empower and inspire elementary school teachers to love teaching again! In this episode, we’re going to discuss how to define success as a teacher and work smarter, not harder. If you’re tired of feeling like you’re never doing enough, working too many hours, and sacrificing your personal life for your job, then this episode is for you. So, grab your coffee, take a seat, and let’s get started. Segment 1: What Does It Mean to Be a Good Teacher? There are many misconceptions about what it means to be a good teacher. In this segment,...
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How to Cut Your Lesson Planning Time in Half: Time-Saving Strategies for Busy Teachers
Not So Wimpy Teacher Podcast
Are you tired of spending hours upon hours lesson planning each week? In this episode, we're sharing 5 time-saving hacks that can help you cut the time it takes to lesson plan in half. From batching your lesson plans to using routines, year-long bundles, lesson plan templates, and pacing guides, we've got you covered with strategies that can make lesson planning faster and easier. Plus, don’t forget to check out my new book, How to Love Teaching Again, which is packed with hands-on strategies to help you be more productive, eliminate classroom chaos, and bring back the joy of teaching....
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Become a Happier Teacher: Start Your Accomplishment Bank Today
Not So Wimpy Teacher Podcast
Welcome to this episode of our podcast for burnt out and overworked elementary school teachers. Today, we'll be discussing the importance of celebrating your wins each week and how this can be a catalyst for continued success in the classroom. As teachers, it's easy for us to celebrate others but much tougher to celebrate ourselves. At the end of the day, we often find ourselves focusing on the negative - the unfinished to-do list, a student's poor assessment, or a rude email from a parent. It's important to remember that society, admin, and parents may not always remember to celebrate us,...
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Connecting with Students Online with Jennifer Serravallo
Not So Wimpy Teacher Podcast
Welcome back to the Not So Wimpy Teacher podcast! I have a really special treat for you today. If you are teaching students online, whether it’s virtual or hybrid, this is the episode for you. Today’s guest, Jennifer Serravallo, is a literacy consultant and speaker and has three New York Times best selling books! Her latest book is called “Connecting with Students Online: Strategies for Remote Teaching and Learning.” I asked Jen to join me today to talk through the idea of connecting with students online. We’re covering everything from how to form...
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A Simple Problem-Solving Strategy That Works Every Time
Not So Wimpy Teacher Podcast
Welcome back to the Not So Wimpy Teacher podcast! Word problems... Yuck! They can be such a struggle. Today, we are going to be chatting about math word problems and I am going to give you a fantastic strategy to use with your students. This strategy will become a routine in your classroom that I think will help your students resolve more problems with any operation. I used this routine in my classroom and it made a huge difference and that’s exactly why I want to share it with you too! Episode 93 Takeaways: + Don’t use...
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Giving Students Feedback About Their Writing
Not So Wimpy Teacher Podcast
Welcome back to the Not So Wimpy Teacher podcast! Today we are talking all about how to give students feedback about their writing. You know how much I love to talk about writing, but did you know that when I was a new teacher, I actually dreaded teaching writing? I just didn't know how to help my students be better writers. No one taught me that in college. My lessons were too broad, and I really struggled to give good feedback to my writers that would help them grow and make changes. Do you also struggle with this? If you do, you’re not alone! ...
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Virtual and Socially Distant Valentine's Day Activities for the Classroom
Not So Wimpy Teacher Podcast
Welcome back to the Not So Wimpy Teacher podcast! Are you excited for Valentine’s Day this year? If you told me a year ago that I'd be doing a Valentine's episode about socially distant Valentine's Day activities, I probably would have laughed at you. Now it is totally normal though and something we have to talk about! Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. Whether you’re teaching online or in-person this year, it’s going to look a little different. Just because we're socially distant, doesn't mean we can't share the love. If you need some ideas...
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How to Use Project-Based Learning in the Classroom
Not So Wimpy Teacher Podcast
Welcome back to the Not So Wimpy Teacher podcast! Are you looking for a new way to keep your students engaged and motivated? Today we’re going to be talking about how to use project-based learning in the classroom. I fell in love with project-based learning when I first started teaching. As a student, I would always ask my teachers these questions: “when would I use this, and why do I need to know it?” Does this sound familiar? I know those questions can be super annoying sometimes, but as a learner, I really did need to understand the...
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A Fun and Free Inauguration Day Resource
Not So Wimpy Teacher Podcast
Welcome back to the Not So Wimpy Teacher podcast! You asked for an Inauguration Day resource, so I’m delivering. Today on the podcast, I am walking you through a resource for you to use with your second, third, fourth, or fifth graders on Inauguration Day. Talking about anything political can seem uncomfortable, but when it comes to the inauguration, you don't have to be political. This is a historical event! The idea behind teaching isn't to tell students what to believe but rather give them the tools and the opportunities to decide what they believe on...
info_outlineWelcome back to the Not So Wimpy Teacher podcast!
Are you a teacher who spends a little too much time at school or even a little too much time working at home? Then this is the episode for you.
I want to challenge the idea that the only way that you can be a good teacher is if you work really long hours, and that only the teachers who work really long hours are doing a great job.
News flash: your value is not tied to the number of hours you work. Your value is what you do with those hours.
I’m going to share a little of my own story as well as some strategies that I used to take back my life while still being a great teacher. It doesn’t have to be mutually exclusive.
Episode 85 Takeaways:
+ Your value is not tied to the number of hours you work.
+ It’s okay if being a mom isn’t your only calling.
+ You don’t have to give up your personal life to be a good teacher.
+ Taking back time for yourself will actually make you a better teacher.
+ Use your calendar wisely.
+ Decide on your work hours and put them in your calendar.
+ Batch your lesson planning to save time.
+ Protect your planning time.
+ Use routines.
+ Grade smarter.
Here’s what I want you to take away from this episode: your value as a teacher is not determined by the number of hours that you work, but rather what you do with your time when you are working.
You were meant to be a teacher. Your students need you, but they need the very best version of you. So rediscover who that is by spending less time at work and more time with friends and family, on hobbies, and just being alone and taking care of yourself.
The teacher who has boundaries and balance will have the most energy to teach and make a difference in the classroom.
I’d love to know what other ideas you come up with, so head over to our Instagram @notsowimpyteacher to share those with me!
Resources Mentioned:
Episode 33: Save Time Lesson Planning With Batching
Want more Not So Wimpy Teacher tips and tricks? Find tons of resources on our website at www.notsowimpyteacher.com and follow me on Instagram @notsowimpyteacher where I share daily!