The Transformational Teacher Podcast
Does having a relationship with God really help me to flourish in every area of life. Will it make a difference if I Invite Him into my classroom? Will it help me experience peace and joy despite challenging situations that arise? Do I have time to connect with God before the school day starts? Teachers, if you are asking these questions and feel like teaching is not just a job but it is a ministry then this is the place for you. On this podcast I will talk about faith, mindset, and self-care. I believe God desires for us to flourish in our relationship with him it plays a vital role in transforming our lives, which will help us transform our classroom His way, When we teach with Jesus and see things from His viewpoint those anxieties and classroom challenges that try to trip us up will no longer do that because God will give strength, the peace, the wisdom that is needed for us to rise up and teach with joy and peace I’m D’Toya, a Pre-K Teacher and a certified life coach that went from experiencing chaos to having peace in life and the classroom with the help of cultivating my relationship with God and having a strong community by my side to help on this journey. Be sure to follow the show so you don’t miss any episodes as we allow God to transform our lives and classroom HIS way. With Love, D’Toya - The Transformational Teacher Visit my website at:Teachingwithjesus.com
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Creating a Peaceful and Loving Classroom Environment Part 3
08/25/2024
Creating a Peaceful and Loving Classroom Environment Part 3
Hey Transformational Teacher Today, we will cover the next 5 ways that Christian Teachers Can Transform Their Classroom, focusing on creating a peaceful and loving classroom environment and building strong relationships. 11. Invite God’s Presence into Your Classroom/Personal Worship Time Each day, intentionally invite God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit into your classroom. Surrender your day to Him and ask for His peace to saturate the classroom. 12. Anoint and Pray for Your Space Anoint and pray over your students’ chairs, desks, doorways, and yourself. 13. Display Encouraging Words/Student Affirmations throughout the classroom Post student affirmations that students say daily around the classroom. I even encourage you to have them to create posters themsleves to hang up. 14. Create a wall of encouragement for yourself as a teacher Find scriprture promises to stand on throughout the year and post them in your space to keep them before you. 15. Build Relationships with Students & Connect with Other Christian Teachers Write down at least 3 to 5 ways to build relationships with your students throughout the year and be sure to connect with other teachers. Join us inside "The Praying Educators Club" to connect with other educators who are committed to prayer and support. [ ________________________________________________________________________ Connect with me on instagram: Connect with me on TikTok: Connect with me on Facebook: for more resources.
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Daily Habits and Affirmations for Transforming Your Classroom Part 2
08/05/2024
Daily Habits and Affirmations for Transforming Your Classroom Part 2
Hey Transformational Teacher Today, we will cover the next 5 ways, focusing on Daily Spiritual Habits and Affirmations. Daily Time in the Word Spending time in God’s word daily strengthens your faith and provides guidance. God has literally given us the handbook to life which is our bible; we just have to open it and use it. Scripture: Psalm 119:105 - "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." Incorporate Moments of Silent Prayer Taking moments throughout the day for silent prayer helps maintain a connection with God. Scripture: Ephesians 6:18 NIV - "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people." Speak Life Over Your Students (Use Affirmations) Using positive, life-affirming words and affirmations builds self-esteem and aligns thoughts with God's truth. Scripture: Proverbs 18:21 - "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit." Affirmations for Students: I am capable,I am kind, I am lovedI am important, and I am diligent and put forth my best effort daily. Speak Life Over Yourself (Using Scripture/Affirmations) It is key that as you speak life and pour into your students, you do the same for yourself. If you are filled up and encouraged, you have more to pour out, especially in challenging situations. Scripture: Proverbs 6:2 NIV - "You have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth." Affirmations for Teachers: I am a transformational teacher, I educate, empower, and equip my students daily, I am guided by the Holy Spirit, I am making a difference daily, and I have self-control. Model Positive Values Demonstrating good character and modeling how to handle situations, which is displaying the Fruit of the Spirit in your interactions with students, helps to create a supportive classroom environment. Show patience when a student is struggling or demonstrate kindness through encouraging words. Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." ________________________________________________________________________ Join our Annual Back-to-School Prayer Challenge from August 4th to 10th. Sign up today and receive your free copy of Prayers to Transform Your School Year. Connect with me on instagram: Connect with me on TikTok: Connect with me on Facebook: for more resources.
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5 Foundational Faith Practices for Transforming Your Classroom Part 1
07/30/2024
5 Foundational Faith Practices for Transforming Your Classroom Part 1
Hey Transformational Teacher Today, we are starting a special four-part series for the Back-to-School season called "20 Ways Christian Teachers Can Transform Their Classroom." Let’s explore the first 5 ways." 5 Foundational Faith Practices for Transforming Your Classroom" Create a vision for Your classroom and yourself as a teacher: Develop a vision and attach scripture principles for daily inspiration. Scripture: Habakkuk 2:2-3 AMP Adopt a Kingdom Mindset: Viewing classroom challenges through God’s perspective. Scripture: Matthew 6:33 AMP Start each day in prayer: Begin your day by praying for yourself, your students, coworkers, and others. Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:17 AMP Put on the Armor of God daily: Spiritually and mentally prepare by envisioning yourself equipped with God’s armor. Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18 Dedicate your plans to God: Offer your school year and daily lesson plans to God for guidance. Scriptures: Proverbs 16:3 AMP, Proverbs 3:5-6 AMP Be sure to join us for You are also invited to join us in our free online community, ' This is a brand new group on Facebook where we can stay connected throughout the month, share insights, and support each other on our journey. I would love for you to be among the first to join and help build this community from the ground up. As always remember to Pray, Listen, Transform, Teach. Have a wonderful day, and I look forward to continuing this journey with you in the next episode." We will discuss the next 5 ways that Christian teachers can transform their classrooms, focusing on Daily Spiritual Habits and Affirmations. Connect with me on instagram: Connect with me on TikTok: Visist for more resources.
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"Staying Committed: The Power of Remembering Your 'Why
07/19/2024
"Staying Committed: The Power of Remembering Your 'Why
Hey Transformational Teacher In this episode I speak briefly on remembering why you started teaching, staying in your lane and embracing the freedom God has given you. Below is a brief overview: Remembering Your 'Why': Reflect on why you started teaching. Let your 'why' fuel your perseverance. Tips: Write down your 'why,' share it with a friend, find a scripture promise, and pray over it. Staying in Your Lane: Avoid comparison with other teachers. Embrace your unique gifts and calling. Consult God for guidance on focus areas each school year. Be prayerful and seek God’s input. Embrace Freedom: Seek God daily. Embrace who He has called you to be. Walk in the FREEDOM He has given you. Remember, you are valuable and you are needed. Allow the treasure God has put inside you to come out. Get out of your own way as you journey throughout this school year and life in general. Thank you for taking the time to listen to this episode and for being part of The Transformational Teacher Community. I would love to connect with you more. Please join me on August 7th for our Monthly Prayer and Encouragement Chat for Teachers. Let's Connect, Pray and Grow Together!!! Click the link to: Webiste:
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Summer Rest, Reset, Recharge for Teachers
07/07/2024
Summer Rest, Reset, Recharge for Teachers
In last week’s podcast, I spoke briefly about ways we can rest, reset, and recharge. As we continue to move through the summer, I encourage you to create a plan to make the most of this time.In this episode I speak about the need to Rest, Reset and Recharge along with a few tips. Rest: Freedom from activity or labor/To cease from action or motion/To be free from anxiety or disturbance Rest in Jesus: Find peace and relief in surrendering to God/Rest in God's presence through His word, worship, prayer, and faith-based teachings Reset: To set again or anew/Adjust or fix in a new or different way Recharge: Restore and bring back vigor Tips: Ways to Rest: Spend time in God’s word and in worship Engage in quiet time and prayer Take time to relax and do something that for yourself Ways to Reset: Assess routines and habits Ask God to reveal areas needing alignment (physically, spiritually, mentally) Ways to Recharge: Engage in physical activity Study topics that will enhance your teaching Spending time with God and in His word Click the link to register for our Click the link to: Webiste: Below you will find the Podcast Show, Book List and more that I mentioned in this episode: Podcast Shows Summer Book List Teach Like A Champion- Doug Lemov When Nothing Else Works"What Early Childhood Professionals Can Do To reduce Challenging Behaviors- William DeMeo, PHD Begin With The Brain- Martha Kaufeldt 20 Ways To Make Every Day Better- Joyce Meyer 5 Things Successful People Do Before 8am- Terri Savelle Foy YouTube Playlist
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End of Year Reflection for Teachers
06/28/2024
End of Year Reflection for Teachers
Welcome to the Transformational Teacher Today, we celebrate you for completing another school year! As this school year comes to an end, I encourage you to take some time to reflect. What better way to do this than now, while you are listening to this episode? Questions to reflect on: 1. Reflect on the moments that touched your heart, the challenges you overcame, and the victories you celebrated. 2. Recall a specific testimony or story that stands out to you. Maybe it was a student who made significant progress or a lesson that went exceptionally well. 3. Reflect on how God has been present in your teaching journey, even on the challenging days. 4. Think about the strategies that helped you maintain your energy and enthusiasm throughout the school year. What were your top three go-to methods for staying motivated and effective? 5. Reflect on the tools and strategies that helped you manage stress and workload this year. What worked for you? How can you implement or seek out these tools and resources in the upcoming school year? Thank you again for the impact you made on another group of students and for joining me to reflect on this past school year. I would love for you to share some of the things you are doing this summer so I can share them with others. Feel free to send me a message on Instagram or send me an email. Be sure to join me for our next monthly prayer and encouragement chat in July. Click the link to register for our Click the link to: Webiste:
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How Can Teachers Recharge Over Spring Break?
03/25/2024
How Can Teachers Recharge Over Spring Break?
Hey Transformational Teacher Take time to reflect, let go and allow God to guide you so you can recharge, reset and return to finish the school year with renewed endurance and strength from God. Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne. Philippians 2:13 For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure. I would love to know some of the things you are doing over your Spring Break? Feel free to DM me on Instagram and let me know: Be sure to sign up for “Monthly Prayer & Encouragement for Teachers”
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What do you do after a long day inside the classroom to rejuvenate yourself?
03/18/2024
What do you do after a long day inside the classroom to rejuvenate yourself?
Hey Transformational Teacher: What do you do after a long day inside the classroom to rejuvenate yourself? Here are a few things I do: 1. Have a moment of silence to myself. 2. I love to listen to music. I even play instrumental worship songs throughout the day at times. 3. At times I go to the gym and read, listen to audio book, music, podcast while on the exercise machines 4. I enjoy watching something funny. (Laughter is good for the soul.) 5. I make sure that I take time show gratitude to God daily for Him helping me make it through the day. 6. Spending time with God by myself right when I get home which has been awesome. (Some days I have to push past the tiredness and frustration. When I do push through in the end I am so thankful and feel better.) 7. Taking a little time to relax before moving to the next thing I need to do. I would love to know some of the things you do after a long day inside the classroom to rejuvenate yourself? Feel free to DM me on Instagram and let me know: Be sure to sign up for “Monthly Prayer & Encouragement for Teachers”
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What happens when teachers pray?
01/17/2024
What happens when teachers pray?
Hey Transformational Teacher, In this episode, I talk about what prayer is and what happens when we pray. Prayer is communicating with God. Prayer is praying God’s word over life situations. Prayer is listening to what God has to say to you. Prayer is showing God that we can’t do life on our own and that we need His help. When we pray as teachers we are surrendering our plan and will to God and receiving what He has for us and our classroom. I believe when we pray we are asking God to have His way in our lives and our classroom. This weeks tip: Pray God's word over your situations - Make God bigger than your situations - Remain thankful throughout the process 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always and delight in your faith; be unceasing and persistent in prayer; in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. This weeks action steps: Set aside time daily to pray for yourself, your classroom and zone in on any students as you feel led. Pray and anoint students chairs and desk as much as you can Find scripture promises to pray ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Join us for our Monthly Prayer and Encouragement Chat for Teachers via zoom. I am aiming for this call to be no more than 30 minutes, but of course I will always allow God to have His way in each meeting we have.
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Why is it important to have a classroom vision?
01/07/2024
Why is it important to have a classroom vision?
Hey Transformational Teacher, Happy New Year! May this year be the time when you surrender your classroom to God and allow Him to have His way in you and your students. In this episode, I talk about the importance of having a vision for your classroom, yourself as a teacher, and each of your individual students. Writing your vision down helps you stay focused on your goals, regardless of any obstacles or setbacks you might encounter. Here are some action steps for this week: Pray and ask God what His overall vision is for your classroom, your students, and yourself as a teacher. Listen attentively for His response and write down any insights you receive. Review your notes and write out your vision. Keep your vision in a place where you can easily access it. Habakkuk 2:2-3 AMP Then the LORD answered me and said, “Write the vision And engrave it plainly on [clay] tablets So that the one who reads it will run. “For the vision is yet for the appointed [future] time It hurries toward the goal [of fulfillment]; it will not fail. Even though it delays, wait [patiently] for it, Because it will certainly come; it will not delay. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ I am excited to announce that starting in February I will host a monthly Prayer and Encouragement Chat for Teachers via zoom. I am aiming for this call to be no more 30 minutes, but of course I will always allow God to have His way in each meeting we have. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ I am here to serve you and cheer you and I want to try my best to provide you with resources that are benefical for you as you journey throughout your teaching journey.
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Heart to Heart: Word of Encouragement for Teachers
10/29/2023
Heart to Heart: Word of Encouragement for Teachers
Hey Transformational Teacher! I hope this school year is off to a great start, but if it has been as challenging as mine has been then I want to remind you of a few things: God is still faithful and He is still right there to help you. Stay connected to the vine. Apart from Him you can do nothing. Allow the challenge to grow and build your capacity. Ask God to help you see things from His perspective and to see the good in each day. Walk in humility and allow those God ordained people to help you as you navigate throughout the school year. Experiencing challenging days inside the classroom doesn’t make you a bad teacher. It simply means that you are having some challenging days. Reflect on what’s happening and ask God what you need to do as you continue to journey throughout the school year. God desires to give you wisdom. Be sure to have your ears, heart, and mind open to hear what He has to say. Allow GOD to get the GLORY out of this. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Connect with me on instagram: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ I am here to serve you and cheer you on and I want to try my best to provide you with resources that are beneficial for you as you journey throughout your teaching journey.
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6 Things to Do Prior To Starting Your School Day
09/10/2023
6 Things to Do Prior To Starting Your School Day
In this episode I share 6 things to do prior to the start of your day: Put on the armor of God - Ephesians 6:10-18 Meditate on God’s word- Joshua 1:8 Pray for yourself, students, families and coworkers -1 Thessalonians 5:17 Have time set aside for praise & worship - Psalm 100:4/Psalm 8:1-3 Anoint yourself and areas in your classroom- Mark 6:12-13 Ask God for the natural and spiritual steps that you need to take daily pertaining to your classroom.- James 1:5/Psalm 32:8 Keep in mind we help to set the tone of our classrooms so we have to make sure we fill our spiritual tank up daily so we can then pour into our students daily. Action Step: I encourage you to find a few scripture promises to stand and pray throughout your school year. Once you do that I encourage you to pray those scriptures weekly. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV - Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. Looking forward to connecting with you!!! ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ I am here to serve you and cheer you on and I want to try my best to provide you with resources that are beneficial for you as you journey throughout your teaching journey.
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Resting In God's Word
07/13/2023
Resting In God's Word
There is power in reading, writing and praying God’s word daily. In this episode I share 8 reasons you should do this daily. 1. It is one way to strengthen your faith in God and strengthen your spirit man. 2. It gives you a greater understanding of God's word. 3. God’s word corrects you and shows you areas in your life that you need to correct. 4. God responds to His word and fulfills His word. 5. It gives you peace, joy, and hope during the different seasons of life you go through. 6. It helps you to focus on the truth of God's word instead of what you see with your natural eye. 7. As you write God’s word it helps you to slow down and focus on what the scripture is saying. 8. Reading, writing and praying scripture helps you to memorize and focus on the scripture which will help to renew your mind and get the word of God rooted in your heart. Action Steps: Read God’s word daily Spend time listening to God and write what He has to say to you ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ I am here to serve you and cheer you on and I want to try my best to provide you with resources that are beneficial for you as you journey throughout your teaching journey. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Be sure to head over to to check out the transformational resources I have available for you.
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Reflecting on the School Year!!
06/16/2023
Reflecting on the School Year!!
Hey Transformational Teachers congratulations!! You have made it to the end of another school year and I celebrate the impact you have made in the lives of each student that sat in your classroom. If you happen to still be in school during this time I am continuing to cheer you on and I am praying for you. In this episode I am going to talk about 5 things that I think are beneficial for you to do now since you have made it to the end of another school year. Continue to show gratitude to God Reflect and write down how the year went. Repent and ask forgiveness from God Ask, God what you need to do this summer Continue to pray for the students you had in your class and pray for the incoming students I have a special invitation for you. I would love for you to join me for my vision casting workshop for teachers that will take place this summer. Let’s work together to map out God's plan for the 2023-2024 school year. If you would like more info on this please send me a message on social media or go to to sign up to receive more information about this workshop. Follow along at:
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You Are a Champion So Fight Like One
05/18/2023
You Are a Champion So Fight Like One
Hey Transformational Teachers, I want to start off by saying I appreciate all you have done throughout the school year so far. I want to remind you that you are a champion you may say, but I don’t feel like one. This school year has been challenging. I’ve had personal challenges take place in my life and I feel like I’m not winning like I should be winning and I say to you every day may not be smooth sailing but there is one thing that always remains: God is faithful and you can still have victory. Join D’Toya on the Transformational Teacher Podcast as she shares how to fight and be the champion God has called you to be. Key takeaways from this episode is to: Key takeaways from this episode is to: Team up with God and be obedient to every move He tells you to make. Put on your armor daily. Keep your eyes focused on God, spend time in His presence and call on God's grace, strength, guidance as you journey through the school year and life in general. Inquire of the Lord daily on what you should do Action Steps for Today: Read, pray and meditate on: Ephesians 6:10-18 Psalm 144:1 Follow along at: Check out my Transformational Teacher Resources:
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My Story- From Chaos to Peace
04/24/2023
My Story- From Chaos to Peace
Episode 1: Are you struggling to find peace in your classroom? From managing behaviors to challenging parents, it’s a hard road, but you don’t have to do it alone. Join D’Toya on the Transformational Teacher Podcast as she shares her transformation journey on how bringing God into the classroom reframed her mindset and perspective, and she learned to ask for help. D’Toya shares her personal story that put her on the path to peace and connection with God in the classroom. D’Toya shares how bringing God into the classroom equipped her with the tools and resources to be a much better teacher and overcome obstacles she never thought she could. This is a space where educators can come together on their faith walk, knowing that God placed us in the role of teachers for a reason. He is here to guide and direct us through our educational journey. Follow along at: Check out my transformational teacher resources:
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