Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers

Latest Episodes:

Summer Series Pt 3: Authenticity Jul 07, 2019

Show notes

We're taking a break from school-related topics as we continue our special summer series. These 4 episodes in June and July are designed to be a short time together for us to reflect, think deeply, and go big picture.

In this episode, we're talking about AUTHENTICITY. Is it time to get real with yourself that there are certain things you're just not going to pressure yourself to do? Are you conforming to outside expectations about what's most important, or determining those things for yourself?

Make sure you sign up for the special summer series emails! There's one written message to go with each of the 4 podcast episodes. The emails are designed to be short, powerful reminders to help you make the most of your summer break. Just click here to sign up:

https://thecornerstoneforteachers.com/truth-for-teachers-podcast/summer-2019-series/

Also: there are just a few more days to join the 40 Hour Teacher Workweek Club. It's a great community of teachers who are focused on what matters most, and you'll get all the resources and support you need for living and teaching with intentionality. Last chance is July 15th! Sign up here: 40htw.com.

Summer Series Pt 2: Alignment Jun 23, 2019

Show notes

"There can't be any large-scale revolution until there's a personal revolution, on an individual level. It's got to happen inside first." --Jim Morrison

Take a break this summer from thinking about work, and let's do some big picture reflection on life together. In part two of this summer series, we're talking about ALIGNMENT, and what it means to live in alignment with what you really believe and who you really are. We'll talk about doing our part (imperfectly) to make the world the place we believe it should be.

https://thecornerstoneforteachers.com/truth-for-teachers-podcast/summer-2019-series/

Also: the 40 Hour Teacher Workweek Club is open for early bird access (with early bird bonuses) from now through June 30th! Learn more or sign up here: 40htw.com.

Summer Series Pt 1: Presence Jun 09, 2019

Show notes

In this special 4 part summer series, we're focused on self-development instead of professional development. Every other week in June and July, I'll bring you a short episode to help you focus on what matters most. I'll also share some things that have been on my heart that might be otherwise off-topic for a teaching podcast.

If you normally listen to the podcast on 1.25 or 1.5 speed, I encourage you to go down to 1.0 for these 4 summer episodes. This series is not about consuming as much information as fast as possible — which is certainly a fine goal in other contexts. This series is about savoring the time, and being present with yourself for each moment of it.

Let this be a short time together to reflect, think deeply, and go big picture. We'll explore a different word each time.

In part one, we're talking about PRESENCE through immersion in both silence and healing sounds. How can you create short, regular rituals in your life where you enjoy the benefits of silence, and experience sounds that are calming?

You'll get to experience a few moments of "sound therapy" in this episode and discover how to use sounds and silence to help you experience more presence this summer. Don't let your summer fly by because you were rushing from one activity to the next! Time seems to slow down when we are truly present, and even a few moments of practicing presence each day can give you a sense of peace and gratitude.

I encourage you to sign up for the special summer series emails. There's one written message to go with each of the 4 podcast episodes.

The emails are designed to be short, powerful reminders to help you make the most of your summer break. If you want to receive them, click here:

https://thecornerstoneforteachers.com/truth-for-teachers-podcast/summer-2019-series/

EP167 Five summer traps to avoid so you can slow down and rejuvenate May 26, 2019

Show notes

This is the last episode of Season 9! I want to leave you with a short and sweet message to help you get more enjoyment out of your summer break.

The summer seems to stretch ahead of us endlessly now, but we all know how quickly it will actually fly by.

So, I'll share a bit about my summer plans, and then tell you about 5 traps I'll be working to avoid — and that I hope you'll be aware of, too — in order to slow down, be present, and rejuvenate before fall.

There will also be a summer 4 part podcast series I'm releasing this summer that is non-teaching related! Learn more about sign up by the biweekly messages here: https://thecornerstoneforteachers.com/truth-for-teachers-podcast/summer-2019-series/

If you want to take my free intentional connectivity challenge mentioned in this episode, click here: https://bit.ly/2rt67zP

You can also get on the wait list to join the 40 Hour Teacher Workweek Club this summer: 40htw.com

Click here to read or share the transcript and audio or participate in the discussion.

EP166 How Kim Lepre trimmed 15 hours off her workweek May 19, 2019

Show notes

Kim Lepre is a 7th grade English teacher and the founder of the Teachers Need Teachers podcast. She's also a Beginning Teacher Mentor and Ed Tech Specialist in her district, and a Level 2 Google Certified Educator.

How has Kim managed to make time for all of that?

She made a significant reduction in her workload during her 13th year of teaching. That's when she joined The 40 Hour Teacher Workweek Club.

I've invited Kim on the podcast to tell you exactly what she changed in her mindset and habits to allow her to reclaim around 15 hours a week, which she now uses to support other educators, spend time with her family, take care of her physical health by regularly working out, and a number of other activities that really mean a lot to her.

I think you'll get a lot of practical, actionable advice from Kim!

Click here to read or share the transcript and audio or participate in the discussion.

EP165 Overcoming mom guilt / dad guilt May 12, 2019

Show notes

What happens when you spend more time with other people's kids than your own? Parenting guilt is real, and there's no easy solution when it seems like family gets short-changed when you focus on students, but students get shortchanged when you focus on family.

In this episode, we'll explore what creates mom guilt and dad guilt, and how those two things can manifest differently. We'll also talk about how the unrealistic standards placed on parents can make it feel like you're never doing enough.

Learn how to make choices from a place of compassion, both for yourself as a parent, and for your students' parents (rather than assuming you need to compensate for the things you believe they should be doing but aren't).

Then you'll hear directly from 4 teachers who have found solutions and created clear boundaries between family and work.

Click here to read or share the transcript and audio or participate in the discussion.

EP164 How do you know when it's time to quit teaching? May 05, 2019

Show notes

I think there comes a time for many educators to re-evaluate whether the work they're doing is something they'd like to continue. You might wonder:

Do I have another 10, 20, or 30 years in me, and if not, at what point do I begin the transition into something else?
Is the quality of life I want possible in this field, or within this particular classroom-based assignment?
What are the trade-offs I'm making financially and in terms of time if I stay?
How could my life be different if I pursued another path?
What are other ways I could use my expertise and experience to make a difference?

These are incredibly tough questions to answer, particularly when you see teaching as your "calling" and life's purpose as many of us do. You don't quit a calling, right? To even consider doing so can feel like a personal failure, as if you don't care enough about your students and couldn't hack it anymore in the classroom. If that's how you're feeling, this episode will help you remove the guilt or limiting beliefs you might be holding currently, so that the right answer for YOU can reveal itself. Want to get in touch? Let me what know what kind of resources or support you wish you had around this topic:

Click here to read or share the transcript and audio or participate in the discussion.

EP163 I was a disengaged student who nearly failed high school Apr 28, 2019

Show notes

This is not a guest interview — it's my story.

That kid in your class who learns differently and feels impossible to reach within the structures of how we do school? That kid could have been me.

That kid who has side conversations all the time and doesn't follow directions? That kid could have been me, too.

That kid who skips class and seems totally disinterested in your lessons — the one who's flunking out and doesn't seem like they'll ever amount to anything? That kid could have *definitely* been me.

Listen in as I publicly share my own journey as a student for the first time.

Click here to read or share the transcript and audio or participate in the discussion.

EP162 My best advice on 10 sticky situations in schools Apr 21, 2019

Show notes

I get a lot of listener-submitted questions that could be tough for me to offer advice on without knowing the specifics. I'm going to answer a bunch of them in this episode from a big picture perspective, and give you my single best piece of advice on each topic.

We'll cover sticky situations like administrators who play favorites, releasing control to student teachers, supporting colleagues when morale is low, lack of student motivation, kids who can't handle choice, anxiety over teacher evaluations, forced collaboration with colleagues who over-complicate things, and more. Check out this quick-paced episode for some practical advice.

Click here to read or share the transcript and audio or participate in the discussion.

EP161 Thriving as an introverted teacher (with Betsy Potash of Spark Creativity) Apr 14, 2019

Show notes

An introvert isn't necessarily quiet or shy. For an introvert, being alone provides the energy that's needed to enjoy being with people. (For an extrovert, being with people provides the energy that's needed to enjoy being alone.) It's all about what energizes you.

So if you're an introverted teacher, how can you take some of the spotlight off yourself in your instruction, avoid the energy drain that may arise when collaborating with colleagues, and find moments in your day to be alone and rejuvenate?

Check out this blog post/podcast interview with Betsy Potash of the Spark Creativity podcast as we discuss our experiences as introverts in the classroom.

Click here to read or share the transcript and audio or participate in the discussion.

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