Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers

Latest Episodes:

368. When Parents Question You: Staying Confident & Professional Oct 01, 2025

Show notes

When parents question your decisions as a teacher, it can feel like your professionalism is on trial, but it's actually an opportunity. Instead of bracing for conflict, what if you leaned in with clarity, calm, and confidence?

As the excitement of a new school year wears off, new and challenging situations often arise. That's why I created the September Survival Series; to give you practical tips, strategies, and encouragement to remind you that everything will work out. In the first two episodes, I shared how to reset your routines and procedures and how to manage stress during those first hectic weeks. In this final episode, I'm focusing on what to do when parents question you, and how to handle those situations with confidence and professionalism.

Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/teacher-relationships-with-parents

Classroom Management Club Waitlist: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/membershipwaitlist

R.E.A.D.Y. for School Academy and The Classroom Management Club Informational Page: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/the-club-vs-the-academy

Subscribe to the Beginning Teacher Talk YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@beginningteachertalk

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/

Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk

Connect with Lori on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drlorifriesen/

Connect with Lori on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beginningteachertalk

If the Beginning Teacher Talk podcast is helping you in your teaching and if you're feeling extra loving, I would be so grateful if you would leave a positive review for the show! Your kind words mean the world to me. Just click here to leave your review now (and be entered into our draw for a $25 Amazon Gift Card)!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beginning-teacher-talk/id1456137677 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

367. The September Stress Spiral — How to Step off It & Stay Grounded Sep 24, 2025

Show notes

Every September, teachers get swept into the "stress spiral" - the endless to-do lists, stacks of papers to grade, and the constant feeling of barely keeping your head above water. But what if this season didn't have to drain you?

In last week's episode, I kicked off the September Survival Series, which highlights how teachers can regain control and re-establish routines and procedures with confidence once the realities of the school year set in. The challenge is that the stress spiral often takes hold before most teachers even realize they're in it. That's why, in episode two of this series, I define what the September stress spiral is and share practical ideas and mindset shifts you can use before it takes over your classroom.

Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/teacher-stress

Classroom Management Club Waitlist: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/membershipwaitlist

R.E.A.D.Y. for School Academy and The Classroom Management Club Informational Page: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/the-club-vs-the-academy

Subscribe to the Beginning Teacher Talk YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@beginningteachertalk

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/

Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk

Connect with Lori on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drlorifriesen/

Connect with Lori on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beginningteachertalk

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

366. When Kids Test You in September: How to Reset Routines Without Starting Over Sep 17, 2025

Show notes

At the start of the school year, everything feels fresh. Students are eager, polite, and full of curiosity. But as the weeks go on, that initial sparkle can begin to fade. Routines get tested, boundaries are pushed, and the excitement starts to wear off. For most teachers, this transition tends to happen in September, when reality starts to set in.

That's why I'm launching a brand-new series called the September Survival Series. Over the next three episodes, you'll get practical tools and strategies to help you navigate this first big month of school with confidence. In this first episode, I'm diving into how to reset your classroom routines without starting over. You'll learn how to do it in a way that's calm, consistent, and reinforces your authority.

Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/reset-routines

Classroom Management Club Waitlist: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/membershipwaitlist

Subscribe to the Beginning Teacher Talk YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@beginningteachertalk

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/

Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk

Connect with Lori on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drlorifriesen/

Connect with Lori on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beginningteachertalk

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

365. When You Have Mean or Unsupportive Admin — How to Protect Your Peace When Your Admin Doesn't Have Your Back Sep 10, 2025

Show notes

When teachers feel like their admin doesn't have their back, it can be exhausting, isolating, and even hopeless at times. But you're not powerless. In fact, there are ways to protect your well-being, advocate for yourself, and create positive change—even when support from the top is lacking. In today's episode, I'm sharing what to do when you're dealing with mean or unsupportive admin, and how to protect your peace by setting healthy emotional boundaries.

Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/unsupportive-admin

Classroom Management Club Waitlist: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/membershipwaitlist

Subscribe to the Beginning Teacher Talk YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@beginningteachertalk

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/

Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk

Connect with Lori on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drlorifriesen/

Connect with Lori on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beginningteachertalk

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

364. What to Do When Kids Ignore You in Your Elementary Classroom Sep 03, 2025

Show notes

If you're a beginning teacher dealing with students who constantly ignore you, here are two things you need to know: you're not alone, and it doesn't mean you're a bad teacher. Need some good news? It doesn't have to stay this way! In today's episode, I'm sharing why students might not be listening and giving you a clear, 5-step action plan to help your students follow directions without having to repeat yourself over and over again.

Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/when-kids-ignore-you

Classroom Management Club Waitlist: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/membershipwaitlist

Subscribe to the Beginning Teacher Talk YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@beginningteachertalk

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/

Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk

Connect with Lori on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drlorifriesen/

Connect with Lori on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beginningteachertalk

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

363. Top Children's Literature Books to Help You Manage Your Elementary Classroom Aug 27, 2025

Show notes

While many of us use books to support lessons or create a calm, engaging moment with our class, did you know there are other powerful ways to use them? Children's literature isn't just about telling stories. It's an effective tool for establishing expectations, modeling behavior, and building a positive classroom culture. In today's episode, I'm sharing five of my favorite children's books that will help you teach classroom expectations, build community, and support your behavior management plan, especially at the beginning of the year.

Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/classroom-management-in-elementary

Classroom Management Club Waitlist: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/membershipwaitlist

Fantastic Books for the First Weeks of School K - 5th Grade: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/first-week-of-school-books

Subscribe to the Beginning Teacher Talk YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@beginningteachertalk

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/

Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk

Connect with Lori on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drlorifriesen/

Connect with Lori on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beginningteachertalk

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

362. When You Experience Fear of Not Being Good Enough Aug 20, 2025

Show notes

As you set up your classroom and wait for students to arrive, a different kind of noise often fills the silence: worry. Teachers carry a lot on their shoulders, and sometimes that worry grows loud enough to drown out everything else, stirring up self-doubt. In today's episode, you'll learn simple, practical strategies to quiet that worry, take away its power, and boost your confidence, both in the classroom and in your everyday life.

Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/teacher-mindset-2

Classroom Management Club Waitlist: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/membershipwaitlist

Subscribe to the Beginning Teacher Talk YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@beginningteachertalk

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/

Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk

Connect with Lori on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drlorifriesen/

Connect with Lori on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beginningteachertalk

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

361. Classroom Management for Specials Teachers Aug 13, 2025

Show notes

Classroom management isn't just a concern for homeroom teachers. Specials teachers face their own unique set of challenges: rotating classes, varying expectations, and limited time to build relationships. But with the right strategies, you can turn that chaos into connection and create a learning environment where students thrive, no matter how short the time you have with them. In today's episode, I'll walk you through several classroom management strategies tailored specifically for specialist teachers, along with practical tools for implementing them.

Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/specials-teachers

Classroom Management Club Waitlist: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/membershipwaitlist

Subscribe to the Beginning Teacher Talk YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@beginningteachertalk

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/

Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk

Connect with Lori on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drlorifriesen/

Connect with Lori on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beginningteachertalk

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

360. 10-Minute Guided Meditation for Teachers: Let Go & Rest Aug 06, 2025

Show notes

With such long and exhausting days, teachers need more opportunities to relax and declutter their minds, and meditation does just that. It's a powerful tool that allows educators to recharge, reduce stress, and regain focus, helping them show up with presence, patience, and purpose, both in and out of the classroom. In today's episode, I've created a 10-minute guided meditation you can listen to at the end of the day, during a break, or whenever you need to reset your mind.

Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/meditation-for-teachers

10-Minute Guided Meditation on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6va4lLTq34&t=315s

Classroom Management Club Waitlist: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/membershipwaitlist

Subscribe to the Beginning Teacher Talk YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@beginningteachertalk

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/

Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk

Connect with Lori on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drlorifriesen/

Connect with Lori on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beginningteachertalk

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

359. Master Your Classroom Management with 2nd Grade Teacher Margaret McLellan Jul 30, 2025

Show notes

One thing I always emphasize is that teachers are lifelong learners. They're constantly evolving, growing, and striving to be their best. Because this mindset plays such an important role in a teacher's success and happiness, I love interviewing educators who truly embody it, and my guest today does just that. Margaret McLellan is a member of the Classroom Management Club and is joining me to share how the Club has impacted her classroom management and how you can find success and support through it as well.

Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/classroom-management-club-2

Free Masterclass - Your 5-Step Classroom Management Reset: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/the-5-step-reset

Subscribe to the Beginning Teacher Talk YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@beginningteachertalk

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/

Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk

Connect with Lori on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drlorifriesen/

Connect with Lori on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beginningteachertalk

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

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