Teaching to the TOP

Latest Episodes:

059. Google Calendar: The What, Why, & How for Teachers Feb 11, 2021

Show notes

Technology is becoming more and more prevalent in our everyday lives. We use technology to communicate, to log information, to entertain, and to keep track of essential dates and times. While there may be a number of applications that can help you in maintaining a healthy work-life balance, we have found a few essential tools that will change how you plan your day.

In this episode we want to start a mini-series. We will take one digital tool to dive deeper into understanding the benefits, uses and how-to application for mastering your time, organization and productivity.

The first digital tool that we recommend is Google Calendar. This is a free tool that is connected to your Google account and can be accessed from multiple devices. This tool will organize your time sensitive dates and establish reminders, keep notes, and share calendars with others to collaborate. You can even ( a TOP favorite) color code your calendars to organize your day-to-day events.

In this episode we share:

Share the differences and benefits of using a digital calendar to a physical paper calendar
Understand the benefits of a digital calendar to makes changes on important events
Discuss how color coding can help with assigning specific events to an area in your life
How sharing calendars offers an essential collaboration tool
Discuss the variations for customizing your Google Calendar
Give you step-by-step to creating and starting with your first calendar event

LINKS:

Google Calendar

Signing up for a Google account

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Until next time… be timely, stay organized, and be productive… buh-bye… see ya!

058. 3 Things COVID Taught Us Feb 04, 2021

Show notes

Times have been tougher and for some the last year has been the toughest of their life. With families pulled apart and isolation that has affected us mentally and emotionally, COVID has changed us. Even to this day, while we are gaining our strength to get past the hardship, we are STILL being affected by this terrible illness.

But, even when we go through terrible times there are still so many lessons that we can learn. We want to share the lessons that COVID has taught us. It is through these lessons that we are able to move on. However, we will never forget but instead take what we have learned to make us stronger.

In this episode we share:

The importance of being still without feeling the need to do more
The importance of taken in our surroundings and appreciating the small moments
Feeling grateful for normalcy
Being creative with few resources
Spending time with family and friends
We are not just teachers, we are individuals
The value that technology brings to education

Be sure to visit www.teachingonthedouble.com to stay up to date on new releases and upcoming events.

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!

057. How to ONLY Work Contract Hours as a Teacher Jan 28, 2021

Show notes

Are you ready to learn how to ONLY work your contract hours as a teacher!? This episode has been a long awaited one and we are so excited to share it with you.

We also have a freebie that goes along with this episode. You can sign up and download your 30 Days to ONLY Working Contract Hours guide right here. Follow this guide and you will be one step closer to working the hours you have been wanting to achieve.

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We started just like so many other teachers, working countless hours and taking work home on the evenings and weekends. After years of trying to find a way to work ONLY contract hours we have done it! We have found the exact strategies and tools that can help you and that have also worked for us for the past year.

In this episode we share:

Our journey on working only contract hours
The importance of finding a greater purpose
How minimizing the amount of items you have can focus you and your time
The value of dedicating your planning time to specific tasks
Honing in on your own personal teaching style
Collaborating with your team to work smarter, not harder
Batching your work to get more done in less time

Check out Episode #008: Get More Done Using One Simple Trick to learn more about how you can use batching to do more in less time.

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Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!

056. How To Do More With Less Jan 21, 2021

Show notes

Have you been on a purging kick as much as we have? If not, we want to tell WHY you should jump on this train with us and give you some starting points on where to start.

We have all either been, or seen a teacher who carries their “life” with them. You all know what we mean, the dreaded “teacher” bags that have every resource you need. It’s that bag that you end up packing up at the end of the day but never doing anything with it.

So why get away from having so much stuff? Compare your bags to the idea of stress or weight that you are carrying, metaphorically. This is stress that you are taking with you back and forth from home and school. You are not able to escape it and therefore you have a constant reminder of the tasks you feel as though you should be doing instead of unwinding after a long day.

The good news is that operating with less stuff is possible and in fact it allows you to be more creative and even DO MORE. Yup, we said it. You can do more with less!

In this episode we share:

Why it’s important to minimize in order to feel less stressed.
How to begin minimizing what you are using.
How less items can help build the separation from home and work.
What more “stuff” is teaching our students.
How more stuff is affecting our mental health.

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Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!

055. Top 5 Organizational Tools You Need to be Using This Year! Jan 14, 2021

Show notes

One of the best parts of starting a new year is getting new supplies to help with our productivity. Well, it is no secret that we LOVE digital tools to help with productivity. Not only do you never have to worry about losing your things but you can have it everywhere you go without the bulk and weight of carrying physical items.

We’ve narrowed down our TOP 5 favorite digital tools for you all in this episode. We share what the tool is, how we use it and how it can benefit you and your productivity. Now, keep in mind that we have been using these tools for several years. Start small and choose one tool to start with. As you become proficient and comfortable with using that tool then you can expand and begin including new tools.

Make it a goal to use all 5 tools in 6 months and we know you will see a difference in your productivity and the weight of your bag!

In this episode we share:

Our Digital Planner!
Google Calendar
Notes App
Google Drive
Email Folders - No link but can be accessed on any email service provider

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Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!

054. What To Do When Your Motivation Runs Out Jan 07, 2021

Show notes

HAPPY NEW YEAR TOP TEACHERS!

It is a new year and that means new resolutions (for some). We’ve chatted all about what we think about New Year’s Resolutions and what you can be doing instead on our very first podcast--Episode 001: How to Create New Habits for a Successful School Year.

The hardest part that we have learned is sticking to a habit. Your motivation runs out and you find it difficult to keep up with the routine.

In this episode we are chatting all about what to do when your motivation begins to run dry.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR MOTIVATION RUNS DRY

2020 is the year of dying motivation. We’ve felt unmotivated in both our school and personal lives. The reality, and while we may not want to admit it to ourselves, is that much of what we have been experiencing in 2020 is continuing into 2021.

Typically after the holidays we are ready to go back and get into the emotions of work, but this year, motivation is scarce. So how do we find it?

Honestly, we have to stop relying on motivation and start depending on our discipline to get us through our everyday tasks. Motivation comes and goes and is dependent on your mood, circumstances and personality whereas discipline will allow you to complete tasks because you recognize that it is your responsibility. Discipline builds habits.

In this episode we get deep and dirty; here are some of the highlights:

How people struggle with motivation
Where does your motivation drop off during a task: procrastinator, bouncer, deserter
The differences between discipline and motivation
Remember your why and your greater purpose
Discipline will act as a bridge between your goals and accomplishments

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Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!

053. Celebrating One Year of TOP TEACHING! Dec 31, 2020

Show notes

We are celebrating ONE YEAR of our Podcast! In this episode we reflect on the adventure of starting a podcast and sustaining it over COVID.

We share our successes and challenges, and even discuss what it has been like working with one another.

Thank you to all of our listeners for supporting us in this journey. We could not have done this without all of you!

SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW

Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!

052. Join Our Family On Christmas Day! Dec 25, 2020

Show notes

Happy Holidays TOP Teachers!

We are bringing you into our family traditions this Christmas Eve. We hope that despite the changes this year, you are safe and taking time to relax this holiday season.

Listen in as Michelle and Bridget give you a glimpse into their traditions. Wishing you and your family all the best!

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Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!

051. Last Minute Teacher Gift Ideas Dec 17, 2020

Show notes

It always seems that this time of the year flies by! Before you know it, it is the end of the year and you still have gifts to buy before your kids go on break. If you are listening to this and you are a teacher then you know the amazing array of gifts we can receive each year. From clothing items to an excess of coffee mugs we want to share what teachers would actually like for the holidays. In this episode we are sharing our favorite last minute gift ideas.

But before we jump into the gift ideas please know that while almost all of the items we are going to mention are things you have to purchase, not all gifts have to be bought. Consider what you are able and willing to give to your child’s teacher or teachers in your building.

LAST MINUTE TEACHER GIFT IDEAS:

Thoughtful card from students or letter of appreciation
Bath and Body works soap dispenser wrapped in a clear bag and filled with candies
The Starbucks disposable coffee cup filled with candy and a gift card attached
Target or Amazon gift cards are always appreciated!
Sanitizers & Lotion combo
Collection of the teacher’s favorite snacks (maybe throw in a code for a Redbox movie)
Their favorite school supplies (cardstock, laminating sleeves, markers, etc.)
Donate your time (offer to cut, laminate, etc.)
Customized vinyl name left unused so that the teacher can apply to an item of his/her choice (if you don’t have one, see if a friend can make it for you)
Something from their wishlist - such as Amazon (ask the teacher if they have one)

Remember, this is a time of year to show your love and appreciation to those around you. We hope these ideas have helped make this holiday season a little less stressful.

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Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!

050. 12 Days of TOP TEACHING Dec 10, 2020

Show notes

We LOVE a good countdown to Christmas whether it's an advent calendar, wearing our favorite holiday attire, or watching our favorite holiday movies! But this year, we have something EXTRA special planned!

To help us cross some items off our to-do list while enjoying the festivities of the holidays, we have created 12 Days of TOP Teaching! For the next 12 days, we will be getting gifts ready, baking our favorite cookies, and more! What could be better than that?

Here is a rundown of the days:

Day 1 (Sunday, December 13th): Get gifts ready for people that are part of your teaching life

Day 2 (Monday, December 14): Treat yourself to a new pair of holiday jammies

Day 3 (Tuesday, December 15th): Plan your first day back from winter break

Day 4 (Wednesday, December 16th): Do something nice for someone else

Day 5 (Thursday, December 17th): Clean your classroom or digital workspace

Day 6 (Friday, December 18th): Complete your favorite holiday craft

Day 7 (Saturday, December 19th): Get a box to collect gifts that need to be taken back to your classroom

Day 8 (Sunday, December 20th): Drive around your community and look at all the lights

Day 9 (Monday, December 21st): Get caught up on your grading

Day 10 (Tuesday, December 22nd): Bake your favorite holiday treat

Day 11 (Wednesday, December 23rd): Write thank you notes for any gifts you received from families

Day 12 (Thursday, December 24th): Watch your favorite holiday movie while enjoying your favorite holiday snack and drink

Plus, if you post about completing one of the 12 Days of TOP Teaching on Instagram and tag us, you will be automatically entered into a giveaway of one of our EXCLUSIVE TOP Teaching crewneck sweatshirts! Each post you make is a new entry so make sure you participate (and share) all 12 days for your best chance of winning!

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