Teaching to the TOP

Latest Episodes:

019. A Week in the Life of a Teacher - Pre-COVID 19 May 07, 2020

Show notes

While we may not be in the classroom right now, there is something very motivating and inspiring about listening to others get through a work week.

Join Michelle Ferré in a week of teaching before COVID-19, and listen as she works to accomplish her goals and get things done. Michelle will share her tips and strategies that work for her as she gets through teaching, running a business, and completing grad school.

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Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

018. 5 Mistakes That Make Your Classroom Look and Feel Cluttered Apr 30, 2020

Show notes

Every teacher dreams of what their classrooms would look like. The thought of bringing your likes and splashes of personality to your room excites you as you begin looking for jobs. But this joy of having your own class quickly dims as the reality of the work, papers, clutter, and organization begin taking over.

You realize, very quickly in fact, that those twenty-three bodies take up way more space than you originally thought, and don’t get us started on all the school supplies and learning materials!

The reality of it all combined with the quick pace of the day makes you forget about the original vision you had and instead see what your classroom may really be, cluttered.

5 MISTAKES THAT MAKE YOUR CLASSROOM LOOK AND FEEL CLUTTERED

[2:44] Mistake #1: Having Containers That Lack Functionality

[9:18] Mistake #2: Having Classroom Themes or Color Schemes that are NOT Cohesive

[14:30] Mistake #3: Having Mix Matched Labels

[19:06] Mistake #4: Displaying Trinkets and Decorations that DON’T Serve a Purpose

[24:10] Mistake #5: Filling Every Space

Our classrooms are like our second homes. We spend a lot of time in our classrooms and we want them to feel calm and inviting to guests and students. Hopefully by sharing some of the mistakes that we have made in the past, you will have the opportunity to avoid or begin transitioning your classroom into feeling less cluttered and more organized!

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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!

BONUS: Michelle's Week in a Life COVID-19 Apr 28, 2020

Show notes

Teachers all around the world are working to establish a new "normal" routine as schools are being shut down and teachers are asked to give instruction from home.

Join Michelle as she invites you to see how she navigates being a teacher during the COVID-19 shut down. You will hear how she works to schedule her day, accomplishes her goals and has to make adjustments because things just happen.

This is a week-in-the-life of a teacher at home.

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!Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

017. 4 BIG Organizational Decisions We Wish We Had Made Sooner Apr 23, 2020

Show notes

The older that we get, the more we wish would have started certain things sooner. Like putting on that under eye cream to help prevent wrinkles or saving for retirement sooner. Just like in our everyday lives, we even have things we wish would have made sooner as teachers.

We are sharing the 4 BIG organizational decisions that we wish we would have made sooner. Hopefully by us sharing these decisions, you might have an earlier start than we did or maybe even reconsider what you have been doing for years and finally make the switch!

4 BIG ORGANIZATIONAL DECISIONS

[3:42] Organizational Decision #1: Containers

[10:10] Organizational Decision #2: Anchor Charts

[16:34] Organizational Decision #3: Going Digital

[23:46] Organizational Decision #4: Logging Materials

CONCLUSION

There will always be those decisions that we wish we would have made sooner. The important piece is that we don’t dwell on the past but instead look to the future and begin making those changes. Hopefully, sharing our decisions will help to shed some light on how you can improve what you are already doing or you’ve gotten a little bit of inspiration on something you never thought about doing before.

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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!

016. Simple Decluttering Hacks for Your Classroom Apr 16, 2020

Show notes

We all love hacks that have a way to make your life a little bit easier. We have enough going on in our lives that finding simple ways to minimize friction is key. Gadgets are one way to create simple hacks to make life easier but no matter how fancy your gadget is, having hacks to help you with organization is essential.

Today, we want to share some simple decluttering hacks that have worked wonders in getting us organized and more importantly, staying organized!

SIMPLE DECLUTTERING HACKS

[3:51] Decluttering Hack #1: Set a timer for 5-10 minutes and work through decluttering one area.

[6:08] Decluttering Hack #2: Create a list of things you want to declutter during the month and make it a challenge

[7:22] Decluttering Hack #3: Focus on one area at a time

[8:07] Decluttering Hack #4: Use a bucket to gather things that need to be decluttered.

[9:34] Decluttering Hack #5: Use your students to help

[13:06] Decluttering Hack #6: Create a space for everything

CONCLUSION

[15:00] All of these hacks will give you the results you need, but we have to give a little tough love and say that if you do not have an organizational system, things will get messy! You have to have a system in play in order to maintain the chaos that can be our lives.

Check out episode #015: 5 Easy Steps to Clean and Organize Your Classroom to help you with the decluttering process.

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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!

BONUS: Bridget's Week in a Life COVID-19 Apr 14, 2020

Show notes

Teachers all around the world are working to establish a new "normal" routine as schools are being shut down and teachers are asked to give instruction from home.

Join Bridget as she invites you to see how she navigates being a teacher during the COVID-19 shut down, a mom to two boys at home and a wife to a work-from-home husband.

You will hear how she works to schedule her day, accomplishes her goals and has to make adjustments because things just happen.

This is a week-in-the-life of a teacher at home.

015. 5 Easy Steps to Clean and Organize Your Classroom Apr 09, 2020

Show notes

We can probably all identify the areas in our classrooms that could use a little TLC, but actually doing the action steps to getting it all done, without losing your sanity, is a whole other story. In our previous episode, we talked about the essentials areas in your classroom where you may want to give a little TLC in order for you to feel organized and refreshed.

In this chat, we are sharing the actionable steps on how to follow through with the actual organizing we previously shared!

***Also note, that these steps that we are sharing will work for any area in your life! We encourage you that as we share this during the COVID-19 shutdown you can find areas in your home where you can give a little TLC.

Many of you have heard of Marie Kondo. She took the nation by storm with her systems for finding the joy in the objects around you, or maybe you’ve heard of Clean Sweep, the hit tv series where a team of experts help homeowners transform their homes from a disaster to functional. We LOVE these two methods and have decided to make our own little method by combining the two and calling it…. The Kondo Sweep!

Now let’s dive into The Kondo Sweep steps to organizing your space.

STEP #1: Gather it

STEP #2: Sort it

STEP #3: Organize it

STEP #4: Store it

STEP #5: Label it

Click HERE to download the FREE 5 Easy Steps to Clean and Organize Your Classroom!

CONCLUSION

While the process of cleaning and organizing the materials in your classroom may seem like a treacherous task, when you have clearly defined steps, you can easily schedule what you are going to complete on specific days to reduce the overwhelm and make the task more manageable.

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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!

014. Classroom Spring Cleaning MUST DOS Apr 02, 2020

Show notes

Winter is on its way out and that means that it is time to start spring cleaning! It never fails that when this time of the year comes around you start to feel the itch. You know, the feeling where you need to clean absolutely EVERYTHING in sight.

However, if you are someone that starts to feel very overwhelmed by the thought of having to start cleaning and organizing your classroom, we’ve got you covered.

We are sharing our TOP must do when cleaning your classroom. Keep in mind that if this is a daunting task, recruit help from friends, family, or even coworkers by exchanging a I help you, if you help me deal.

CLASSROOM SPRING CLEANING MUST DOs

[3:53] MUST DO #1: Teacher supplies

[9:57] MUST DO #2: Paper filing system

[14:09] MUST DO #3: Manipulatives

[16:24] MUST DO #4: Teacher bag

[18:12] MUST DO #5: Digital files

Spring cleaning, while refreshing, can be very overwhelming, but remember that you need to go easy on yourself. These tasks do not need to be completed in a day! Choose one area and work on it over the span of a week or a few days. The important thing is to make it fit you and your lifestyle, but you MUST hold yourself accountable and get it done!

Click HERE to download the FREE Classroom Spring Cleaning Checklist!

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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!

013. Our Biggest Regret After Years in the Classroom Mar 26, 2020

Show notes

Have you ever reflected on your past and thought, I regret doing that as a kid, or I regret not going out more and being with my friends? Chances are there is probably something out there that resonances with you in this fashion. There is a quote that reads, There are no regrets in life, just lessons.

This cannot be more true for everyone. Our lives no matter how imperfect they belong to us. It is what has molded us to the person we are today. Instead of dwelling on your regrets in life, think of them as life lessons that will help to guide your future.

We cannot change the past, but we have every bit of power to change the future.

OUR BIGGEST REGRETS AND THE LESSONS LEARNED

[5:26] Spending large amounts of time and money

[ 7:45] Creating Resources and Materials

[12:16] Keeping up with the Jones’

[17:16] Staying late to get things done

[20:32] What do we wish we had done?

CONCLUSION

We will always make decisions in our lives and careers that will not fit our goals. What is important to remember is that we cannot dwell on the past and the decisions that have already been made. It is better to see those decisions as life lessons and begin making a change that will continue to make our future brighter.

Don't forget to download the FREEBIE: 7 Ways to Jumpstart Your Teacher Productivity

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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!

012. How to Feel Motivated When You Are Tired Mar 19, 2020

Show notes

We pack our bags at the end of a school day with full intentions of grading the quizzes from math class that day, reading the novel that you just started with your group, or cutting out the circles that you need for tomorrow’s craft in science.

You take the treacherous walk to your car carrying your backpack, lunchbox, purse and now a bag filled with things to do. You drive up to your home and you suddenly feel this overwhelming feeling of tiredness. You still have so much to do, but instead of taking the actionable items out of your teacher bag you flop on your couch and turn Netflix on. It is so much easier to avoid the things we have because let’s face it, it’s not like you’ve been working all day *note the sarcasm. However, not getting the tasks done in our bags only leaves us stressed out and overwhelmed.

[3:23] TIPS TO FEEL MOTIVATED WHEN YOU ARE TIRED

[4:01] TIP #1: Reflect on your WHY

[6:44] TIP #2: Write the things you need to do down

[10:33] TIP #3: Start with one small thing

[12:38] TIP #4: Reduce distractions and change your scenery

[15:29] TIP #5: Surround yourself with things you enjoy

[19:01] TIP #6: Set a timer and work for that set amount of time

[22:12] TIP #7: Take short breaks

[24:23] TIP #8: Plan a reward for yourself

[28:01] TIP #9: Get active

[29:55] TIP #10: And if all else fails, take a power nap

CONCLUSION

Motivation can be difficult to find, but hopefully one or more of these tips help to inspire you to try and build the willpower to accomplishing that pesky tasks on your to-do list. Even if you are feeling completely defeated, try and find something that inspires you. Remember, we have all been there at one point in our lives; just know that there is a brighter side to the end of the rainbow.

Don't forget to download the FREEBIE: 7 Ways to Jumpstart Your Teacher Productivity

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!

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