The Balanced Educator Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Master Classroom Organization: Expert Tips for Simplifying Your Teaching Life with Kelly Jackson Jun 10, 2019

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Struggling to stay organized in your classroom? You're not alone!

In this episode, Kelly Jackson from The Simply Organized Teacher shares expert tips on simplifying your classroom setup, from organizing your desk to managing student tasks and files.

Learn how small organizational changes can reduce stress and make your teaching life easier.

5 Life-Changing Personal Development Books Every Teacher & Parent Should Read Jun 03, 2019

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In this episode, we share 5 personal development books that have had a major impact on our lives. These books offer valuable lessons on living with balance, building emotional intelligence, and developing a growth mindset.

Whether you're a teacher, parent, or someone looking to improve their life, these books provide practical tips to help you grow personally and professionally.

Struggling to Get a Good Night’s Sleep? Try These 8 Teacher-Tested Strategies! May 20, 2019

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As teachers, sleepless nights can be all too familiar—especially during stressful seasons. In this episode, we share 8 proven tips to help you fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and wake up refreshed. From guided meditations and bedtime yoga to creating a calming nighttime routine, these strategies are easy to implement and highly effective.

Here’s what we cover:

- How guided meditations and body scans can quiet a racing mind.

- Why a calming Yin Yoga session sets the stage for restful sleep.

- The benefits of lavender and cedarwood essential oils for relaxation.

- Journaling to release worries and shift into gratitude before bed.

- Daily exercise tips for better sleep (without disrupting your cycle).

- The importance of screen-free time and minimizing caffeine intake.

- How to create a bedtime routine that signals your brain it’s time to sleep.

Start experimenting with these tools and discover what works best for you. Teachers, you deserve restful nights and energized mornings!

Finding Balance: Social-Emotional Learning vs. Academics in the Classroom May 13, 2019

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Are you torn between focusing on social-emotional learning or covering the academic curriculum in your classroom? You’re not alone.

In this episode, we dive into the challenges of balancing academics with social-emotional development, sharing insights that every educator can relate to. We know the pressure of trying to "teach it all," but what if the secret to better learning outcomes lies in supporting students' emotional well-being first?

Here’s what we discuss:

- The brain science behind emotions and learning: Why students can’t absorb new material when they’re emotionally dysregulated.

- The deeper purpose of teaching: Is it academics or preparing students for life?

- Reflective journaling prompts to clarify your teaching values and priorities.

- How to align your classroom practices with the lasting impact you want to make on your students' lives.

Plus, we guide you through thought-provoking questions to help you define what you want your students to remember about their time with you.

How to Structure a Mindfulness Practice Into Your School Day May 06, 2019

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In today’s episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we’re diving into the essential steps for starting a mindfulness practice in your classroom. Whether you’re new to mindfulness or looking to build a stronger routine, this episode will guide you through a simple, actionable plan to set your students up for success.

Here’s what we cover in this episode:

- Creating a Daily Routine

We discuss the importance of scheduling mindfulness into your daily routine and why consistency is key to helping students develop emotional regulation and self-control.

- Setting Expectations for Mindfulness Practice

Learn how to set clear expectations with your students for mindfulness practices. We cover how to co-create these expectations as a class to ensure students understand what mindfulness looks like, sounds like, and feels like.

- Using the Right Tools

You don’t have time to search for mindfulness resources – so we’ve created an easy solution! We share our free, bilingual (English & French) 5-minute audio guided mindfulness practices and walk you through how to use them effectively in the classroom.

- Reflection and Discussion

After mindfulness practice, it’s essential to reflect and discuss. We provide tips for engaging students in reflection to help them understand how mindfulness can support them in challenging situations.

By the end of this episode, you’ll have all the tools you need to launch a mindfulness routine that supports your students’ emotional and social growth.

How Long Does Mindfulness Take to Work in the Classroom? Tips for Successful Implementation & Classroom Transformation Apr 29, 2019

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How long does it take for mindfulness to work in the classroom?

Habits take at least 6 weeks to solidify – and that’s for adults! If you’ve started mindfulness practices in your classroom and haven't seen immediate results, don’t worry—STICK WITH IT! It’s normal for students to need time to adapt. Setting clear expectations for behavior during mindfulness practices is key. Start with simple guidelines, like quietly listening to a guided audio, and involve your students in setting the expectations to make them feel more engaged.

Though it may seem like your students aren’t “getting it” at first, be patient. Even if they fidget or whisper, they’re still learning valuable self-regulation skills. With consistent practice, you’ll start noticing amazing changes. Here’s what you might see after a few weeks of mindfulness in your classroom:

- A student walks away from a fight instead of escalating it.

- A student takes a deep breath before tackling a difficult task.

- A student feels more confident in taking risks in the classroom.

As one grade 5 student shared: “It’s easier to learn when I’m not feeling stressed and agitated. Educalme helps me calm down, deal with big emotions, and get through hard things.”

Effective Classroom Transitions & Mindfulness Techniques for Calm Apr 22, 2019

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Effective Classroom Transitions & Mindfulness Techniques for Calm

Struggling with classroom transitions and finding calm?

In today’s episode, we share practical tips to make transitions smoother and strategies to bring mindfulness into your classroom.

Learn how to reduce transitions, simplify routines, and teach your students calming techniques like 5-Finger Breathing.

5 Fun Mindfulness Activities for K-12 Classrooms Apr 01, 2019

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Looking for fun and easy mindfulness activities for your classroom? In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we’re sharing 5 engaging mindfulness exercises to boost your students' focus, calm, and emotional regulation:

- Five Finger Breathing – A simple visual breathing exercise.

- Flower Petal Breathing – A printable exercise to guide deep breathing.

- Mindful Eating – A script to engage your students' senses through mindful eating.

- Mindfulness Scavenger Hunt – A worksheet to explore the environment using the 5 senses.

- A Memory that Brings Me Joy – A guided practice to help students connect with positive memories.

These no-prep activities are perfect for busy educators looking to integrate mindfulness into their classroom.

Mindfulness for K-12 Students: Easy Self-Regulation Strategies & Tools for the Classroom, Part 2 with Nicola Harvey Mar 25, 2019

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Feeling stuck when it comes to practicing mindfulness with your students? In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we’re continuing our conversation with Nicola Harvey, author of Mindful Little Yogis. Nicola, a qualified Special Needs Educator and Children’s Yoga and Mindfulness Practitioner, shares concrete, actionable strategies for building self-regulation in kids.

From mindful movement and yoga to breathing exercises, visualization, and even LEGO-based therapy, Nicola covers a wide range of techniques to help students develop their emotional and physical mind-body connection.

If you’re looking for easy-to-apply mindfulness activities to use right away in your K-12 classroom, this episode is for you!

Mindfulness for K-12 Students: Easy Self-Regulation Strategies & Tools for the Classroom, Part 1 with Nicola Harvey Mar 18, 2019

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Looking for ways to support emotional regulation in the classroom? In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we’re joined by Nicola Harvey, author of Mindful Little Yogis, who shares her expert insights on using mindfulness to help kids self-regulate.

Nicola, an experienced Special Needs Educator, Therapist, and Children’s Yoga and Mindfulness Practitioner, talks about how mindfulness can transform emotional regulation in students. She introduces the S.T.A.R. model and explains how it supports children’s development. We also dive into Dr. Dan Siegel and Dr. Tina Payne Bryson’s “Flipping Your Lid” hand model and how to use it with students to manage big emotions.