Teacher Approved: Elementary Teacher Tips & Strategies
Heidi and Emily, Elementary School Teacher and Resource Designer
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Heidi and Emily, Elementary School Teacher and Resource Designer
▶ WebplayerDo you ever feel like there’s just not enough time in the day to be the kind of teacher you really want to be? We know that feeling and we’re here to help! Each week on The Teacher Approved podcast, we discuss how to be the teacher you dream of being by elevating what matters and simplifying the rest. Join co-hosts Emily and Heidi of Second Story Window as they share research-based and teacher-approved strategies you can count on to make your teaching more efficient and effective than ever before. Topics include classroom management, routines for the elementary schoo...
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Sep 28, 2026 · 20:31
Once you’ve had a few weeks to get to know your students, it’s the perfect time to take another look at your seating chart. In this replay episode, we’re sharing our best…
Sep 21, 2026 · 25:28
Mondays can feel overwhelming when you’re carrying unfinished tasks and trying to remember EVERYTHING that needs to happen! In this episode, we’re sharing a 5-step weekly reset…
Sep 14, 2026 · 22:46
Transitions can quietly eat up valuable instructional time, especially when students start moving before directions are finished. In this episode, we’re breaking down a simple…
Sep 7, 2026 · 24:16
Your classroom culture is what teaches students how to behave, whether you’re the one doing the teaching or not! In this episode, we’re talking about how to intentionally shape a…
Aug 31, 2026 · 24:43
Hallway procedures might seem like a small part of classroom management, but they can have a much bigger impact on classroom success than you might expect. In this classic replay…
Aug 27, 2026 · 25:57
Rewards might feel like an easy classroom management solution, but are they actually making your life harder? In this Can't Miss Classic, we’re taking a closer look at when…
Aug 24, 2026 · 26:27
By the third week of school, the novelty starts to wear off and classroom expectations can begin to slip. In this episode, we explore how to hold students accountable without…
Aug 20, 2026 · 25:49
The first day of school doesn’t have to leave you completely wiped out! In this replay episode, we’re talking about the “back-to-school sandwich” and the often-overlooked moments…
Aug 17, 2026 · 30:20
As our book Structure and Spark gets ready to go out into the world, we’re looking back at four lessons we wish we had learned much earlier in our teaching careers. In this…
Aug 13, 2026 · 20:42
The first few days of school set the tone for everything that follows, so how can you intentionally build a classroom where students feel safe, seen, and needed? In this…
Aug 10, 2026 · 28:53
Strong teacher student relationships are the foundation of effective classroom management! In this episode, we share practical ways to build trust from the very beginning of the…
Aug 6, 2026 · 23:21
Ever wonder why some classroom procedures seem to run effortlessly while others constantly need reminders? In this replay episode, we're sharing how a few simple guiding…
Aug 3, 2026 · 29:49
Back-to-school exhaustion isn't just about long hours or a heavy workload! In this episode, we explore the surprising reason behind back-to-school fatigue and explain how a lack…
Jul 30, 2026 · 26:35
This week we're replaying one of our favorite back-to-school episodes because it's a reminder every teacher needs: don't just prepare your classroom, prepare yourself. We're…
Jul 27, 2026 · 27:39
We’ve learned the hard way that panic-prepping for back-to-school season isn’t the answer. It can leave teachers feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and still unprepared. In today’s…
Jul 13, 2026 · 31:13
In this special episode, we share a sneak peek at our upcoming Teacher Summer Talks Summit with quick, practical tips from eight expert educators! From writing instruction and…
Jul 9, 2026 · 22:17
Back-to-school prep doesn't have to feel like an endless, overwhelming to-do list! In this replay episode, we're sharing the six areas we believe every teacher needs to have…
Jul 6, 2026 · 26:42
If your back-to-school overwhelm is ramping up, this episode will help calm the stress and tackle those to-do lists. We share a simple framework for prioritizing your endless…
Jul 2, 2026 · 24:20
Summer can cause teachers to either put off school prep and then panic when August arrives, or miss out on a restful summer break because they’re too focused on work. In this…
Jun 29, 2026 · 24:38
Recovery is about more than just rest, so in this episode we’re making the case for adding a little whimsy to your summer. We share how playfulness can help teachers reconnect…
Jun 25, 2026 · 23:53
Are you enjoying your summer lounge time but feel that itch to get ahead for back-to-school? We’re revisiting 20 simple “TV tasks” that teachers can tackle from the comfort of…
Jun 22, 2026 · 26:39
In this episode, we revisit one of our favorite summer philosophies: recovery and readiness. To focus on the ‘readiness’ side of things, we share seven simple tasks that take 10…
Jun 18, 2026 · 26:43
In this episode, we revisit the six back-to-school pressures we’re saying no to this summer: elaborate classroom themes, laminating everything, chasing every social media trend,…
Jun 15, 2026 · 29:35
In this special summer reading episode, we’re sharing some of our favorite recent reads that will inspire you to kick back with a good book on your break. From magical realism to…
Jun 11, 2026 · 27:13
In this replay episode, we’re exploring why boundaries are the secret ingredient to a joyful, restorative summer and a smoother transition back to school. We walk through…
Jun 8, 2026 · 27:36
In this episode, we explore why crashing on the couch isn’t the same as true recovery and share our four-part framework for summer restoration: relax, refresh, refocus, and…
Jun 4, 2026 · 24:59
In this episode, we revisit the 10 emotional stages of summer break for teachers, from the pure joy of the first day of freedom and relaxation, to productivity bursts,…
Jun 1, 2026 · 22:00
The start of summer feels like it should instantly refresh teachers, but too often we find ourselves wondering how to spend our time. In this episode, we share teacher summer…
May 25, 2026 · 29:03
The end of the school year is the perfect time to notice the recurring problems in your work day, and to plan new systems to make next year easier. We’re sharing the “decide…
May 18, 2026 · 22:08
As the school year winds down, it’s important to find meaningful ways to celebrate the year with intention. Drawing on ideas from our Teacher Approved community, we explore…
May 11, 2026 · 22:39
May can be a tough stretch for teachers, with high emotions, routine pushback, and packed calendars. In this episode, we share why the mid-May slump feels so challenging and how…
May 4, 2026 · 22:39
May might feel like the worst time to think about next year, but we’re sharing simple, low-effort ways to get ahead while everything is still fresh. In this episode, we walk…
Apr 27, 2026 · 27:27
Late April energy is real, so we’re sharing how to use group work to channel that energy into structured, meaningful collaboration. We break down a simple framework for assigning…
Apr 20, 2026 · 29:00
Transitions don’t have to feel chaotic. In this episode, we share simple classroom transition strategies to reduce chatter by intentionally designing what happens before, during,…
Apr 13, 2026 · 24:12
In this replay, we’re circling back to some simple, effective classroom movement strategies that boost focus, improve behavior, and make learning stick, all without adding extra…
Apr 6, 2026 · 20:12
We’re taking advantage of April to get a head start on back-to-school prep with five simple, low-stress tasks you can do right now. From creating helpful lists and reflecting on…
Mar 30, 2026 · 27:51
In this episode, we share five low-cost, high-yield preventative classroom management strategies that help stop problems before they start. From greeting students at the door to…
Mar 23, 2026 · 31:13
In this special milestone episode, we’re celebrating 250 episodes and four years of the Teacher Approved podcast. We look back at how the show started, the lessons we’ve learned…
Mar 16, 2026 · 26:00
March is chaotic, but it’s also full of clarity. In this episode, we share five small things you can do right now to make teaching easier and set up a smoother fall, from…
Mar 9, 2026 · 24:58
Spring break is magical until Sunday night, when you realize you have no plan for Monday. In this episode, we share our “soft landing” strategy for the first day back, built…
Mar 2, 2026 · 26:21
March brings higher energy and lower stamina, and suddenly your classroom feels louder, messier, and harder to manage. In this episode, we explain why spring classroom management…
Feb 23, 2026 · 23:08
Test prep doesn’t have to mean packets or pressure. In this episode, we redefine test prep as helping students remember what they’ve already learned through simple, low-stakes…
Feb 16, 2026 · 42:47
In this episode, we’re joined by Lindsey from Fashion Fix to rethink the teacher wardrobe from the ground up. We talk about why traditional fashion advice falls flat for…
Feb 9, 2026 · 24:47
We’ve all had those days when dismissal comes and goes, but somehow we’re still at school hours later. In this episode, we break down why teaching work never really “ends” on its…
Feb 2, 2026 · 24:53
In this episode, we break down why teacher planning time so often gets wasted and what actually helps protect it. We share a simple two-pillar framework focused on guarding your…
Jan 26, 2026 · 30:48
January is tough, but February can be a surprisingly powerful reset if you know how to use it. In this episode, we share why this month often feels draining, how hidden energy…
Jan 12, 2026 · 24:28
Inspiration is fun, but momentum is what really matters! In this episode, we share how to use Teacher Winter Talks to spark change you can carry back into your classroom. We walk…
Jan 5, 2026 · 34:13
January hits differently, and we want this episode to feel like a deep exhale as you head back into the classroom. We’re sharing a sneak peek of Teacher Winter Talks with seven…
Dec 29, 2025 · 22:12
This can’t-miss classic is the cozy January reset teachers love coming back to. We walk you through four simple, low-stress ways to refresh your routines, tighten up procedures,…
Dec 22, 2025 · 27:01
We’re bringing back a can’t-miss Teacher Approved classic episode to help you ease back into school with intention and clarity. In this replay of our January Reset Reflection, we…
Dec 15, 2025 · 20:08
Looking for a smoother January? In this episode, we share our three favorite strategies for a classroom reset before winter break so you can return feeling calm, prepared, and…
Dec 8, 2025 · 26:28
Ready to make January feel like a gentle start instead of a cold plunge? In this episode, we’re sharing our January launch plan, designed so you can get prepped for the new term…
Dec 1, 2025 · 24:56
December has officially arrived, and we’re sharing the December classroom behavior strategies that help keep things calm when student energy is sky-high. In this episode, we walk…
Nov 24, 2025 · 20:23
December in the classroom brings joy and chaos in equal measure, and in this episode we share a smarter way to navigate it with your sanity intact. We walk you through choosing…
Nov 17, 2025 · 23:16
Feeling stuck in that mid-November limbo? This episode kicks off our Smooth December Series so that you can head into January feeling calm and confident. We break down four core…
Nov 10, 2025 · 24:33
November can feel gray and sluggish in the classroom. This episode shares five simple classroom energy boosters to re-energize both you and your students. We walk through the…
Nov 3, 2025 · 25:47
If the school year’s starting to feel a little messy and your routines aren’t hitting like they used to, this episode is your cue to pause for a mid-year classroom reset! We’re…
Oct 27, 2025 · 30:54
This episode is a little bit of a Frankenstein...in the best way possible. Between Halloween chaos and a behind-the-scenes project you’ll hear hints about, we’re revisiting one…
Oct 20, 2025 · 27:26
Halloween in the classroom can feel like wrangling a troop of caffeinated squirrels, but it doesn’t have to be chaos! In this episode, we share our top Halloween classroom…
Oct 13, 2025 · 24:14
There’s nothing quite like that moment when you stand outside your classroom after being out. Will you walk into calm or chaos? In this episode, we’re sharing six simple…
Oct 6, 2025 · 23:26
You’ve just wrapped up an engaging lesson, given clear directions, and most of your class is happily working…except for that one student who just will not pick up a pencil. We…
Sep 29, 2025 · 24:08
Do you feel like you’re stuck in back-to-school survival mode while the rest of the year flies by? You’re not alone! In this episode, we’re talking about an October Reset for…
Sep 22, 2025 · 23:06
The back-to-school honeymoon is over, and if your once angelic class is now fidgety and distracted, don’t panic. You haven’t lost your classroom magic! In this episode, we break…
Sep 15, 2025 · 25:33
Ever planned the perfect lesson only to watch students’ focus vanish? In this episode, we dive into building learning stamina, including why it matters, how to teach it, and 5…
Sep 8, 2025 · 24:42
Wouldn't it be nice if your classroom could run like clockwork, with students knowing exactly what to do without constant reminders? In this episode, we’re showing you how to…
Sep 4, 2025 · 9:25
This week’s can’t-miss classic is all about one of our favorite simple tools every teacher needs: a nonverbal behavior signal. Disruptions are going to happen, but instead of…
Sep 1, 2025 · 26:52
Are you constantly swinging between being the “fun teacher” and the “strict teacher”, all before lunchtime? In this episode, we’re tackling one of the trickiest balancing acts in…
Aug 28, 2025 · 17:23
If you want to kick off the school year with a classroom full of joy, connection, and just a little magic, this can’t-miss classic is for you! We’re revisiting one of our…
Aug 25, 2025 · 23:01
By October, some classrooms feel like a true team while others still feel like a group of strangers. In this episode, we’re sharing our five-phase approach to classroom community…
Aug 21, 2025 · 15:33
The first day of school doesn’t have to leave you frazzled and running on fumes! In this can’t-miss classic, we’re sharing our simple plug-and-play framework to help you plan a…
Aug 18, 2025 · 24:13
We want you to think of your back-to-school experience as a sandwich (stick with us here!). That first day with students is the flavorful filling, but the real secret to a…
Aug 14, 2025 · 20:13
The first day of school can feel like a whirlwind, so in this can't-miss classic episode, we’re walking you through our three first-day “truths” to help you feel grounded and…
Aug 11, 2025 · 22:56
Just like a football coach scripts the first few plays of a game, you can script the first 20 minutes of your classroom, and in this episode, we’re walking you through exactly…
Aug 7, 2025 · 19:43
If your brain is spinning with classroom setup and first week plans, this can’t-miss classic is the perfect episode to bring some calm to the chaos. In it, we walk you through…
Aug 4, 2025 · 26:26
Back-to-school season is here, and that means it’s time to tackle one of the most nerve-wracking events of the year: open house! In this episode, we’re sharing a strategic,…
Jul 31, 2025 · 18:35
We’re bringing back a listener favorite that’s just as relevant now as when we first aired it! In this classic episode, we’re diving into the why behind your first week of school…
Jul 28, 2025 · 19:33
Your first 3 days of school activities do so much more than check boxes. They set the tone for the entire year! In this episode, we’re talking about how to use those first few…
Jul 24, 2025 · 18:41
We're bringing you a summer replay that's all about decision fatigue - that overwhelming feeling when your brain is running on empty from making 1,500 decisions before lunch. In…
Jul 21, 2025 · 25:11
The most important back-to-school prep no one talks about isn't about classroom decorations - it's about preparing YOU. In this episode, we reveal the three critical areas that…
Jul 17, 2025 · 11:06
This summer, we're sharing our can't-miss classic episodes, and this week's gem is all about that pivotal moment every teacher experiences: receiving your class list. We dive…
Jul 14, 2025 · 19:33
Think you can’t start classroom prep without a class list? Think again! In this episode, we’re sharing low-effort, couch-friendly tasks you can tackle right now to ease into…
Jul 10, 2025 · 20:56
Ready to break free from the pressure of the never-ending summer to-do list? This can't-miss classic episode is one of our most requested for a reason. Whether you're soaking up…
Jul 7, 2025 · 23:19
Feeling that familiar tug of guilt during summer break? In this episode, we’re sharing a simple, six-step system for back to school teacher prep that helps you feel calm,…
Jul 3, 2025 · 13:25
In this can’t-miss classic episode, we’re sharing one simple mindset shift that can make a huge difference in how your school year begins: give your future self a gift. We're…
Jun 30, 2025 · 25:31
Feeling that back to school teacher stress creeping in? You’re not alone, and in this episode, we’re calling out six common traps that add unnecessary pressure at the start of…
Jun 19, 2025 · 18:15
This can't-miss classic episode of Teacher Approved is all about the 10 stages of teacher summer break—yes, there are stages! From that first glorious day of freedom to the…
Jun 16, 2025 · 22:11
Feeling the pressure to get ahead on your back-to-school teacher prep tasks, but also craving a restful summer? In this episode, we’re sharing 20 simple “TV tasks” you can do…
Jun 12, 2025 · 17:50
We can't believe it's the 200th episode of Teacher Approved! We're celebrating this major milestone by revisiting five of our all-time favorite Teacher Approved tips. We combed…
Jun 9, 2025 · 25:27
Feeling torn between resting and being productive over summer break? In this episode, we’re diving into the power of teacher summer boundaries...the key to enjoying your time off…
Jun 5, 2025 · 19:06
Feeling totally worn out as the school year wraps up? You're not alone, and in this "Can't Miss Classic" episode, we’re diving into why this moment of transition is the perfect…
Jun 2, 2025 · 24:48
We don’t know who needs to hear this, but rest is not a reward you have to earn! In this episode, we’re talking all about teacher recovery in summer, why it’s essential, not…
May 26, 2025 · 21:09
Summer break is calling, but are you ready to truly disconnect? In this episode, we share our 3-step May/June crossover plan. Think of it as the ultimate end of year teacher…
May 19, 2025 · 19:23
The end of the school year often flies by in a blur of countdowns, celebrations, and chaos—but without a little intention, you and your students might miss out on something…
May 12, 2025 · 22:15
Ever wish you could head into summer already feeling ahead for next school year? We’re sharing five simple but powerful ways to tackle teacher back to school prep before the…
May 5, 2025 · 21:03
May might feel like survival mode, but it’s actually the perfect time to start planning for the year ahead. In this episode, we share five reasons why teacher end-of-year…
Apr 28, 2025 · 22:47
Recess drama got you down? In this episode, we’re sharing four teacher-approved fixes to common playground problems, so you can stop dreading recess duty and start feeling…
Apr 21, 2025 · 23:10
Do you have a class full of wiggle worms? It might be time to rethink how you're using movement in the classroom! We’re sharing five easy and effective ways to add movement to…
Apr 14, 2025 · 19:40
April might seem early to prep for next school year, but it’s actually the perfect time to take on some manageable tasks that’ll make back-to-school season way less overwhelming.…
Apr 7, 2025 · 21:16
Looking for fun, low-prep end of year activities after testing that will keep your students engaged and excited? In this episode, we’re sharing our five favorite ideas that will…
Mar 31, 2025 · 22:35
The end of the school year is in sight, but the final stretch can feel beyond overwhelming. In this episode, we’re sharing three essential steps to help you wrap up the year…
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