Next Chapter for Teachers Podcast
Whether it's classroom management or teacher burnout, this podcast has you covered. Being a teacher isn't what it used to be. The need to meet students' educational and social-emotional needs can easily overshadow your own personal needs as a person outside of the classroom, so much so that quitting teaching may feel like the only option for a healthy life. The Next Chapter for Teachers Podcast, hosted by Dr. Erin Sponaugle, covers topics in education relevant to teachers that address the stressful issues that can cloud the joy of what teaching is meant to be, while offering helpful strategies to streamline teaching and address conflicts that arise in the classroom. Topics covered are teacher burnout, classroom management, trends in instruction and assessment, and self-care. Erin Sponaugle is a teacher, author, and speaker with the experience and insight to provide practical advice to other educators. Subscribe to this podcast to get ideas and inspiration for teaching in uncertain times. For more information on turning the page to the future of the teaching profession, visit www.erinsponaugle.com.
Episodes
62 episodes
62. Work Smarter, Not Harder: Tips for Overwhelmed Teachers, an Interview with Ashleigh Smith of Rainbow Sky Creations
As the school year comes to an end in the United States, many of us are already thinking about what the next school year will bring. At some point, even if it's in August, you will be gearing up for back-to-school and the extra energy it will r...
61. From "Gotcha" to Growth: Rethinking Teacher Observations, an interview with Craig Randall
When most teachers hear the word ‘observation,’ it doesn’t exactly bring a sense of excitement or growth. It brings pressure and performance, and for many teachers, the feeling of being judged rather than supported.But what if obser...
60. Ways Teachers Can Manage Being Overstimulated By the Classroom
Do you feel like you have too many tabs open right now as a teacher? Stressed out and overwhelmed from the noise, stuff accumulating in your classroom, and hearing your students say your name on repeat? It's easy to become overstimulated as a t...
59. How to Deal with Feeling Unappreciated as a Teacher
Have you ever felt unappreciated as a teacher or discouraged by the current classroom conditions and expectations? Teaching can often feel like a thankless job, and many are leaving the classroom because the hours and demands of teaching h...
58. "My Class Is Driving Me Crazy!" How to Survive the End of the School Year
As the end of the school year approaches, student behavior can become more challenging, and the quality of work may decline. If this is making you stressed out and questioning your effectiveness as a teacher, don't lose hope. In this episode, w...
57. Teachers Speaking Up: How to Use Your Voice to Lead from the Classroom
Do you feel like you don't have a voice as a teacher to share your perspective or initiate change? Ever wonder if speaking up will have consequences or will be pointless because you're "just a teacher?" If there is anything I have learned this ...
56. The Non-Negotiables: How to Honor What You Won't Tolerate as a Teacher
Do you know what your non-negotiables are as a teacher? Also known as a deal breaker or a hard pass, these are the things that you know you are not willing to accept as part of your teaching environment. Knowing what your non-negotiables are ca...
55. Spring Break and the Pressure to be Productive
If you've ever felt like you just have to keep on checking things off your to-do list right through Spring Break, this episode is for you. Whether your spring break is an entire week or just a few days, teachers look forward to a break from the...
54. Absent Teachers: Talk About Taking Time Off
Have you ever felt a sick day coming on (ah-choo!), but powered through it because you felt you needed to cover material with your class? Ever felt guilty for taking a mental health day while your students are left with a substitute? Taking tim...
53. How to Quit Teaching Without Leaving Education: An Interview with Lily Jones, Founder of Educator Forever
Have you been thinking about what else you can do with your education degree besides teaching in the traditional classroom? Do you know in your heart you're ready to quit teaching, but you'd like to still stay in education? These thoughts and n...
52. Advice for Changing Grade Levels or Teaching Positions
What do you do when you want to change grade levels for the next school year? Is it a good idea to switch teaching positions if you're feeling burned out and want to try something new? You may be considering moving to a new grade level, c...
51. When Students Misuse or Destroy Classroom Supplies: What to Do
When students don't use classroom materials correctly (or with care), it becomes harder to teach. Getting your class to "play nice" with the supplies you have in your room (many that you have bought with your own money) can feel like a game you...
50. Student Back Talk: How to Deal with Disrespectful Behavior in the Classroom
When students back-talk the teacher or engage in other disrespectful behavior that disrupts the classroom, it can leave you feeling even more overwhelmed and exhausted, especially as student behavior issues increase right before Spring Break. W...
49. Creativity as Care: How Teachers Can Reset, Regulate, and Reclaim Their Energy - An Interview with Tim Bogatz from the Art of Education
Do you have time to be creative as a teacher? You may be more creative than you think! In this interview with Tim Bogatz, host of Art of Ed Radio, we discuss how teachers are creative every day and how
48. Students Who Don't Do Their Work: What to Do
You need your students to complete their work and submit assignments so you can grade them. But how are you supposed to assess their progress when...they don't turn in their work? In this episode, you'll learn what matters most about grading an...
47. Understanding and Responding to Neurodivergent Student Needs - An Interview with Dr. Jessica Werner
Our classrooms are diverse learning environments with many types of learners. How do we meet the needs of our neurodivergent students in an ever-changing classroom landscape
46. BONUS: Why You Shouldn't Feel Guilty About Teacher Burnout (Enjoy Teaching Again Interview)
The winter months of teaching can leave us questioning our purpose and feeling exceptionally drained by classroom demands. It's easy as a teacher to let guilt creep in when the weight of expectations and overwhelm leads us to the brink of burno...
45. Teaching Strategies for Cooperative Learning in the Classroom
Getting students to work together through group work and collaborative learning experiences can add a lot of engagement and joy to your classroom environment. However, that doesn't mean you won't have to clear some hurdles regarding behavior, n...
44. How To Help Students Feel Safe in Troubling Times
There's a lot going on in the world that is making our most vulnerable students fear for their safety. They see things on the news, on social media, or even down the street where they live (maybe even at their front door) that are scary and vio...
43. Teaching Grammar in the Age of AI: An Interview with Patty McGee
It's no secret that artificial intelligence (AI) has changed how we can access information and perform tasks. While you may find the benefits and risks of using AI debatable, its ability to make the completion of work more efficient, for better...
42. Tips to Get Students (and Teachers) Back in a Routine After Winter Break
Going back to school after a winter break and getting back into a routine isn't easy for teachers or students. The second semester is a chance to make changes and to start fresh for the second half of the school year. Listen to this episode to ...
41. How I Manage Panic Attacks and Anxiety as a Teacher
One of the greatest challenges of my teaching career and personal life has been learning to manage my panic attacks and anxiety. Teaching is an anxiety-inducing profession, and unchecked stress from the classroom can contribute to teacher burno...
40. Help for When Colleagues Are Upset You Say No and Set Teacher Boundaries
Not everyone is going to be thrilled when you start setting boundaries as a teacher, even if your goal is to avoid burnout. Colleagues may feel hurt or disappointed that you don't take on the extra tasks you have in the past, or that you are pr...
39. Finding Joy and Teaching Creatively with a Scripted Curriculum - An Interview with Elizabeth Peterson
Scripted curricula and strict adherence to teaching standards can threaten to destroy your love for teaching. How can teachers combat the loss of teacher autonomy and freedom to be creative in their lesson planning when they're handed a ...
38. Childless Teacher: How to Avoid Burnout When You Have No Kids of Your Own
Sometimes, when you're a childless teacher, you're more prone to burnout. When you don't have kids of your own to go home to at the end of the day, it can be easy to take on more classroom and school responsibilities to fill the void. If you ha...
