Rachel sits down with Lindsey to talk about changing roles, maternity leave, and the many transitions that come with being a teacher.

Lindsey shares her experience switching schools, teaching in a 5th-grade-only school, and what it’s like working in a school with strong resources and support. They also talk about mentoring new teachers and the advice they would give teachers heading into a new school year.

Lindsey opens up about taking maternity leave, returning to the classroom, and adjusting to a new schedule. They discuss the importance of communication, remembering what is and isn’t within your control, and giving yourself time to adjust when things change.

Lindsey's TPT Store

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Instagram: @EngagingEarlyLearners

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Website: EngagingEarlyLearners.com

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Email: [email protected]

When you think about an elementary school counselor, you might picture individual student check-ins or small groups but there is so much more happening behind the scenes. In this episode, Rachel sits down with Jenn, an experienced and incredibly hands-on school counselor, to take us inside the day-to-day role of a counselor in an elementary school.

Jenn shares her journey into school counseling and what her work really looks like, from supporting students with social-emotional needs and behavior to collaborating with teachers and helping staff better understand and respond to their students.

Rachel and Jenn also dive into how schools can better support student mental health, why proactive support matters, and how strong collaboration between counselors and teachers can make a meaningful difference for students.

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Find me on my social media platforms:

Instagram: @EngagingEarlyLearners

Facebook: Engaging Early Learners

Facebook Group: Engaging Early Learners Community

Website: EngagingEarlyLearners.com

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Email: [email protected]

What does a BCBA actually do in an elementary school? In this episode, Rachel sits down with her good friend Courtney, a school-based BCBA, to talk about behavior support, working alongside teachers, and what the role really looks like in a school setting.

Courtney shares what led her to pursue a career beyond teaching, her personal connection to autism, and how she found her way into behavior support. She also breaks down what ABA is, how BCBAs support students and teachers, and some of the common misconceptions about the role.

This conversation is encouraging for teachers, special educators, and anyone who works with students and wants to better understand behavior and how to support students effectively.

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Find me on my social media platforms:

Instagram: @EngagingEarlyLearners

Facebook: Engaging Early Learners

Facebook Group: Engaging Early Learners Community

Website: EngagingEarlyLearners.com

Pinterest: Engaging Early Learners

Email: [email protected]

Occupational therapy plays an important role in helping students build the skills they need to participate and succeed in the school environment. In this conversation, Rachel chats with Marissa about what school-based occupational therapy really looks like, who qualifies for services, and some of the common misconceptions surrounding OT.

Marissa breaks down how occupational therapy supports students with everyday school skills like handwriting, sitting in a chair, grasp, and classroom participation.

This conversation is helpful for parents, educators, and anyone who works with students who want to better understand the purpose of occupational therapy and how these services can support student success.

Your OT Isn't Just Playing Video

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Instagram: @EngagingEarlyLearners

Facebook: Engaging Early Learners

Facebook Group: Engaging Early Learners Community

Website: EngagingEarlyLearners.com

Pinterest: Engaging Early Learners

Email: [email protected]

What does it actually take to teach preschool special education? Rachel sits down with Amy, a preschool special education teacher with 11 years of experience, to talk about the systems, routines, and mindset behind a successful classroom.

They discuss what makes preschool different from other special education settings, how teachers support students with IEPs, and why helping students learn to communicate, interact, and become independent is at the heart of the work.

https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/dds/documents/prise.pdf

In this episode, Rachel sits down with two friends and coworkers, Steph and Sophie, who are 4th grade co-teachers, to talk about the realities of co-teaching. They share what a successful co-teaching partnership actually looks like, from dividing responsibilities and finding a rhythm to navigating challenges and staying flexible. Together, they discuss the misconceptions around co-teaching and why strong communication, collaboration, and trust are what make a partnership work.

Co-teaching takes teamwork, communication, and a willingness to make it work. Steph and Sophie’s partnership is a powerful example of how two teachers can come together to create a stronger experience for both students and educators.

https://engagingearlylearners.com/all-about-co-teaching/

Teaching is one of those careers where it’s easy to pour everything you have into your students and forget to leave anything for yourself. In this episode, Rachel sits down with Lucy to talk honestly about burnout, making difficult career decisions, and what happens when you realize something has to change.

Lucy shares her experience in preschool special education, navigating school changes, and finding a new direction after reaching a point of burnout. Together, Rachel and Lucy talk about the importance of paying attention to the signs that something isn’t working, setting boundaries, and trusting yourself when you know it’s time for a change.

In this episode, Rachel and Lucy discuss:

• Lucy’s journey through special education, school transitions, and finding a career path that felt right again.
• What teacher burnout can look like and why setting boundaries is essential for protecting your passion for teaching.
• How listening to your gut can help you make decisions, embrace change, and move forward with confidence.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, questioned whether teaching is still the right fit, or wondered what comes next, this conversation will remind you that you’re not alone.

Connect with Lucy:

https://www.instagram.com/thealternativewaytoprek?igsh=azhtdHZtY3BwdXQ=

TPT: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/the-alternative-way-to-pre-k

https://thealternativewaytoprek.com/

Instructional assistants play an important role in supporting students and teachers every day, but their perspective is not always talked about. In this Summer Guest Series episode, Rachel talks with Stacey about her experience as an instructional assistant, what her day-to-day work looks like, and the importance of building strong partnerships within the classroom.

This episode offers a closer look at the instructional assistant role and the impact that strong classroom teams can have on students.

Get access to the Free Resource Library

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Find me on my social media platforms:

Instagram: @EngagingEarlyLearners

Facebook: Engaging Early Learners

Facebook Group: Engaging Early Learners Community

Website: EngagingEarlyLearners.com

Pinterest: Engaging Early Learners

Email: [email protected]

Together, they talk about what student teaching prepared her for, what she didn't expect, and the lessons she's learned along the way. It's an honest conversation filled with encouragement, perspective, and advice for both student teachers and the teachers who mentor them.

In this episode, Rachel and Jess discuss:

• What the transition from student teacher to classroom teacher was really like

• The things that prepared Jess well and what she learned through experience

• Advice for student teachers and cooperating teachers

Resources mentioned:

Student Teacher & Cooperating Teacher Advice: https://engagingearlylearners.com/student-teacher-and-cooperating-teacher-advice-tips/

Connect with Jess:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CdWqCSTNmMR/

https://www.instagram.com/p/CdZdaO3pKi7/

Supporting English Language Learners with Mackenzie

In this episode of the Summer Guest Series, Rachel is joined by Mackenzie, an elementary ESL teacher who shares a behind-the-scenes look at her role, classroom routines, and the strategies she uses to support multilingual learners. From building relationships to collaborating with classroom teachers, Mackenzie offers practical ideas that can be implemented right away.

In this episode, Rachel and Mackenzie discuss:

• Why Mackenzie became an ESL teacher and the routines and procedures that help her classroom run smoothly

• The importance of collaboration between ESL and classroom teachers, including the benefits of push-in support

• Favorite resources, tools, and strategies that help English language learners feel successful and supported throughout the school day

Whether you're an ESL teacher, classroom teacher, or school leader, this conversation is packed with practical ideas and encouragement for supporting multilingual learners.

Connect with Mackenzie:

Instagram: @earlyenglishexplorers

Teachers Pay Teachers: Early English Explorers

Resources Mentioned:

• WordReference

• DeepL Translator

• ESL Newcomer Nurse Visit Support Kit