Shaping Little Minds

Nervous system regulation has become a hot topic but it's also something I've focused on for myself and with clients. Today, you'll 4 ways to help you regulate your nervous as a busy full-time teacher.

3 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Regulating your nervous system brings you back to state of homeostasis where you're able to handle what's being thrown at you.
• Regulating your nervous system is taking care of your body; making sure you get enough sleep, you bring movement into your daily routine, etc.
• It's important to create time for this so that you don't feel like you're always functioning dysregulated.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Spring Fling
• Everything ECE Summit
• EC Empowerment Conference in Rhode Island
• Passion to Profit (book your free call)

MORE FROM ADVA:

• Follow Adva on Instagram @coachforteachers
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As I was writing the outline for this episode, I googled: "what do you teachers need to hear right now?" 

I wanted to show up here with intention. I know that this time of year can be really tough for teachers. Between parent-teacher conferences, spring break coming up, and the end of the school year being around the corner, this is a time where teachers can feel burnt  out and anxious. So today, I'm here to remind you of 5 things that you may need to hear in this season. 

3 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Setting boundaries isn't mean or selfish.
• You are enough. You are worthy. And that is innate.
• Struggle is a part of the process and it's okay to ask for help.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• How to Monetize a Personal Brand as a Teacher in 2026 (Private Podcast)
• EC Empowerment Conference in Rhode Island

MORE FROM ADVA:

• Follow Adva on Instagram @coachforteachers
• Follow Adva on LinkedIn

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When you change your mind, you can change your life. That honestly sound cliche but it's true. At the start of the school year, I was showing up burnt out and overwhelmed. I thought the only way to make things better for myself was by quitting teaching. Sounds familiar, right?

Maybe that's the answer for some, but it wasn't the answer for me. I had to make the decision to do things differently. I had to take that messy action.

3 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Your mind is a powerful tool that can actually help you get out of feeling "stuck" or feeling like your life is stagnant. 
• As teachers, we have decision fatigue after a day at work BUT knowing what that action step is toward change will force you to start taking action.
• Your subconscious mind learns through repetition, not logic. You get to tell it who you are until it believes it to be true.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Secret Series Waitlist

MORE FROM ADVA:

• Follow Adva on Instagram @coachforteachers
• Follow Adva on LinkedIn

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My coach recently reflected something back to me that is unbelievably true -- Teachers are comfortable with burnout. 

You are comfortable with burnout because it's become normalized. You're comfortable with burnout because it's all you've ever known. You're comfortable with burnout because you believe that it's just a part of teaching. 

I'm going to challenge you to change that in this episode.

3 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Burning yourself out will only get you so far before you have to re-evaluate.
• The first step to stopping burnout in its tracks is deeply knowing that burnout isn't normal and you are the only one who can change your circumstances.
• You get to create the change, if you want to.

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• Follow Adva on Instagram @coachforteachers
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Mentorship is one of my favorite topics to talk about and it’s something I have spoken about in length. I’ve even given presentations on the topic. 

We’ve got a special guest today talking to us about mentorships and the gaps that have been discovered over the years. Kerry Drake is the founder of KD Talks, a Canadian-based professional development company dedicated to empowering early childhood educators through mentorship, workshops, and practical strategies for growth.

With a passion for helping others discover their voice, cultivate a sense of belonging, and lead with impact, Kerry blends warmth, enthusiasm, and real-world experience to inspire meaningful professional development and lasting change.

Please help me welcome Kerry to the podcast!

3 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Mentors need to be trained in order to be able to take mentees under their wing without feeling like it's draining them
• It's okay for mentors to FAIL their mentees
• Not everyone is meant to be a mentor and not everyone is meant to be mentored/coached

CONNECT WITH KERRY:

• Website: https://www.kdtalks.ca
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kdtalks0

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• Follow Adva on Instagram @coachforteachers
• Follow Adva on LinkedIn

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If you're a teacher who is sick of living paycheck to paycheck but really don't want to go and get that 2nd or 3rd job, this episode is for you! 

I have been coaching teachers to help them start side hustles inside of my signature program, Passion to Profit. I walk my clients through a 3 step process that helps them to not only come up with their side hustle idea and offer but also attract their first 1-3 clients. 

• Clarity & Mindset Reset
• Know Your People
• Offer Made, Money Made

3 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• It's never too late to start something that creates opportunity for you rather than always feeling like opportunities pass you by.
• Market research is a HUGE part of having the ability to start a side hustle that makes a profit.
• Starting a side hustle doesn't always feel like work. It can be creative and fun for teachers.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Passion to Profit: A Side Hustle Blueprint for Teachers

MORE FROM ADVA:

• Follow Adva on Instagram @coachforteachers
• Follow Adva on LinkedIn

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If you've dreamt of building community in your classroom, but it feels impossible or overwhelming... you're in the right place. In today's episode, I had an incredible guest who guides and mentors teachers in the classroom and helps them build community. 

Donna is a full time tenure teacher at Vanier College. She has been teaching mentoring and supporting educators for more than 25 years. She is the founder of the Infinite Educator. A child care consulting firm that provides mentoring and customized workshops to support educators best practices. 

3 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• A classroom community isn't one where you have all the control. It's one where you give your students a voice too.
• It's important to set the foundation for a classroom community from the very beginning of the school year.
• You can create community, even with a more difficult class. 

CONNECT WITH DONNA:

• Instagram: @the_infinite_educator
• LinkedIn
• Email: [email protected]

MORE FROM ADVA:

• Follow Adva on Instagram @coachforteachers
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We forget to bring JOY into our classrooms, especially when we feel that sense of overwhelm and stress. This is just as much a reminder for me as it is for you. It's something I've struggled with and wanted to bring to the podcast.

3 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• We tend to forget was fun and joy is when things get busy because we start to think of fun as irresponsible and unprofessional.
• When you bring fun into your classroom you end up engaging students, creating classroom culture, and improves your energy and patience
• You become a better teacher when you also bring fun into your life outside of the classroom

PODCAST SPONSOR:

• ECE Podcast Academy

MORE FROM ADVA:

• Follow Adva on Instagram @coachforteachers
• Follow Adva on LinkedIn

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If you've ever wanted to make a difference beyond your classroom walls, this is the perfect episode for you to dive into. 

Today, I had my incredible friend Carla Ward on the podcast to talk to you about building influence beyond the classroom; specifically by starting your very own podcast. Carla is the creator and host of The Everything ECE Podcast, a top-rated show that’s become a go-to resource for early childhood professionals across the globe. With almost 200 episodes, she has built a loyal audience by diving into topics that matter most in ECE—from classroom environments and play-based learning to leadership and innovation in the profession.

3 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Your story is unique because it comes from your experiences. It may sound similar to others you've heard, but what makes it unique is YOU and your experiences.
• To start a podcast doesn't have to be a super expensive venture. You can record episodes on your phone or on your computer. Nothing needs to be fancy at the beginning.
• When you don't start a podcast, you can miss out on incredible opportunities from building influence beyond the classroom.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Podcast Masterclass
• ECE Podcast Academy

PODCAST SPONSOR:

• ECE Podcast Academy

MORE FROM ADVA:

• Follow Adva on Instagram @coachforteachers
• Follow Adva on LinkedIn

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I had the pleasure of having Dr. Sheila Bishop on the podcast to talk about how to think about and use money differently. Dr. Sheila is a public health scientist and creator of Piggy Bank Pathways, a financial literacy program that helps teachers and families raise money - smart kids. She blends research, real life experience, and joyful storytelling to make financial education simple, practical, and fun for the classroom.

3 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Teachers are way more likely to become millionaires than doctors or lawyers
• You don't always have to be on a budget to feel financially secure
• Teachers can ALWAYS take advantage of teacher discounts (it's a great way to save money!)

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Magic Number Worksheet (Freebie from Dr. Darla)
• Connect with Darla

PODCAST SPONSOR:

• ECE Podcast Academy

MORE FROM ADVA:

• Follow Adva on Instagram @coachforteachers
• Follow Adva on LinkedIn

Support the show