Feeling drained and wondering if you can keep going? In our first "Teacher Talk" episode, Linda and Ashly respond to a veteran teacher who is running on empty. Join us as we unpack what's really behind this kind of burnout and share simple, practical steps to break the cycle. "I'm exhausted and I'm not sure what to do about it. I'm in my 24th year of teaching. I teach reasonable lessons, but I've always had trouble getting grading done. In the past year, the time I have usually spent on Saturdays planning and grading has greatly decreased due to family concerns. My concentration is shot. I stay up late trying to work, but it doesn't happen and then I lose sleep. The next day, I'm more tired and the same thing happens. Anyone ever been through this? Any ideas?"

00:00 Navigating Teacher Exhaustion 02:59 Strategies for Effective Grading 05:49 Embracing Grace and Realism in Teaching

Resources/Links Mentioned:

Full Plate Training: teach4theheart.com/plate

Episode 48: https://teach4theheart.com/simple-way-grade-writing-quickly/

Episode 340: https://teach4theheart.com/8-best-grading-tips/

LEARN MORE at http://teach4theheart.com/367

We all look forward to that much-needed break, but what happens when we come back expecting to feel magically refreshed, only to be met with opposite? In this episode, Linda and Julie discuss common mistakes teachers make after a break and how to avoid them. We talk about practical tips to help you reestablish order, refocus yourself and students, and ease the transition back into the classroom with confidence.

00:00 Returning to School: Mistakes to Avoid 03:08 The Importance of Change After Break 05:56 Managing the First Week Back 09:39 Revisiting Classroom Procedures 12:30 Building Relationships with Students 15:16 Seeking God's Guidance in Teaching

Resources/Links Mentioned:

Classroom Management 101: https://teach4theheart.com/cm101

Reclaim Your Time: https://teach4theheart.com/reclaim

Hope Renewed: https://teach4theheart.com/hope

CM 101: https://teach4theheart.com/cm101

LEARN MORE at http://teach4theheart.com/366

When we face conflict as a teacher, we can easily get bogged down and discouraged. That's when we must speak truth to our own hearts, renewing our minds in the Gospel. Join us as we walk through eight key truths that will reorient our thinking and allow us to serve with joy, even amidst conflict.

00:00 Navigating Conflict with Grace 23:30 Resources for Encouragement and Support

Resources/Links Mentioned:

Text Thread: Text T4TH to 1-833-258-5442

Hope Renewed: https://teach4theheart.com/hope

Teach 4 the Heart +: https://teach4theheart.com/plus

LEARN MORE and GET YOUR FREE CLASSROOM JOBS LIST at http://teach4theheart.com/365

Do you want your students to take ownership and stay engaged all year long? Are you looking for a classroom economy system that truly works—one that ties together jobs, rewards, and consequences in a meaningful way? Listen as Linda speaks with Jonathan about how he uses a classroom economy to engage students, teach real-world skills, and simplify classroom management. You'll hear practical strategies, examples from his classroom, and tips you can use right away to help your students take responsibility and stay motivated all year long.

00:00 Introduction to Classroom Economy 02:54 The Importance of Student Responsibility 05:44 Implementing a Ticket Economy 10:07 Job Assignments and Responsibilities 12:54 Job Applications and Interviews 15:51 Pay Structure and Auction System 18:55 Prizes and Rewards 21:51 Accountability and Consequences 24:45 Final Thoughts and Advice

Resources/Links Mentioned:

http://teach4theheart.com/plus

LEARN MORE at http://teach4theheart.com/364

It's one thing to talk about biblical integration and Christian worldview standards—it's another to make them practical in everyday instruction. Listen in as Linda and Amanda unpack practical strategies for biblical integration, showing you how to bring a Christian worldview to life in your classroom. Learn simple, effective ways to weave biblical truth into lessons without feeling forced, so that students can see God's truth in every subject and in all of life.

00:00 Introduction to Biblical Integration in Education 02:12 Understanding the Importance of Biblical Integration 06:32 Living Out Biblical Integration: Actions Speak Louder 08:52 Practical Approaches to Biblical Integration 12:46 Framework for Integrating Scripture into Subjects 21:47 Final Thoughts and Recommendations for Teachers

If you liked this episode, check out Episode 349 Biblical Integration Standards at https://teach4theheart.com/349

LEARN MORE at http://teach4theheart.com/363

Struggling to keep your art, music, Spanish, or PE class running smoothly? What works in a traditional classroom may not always translate to specials or elective classes. Listen in as Linda and a team member unpack proven classroom management strategies every specials teacher needs to create order, build relationships, and keep learning on track.

00:00 Introduction to Classroom Management for Specials Teachers 03:36 Understanding the Unique Challenges of Specials Classes 06:29 The Importance of Structure and Procedures 09:25 Effective Classroom Management Strategies 12:40 Dealing with Misbehavior in Specials Classes 16:23 Building Relationships with Students 19:24 Final Thoughts and Encouragement for Specials Teachers

Resources/Links Mentioned:

Classroom Procedures That Will Save Your Sanity: https://teach4theheart.com/procedures

Classroom Management 101: https://teach4theheart.com/cm101

LEARN MORE at http://teach4theheart.com/362

What if the key to a thriving school culture isn't control, but servant leadership? In this episode, we explore how the servant leadership model provides the relational and even spiritual groundwork needed to create high-capacity schools where both staff and students can flourish. Listen in as Linda sits down with Matthew Flippen from Gracelyn University to unpack how servant leadership reshapes the way we think about influence, trust, and community in education.

00:00 Introduction to Servant Leadership in Education 01:04 Building Trust and Relationships 03:52 Transformational Leadership Stories 11:10 Creating a Shared Vision 16:01 Empowering Teachers and Future Leaders 18:27 Gracelyn University and Teacher Training

Resources/Links Mentioned:

Win With Your Talent Pipeline: Ensuring All Children Have Incredible Teachers : https://www.amazon.com/Win-Your-Talent-Pipeline-Incredible-ebook/dp/B0FS9KFGPQ

Transformational Educators Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@TransformationalEducators

Gracelyn University: https://www.Gracelyn.edu

LEARN MORE at http://teach4theheart.com/361

Children and teens face a tremendous amount of pressure from peers and culture to find their identity in their activities, feelings, or performance. This modern way of looking at identity can be challenging to navigate for teachers and parents who grew up with a traditional view of identity rooted in predetermined roles. Jonathan Holmes explores the five core areas of identity struggles most common to teens: sports, academics, moralism, sexual orientation, and gender confusion. He then provides practical ways to help children and teenagers find their identity in something that never never changes—God's grace.

0:00 Intro to Student Identity 2:00 Helping Students Find Their Identity 23:20 Linda's Final Thoughts

Resources/Links Mentioned:

Rise Up Summit: riseupchristianeducators.com

Grounded in Grace: Helping Kids Build Their Identity in Christ: https://www.amazon.com/Grounded-Grace-Helping-Identity-Christ/dp/1645074641

Fieldstone Counseling: https://fieldstonecounseling.org/

LEARN MORE at http://teach4theheart.com/360

Does the Bible give us guidance on how to navigate anger? Listen in to this clip from a provocative session from the 2024 Summit with Brant Hansen, a nationally syndicated radio personality and the bestselling author of the counterintuitive and entertaining book, Unoffendable. Brant shares a life-changing approach to handling conflict and gives us practical advice on how to be "unoffendable" in a world that seems to thrive on outrage.

00:00 Linda's Introduction and Summit Invitation 02:38 Our Relationship with Anger 14:49 Linda's Final Thoughts

Resources/Links Mentioned:

Rise Up Summit: https://riseupchristianeducators.com/#SignUp

LEARN MORE at http://teach4theheart.com/359

When admin won't back your classroom management plan, it can be isolating and frustrating. It's tough to stay consistent and confident when you feel unsupported. Listen in as we walk through practical strategies you can use to keep your class running smoothly, even without administrative support—so you can lead with confidence and protect a positive learning environment.

00:00 Navigating Unsupportive Admin 02:08 Disagreeing with Your Admin 04:00 Continue Dialogue Through Your Disagreement 12:31 Authority in Education 20:56 Partnership Mindset

Resources/Links Mentioned:

Classroom Management 101: https://teach4theheart.com/cm101

Teach 4 the Heart Plus: https://teach4theheart.com/plus