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 becoming harsh, using three practical strategies: reteaching procedures, giving clear directions and expecting follow-through, and helping students take ownership of their behavior. The goal is to stay steady, reinforce what matters, and create a classroom where students know they can count on consistent expectations!

Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/classroom-expectations/

Resources:

• Order our book: Structure and Spark
• Trays
• Teacher Approved: Calming Piano Spotify playlist
• Join The Teacher Approved Club
• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow
• Shop our teacher-approved resources
• Join our Teacher Approved Facebook group
• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts!
• Leave a comment or rating on Spotify

Related Episodes to Enjoy:

• Episode 48. How to Make Classroom Transitions Simple With Clear Beginnings and Endings
• Episode 49. Rapid Classroom Transitions: How to Save 45 Hours a Year
• Episode 50. 3 Guidelines to Make Classroom Transitions Work Smarter Not Harder
• Episode 98. 5 Reasons Your Attention Signal Isn’t Working and How to Improve It

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 before and after students arrive. We’re sharing practical ways to prepare emotionally, handle the logistical details, and plan for recovery so you can protect your energy and head into day two feeling a little more grounded. Plus, we’ve got a fun way to celebrate surviving that first day with your teacher friends!

Prefer to read? Grab the original episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/first-day-of-school-tips/

Resources:

• Freebie: Cheers and Chat Invitation
• Guided Discovery of School Tools
• Back to School Readiness Checklists
• The Spellshop, by Sarah Beth Durst
• Join the Teacher Approved Club!
• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.
• Shop our teacher-approved resources.
• Join our Facebook group, Teacher Approved
• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
• Leave a comment or rating on Spotify.

Related Episodes to Enjoy:

• Episode 144, How to Plug-and-Play Your First Day of School Plans
• Episode 145, Our Best Tools for First-Day Planning
• Episode 146, Never Pick Up Another Stray Crayon: Why We Love Guided Discovery
• Episode 211, The 3 Questions Every Student Needs Answered in the First 3 Days of School
• Episode 213, 6 Simple Goals to Make Open House or Back-to-School Night a Success
• Episode 215, Here’s EXACTLY What to Do in the First 20 Minutes on the First Day of School

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 episode, we unpack the ideas that changed the way we approached teaching, from building the right systems and staying on the student’s side to protecting time outside of school. We learned the hard way that the real goal isn’t to become perfect teachers, it’s to be responsive ones!

Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/teacher-advice/

Resources:

• Last chance to preorder our book Structure and Spark!
• Color Stack Challenge Game
• Yarn Fever! Game
• Join The Teacher Approved Club
• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow
• Shop our teacher-approved resources
• Join our Teacher Approved Facebook group
• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts!
• Leave a comment or rating on Spotify

Related Episodes to Enjoy:

• Episode 153. How Teachers Can Thrive During the Back-to-School Season – Our Best Strategies
• Episode 114. Elementary Teacher Questions Answered Part 1
• Episode 81. 20 Teacher Approved Back to School Tips From Listeners!
• Episode 120. Supporting New Teachers with Ashleigh from Rainbow Skies for New Teachers

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 can’t-miss classic episode, we’re sharing practical ways to answer those three questions from day one through clear procedures, meaningful connection, and opportunities for every student to contribute. We’ll walk you through our approach to the first three days, plus share ideas for classroom jobs that actually matter and help students feel like they belong!

Prefer to read? Grab the original episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/first-3-days-of-school-activities/

Resources:

• Pre-order our book: Structure and Spark
• First Day of School Lesson Plan Guide
• Tell, Try, Tally, Talk Google Slides
• DeleteMe
• Our Favorite Back to School Books: First Day Jitters, When You Go to Dragon School, A Letter From Your Teacher on the First Day of School
• Join the Teacher Approved Club!
• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.
• Shop our teacher-approved resources.
• Join our Facebook group, Teacher Approved
• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
• Leave a comment or rating on Spotify.

Related Episodes to Enjoy:

• Episode 75, Classroom Procedures and Expectations: How They Differ and How to Teach Them
• Episode 205, Use This One-Hour Teacher Trick to Start the School Year Calm and Ready
• Episode 207, No Class List? No Problem – Here’s What to Prep While You Wait
• Episode 209, The Most Important Back-to-School Prep No One Talks About

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 school year and explain why cooperation is more powerful than compliance. You'll walk away with simple strategies to build a positive classroom community that supports learning all year long!

Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/teacher-student-relationships

Resources:

• Preorder our book Structure and Spark (and get bonuses!)
• The First Six Weeks of School book
• The Art of Gathering
• First Day Wish Gift
• Join The Teacher Approved Club
• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow
• Shop our teacher-approved resources
• Join our Teacher Approved Facebook group
• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts!
• Leave a comment or rating on Spotify

Related Episodes to Enjoy:

• Episode 251. 5 Classroom Management Tricks That Do the Work for You
• Episode 177. Help Your Class Kick Bad Habits with These 5 Classroom Management Questions
• Episode 158. Back-to-School Classroom Management: Are You Working Smarter or Harder?
• Episode 143. The Easiest Back to School Tip
• Episode 154. 5 Steps for Classroom Procedure Success

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 questions can help you plan classroom procedures that actually work...for both you and your students! We'll walk you through 10 benefits of thinking through your routines ahead of time, from preventing common classroom challenges to creating more efficient systems that make the entire school year run more smoothly!

Prefer to read? Grab the original episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/planning-classroom-procedures/

Resources:

• Classroom Procedures and Routines Planning Guide and Checklist
• Sun Shade Umbrella for Car
• Pre-order our book: Structure and Spark
• Join the Teacher Approved Club!
• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.
• Shop our teacher-approved resources.
• Join our Facebook group, Teacher Approved
• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
• Leave a comment or rating on Spotify.

Related Episodes to Enjoy:

• Episode 149, Go Time: 10 Things to Do After You Get Your Class List
• Episode 146, Never Pick up Another Stray Crayon: Why We Love Guided Discovery
• Episode 134, The 10 Stages of Teacher Summer Break
• Episode 89, Hallway Behavior Management: 4 Essential Plans for Improving Hallway Classroom Management
• Episode 75, Classroom Procedures and Expectations: How they Differ and How to Teach Them
• Episode 18, Procedures for Success!

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 of automaticity creates extra mental strain. We also share practical systems that help you build external structure, reduce decision fatigue, and free up more of your energy to focus on connecting with your students during those critical first weeks of school.

Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/back-to-school-teacher-exhaustion/

Resources:

• Preorder our book Structure and Spark (and get bonuses!)
• The Smallest of Joys by Diane Shiffer
• When Gavin Met Stacey by James Corden and Ruth Jones
• Travel tissues
• Mildliners
• Tell Try Tally Talk Slides
• Procedures & Routines Planning Guide and Checklist
• Join The Teacher Approved Club
• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow
• Shop our teacher-approved resources
• Join our Teacher Approved Facebook group
• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts!
• Leave a comment or rating on Spotify

Related Episodes to Enjoy:

• Episode 77. 3 Reasons Why a First Day of School Script Will Save Your Sanity
• Episode 144. How to Plug-And-Play Your First Day of School Plans
• Episode 215. Here’s EXACTLY What to Do in the First 20 Minutes on the First Day of School
• Episode 143. The Easiest Back to School Tip
• Episode 270. The Smart Way to Tackle Your Back to School To-Do List
• Episode 154. 5 Steps for Classroom Procedure Success

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 sharing simple, practical ways to create a softer landing into the school year by setting up your home life, supporting your teaching self, and planning for rest and recovery before the first day even begins. If back-to-school is starting to feel overwhelming, this conversation will help you protect your energy, care for your future self, and head into the new school year with more calm and confidence!

Prefer to read? Grab the original episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/the-most-important-back-to-school-prep-no-one-talks-about/

Resources:

• Procedures and Routines Planning Guide and Checklists
• Back to School Readiness Checklists
• LMNT – get a FREE sample pack with your purchase!
• Tamed Wild door hinge magnets
• Preorder our book: Structure and Spark
• Join The Teacher Approved Club
• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow
• Shop our teacher-approved resources
• Join our Teacher Approved Facebook group
• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts!
• Leave a comment or rating on Spotify

Related Episodes:

• Episode 199, Time, Tech, & Tasks: The 3 Boundaries That Save Teacher Summers
• Episode 201, 20 Easy Back-to-School Teacher Tasks You Can Totally Do From the Couch
• Episode 203, 6 Teacher Traps We’re Saying No to This Back-to-School Season
• Episode 205, Use This One-Hour Teacher Trick to Start the School Year Calm and Ready
• Episode 207, No Class List? No Problem – Here’s What to Prep While You Wait

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 episode, we introduce our simple three-step Overwhelm Buster to help you take back control! Join us as we talk through practical ways to calm your nervous system, prioritize the tasks that matter most, and create a realistic plan so you can start the school year feeling calmer, more confident, and ready for your students.

Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/back-to-school-teacher-stress-2/

Resources:

• Grandma Gatewood’s Walk by Ben Montgomery
• Piles card game
• Preorder our book: Structure and Spark
• Join The Teacher Approved Club
• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow
• Shop our teacher-approved resources
• Join our Teacher Approved Facebook group
• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts!
• Leave a comment or rating on Spotify

Related Episodes to Enjoy:

• Episode 143. The Easiest Back to School Tip
• Episode 270. The Smart Way to Tackle Your Back to School To-Do List
• Episode 194. Want a Smoother Back to School? Do These 5 Things Now
• Episode 154. 5 Steps for Classroom Procedure Success
• Episode 201. 20 Easy Back-To-School Teacher Tasks You Can Totally Do from the Couch

🎧 This episode is part of Teacher Summer Talks! Click here for fun.

We’re sharing it for free on our Teacher Approved podcast feed for 48 hours only! Be sure to grab your free ticket so you don’t miss all the other summit happenings.

And don’t forget you can upgrade to the Max Pass to get ongoing access to all sessions in a private podcast feed, a PD certificate for 10 hours, plus other resources and bonuses, worth over $700 in total. Grab your Max Pass here.

About the Session:

Links:

• Preorder our book Structure and Spark, releasing August 18th!

Come join all the fun in the Teacher Summer Talks Camp Lodge.

🎤 Teacher Summer Talks is hosted by Heidi and Emily and sponsored by Teacher Approved Club and Second Story Window.