Keeping students engaged isn’t about being the most entertaining person in the room—it’s about knowing how to layer your engagement strategies so they work with your classroom management, not against it.

In this episode, I’m breaking down the three key layers of engagement that help kids stay focused, reduce disruptions, and create a classroom environment where real learning happens. These layers are simple to implement but powerful when combined—and they’ll give you more control without burning yourself out.

Plus, I’ll share how these strategies connect to my new ebook, The Level Up! Classroom Management System, which gives you a step-by-step system to build routines, manage behaviors, and stay calm and consistent all year long.

Level Up! Classroom Management System, designed to help you lead with clarity, calm, and confidence

Tired of classroom management plans that just don’t work? In this episode, we uncover why most classroom management plans fail.

If you’ve been listening to this podcast for a while, you know I’m all about helping teachers feel more confident and less stressed in the classroom.

 I took my best strategies, the ones I use every single day, and put them in my new ebook, Level Up! The Elementary Teacher's Guide to Effective Classroom Management. Click this link to get your copy — and yes, it’s ready for you today."

Level Up! Classroom Management System, designed to help you lead with clarity, calm, and confidence.

In this special episode, I’m excited to share an interview I did with the Black Educators Matter podcast! We had a real and honest conversation about my journey as an educator, the importance of representation, and what it takes to keep going in this profession.

Some of the topics we covered:

1. Why representation in education is critical for our students and communities
2. Lessons I've learned over the years as a Black educator
3. How I stay grounded and motivated through the challenges
4. Advice for new and veteran teachers navigating this work

I’m so grateful to Black Educators Matter for creating space to share these stories. I hope this conversation encourages you, whether you're in the classroom or supporting education in other ways.

Be sure to check out and support Black Educators Matter and the amazing work they are doing!

If you enjoy this episode, don't forget to subscribe, rate, and share with a fellow educator!

Want to simplify your learning centers without sacrificing student engagement? In this episode of The Teachers Impact Podcast, I’m joined by Zeba from Kindergarten Café, a seasoned educator and early childhood expert. Zeba shares practical, time-saving strategies for managing learning centers, keeping students accountable, and creating a smooth classroom routine. Whether you're a new teacher or looking to refresh your centers, you'll walk away with actionable tips you can implement tomorrow!

What you’ll learn:

1. How to set up and organize learning centers
2. Ways to promote student independence and engagement
3. Tips for managing centers without added stress
4. Common center mistakes and how to avoid them
5. How to incorporate technology and social emotional learning

Show your support for the podcast:

1. Ready to master your craft? Get the:  Ultimate Guide to Mastering your Craft as a Teacher

2. Follow us on Instagram or Threads: @teachersimpactpodcast

3. Want to improve your classroom management? 

Classroom Management Toolkit

3. Visit the website

In this episode, we're exploring the book-Assertive Discipline. You'll learn how to establish clear expectations, enforce rules consistently and build trust and respect with your students. We'll also talk about some practical strategies for managing behavior, incorporating positive reinforcement and working with parents. Whether you're a new teacher or a seasoned educator, this episode will give you actionable tools to transform your classroom into a calm, focused space for learning.  

Show your support for the podcast:

1. Ready to master your craft? Get the:  Ultimate Guide to Mastering your Craft as a Teacher

2. Follow us on Instagram or Threads: @teachersimpactpodcast

3. Want to improve your classroom management? 

Classroom Management Toolkit

3. Visit the website

Learning about teaching in a classroom and actually teaching in a real classroom are two totally different things. If you're a new teacher these are the truths that are not in textbooks or taught in college classrooms. If you're a midcareer or veteran teacher these truths will resonate with you and hopefully give some quick tips and strategies to help you navigate these challenges in your teaching.  

I know that these truths will resonate with so don't forget to share, rate and subscribe. Share the love!

Show your support for the podcast:

1.  Signing up for our newsletter/Classroom Management Letter Template at https://teachersimpact.net

2. Ready to master your craft? Get the:  Ultimate Guide to Mastering your Craft as a Teacher

3. Follow us on Instagram or Threads: @teachersimpactpodcast

You've been hearing the word differentiated instruction for some time or maybe even a long time for my veteran teachers. It seems so complicated and out of reach when you have over 20 students in one classroom. But, my friend, I'm here to tell that differentiated instruction does not have to be complicated.  

In fact, with a few simple basics you can begin to differentiate instruction for those 20 or more kids in your classroom with this 3 part series. If you're a new teacher then you'll get a good foundation on how to begin differentiated instruction. For my mid-career and veteran teachers this will be a great refresher and some new tips that you can take back to your classrooms. Tune in to hear more about  differentiated instruction made simple.

Show your support for the podcast:

1.  Signing up for our newsletter/Classroom Management Letter Template at https://teachersimpact.net

2. Ready to master your craft? Get the:  Ultimate Guide to Mastering your Craft as a Teacher

3. Follow us on Instagram or Threads: @teachersimpactpodcast

On this bonus episode, you're in a for a treat. This is a podcast swap episode where Benita takes over the podcast to talk about the future of education. I know you will enjoy this, so put those earbuds and press play!

In this episode, Benita G explores the future of education, emphasizing the need to move beyond traditional models and adapt to the rapidly changing landscape of workforce development and technology. She discusses the importance of personalized learning, the evolving roles of educators and parents, and the necessity of collaboration to prepare students for jobs that don't yet exist. The conversation highlights the impact of technology on education and the urgent need to address the digital divide to ensure equitable access to learning opportunities.

Are you tired of feeling overwhelmed by disruptive students? You're one second away from walking out the door then this episode is for you. It can be one of the most frustrating thing to deal with a disruptive student during teaching but there are ways to stop the disruptive behavior so you can experience flow with your teaching. Listen to the episode to find out the different ways you can lessen disruptive student behavior in your classroom and go back to the work of teaching so that your kiddos are learning.

Show your support for the podcast:  

1. Signing up for our newsletter/Classroom Management Letter Template at https://teachersimpact.net

2. Ready to master your craft? Get the:  Ultimate Guide to Mastering your Craft as a Teacher

3.  Follow us on Instagram or Threads: @teachersimpactpodcast

In honor of this year coming to an end and a new beginning, let's take a look back at some of the most popular episodes of the podcast. I've compiled the episodes that have resonated with you the most, if you've been a longtime fan. If you're new to the podcast, listening to these episodes will give a great start to learn what the podcast is all about! The episodes are linked below, and I know you will enjoy them!

1. Differentiated Instruction Made Easy

2. Lessons Learned After Almost 2 Years Podcasting 

3. Part 2- 22 Lessons in 2022 

4. 5 Things I'm Embarassed to Tell You- An Elementary Teacher's Confession

5. Why Culturally Relevant Teaching is Important

6. 5 Must Dos for Great Classroom Managment

7. Backstage Pass: How I'm Coping this school year

8. What You Need to Know about Teacher Learning  

9. How to Bring More Joy to your Teaching 

10. The #1 Secret to More Parental Involvement 

Ready to master your craft? Get the:  Ultimate Guide to Mastering your Craft as a Teacher