📌 Struggling with lesson planning?

Feeling overwhelmed by scripted curricula and limited prep time?

You’re not alone! In this episode of The Inspired Educator: Empowering New Teachers to Thrive!, I’m breaking down a simple, strategic approach to lesson planning that will save you time, reduce stress, and help you work smarter, not harder.

💡 Here’s what you’ll learn:

✅ How to get organized so lesson planning doesn’t take over your life

✅ Why you should always begin with the end in mind (hint: assessments are your roadmap!)

✅ The biggest time-wasting mistake new teachers make—and how to avoid it

✅ The Friday prep habit that will make your Monday mornings stress-free

✅ Bonus tips for long-term planning so next year is easier than the first

🎙️ Whether you’re a first-year teacher, a career changer, or just looking for a smarter way to plan, this episode is packed with actionable steps to help you teach with confidence!

✨ Before you go, don’t forget to:

✔ Like, download, and follow the podcast so you never miss an episode

✔ Share this episode with a fellow teacher who needs it

✔ Drop a comment—I want to hear your biggest lesson-planning struggle so we can tackle it together!

Let’s make lesson planning easier together—because you’re not just surviving, you’re thriving with purpose!

🚀 Let's chat! If you are struggling with lesson planning, schedule a 30 minute free consultation. https://calendly.com/thrivewithpurposellc/30min

In this episode of The Inspired Educator, we share 6 essential tips to help first and second-year teachers navigate hard conversations during parent-teacher conferences.

Whether you're discussing student progress, behavior, or classroom strategies, these actionable tips will give you the confidence to handle challenging conversations with parents.

Learn how to prepare effectively, listen authentically, control your emotions, and offer solutions that focus on student success.

Tune in for expert advice that will help you build stronger relationships and foster better communication in your classroom.

Don't forget to subscribe/follow The Inspired Educator to stay updated with more episodes packed with tips, expert interviews, and actionable strategies for new teachers.

Follow Us on Social Media: Instagram: @_thrive_withpurpose

LinkedIn: LaToya Crockett

If you found today’s episode helpful, share it with fellow educators and leave a review. Together, we can support, empower and uplift new educators!

Welcome back to The Inspired Educator: Empowering New Teachers to Thrive! In today’s episode, Dr. LaToya Crockett dives deep into practical, structured systems to handle those small but disruptive behaviors in the classroom.

Classroom disruptions can be overwhelming, especially for new teachers, but with the right strategies in place, you can create a calm and productive learning environment for both you and your students. In this episode, Dr. Crockett covers:

✅Proactive prevention strategies to reduce disruptions before they happen

✅Real-life examples of setting clear expectations and creating predictable routines

✅Effective intervention techniques like non-verbal cues, offering choices, and using logical consequences

✅Tips for reflecting and adapting your strategies over time

Don't forget to subscribe/follow The Inspired Educator to stay updated with more episodes packed with tips, expert interviews, and actionable strategies for new teachers.

Follow Us on Social Media: Instagram: @_thrive_withpurpose

LinkedIn: LaToya Crockett

If you found today’s episode helpful, share it with fellow educators and leave a review. Together, we can support, empower and uplift new educators!

Schedule a Consultation: https://calendly.com/thrivewithpurposellc/30min

In this insightful episode of The Inspired Educator: Empowering New Teachers to Thrive!, we dive deep into the essential aspects of creating inclusive classrooms and fostering meaningful collaboration between general education teachers and special education teams. Join us as we sits down with Shannon Poynter, a seasoned special education teacher with over 15 years of experience, to discuss how to effectively support neurodivergent students, work alongside paraprofessionals, and implement practical strategies that make a real impact in the classroom.

Key Takeaways:

✨Understanding what inclusion truly means and how to create a welcoming space for all students.

✨Practical tips for collaborating with special education teams, paraprofessionals, and resource teachers to build a cohesive classroom environment.

✨Actionable steps for new teachers to build inclusive classrooms from day one.

✨How small adjustments in classroom setup, like using visuals and adaptive equipment, can create a more inclusive learning environment.

✨The importance of building relationships with students and fostering a supportive community within the classroom.

Shannon’s passion for inclusion shines through as she shares her expertise on meeting the diverse needs of students while ensuring every learner feels valued. Whether you’re a first-year teacher, career changer, or simply looking for tips on how to improve your classroom management and inclusivity, this episode is packed with insights you can immediately implement.

Don't forget to subscribe/follow The Inspired Educator to stay updated with more episodes packed with tips, expert interviews, and actionable strategies for new teachers.

Follow Us on Social Media: Instagram: @_thrive_withpurpose

LinkedIn: LaToya Crockett

If you found today’s episode helpful, share it with fellow educators and leave a review. Together, we can support, empower and uplift new educators!

In this episode of The Inspired Educator: Empowering New Teachers to Thrive!, we’re joined by the incredible Tamia Peterson, also known as The Savvy SPEDucator.

Tamia is a special education reading interventionist, published author, and educator with a passion for helping teachers master the art of reading interventions. Tamia shares actionable insights into the multi-tier approach to reading interventions, her journey as an educator, and how research-backed strategies can transform classrooms. Whether you’re supporting struggling readers or looking for tools to strengthen your practice, Tamia’s advice is a game-changer for educators at any stage of their journey.

💡Get your copy of Tamia's Urgent Small Group Solutions Cheat Sheet. She outlines 6 strategies you can use to address struggling Tier 2 and Tier 3 readers. https://astounding-builder-6125.kit.com/6e8a6594b9

✨ Check out Tamia’s book, Mya’s Magic Methods, a must-read for educators seeking creative ways to engage students and build their reading skills.

💡 Ready to learn more? Explore Tamia’s consulting services and discover how she’s helping teachers empower students to achieve their full potential.

📚 Interested in working with Tamia? Schedule a consultation and grab your copy of Mya’s Magic Methods at https://www.savvyspeducator.com.

Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review to let us know your favorite part of this inspiring episode!

Welcome back to The Inspired Educator! This week, we’re joined by the incredible Latasha Gaston, known as The Socially Savvy Mentor. With her expertise in helping preteens and teens build healthy, meaningful relationships both in and out of the classroom, Latasha brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to this episode. Here’s what you’ll take away: 🤝 What authentic student-teacher relationships really mean and why they are essential for classroom success. 🛠 Practical, actionable steps you can use immediately to connect with your students, such as learning names quickly, showing genuine interest in their lives, and creating routines that foster trust. 📖 A heartwarming story about the transformative power of building strong connections with students. Whether you’re a new teacher feeling overwhelmed or a seasoned educator looking for fresh insights, this episode is packed with strategies and inspiration to create a thriving classroom environment. Connect with Latasha Gaston – The Socially Savvy Mentor: Website: ⁠www.ispeak4unow.com⁠ Instagram: @ispeak4unow Facebook: iSpeak4UNow LLC If you’d like to work with Latasha or learn more about her services for teachers, parents, and students, visit her website. She’s passionate about helping educators like you build authentic relationships that make a lasting impact! 🎧 Listen now to this inspiring episode, and don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review to help other educators discover The Inspired Educator!

🎙️ Reset and Recharge: New Year Tips for New Teachers Are you ready to head back to the classroom with a refreshed mindset and practical tools to tackle the second half of the school year? This week on The Inspired Educator: Empowering New Teachers to Thrive!, we’re diving into the unseen ways teachers build stronger relationships with students and how to reset your mindset for a successful January. In the first part of this episode, we’ll expand on last week’s conversation about building meaningful student relationships with three new strategies you might not expect, like creating solid structures, fostering fairness, and designing thoughtful classroom arrangements. Then, we’ll shift gears and focus on YOU. Drawing inspiration from 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey and The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins, I’ll guide you through the concept of the circle of control. Learn how to apply it to three real-world teaching scenarios: professional development sessions, navigating negativity from colleagues, and resetting the tone on your first day back with students. 💡 By the end of this episode, you’ll have the tools to strengthen your classroom community and embrace the new semester with clarity, confidence, and purpose. 👉 Let’s connect! Instagram: @_thrive_withpurpose LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/latoya-crockett 🌟 Tune in now and let’s make this the year you truly thrive!

In this episode of The Inspired Educator, we dive into the story of Ms. Smittie, a first-year teacher who transitioned from substitute teaching to leading her own classroom. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to step into full-time teaching—especially with no prior teaching experience—this conversation will inspire and reassure you that you’re not alone.

Ms. Smittie shares:

💡 Why she chose to pursue teaching, even during one of the most challenging times for educators.

🎉 The moments she’s most excited about, like building relationships and creating a positive classroom community.

😟 The fears and challenges she’s navigating, including classroom management, confidence-building, and balancing it all as a new teacher.

This episode is raw, relatable, and packed with honesty. Whether you’re a substitute teacher considering the next step, a first-year educator looking for encouragement, or simply feeling overwhelmed in the classroom, Smittie’s journey will remind you that you’re not alone.

📣 New Update: Along with following Ms. Jay’s journey through student teaching, we will also follow Ms. Smittie as she navigates her first year as a full-time teacher. You’ll hear their challenges, triumphs, and reflections, paired with expert advice and tools to help YOU thrive in your teaching career.

🎧 Tune in, share, and subscribe to The Inspired Educator—because your teaching journey is a shared experience, and together, we’ll thrive with a purpose.

Welcome to The Inspired Educator, the podcast where we celebrate and support new teachers navigating their teaching journeys. I’m Dr. Crockett, your host, and today’s episode kicks off something truly special: we’re following one aspiring teacher’s path from college senior to her first classroom.

In this episode, you’ll meet Ms. Jay, a future educator full of passion, excitement, and big dreams. Listen as she shares:

🌟 Why she chose teaching during a time when educators face so many challenges.

✨ What excites her most about stepping into her own classroom.

😟 Her honest fears about student teaching and what surprises she’s already encountered in her classroom experiences.

If you’re a student teacher, first-year teacher, or someone considering education, you’ll find encouragement and connection in Ms. Jay’s story.

This series will bring in expert guests to provide tools, strategies, and support to address the very challenges Ms. Jay faces. Whether you’re a student teacher, a first-year educator, or someone transitioning into teaching, you’ll hear real stories, practical advice, and actionable solutions that you can apply in your own classroom. As we follow Ms. Jay’s journey, we’ll address her fears and triumphs while providing YOU with the tools to thrive as an educator.

This series is about community, connection, and showing new teachers like you that you are not alone—there is support every step of the way.

🎧 Get ready to learn, grow, and feel empowered—because your journey starts here!"

Welcome to The Inspired Educator! In this trailer, I’m quickly sharing the heart behind this podcast and a quick peak into my journey as a teacher turned educational consultant. Discover why I started The Inspired Educator and how it’s designed to uplift, empower, and guide new and aspiring teachers through the challenges of teaching. This podcast isn’t just about advice—it’s about community. Whether you’re a first-year teacher, a career changer, or a substitute navigating the classroom, you’re not alone. Here, we’re building a supportive space to help you grow, thrive, and become the educator you’ve always dreamed of being. Let’s connect! Follow me on Instagram: @_thrive_withpurpose Visit my website for more resources and support: www.thrivewithpurposellc.com Hit play and join the community—because together, we’re not just surviving; we’re thriving with purpose!