The Present Teacher Podcast

By Helena Hains

Teaching was never supposed to cost you your health, your time, or your identity.

The Present Teacher Podcast is for educators who are done glorifying burnout, overwork, and self-sacrifice—and are re... more

55 ratings

FAQs about The Present Teacher Podcast:

How many episodes does The Present Teacher Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 177 episodes available.

Best of The Present Teacher Podcast

The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

Number 1: #194: Setting Up Your Classroom Intentionally Prevents 90% of Teacher Problems
Most classroom problems don't begin in October. They begin before students ever walk through the door. When I was a first-year teacher, I spent my entire summer decorating a travel-themed classroom. It looked beautiful—but by the last week of summer, I was scrambling to figure out what I was actually going to teach. The result? A chaotic first week, constant behavior issues, and the feeling that I was already behind. In this episode, we're talking about why classroom setup isn't really about decorating—it's about intentionally designing a classroom that supports learning, reduces disruptions, and makes teaching easier all year long. You'll learn how thinking about systems before aesthetics can dramatically reduce stress, improve classroom management, and help you enjoy setting up your classroom instead of feeling overwhelmed. In this episode, we'll cover: The biggest classroom setup mistake most teachers make What intentional classroom design actually means How your classroom layout affects student behavior Why systems should come before decorations The Poolside Teacher approach to creating a classroom that works for you A beautiful classroom is wonderful. A classroom that functions beautifully is life-changing. Download the FREE Ultimate Classroom Setup Guide Here: https://thepresentteacher.mykajabi.com/classroom-setup-guide Grab the Ultimate Classroom Setup Bundle: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Ultimate-Classroom-Setup-Bundle-12060099 Join the Poolside Teacher Experience for $14: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/offers/ANPGSEczv
July 13, 202614min
Number 2: #192: You Are NOT The Same Teacher As Last Year
Last year does not define the teacher you are becoming. Maybe you were non-renewed. Maybe you received a difficult observation. Maybe you were placed on an improvement plan. Maybe you left a district that wasn't the right fit. If you've been carrying the weight of last school year into this one, this episode is for you. In today's conversation, I'm sharing one of the hardest lessons I learned after experiencing seven classroom evacuations in a single day and believing it meant I was a terrible teacher. Looking back, I realize those moments didn't define me—they developed me. We'll talk about how to stop identifying with your past experiences, recognize the strengths they've created, and walk into this school year as the teacher you are today—not the teacher you were. Because you are not your last year. In this episode, we'll cover: Why last year's struggles don't define your identity as a teacher The mindset shift that changed how I viewed difficult classroom experiences How your hardest teaching moments became your greatest strengths A simple reflection exercise to help you release last school year How to step confidently into a fresh start this school year If this episode encouraged you, be sure to subscribe and share it with another teacher who needs the reminder that they are not their past. Download the FREE Ultimate Classroom Setup Guide Here: https://thepresentteacher.mykajabi.com/classroom-setup-guide Grab the Ultimate Classroom Setup Bundle: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Ultimate-Classroom-Setup-Bundle-12060099 Join the Poolside Teacher Experience for $14: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/offers/ANPGSEczv
July 01, 202620min
Number 3: #129: How to Write the Perfect Thank You Email After Your Teacher Interview
So you just completed your first or next teacher interview and you're wondering what you should do next. This week we are diving into the different sections you should have in your follow-up email after your teacher interview. In general I recommend following up with a district 1-2 weeks after the interview. You can even complete this the day of your interview and then schedule it out a week later so you don't have to worry about it. This same rule applies when you are following up on an application. This week we also dive into why it's important to send a follow-up email after a teacher interview. I also tell you the 5 step process I use and the other teachers I work with use to creating the perfect teacher thank you email or teacher follow-up email. Download the Ultimate Teacher Interview Guide: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/teacher-interview-guide Ultimate Teacher Interview Bundle: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/teacher-interview-bundle Land Your Dream Job: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/land-your-dream-job ___________________________ ❤️Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thepresentteacher/ 🔥TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@thepresentteacher 🚀Website | https://thepresentteacher.com/ 💜YouTube | https://youtube.com/@ThePresentTeacher?si=meqMmiDHJN-0Jmlr ___________________________ // RESOURCES 💌 Join our email list for weekly motivation | https://www.thepresentteacher.com/teacher-interview-guide 🌼 Join our Community off of Facebook | https://www.thepresentteacher.com/offers/QUzcjYLT ___________________________ // ABOUT I’m Helena, a coach for new and first-year teachers sharing knowledge on how to have a thriving career and personal life. The Present Teacher Podcast is a resourcefor teacher interviews, classroom setup, classroom management, and time management. Follow along and learn how to thrive in the classroom and in life. Subscribe to The Present Teacher Podcast to get inspired by new weekly podcast episodes!
January 26, 202521min
Number 4: 5 Things You Need to Hear Before Your Next Teacher Interview
Feeling nervous for your next teacher interview and looking for a pep talk or teacher mindset tips? Here we break down 5 things you need to hear before you go to your next teacher interview. These teacher interview mindset tips will help you show up with confidence during your next interview. These teacher interview strategies will help you confidently build relationships during your next interview, answer teacher interview questions with ease, and know with confidence how to continue during the interview process. Download the Ultimate Teacher Interview Guide: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/teacher-interview-guide Ultimate Teacher Interview Bundle: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/teacher-interview-bundle Land Your Dream Job: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/land-your-dream-job ___________________________ ❤️Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thepresentteacher/ 🔥TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@thepresentteacher 🚀Website | https://thepresentteacher.com/ 💜YouTube | https://youtube.com/@ThePresentTeacher?si=meqMmiDHJN-0Jmlr ___________________________ // RESOURCES 💌 Join our email list for weekly motivation | https://www.thepresentteacher.com/teacher-interview-guide 🌼 Join our Community off of Facebook | https://www.thepresentteacher.com/offers/QUzcjYLT ___________________________ // ABOUT I’m Helena, a coach for new and first-year teachers sharing knowledge on how to have a thriving career and personal life. The Present Teacher Podcast is a resourcefor teacher interviews, classroom setup, classroom management, and time management. Follow along and learn how to thrive in the classroom and in life. Subscribe to The Present Teacher Podcast to get inspired by new weekly podcast episodes!
September 01, 202429min
Number 5: 10 Possible Questions to Ask At the End Of Your Teacher Interview
Not sure what to ask at the end of your teacher interview? Here we break down 10 questions to ask the hiring committee at the end of your teacher interview. PLUS possible red and green flag answers to keep an eye out for. These teacher interview questions will help you confidently prepare for your upcoming teacher interview, discover the perfect district for you to work for, and know with confidence how to stand out during your next interview from other candidates. Download the Ultimate Teacher Interview Guide: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/teacher-interview-guide Ultimate Teacher Interview Bundle: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/teacher-interview-bundle Land Your Dream Job: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/land-your-dream-job ___________________________ ❤️Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thepresentteacher/ 🔥TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@thepresentteacher 🚀Website | https://thepresentteacher.com/ 💜YouTube | https://youtube.com/@ThePresentTeacher?si=meqMmiDHJN-0Jmlr ___________________________ // RESOURCES 💌 Join our email list for weekly motivation | https://www.thepresentteacher.com/teacher-interview-guide 🌼 Join our Community off of Facebook | https://www.thepresentteacher.com/offers/QUzcjYLT ___________________________ // ABOUT I’m Helena, a coach for new and first-year teachers sharing knowledge on how to have a thriving career and personal life. The Present Teacher Podcast is a resourcefor teacher interviews, classroom setup, classroom management, and time management. Follow along and learn how to thrive in the classroom and in life. Subscribe to The Present Teacher Podcast to get inspired by new weekly podcast episodes!
April 28, 202422min