The pacing guide says I should be on Lesson 9…but my classroom has other ideas! 😂

After 14 years of teaching middle and high school, I knew exactly how much I could accomplish in 53 minutes. Now I’m learning a brand-new curriculum, teaching multiple subjects I’ve never taught before, and trying to stay on pace while figuring out how to teach seven-year-olds.

In this episode, I tackle the reality of learning, teaching, and pacing all at the same time__and why being on pace doesn’t always mean your students are ready to move on.

One more thing learned. One more thing tackled.

Have you ever scrolled through teacher Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook and thought “Am I doing this wrong?”

The perfect classroom. The perfect first day. The must-have supplies. The Amazon lists. The classroom hacks that are supposed to make teaching easier. The things you absolutely MUST do the first week of school.

As a brand new second grade teacher after 14 years teaching middle and high school, I tried to prepare for all of it. I spent hundreds of dollars, filled my classroom with things other teachers swore I needed, and was incredibly blessed for friends and family who helped clear my Amazon wishlist.

And you know what?

I’m still figuring it out.

Because the truth is not everything works for everyone. The perfect classroom on social media doesn’t necessarily reflect the reality of every teacher, every school, every student, or every budget.

In this episode, I tackle the pressure of Pinterest perfection—and the reminder that your classroom doesn’t have to look Instagram-worthy for you to be a great teacher.

Because the stuff doesn’t teach the kids.

You do.

One more thing learned. One more thing tackled.

After 14 years teaching middle & high school I thought I knew what it meant to manage a classroom. Then I met second graders.

Apparently seven-year-olds have A LOT to tell their teacher.

From the dry erase marker cap not snapped on, to loose teeth, bathroom emergencies, water breaks, and all the random things in between, I’m learning that second graders come with a whole lot of things I didn’t know I didn’t know.

In this episode, I tackle the fine line between tattling and telling, teaching students when they really need an adult, & learning that sometimes the teacher has to learn the procedures right alongside the students.

Because after years of teaching teenagers who wouldn’t tell me anything…

I now have seven-year-olds who want to tell me everything.

One more thing learned. One more thing tackled.

What happens when you’re an experienced teacher…but suddenly find yourself in a situation where you don’t even know what questions to ask?

After 14 years teaching middle and high school, I’m learning that elementary school comes with a whole new set of things I didn’t know I didn’t know - from duty assignments to lunch routines to discipline procedures, evaluations, and even needing a whistle!

In this episode I share some of the unexpected things I’ve had to learn since stepping into elementary education - and asking “What don’t I know that I don’t know?” might be one of the best questions a teacher can ask.

Because sometimes, you’re not learning how to teach.

You’re learning how this school does things.

And that’s okay.

One more thing learned.

One more real teacher revelation.

One more thing tackled.

Have you ever started the school year with a routine that seemed like a small thing… only to realize within days or even hours that it has snowballed into a much bigger problem?

In this first episode of What Real Teachers Tackle, Michelle takes a look at how small classroom routines can quickly become habits—and why recognizing the problem early can make all the difference.

We’ll talk about those everyday classroom moments that seem insignificant at first, how they can build on each other, and what teachers can do when a routine needs a reset.

Because sometimes the problem isn’t the student, the teacher, or even the routine itself. It’s the snowball.

Let’s tackle it together.

Welcome to What Real Teachers Tackle!

I’m Michelle Fred, and this trailer introduces the podcast where we tackle the real challenges, conversations, and everyday moments that come with being a teacher.

No perfect classrooms. No pretending we have all the answers. Just real teacher experiences, practical ideas, honest conversations, and a reminder that none of us has to tackle it alone.

Let’s tackle it together.