Real Teacher Talk – Details, episodes & analysis

Hey there. I wanna thank you for being such a loyal listener to The Real Teacher Talk podcast. We're going on a brief hiatus, but I'd still love to connect with you.

The best way to do that is over on Instagram at Easy Teaching Tools, our website, EasyTeachingTools.com, or by Email.

And the bonus of that is when you sign up, you'll get tips to get organized with your lesson planning by going to EasyTeachingTools.com/LessonPlanningPod

I can't wait to continue collaborating on those three different platforms.

Register for the 3 PM Teacher Training at www.easyteachingtools.com/3pmteacher!

I would also appreciate it if you would leave me a review on Apple and a rating on Spotify!

I read each of them, and they help me make sure I am providing the content that you love to hear! Plus, you get to pay it forward because it will allow other teachers like you to find the podcast!

Click here to review, then select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”.

Are you ready to get your life back?

As we look forward to all things 2023, This week we decided to drop back to our very first interview on Real Teacher Talk, I sat down with Sabrena Brooks, a busy teacher and mama to talk about how she balances school with her life and the tools she uses to make it happen.

Sabrena Brooks is a mom of two active boys with a baby girl on the way. She is a lover of camping and music, and wife to a special education para-educator by day and chef by night. Her teaching career includes kindergarten for one year, 1st grade for five years, and kindergarten ESL for one year. She has a master's degree in Teaching and Learning and was the distance learning teacher for 1st grade during the 2020-2021 school year.

Sabrena realized she needed help when she was staying at school every night until 6:30 and showing back up by 7 in the morning. She had no semblance of balance in her life. That’s when she joined my program Easy Organization Tools where I show teachers how to consistently leave school prepared at contract time so that they can be more fully present in their life.

Topics We Cover in This Episode: 

• What Sabrena’s life looked like before the program
• Sabrena's experience in the Easy Organization Tools program
• How her life changed after she implemented what she learned
• How the program alleviated the teacher/mom guilt
• How Sabrena uses the tools in the program in her home as well

The organization tools Sabrena learned made all of the difference. She went from being a stressed-out, overworked teacher with no work-life balance to being a happy mom and teacher. She’s now able to be there for her kids and be fully present in her home life.

If you are ready to have a better year than you had last year and finally get your life back the way Sabrena did, make sure to join the 3 PM Teacher Training. You’ll learn how to consistently leave school prepared and on time without bringing work home!

Resources Mentioned:

Follow Sabrena on Instagram

Join the 3 PM Teacher Training

Additional Resources:

Follow the Podcast

Follow Along on Facebook 

Follow Along on Instagram 

Are you following my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today so you don’t miss any future episodes! Click here to follow on Apple Podcasts

Register for the 3 PM Teacher Training at www.easyteachingtools.com/3pmteacher!

I would also appreciate it if you would leave me a review on Apple and a rating on Spotify!

I read each of them, and they help me make sure I am providing the content that you love to hear! Plus, you get to pay it forward because it will allow other teachers like you to find the podcast!

Click here to review, then select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”.

Data collection is a super important part of teaching, but so many teachers dread it! I promise you don’t have to.

There are ways to make the process simple, effective, and meaningful. I sat down with Rebekah Poe to chat about how to streamline the data collection process.

Rebekah Poe is an award-winning special education teacher and national teaching conference presenter. She has over a decade of experience in special education. As an educator, Rebekah believes all behavior is communication and all feelings are valid, and she focuses on providing equitable education and establishing connections to students of all ability levels in an inclusive setting.

In this episode of Real Teacher Talk, we discuss tips and tricks for how to streamline the data collection process, suggestions for collaborating with other team members to best support students, and ways to differentiate between academic and behavioral data collection.

Resources Mentioned:

99math.com

Easycbm.com

Readworks.org

ESGI

Rebekah’s quick reference guide

Rebekah’s Instagram

Rebekah’s website

Additional Resources:

Follow the Podcast

Follow Along on Facebook 

Follow Along on Instagram 

Register for the 3 PM Teacher Training at www.easyteachingtools.com/3pmteacher!

I would also appreciate it if you would leave me a review on Apple and a rating on Spotify!

I read each of them, and they help me make sure I am providing the content that you love to hear! Plus, you get to pay it forward because it will allow other teachers like you to find the podcast!

Click here to review, then select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”.

If the thought of parent or caregiver conferences makes you feel a little sweaty, you’re not alone! What is it about talking to other adults that can be so scary?

I learned a lot during my time in the classroom, mostly from making my own mistakes.

So, in this episode of Real Teacher Talk, I am sharing my favorite simple tips and tricks to make your conferences run smoothly and be a little less stressful.

I share how to make sure caregivers know you’re on the same team, ways to ensure equitable and meaningful conferences for all families, and how to help make sure families stay focused on the goals.  Preparing for conferences doesn’t have to keep you up at night worrying - I promise!

Resources Mentioned:

Parent Conference Forms

Free Conference Form for Parent Feedback

Additional Resources:

Follow the Podcast

Follow Along on Facebook 

Follow Along on Instagram 

Register for the 3 PM Teacher Training at www.easyteachingtools.com/3pmteacher!

I would also appreciate it if you would leave me a review on Apple and a rating on Spotify!

I read each of them, and they help me make sure I am providing the content that you love to hear! Plus, you get to pay it forward because it will allow other teachers like you to find the podcast!

Click here to review, then select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”.

Have you heard the phrase “quiet quitting” and wondered how it related to teaching?

Quiet quitting is a hot topic right now. It’s the idea that people are “giving up” or “quitting” on their jobs without actually resigning.

In this episode of Real Teacher Talk, I tackle this topic and whether or not I think it actually relates to teachers! I discuss what quiet quitting is, how to do more than the bare minimum and only work your contract hours, and how to set up systems to set yourself up for success!

Resources Mentioned:

Gallup Article about Quiet Quitting

Parent / Guardian Volunteer Resource

Episode About Dealing with Teacher Guilt

Episode about Saying No

Additional Resources:

Follow the Podcast

Follow Along on Facebook 

Follow Along on Instagram 

Register for the 3 PM Teacher Training at www.easyteachingtools.com/3pmteacher!

I would also appreciate it if you would leave me a review on Apple and a rating on Spotify!

I read each of them, and they help me make sure I am providing the content that you love to hear! Plus, you get to pay it forward because it will allow other teachers like you to find the podcast!

Click here to review, then select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”.

Do you ever wonder how you can create a positive classroom environment and still get everything done that needs to get done?

If so, you’re in good company. But trust me, it’s possible!

In this episode of Real Teacher Talk, I sat down with Mr. Johnny Tiersma, a fellow San Diego area teacher,  to talk about how to create a classroom environment where all students can thrive! We discuss what stops teachers from having fun, how to use humor to create a positive classroom environment, and why this type of environment is so important!

Johnny Tiersma has been involved in education for over 16 years, primarily as a classroom teacher in grades 6 to 8. He has also been a middle school interim principal, an instructional designer for higher education, and an adjunct professor of educational technology. Currently, he is teaching sixth grade in the Cardiff School District in San Diego. Johnny has a passion for students and has spent his career pursuing a classroom environment where students are able to flourish. His goal is to use his connection with students to help them feel safe, valuable, and ready to learn.

If you loved Johnny’s tips and want to support him by purchasing his book, make sure to head to his website for more!


Resources Mentioned:

If I Were the Teacher book

If I Were the Teacher on Amazon

Follow Johnny on Twitter

Grab your ticket for Refresh and Recharge


Additional Resources:

Follow the Podcast

Follow Along on Facebook 

Follow Along on Instagram 

Register for the 3 PM Teacher Training at www.easyteachingtools.com/3pmteacher!

I would also appreciate it if you would leave me a review on Apple and a rating on Spotify!

I read each of them, and they help me make sure I am providing the content that you love to hear! Plus, you get to pay it forward because it will allow other teachers like you to find the podcast!

Click here to review, then select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”.

Does the mere thought of preparing to have a substitute in your classroom make you feel sick to your stomach? 

If so, you aren’t alone!

In this episode of Real Teacher Talk, I sat down with Kelsey Sorenson of Wife, Teacher, Mommy to talk about how to successfully prepare for a sub day! We discuss what stops teachers from planning ahead for inevitable sub days, how to realistically take the time to plan ahead, and what exactly needs to be included to make your day away a success.

Kelsey Sorenson is a former third-grade teacher and substitute teacher. She is now a homeschool mom to 3 kids and owner of Wife Teacher Mommy, where she and her team serve Pre-K through 6th-grade teachers. Wife Teacher Mommy has been featured on We are Teachers, Teachers pay Teachers, Jane, Etsy, Food Network, CBC, Fox, and NBC. Kelsey and her team have helped hundreds of thousands of educators cut down planning time and balance the many roles in their lives with her time-saving resources, blogs, teacher life coaching program, Educate & Rejuvenate events, and Wife Teacher Mommy: The Podcast. Kelsey is addicted to Coke Zero and loves reading and listening to audiobooks.

If you loved Kelsey’s tips and want to learn more from her, make sure to head to her website for more! You can also follow her on Instagram to stay up to date with all of her tips and tricks!


Resources Mentioned:

Check out Kelsey’s website

Grab Kelsey’s FREE Sub Planning Starter Kit

Listen to Kelsey’s podcast

Follow Kelsey on Instagram

Join the Classroom Purge

Additional Resources:

Follow the Podcast

Follow Along on Facebook 

Follow Along on Instagram 

Register for the 3 PM Teacher Training at www.easyteachingtools.com/3pmteacher!

I would also appreciate it if you would leave me a review on Apple and a rating on Spotify!

I read each of them, and they help me make sure I am providing the content that you love to hear! Plus, you get to pay it forward because it will allow other teachers like you to find the podcast!

Click here to review, then select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”.

Do you ever feel like it’s impossible to have fun in the classroom anymore? There are often so many “other” things to care about, that fun can be the last thing on our minds.

In this episode of Real Teacher Talk, I sat down with Matt Halpern to talk about why it’s a challenge to have fun in the classroom, why fun in the classroom is important, and how to bring fun back!

Matt is a joyful educator who draws on almost two decades of experience as a classroom teacher and literacy coach. He is passionate about making classrooms child-centered and putting the effort and work of students at the forefront. His love for teaching social-emotional skills and literacy often combines as he is always looking for new ways to help others become the best versions of themselves. A fierce advocate for social justice and equity in classrooms, Matt leverages the power of literacy and community to empower children. Matt is the author of the forthcoming A Teacher's Guide to Interactive Writing. 

If you loved Matt’s tips and want to learn more from him, make sure to head to his website for more! You can also follow him on Instagram to stay up to date with all of his tips and tricks!


Resources Mentioned:

Check out Matt’s website

Follow Matt on Instagram

Follow Matt on Twitter

Join the Classroom Purge

Additional Resources:

Follow the Podcast

Follow Along on Facebook 

Follow Along on Instagram

Are you following my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today so you don’t miss any future episodes! Click here to follow on Apple Podcasts

I would also appreciate it if you would leave me a review on Apple and Spotify! I read each of them, and they help me make sure I am providing the content that you love to hear! Plus, you get to pay it forward because it will allow other teachers like you to find the podcast! Click here to review, then select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”. 

Register for the 3 PM Teacher Training at www.easyteachingtools.com/3pmteacher!

I would also appreciate it if you would leave me a review on Apple and a rating on Spotify!

I read each of them, and they help me make sure I am providing the content that you love to hear! Plus, you get to pay it forward because it will allow other teachers like you to find the podcast!

Click here to review, then select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”.

Have you ever felt like your centers are a little overwhelming? 

Sometimes the systems in our classroom are way more complicated than they need to be,  and we need to take a step back and simplify so that we can do our jobs more efficiently.

In this episode of Real Teacher Talk, I sat down with Farrah Henley to talk about the number one mistake that teachers make when it comes to their centers and the steps they can take to start simplifying. 

Farrah is a veteran preschool and elementary educator with a love for simple systems that make teaching easier for educators. Farrah has been in the education field since 1997 and has served as a classroom teacher, homeschooling mom, teacher mentor, and coach and has even taught online classes for students. 

Currently, she helps K-5 teachers master their math and literacy centers with her Easy Centers Framework™ and Learning Centers Made Easy™ system.

Tune in to hear the common struggles that teachers have with their centers and Farrah’s top three tips for simplifying your centers today. 

I would love to connect on Facebook: facebook.com/EasyTeachingTools & Instagram: instagram.com/easyteachingtools!

Show notes available at easyteachingtools.com/episode21

Resources Mentioned:

Three Steps To Organized Centers freebie: https://learn.farrahhenley.com/organizeyourcenters-blog

Follow Farrah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farrahhenleyeducation/

Check out Farrah’s website: https://farrahhenley.com/

Join the Classroom Purge: https://courses.easyteachingtools.com/classroom-purge-summer-22-EOT

Register for the 3 PM Teacher Training at www.easyteachingtools.com/3pmteacher!

I would also appreciate it if you would leave me a review on Apple and a rating on Spotify!

I read each of them, and they help me make sure I am providing the content that you love to hear! Plus, you get to pay it forward because it will allow other teachers like you to find the podcast!

Click here to review, then select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”.

Do you have any specific tools that you use in the classroom to help you stay organized? 

As teachers, there’s so much to get done each day. It can get overwhelming fast if you don’t have a good classroom system in place that will help you stay organized and on task.

Today on Real Teacher Talk, I am sharing one of my favorite tools that I used in the classroom that really helped me get things done. 

If you’re in Easy Organization Tools or you took my 3 P.M. Teacher training, you probably already know what I’m talking about- the Time Timer! I know we have access to timers already on our phones and things, but this one is my absolute favorite to use in the classroom. 

This timer is a fabulous visual for you and your students because it counts backward. You can set it up for a certain amount of time and it helps you and your students stay on task and get things done. 

Tune in to this episode to learn more about why this timer is perfect for teachers and the four ways to use it with your students so that you can stay on task and start checking things off of your to-do list. 

I would love to connect on Facebook: facebook.com/EasyTeachingTools & Instagram: instagram.com/easyteachingtools!

Show notes available at easyteachingtools.com/episode20

Resources Mentioned:

Join the Classroom Purge: https://courses.easyteachingtools.com/classroom-purge-summer-22-EOT

Get the Time Timer: https://amzn.to/2TT0KwV

Register for the 3 PM Teacher Training at www.easyteachingtools.com/3pmteacher!

I would also appreciate it if you would leave me a review on Apple and a rating on Spotify!

I read each of them, and they help me make sure I am providing the content that you love to hear! Plus, you get to pay it forward because it will allow other teachers like you to find the podcast!

Click here to review, then select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”.