Teaching to the TOP

BONUS: Bridget's Week in a Life COVID-19

Teachers all around the world are working to establish a new "normal" routine as schools are being shut down and teachers are asked to give instruction from home. 
Join Bridget as she invites you to see how she navigates being a teacher during the COVID-19 shut down, a mom to two boys at home and a wife to a work-from-home husband. 
You will hear how she works to schedule her day, accomplishes her goals and has to make adjustments because things just happen. 
This is a week-in-the-life of a teacher at home. 

015. 5 Easy Steps to Clean and Organize Your Classroom

We can probably all identify the areas in our classrooms that could use a little TLC, but actually doing the  action steps to getting it all done, without losing your sanity, is a whole other story. In our previous episode, we talked about the essentials areas in your classroom where you may want to give a little TLC in order for you to feel organized and refreshed. 
In this chat, we are sharing the actionable steps on how to follow through with the actual organizing we previously shared! 
***Also note, that these steps that we are sharing will work for any area in your life! We encourage you that as we share this during the COVID-19 shutdown you can find areas in your home where you can give a little TLC. 
Many of you have heard of Marie Kondo. She took the nation by storm with her systems for finding the joy in the objects around you, or maybe you’ve heard of Clean Sweep, the hit tv series where a team of experts help homeowners transform their homes from a disaster to functional. We LOVE these two methods and have decided to make our own little method by combining the two and calling it…. The Kondo Sweep!
Now let’s dive into The Kondo Sweep steps to organizing your space. 
STEP #1: Gather it
STEP #2: Sort it
STEP #3: Organize it
STEP #4: Store it
STEP #5: Label it
Click HERE to download the FREE 5 Easy Steps to Clean and Organize Your Classroom!
CONCLUSION
While the process of cleaning and organizing the materials in your classroom may seem like a treacherous task, when you have clearly defined steps, you can easily schedule what you are going to complete on specific days to reduce the overwhelm and make the task more manageable. 
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Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

014. Classroom Spring Cleaning MUST DOS

Winter is on its way out and that means that it is time to start spring cleaning! It never fails that when this time of the year comes around you start to feel the itch. You know, the feeling where you need to clean absolutely EVERYTHING in sight. 
However, if you are someone that starts to feel very overwhelmed by the thought of having to start cleaning and organizing your classroom, we’ve got you covered. 
We are sharing our TOP must do when cleaning your classroom. Keep in mind that if this is a daunting task, recruit help from friends, family, or even coworkers by exchanging a I help you, if you help me deal. 
CLASSROOM SPRING CLEANING MUST DOs
[3:53] MUST DO #1: Teacher supplies
[9:57] MUST DO #2: Paper filing system
[14:09] MUST DO #3: Manipulatives
[16:24] MUST DO #4: Teacher bag
[18:12] MUST DO #5: Digital files
Spring cleaning, while refreshing, can be very overwhelming, but remember that you need to go easy on yourself. These tasks do not need to be completed in a day! Choose one area and work on it over the span of a week or a few days. The important thing is to make it fit you and your lifestyle, but you MUST hold yourself accountable and get it done!
Click HERE to download the FREE Classroom Spring Cleaning Checklist!
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Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!
Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

013. Our Biggest Regret After Years in the Classroom

Have you ever reflected on your past and thought, I regret doing that as a kid, or I regret not going out more and being with my friends? Chances are there is probably something out there that resonances with you in this fashion. There is a quote that reads, There are no regrets in life, just lessons.
This cannot be more true for everyone. Our lives no matter how imperfect they belong to us. It is what has molded us to the person we are today. Instead of dwelling on your regrets in life, think of them as life lessons that will help to guide your future. 
We cannot change the past, but we have every bit of power to change the future. 
OUR BIGGEST REGRETS AND THE LESSONS LEARNED
[5:26] Spending large amounts of time and money
[ 7:45] Creating Resources and Materials
[12:16] Keeping up with the Jones’
[17:16] Staying late to get things done
[20:32] What do we wish we had done?
CONCLUSION
We will always make decisions in our lives and careers that will not fit our goals. What is important to remember is that we cannot dwell on the past and the decisions that have already been made. It is better to see those decisions as life lessons and begin making a change that will continue to make our future brighter. 
Don't forget to download the FREEBIE: 7 Ways to Jumpstart Your Teacher Productivity
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!
Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

012. How to Feel Motivated When You Are Tired

We pack our bags at the end of a school day with full intentions of grading the quizzes from math class that day, reading the novel that you just started with your group, or cutting out the circles that you need for tomorrow’s craft in science. 
You take the treacherous walk to your car carrying your backpack, lunchbox, purse and now a bag filled with things to do. You drive up to your home and you suddenly feel this overwhelming feeling of tiredness. You still have so much to do, but instead of taking the actionable items out of your teacher bag you flop on your couch and turn Netflix on. It is so much easier to avoid the things we have because let’s face it, it’s not like you’ve been working all day *note the sarcasm. However, not getting the tasks done in our bags only leaves us stressed out and overwhelmed. 
[3:23] TIPS TO FEEL MOTIVATED WHEN YOU ARE TIRED
[4:01] TIP #1: Reflect on your WHY
[6:44] TIP #2: Write the things you need to do down
[10:33] TIP #3: Start with one small thing
[12:38] TIP #4: Reduce distractions and change your scenery
[15:29] TIP #5: Surround yourself with things you enjoy
[19:01] TIP #6: Set a timer and work for that set amount of time
[22:12] TIP #7: Take short breaks
[24:23] TIP #8: Plan a reward for yourself
[28:01] TIP #9: Get active
[29:55] TIP #10: And if all else fails, take a power nap
CONCLUSION
Motivation can be difficult to find, but hopefully one or more of these tips help to inspire you to try and build the willpower to accomplishing that pesky tasks on your to-do list. Even if you are feeling completely defeated, try and find something that inspires you. Remember, we have all been there at one point in our lives; just know that there is a brighter side to the end of the rainbow. 
Don't forget to download the FREEBIE: 7 Ways to Jumpstart Your Teacher Productivity
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!
Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

011. How to Leave Feeling Prepared for the Next Day

We’ve all had those moments when we wake up and we already know that attempting to make through to the day with our 20+ students is just NOT going to happen. This is where you fall under two categories: 1. You begin stressing out because you have nothing ready but need to somehow will yourself to get your plans together for a sub or 2. You have all your things laid out and ready to go so that anyone walking in can easily pick up where you left off. 
Which are you? 
Have your lessons and materials ready to go before you leave the next day can not only help you in emergency situations but it can also help you to feel less stressed and happier. The struggle is just getting to the point where this becomes a habit and not a chore. 
In today’s episode, we are discussing the steps you can start taking today in order to feel prepared for the next. 
It’s probably no surprise that checklists are an easy way to always ensuring that you are leaving feeling prepared. This was you don’t forget to leave something off on those days where your brain is a bit foggy or flustered and it becomes somewhat of a ritual for you. The benefit of having a checklist is that you can re-use it time and time again. We also love that you can share this checklist with your teacher-bestie and on those days where things just don’t go as planned you always have someone there who has your back!
[5:47] STEPS FOR CREATING A CHECKLIST
[5:59] Benefit of a checklist over a to-do list
[7:38]Step #1: Find a repetitive task to create a checklist for
[8:44] Step #2: Write down all of your steps as you are doing it
[11:09] Step #3: Find ways to minimize your checklist
[13:09] Step #4: Store your checklist
[15:47] Step #5: Use it and reset it
Click HERE to download the FREE Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Your Ideal Checklist!
CONCLUSION
Once you solidify your checklist, you can use it on a daily basis and know that you have finished everything you need to finish in order to be prepared for the next day! This means that you can leave school feeling stress-free!
Don’t forget to go back and revise as you find that your needs are changing for that routine. We find that we did more for our learners at the beginning of the year than at the end of the year. So because their needs changed, our routines changed. 
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!
Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

010. How to Feel Like a Good Teacher Without Feeling Overwhelmed

We have all felt it. You know. That feeling of success and that feeling of complete and utter defeat. When you feel really good in one area, another area suffers, and this leads you to feel self-doubt and anxiety that you are not performing the way that you should be. The answer is not to be good at everything or get all the things checked off your to-do but more about finding the balance that works for you and those individuals that are in your life. 
This is the one thing that so many people ask us: “How do you do it all?” People see us and the videos we put out, but they don’t realize that we had to sacrifice a date night or got into an argument for working too hard in order to make it happen. All you see in our social media presence are happy moments. 
Now while you may not be on social media, you still have a lot of parts that you play in your own life. All those parts require your attention and in order to ensure that you slow it down and pay attention to your mental and physical health, we have some tips on how to feel like a good teacher without feeling overwhelmed. 
[4:46] Tips for Feeling Like a good Teacher, Mom, Wife, etc… Without Feeling Overwhelmed
[5:20] Tip #1: Stop comparing yourself to other teachers
[8:07] Tip #2: Let go of perfectionism
[10:38] Tip #3: Say no to some things so you can say yes to other things
[13:55] Tip#4: Stop moving the goal post
[15:38] Tip #5: Return the focus to your students
Above all, remember that what you give every day in and outside of the classroom is appreciated by so many. You are making a difference and giving back. Stop being like everyone else and instead be you. There is, after all, only one you.  
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!
Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

009. The TOP Strategy to be Prepared Months in Advance

We all have those teachers in our buildings. You know. The ones that have it all together and are able to leave no more than 20 minutes after the kids are dismissed. They seem so cool, calm and collected and have every resource printed and ready to go. 
Each time you see them, you secretly wonder “How. How are they able to do it all?” You beat yourself up because you wonder what you are doing wrong and why you can’t be like that teacher. We have all felt this way at some point in our careers. Our goal is to help give you strategies so that you can be that teacher. 
We’ve broken down this topic into three important categories: Time, Productivity and Organization. See what we did there?
[5:00] TIME
[5:06] Using Micro-Productivity
[6:56] Batching 
[9:42] Plan to Tackle Your To-Dos
[10:59] ORGANIZATION
[18:32] PRODUCTIVITY
Click HERE to download the FREE Monthly Guide to Your Planning Success!
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. Click here to subscribe to iTunes!
Now if you’re feeling extra loving, We would be really grateful if you left us a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find our podcast and they’re also fun for us to go in and read. Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let us know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!