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Teacher Approved: Elementary Teacher Tips & Strategies

Teacher Approved: Elementary Teacher Tips & Strategies

By: Heidi and Emily Elementary School Teacher and Resource Designer
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Do you ever feel like there’s just not enough time in the day to be the kind of teacher you really want to be? We know that feeling and we’re here to help! Each week on The Teacher Approved podcast, we discuss how to be the teacher you dream of being by elevating what matters and simplifying the rest. Join co-hosts Emily and Heidi of Second Story Window as they share research-based and teacher-approved strategies you can count on to make your teaching more efficient and effective than ever before. Topics include classroom management, routines for the elementary school classroom, planning, student-teacher relationships, teacher organization hacks, student engagement, classroom management, and more. Whether you’re a new teacher seeking guidance or a seasoned educator looking for fresh ideas, the Teacher Approved podcast is your guide to fostering a thriving elementary classroom! For more teacher approved tips and resources, head to www.secondstorywindow.net and follow along on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.2022 Personal Development Personal Success
Episodes
  • 243. How to Protect Your Planning Time (So You Can Stop Working For Free)
    Feb 2 2026

    In this episode, we break down why teacher planning time so often gets wasted and what actually helps protect it. We share a simple two-pillar framework focused on guarding your prep from interruptions and directing it with intention, so you know exactly what to work on when you sit down. From setting boundaries to choosing tasks that make the rest of your week smoother, this conversation is all about making planning time more productive and sustainable.

    Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/teacher-planning-time-strategies/

    Resources:

    1. Join the Teacher Approved Club!
    2. February Teacher Survival Kit
    3. Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.
    4. Shop our teacher-approved resources.
    5. Join our Facebook group, Teacher Approved
    6. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
    7. Leave a comment or rating on Spotify.

    Related Episodes to Enjoy:

    1. Episode 169. Our Best Teacher Tips for Finding Pockets of Prep Time to Get Ahead for January
    2. Episode 91. Start Your Day Strong: Top Tips for Maximizing Your Morning Work
    3. Episode 181. How to Get Ahead on Your Teacher Tasks for a Stress-Free Spring Break

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    24 mins
  • 242. 6 Small Tweaks That Can Save Your February Teacher Energy
    Jan 26 2026

    January is tough, but February can be a surprisingly powerful reset if you know how to use it. In this episode, we share why this month often feels draining, how hidden energy leaks show up across your day, and how a simple February energy audit can help you make small, strategic shifts that protect your time and capacity. Our goal is to help you stop drifting through February and start using it to refill your tank before the rest of the year ramps up.

    Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/february-teacher-energy-tips/

    Resources:

    1. February Teacher Survival Kit
    2. Join the Teacher Approved Club!
    3. BlueAir humidifier
    4. Hinge toppers
    5. Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.
    6. Shop our teacher-approved resources.
    7. Join our Facebook group, Teacher Approved
    8. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
    9. Leave a comment or rating on Spotify.

    Related Episodes to Enjoy:

    1. Episode 48. How to Make Classroom Transitions Simple with Clear Beginnings and Endings
    2. Episode 49. Rapid Classroom Transitions: How to Save 45 Hours a Year
    3. Episode 50. 3 Guidelines to Make Classroom Transitions Work Smarter Not Harder
    4. Episode 161, How to Get Students Actively Engaged: 5 Teacher Approved Techniques...
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    30 mins
  • 241. What Smart Teachers Do Before a PD Event (So It Actually Sticks)
    Jan 12 2026

    Inspiration is fun, but momentum is what really matters! In this episode, we share how to use Teacher Winter Talks to spark change you can carry back into your classroom. We walk through what to do before, during, and after the summit so great ideas don’t end up in the "forgotten idea graveyard". If you want to reconnect with what’s working, focus on strategies that fit your classroom, and turn inspiration into action, this episode is your game plan.

    Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/teacher-pd-tips/

    Resources:

    1. Grab your FREE ticket to Teacher Winter Talks.
    2. Good Store
    3. Sun Basin Wooden Wick Candle
    4. Monochrome Coloring Book
    5. Join the Teacher Approved Club!
    6. Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.
    7. Shop our teacher-approved resources.
    8. Join our Facebook group, Teacher Approved
    9. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
    10. Leave a comment or rating on Spotify.

    Related Episodes to Enjoy:

    1. Episode 71, The Easy Way Teachers Can Learn This Summer: 10 PD Books We Love
    2. Episode 236, Your Tired Teacher Guide to January Prep From Your Couch
    3. Episode 240, 7 Quick...
    Show More Show Less
    24 mins
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