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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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Summary

 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
  • 258. Can't Miss Classic: 10 End-of-Year Celebration Ideas Your Students Will Love

    258. Can't Miss Classic: 10 End-of-Year Celebration Ideas Your Students Will Love
    May 18 2026

    As the school year winds down, it’s important to find meaningful ways to celebrate the year with intention. Drawing on ideas from our Teacher Approved community, we explore countdowns, theme days, and creative class celebrations that bring both fun and purpose to those final weeks. These strategies will help keep students engaged, create lasting memories, and honor the classroom community you’ve built, so you can wrap up the year in a way that feels thoughtful, memorable, and manageable.

    Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/last-week-of-school-activities-elementary/

    Resources:

    • Summer Review Packets
    • DLITE Day Packets
    • Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez
    • Jane & Edward: A Modern Reimagining of Jane Eyre by Melodie Edward
    • Check out our book Structure and Spark
    • Join The Teacher Approved Club
    • Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow
    • Shop our teacher-approved resources
    • Join our Teacher Approved Facebook group
    • Leave a review on Apple Podcasts!
    • Leave a comment or rating on Spotify

    Related Episodes to Enjoy:

    • Episode 195. Ditch the Countdown: A Better Way to Create End of Year Closure
    • Episode 62. End of Year Awards: 5 Reasons You Should Rethink This Classroom Tradition
    • Episode 7. The Secret to End of Year Survival
    • Episode 196. The 3 Step Plan to Park Those School Thoughts and Enjoy Your Summer Break

    Mentioned in this episode:

    Get a free 10-day trial of the Teacher Approved Club, where members are working through The Great Classroom Closeout Plan this month to take the chaos out of end-of-year cleanup: https://secondstorywindow.net/trial
    Show More Show Less
    23 mins
  • 257. 5 Smart Switch-Ups for May Classroom Management

    257. 5 Smart Switch-Ups for May Classroom Management
    May 11 2026

    May can be a tough stretch for teachers, with high emotions, routine pushback, and packed calendars. In this episode, we share why the mid-May slump feels so challenging and how trying to tighten control can backfire. Instead, we walk through five simple ways to rebalance structure and spark so you can keep students engaged, reduce chaos, and finish the school year feeling more steady and in control. These small shifts can bring fresh energy to your classroom without adding extra stress.

    Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/may-classroom-management/

    Resources:

    • 3 Wins app
    • Foot cream
    • Check out our book Structure and Spark
    • Join The Teacher Approved Club
    • Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow
    • Shop our teacher-approved resources
    • Join our Teacher Approved Facebook group
    • Leave a review on Apple Podcasts!
    • Leave a comment or rating on Spotify

    Related Episodes to Enjoy:

    • Episode 124. Spring Fever: 3 Tips to Help Your Spring Classroom Management
    • Episode 251. 5 Classroom Management Tricks That Do the Work for You
    • Episode 247. 4 Spring Classroom Management Headaches and How To Fix Them
    • Episode 232. 5 Ways Teachers Can Spark Joy When Classroom Energy Tanks

    Mentioned in this episode:

    Get a free 10-day trial of the Teacher Approved Club, where members are working through The Great Classroom Closeout Plan this month to take the chaos out of end-of-year cleanup: https://secondstorywindow.net/trial
    Show More Show Less
    22 mins
  • 256. Can’t Miss Classic: How to Save Hours at Back-to-School Time by Prepping in May

    256. Can’t Miss Classic: How to Save Hours at Back-to-School Time by Prepping in May
    May 4 2026
    May might feel like the worst time to think about next year, but we’re sharing simple, low-effort ways to get ahead while everything is still fresh. In this episode, we walk through five smart back to school prep strategies you can tackle right now using what you’re already doing. These simple ideas will help you save time, stay organized, and ease that August stress before it even starts.Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/back-to-school-prep-in-may/Resources:Freebie: End of Year RoadmapGuided Discovery of School Tools First Day Pattern Block Activities First Day Lego Activities Looking Ahead, Looking Back Bulletin BoardTeacher goodie bag ideasPeanut butter BarebellsCheck out our book Structure and SparkJoin The Teacher Approved ClubConnect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindowShop our teacher-approved resourcesJoin our Teacher Approved Facebook groupLeave a review on Apple Podcasts!Leave a comment or rating on SpotifyIf you enjoyed this episode, you'll love these too:Episode 249. 5 Easy Teacher Tasks for March That Pay off Big at Back to SchoolEpisode 252. Can’t Miss Classic: April Planning That Makes August EasierEpisode 188. Ending the School Year Strong: 3 Steps to Help Teachers Thrive in Term 4Episode 193. Why Smart Teachers Start Planning for Next Year in MayMentioned in this episode:Get a free 10-day trial of the Teacher Approved Club, where members are working through The Great Classroom Closeout Plan this month to take the chaos out of end-of-year cleanup: https://secondstorywindow.net/trial
    Show More Show Less
    22 mins
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