• 44. How To Help Students Feel Safe in Troubling Times
    Jan 19 2026

    There's a lot going on in the world that is making our most vulnerable students fear for their safety. They see things on the news, on social media, or even down the street where they live (maybe even at their front door) that are scary and violent. It's a lot for an adult to process, much less a child. This is a short episode about what to keep at the forefront in your classroom during troubling times to help your students feel safe. Please know that what you do every day, beyond what you teach, to help your students grow and become the people they are meant to be, matters more than you will ever know.

    Get your copy of Teachaholic: The 7-Day MindSET Shift to Conquer Burnout, Build Life-Changing Boundaries, and Reignite Your Love for Teaching at www.erinsponaugle.com/book.

    You can download the Teachaholic Action Guide to begin your journey back from burnout here.

    Download your FREE checklist, The Great 88: Rules, Routines, and Expectations to Go Over and Over, and feel confident establishing classroom management.

    For more resources on classroom management, time management, and preserving mental well-being to avoid teacher burnout, visit www.erinsponaugle.com.

    Find more upper elementary classroom resources by visiting Next Chapter Press on Teachers Pay Teachers.

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextchapterforteachers/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erinsponauglewv/

    Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/erin_sponaugle/

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    12 min
  • 43. Teaching Grammar in the Age of AI: An Interview with Patty McGee
    Jan 11 2026

    It's no secret that artificial intelligence (AI) has changed how we can access information and perform tasks. While you may find the benefits and risks of using AI debatable, its ability to make the completion of work more efficient, for better or worse, is hard to deny. But what if you are a teacher who wants your students to learn how to write, and they use AI tools to complete their assignments instead of applying what you teach? Along with how social media has impacted communication, AI may feel like an impossible struggle when teaching your students to write and apply grammar skills. In this interview with national literacy consultant and author Patty McGee, we discuss how to teach students grammar in the availability of AI and strategies to make writing instruction relevant in the digital age. You can learn more about how to integrate grammar instruction in the content area and more of Patty's resources at www.pattymcgee.org

    Get your copy of Not Your Granny's Grammar: An Innovative Approach to Meaningful and Engaging Grammar Instruction here!

    Get your copy of Teachaholic: The 7-Day MindSET Shift to Conquer Burnout, Build Life-Changing Boundaries, and Reignite Your Love for Teaching at www.erinsponaugle.com/book.

    You can download the Teachaholic Action Guide to begin your journey back from burnout here.

    Download your FREE checklist, The Great 88: Rules, Routines, and Expectations to Go Over and Over, and feel confident establishing classroom management.

    For more resources on classroom management, time management, and preserving mental well-being to avoid teacher burnout, visit www.erinsponaugle.com.

    Find more upper elementary classroom resources by visiting Next Chapter Press on Teachers Pay Teachers.

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextchapterforteachers/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erinsponauglewv/

    Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/erin_sponaugle/

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    35 min
  • 42. Tips to Get Students (and Teachers) Back in a Routine After Winter Break
    Jan 4 2026

    Going back to school after a winter break and getting back into a routine isn't easy for teachers or students. The second semester is a chance to make changes and to start fresh for the second half of the school year. Listen to this episode to learn what to prioritize when your students walk back through your classroom door in January so that you can establish routines and rapport on the second first day of school.

    If you are looking to make changes to school and home life balance, or fear you are on the edge of burning out and quitting teaching, I have a resource that could help you out. My free Teachaholic Action Guide gives you the questions, organizers, and quizzes to help you get yourself to a place of peace for what you need to do to be happy, healthy, and whole. You can get the guide here.


    Get your copy of Teachaholic: The 7-Day MindSET Shift to Conquer Burnout, Build Life-Changing Boundaries, and Reignite Your Love for Teaching at www.erinsponaugle.com/book.

    You can download the Teachaholic Action Guide to begin your journey back from burnout here.

    Download your FREE checklist, The Great 88: Rules, Routines, and Expectations to Go Over and Over, and feel confident establishing classroom management.

    For more resources on classroom management, time management, and preserving mental well-being to avoid teacher burnout, visit www.erinsponaugle.com.

    Find more upper elementary classroom resources by visiting Next Chapter Press on Teachers Pay Teachers.

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextchapterforteachers/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erinsponauglewv/

    Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/erin_sponaugle/

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    18 min
  • 41. How I Manage Panic Attacks and Anxiety as a Teacher
    Dec 14 2025

    One of the greatest challenges of my teaching career and personal life has been learning to manage my panic attacks and anxiety. Teaching is an anxiety-inducing profession, and unchecked stress from the classroom can contribute to teacher burnout. In this season where teachers are continuously overworked and overwhelmed, taking care of your mental health is of the utmost importance. For this final episode of season four, I discuss my own journey with panic attacks and an anxiety disorder, along with how I have learned to manage as a classroom teacher for over 20 years.

    Get your copy of Teachaholic: The 7-Day MindSET Shift to Conquer Burnout, Build Life-Changing Boundaries, and Reignite Your Love for Teaching at www.erinsponaugle.com/book.

    You can download the Teachaholic Action Guide to begin your journey back from burnout here.

    Download your FREE checklist, The Great 88: Rules, Routines, and Expectations to Go Over and Over, and feel confident establishing classroom management.

    For more resources on classroom management, time management, and preserving mental well-being to avoid teacher burnout, visit www.erinsponaugle.com.

    Find more upper elementary classroom resources by visiting Next Chapter Press on Teachers Pay Teachers.

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextchapterforteachers/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erinsponauglewv/

    Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/erin_sponaugle/

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    21 min
  • 40. Help for When Colleagues Are Upset You Say No and Set Teacher Boundaries
    Dec 7 2025

    Not everyone is going to be thrilled when you start setting boundaries as a teacher, even if your goal is to avoid burnout. Colleagues may feel hurt or disappointed that you don't take on the extra tasks you have in the past, or that you are prioritizing other things over the classroom. This upset can make you feel as if you are in the wrong or as if you need to go back to how things were when you were doing it all. Listen to this episode for the seven things to keep in mind when coworkers aren't happy about your decision to leave the teachaholic mindset behind. It's not easy, but I promise that if you stay the course, better days are ahead.

    Get your copy of Teachaholic: The 7-Day MindSET Shift to Conquer Burnout, Build Life-Changing Boundaries, and Reignite Your Love for Teaching at www.erinsponaugle.com/book.

    You can download the Teachaholic Action Guide to begin your journey back from burnout here.

    Download your FREE checklist, The Great 88: Rules, Routines, and Expectations to Go Over and Over, and feel confident establishing classroom management.

    For more resources on classroom management, time management, and preserving mental well-being to avoid teacher burnout, visit www.erinsponaugle.com.

    Find more upper elementary classroom resources by visiting Next Chapter Press on Teachers Pay Teachers.

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextchapterforteachers/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erinsponauglewv/

    Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/erin_sponaugle/

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    25 min
  • 39. Finding Joy and Teaching Creatively with a Scripted Curriculum - An Interview with Elizabeth Peterson
    Nov 30 2025

    Scripted curricula and strict adherence to teaching standards can threaten to destroy your love for teaching. How can teachers combat the loss of teacher autonomy and freedom to be creative in their lesson planning when they're handed a scripted curriculum? Elizabeth Peterson of The Inspired Classroom shares in this interview how teachers can infuse their classrooms with joy, social-emotional learning, and creativity, even when they're expected to teach from a script. Listen to this inspiring conversation and learn more about Elizabeth's SEAL program to bring more creativity into classrooms and schools.

    You can learn more about Elizabeth and take her FREE class, Three Ways to Integrate the Arts in Your Classroom with SEL, at theinspiredclassroom.com

    Follow Elizabeth on Facebook and Instagram!

    Get your copy of Teachaholic: The 7-Day MindSET Shift to Conquer Burnout, Build Life-Changing Boundaries, and Reignite Your Love for Teaching at www.erinsponaugle.com/book.

    You can download the Teachaholic Action Guide to begin your journey back from burnout here.

    Download your FREE checklist, The Great 88: Rules, Routines, and Expectations to Go Over and Over, and feel confident establishing classroom management.

    For more resources on classroom management, time management, and preserving mental well-being to avoid teacher burnout, visit www.erinsponaugle.com.

    Find more upper elementary classroom resources by visiting Next Chapter Press on Teachers Pay Teachers.

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextchapterforteachers/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erinsponauglewv/

    Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/erin_sponaugle/

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    45 min
  • 38. Childless Teacher: How to Avoid Burnout When You Have No Kids of Your Own
    Nov 16 2025

    Sometimes, when you're a childless teacher, you're more prone to burnout. When you don't have kids of your own to go home to at the end of the day, it can be easy to take on more classroom and school responsibilities to fill the void. If you have ever felt less than or not enough because you aren't a parent, you'll want to listen to this episode. It's very personal to me and has been part of my journey out of teacher burnout.

    Get your copy of Teachaholic: The 7-Day MindSET Shift to Conquer Burnout, Build Life-Changing Boundaries, and Reignite Your Love for Teaching at www.erinsponaugle.com/book.

    You can download the Teachaholic Action Guide to begin your journey back from burnout here.

    Download your FREE checklist, The Great 88: Rules, Routines, and Expectations to Go Over and Over, and feel confident establishing classroom management.

    For more resources on classroom management, time management, and preserving mental well-being to avoid teacher burnout, visit www.erinsponaugle.com.

    Find more upper elementary classroom resources by visiting Next Chapter Press on Teachers Pay Teachers.

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextchapterforteachers/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erinsponauglewv/

    Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/erin_sponaugle/

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    19 min
  • 37. Students Keep Saying "6 7?" How to Deal with Disruptive and Repetitive Noises in the Classroom
    Nov 9 2025

    Are you tired of hearing your students say "6 7," "sigma," or any other random phrases or noises that disrupt your classroom? This year, it seems the repetitive, disruptive noises from students are at an all-time high. Spurred by what's trending on social media, these seemingly harmless fads tend to distract our students from learning - and wear on our teacher patience. In this episode, we'll discuss why students keep saying and doing these trends (trust me - it's not the first or the last) and how we can combat their impact on student learning.

    Are the demands of the classroom causing you to think about quitting teaching? Before you do, check out my best-selling book, Teachaholic: The 7-Day MindSET Shift to Conquer Burnout, Build Life-Changing Boundaries, and Reignite Your Love for Teaching. You can learn how to get your copy at www.erinsponaugle.com/book and download your free Teachaholic Action Guide to begin your journey back from burnout here.

    Get your copy of Teachaholic: The 7-Day MindSET Shift to Conquer Burnout, Build Life-Changing Boundaries, and Reignite Your Love for Teaching at www.erinsponaugle.com/book.

    You can download the Teachaholic Action Guide to begin your journey back from burnout here.

    Download your FREE checklist, The Great 88: Rules, Routines, and Expectations to Go Over and Over, and feel confident establishing classroom management.

    For more resources on classroom management, time management, and preserving mental well-being to avoid teacher burnout, visit www.erinsponaugle.com.

    Find more upper elementary classroom resources by visiting Next Chapter Press on Teachers Pay Teachers.

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextchapterforteachers/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erinsponauglewv/

    Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/erin_sponaugle/

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    20 min