We live in a time where being a Christian teacher in a public school setting can be very challenging. How do we share Christ and honor God when the expectations for us push back against our faith? Join us for a conversation with a Christian teacher about his experience following Jesus while working in a public school.

00:00 Introduction to Teaching with Faith 02:51 Navigating Improvement Plans in Education 06:09 Sharing the Gospel in Public Schools 09:10 Building Relationships Through Faith 11:52 Encouragement for Teachers Facing Challenges 14:47 Trusting God's Sovereignty in Education

Get notes + links at http://teach4theheart.com/333 

For more encouragement, check out our series Answers for Your Top Teaching Questions at http://teach4theheart.com/answers 

Thinking through procedures is a lot of work. Teaching those procedures is even more! But what happens when we don't spend time and energy on procedures? Listen in as Linda shares why not prioritizing procedures will sabotage your classroom management.

00:00 The Importance of Classroom Procedures

05:10 Creating Effective Procedures

11:44 Teaching and Reinforcing Procedures

Get notes + links at http://teach4theheart.com/332

If you found this episode helpful, check out episode 315: Am I Too Nice? How to be Kind Without Losing Control of the Classroom at https://teach4theheart.com/315 

Returning to school after any long break can come with a lot of hard feelings: anxiety, overwhelm, even dread. But re-entering the classroom doesn't have to be so bad. Listen to this episode of encouragement for teachers as they get ready to go back to school after a break!

Get notes + links at http://teach4theheart.com/331

00:00 Reconnecting with Purpose After Break 06:10 The Power of Prayer and Gratitude 11:48 Resources for Renewed Passion in Teaching

For more encouragement, listen to Episode 190, Overcoming Anxiety as a Christian Teacher at https://teach4theheart.com/overcome-anxiety-christian-teacher/ 

   

As teachers, we're always having more and more added to our plates - but do we ever stop to take anything off? Discover thirty ideas of things you can stop doing (or at least do less often) to take back some time!

Get notes + links at http://teach4theheart.com/330

00:00 Balancing the Teacher's Load 03:09 Strategies for Reducing Workload 05:54 Doing Less: Trimming Tasks 09:10 Transferring Responsibilities 12:10 Practical Examples of Delegation 14:57 Experimenting with New Approaches

If you enjoyed this episode, check out  6 Time-Saving Principles to Achieve Work-Life Balance: https://teach4theheart.com/147 

For more support and encouragement, check out Teach 4 the Heart+ Membership: https://teach4theheart.com/plus/  

None of us got into teaching because we couldn't wait to deal with discipline issues. Nonetheless, classroom management can seriously make or break our ability to be effective as teachers. Listen as we explore 10 common mistakes that can totally derail our classroom management (and how to fix them).

Get notes + links at http://teach4theheart.com/329

00:00 Introduction to Classroom Management Challenges 01:29 The Kind vs. Strict Dilemma 03:44 Addressing Small Issues Before They Escalate 05:38 The Importance of Clear Procedures 07:57 Setting Clear Expectations for Behavior 09:51 Logical Consequences in the Classroom 10:49 The Dangers of Bailing Students Out 11:57 Building Relationships with Students 13:46 Encouraging Positive Behavior 14:43 Focusing on What You Can Control 17:32 The Necessity of Having a Plan  

If you enjoyed this episode, check out Episode 318: Tips for Better Communication with Parents at https://teach4theheart.com/318 

For more help with Classroom Management, check out our training course, Classroom Management 101: https://teach4theheart.com/cm101 

Sometimes students just don't seem to get what we want them to do and how they need to behave. Where is the disconnect? Listen in as Linda shares tips for setting clearer expectations in your classroom and see how your classroom changes!

Get notes + links at http://teach4theheart.com/328

00:00 Clarifying Expectations in Classroom Management 11:21 Communicating Expectations to Students

If you enjoyed this episode, check out episode 316: How to be More Consistent With Classroom Behavior Issues: https://teach4theheart.com/managing-a-classroom-consistently/ 

For more encouragement, check out our free training: How to Reduce Disruptions at https://teach4theheart.com/free 

Kids and teens face so many challenges around identity that parents and teachers don't always feel qualified to help them understand. Founder and Executive Director of Fieldstone Counseling, Jonathan Holmes, shares strategies outlined in his new book, Grounded in Grace, that will help teachers and parents encourage students to find their identity in God's grace.

01:20 Jonathan Holmes' Background and Motivation for Writing about Identity 03:11 Identity Struggles in Academics, Sports, and More 09:49 Reinforcing a Grace-Centered Perspective in Christian Schools 15:02 Pointing Students Towards a Deeper Identity in Public Schools

Read the blog version or transcript at http://teach4theheart.com/327

Links + Other Episodes

Grounded in Grace book: https://newgrowthpress.com/new-releases/upcoming-books/grounded-in-grace-helping-kids-build-their-identity-in-christ/  Fieldstone Counseling: https://fieldstonecounseling.org/

Past episodes with Jonathan that you might like: Gender Identity Part 1: https://teach4theheart.com/Christian-educators-gender-identity/  Gender Identity Part 2: https://teach4theheart.com/gender-identity-christian-educator/  Reshaping Identity Issues w/ the Gospel: https://teach4theheart.com/identity/ 

Nothing gets in the way of learning quite like constant chatter in a classroom. It can be challenging to get students to stop talking so much. Linda shares her strategies for managing a chatty class and reducing disruptions so you can actually teach.

Get notes + links at http://teach4theheart.com/326

00:00 Introduction to Classroom Challenges 01:52 Understanding Chatter and Blurting 04:42 Implementing a Warning System 09:49 Adapting the System for Individual Needs 12:38 Building Confidence and Consistency 14:47 Conclusion and Additional Resources

Classroom Management 101: https://teach4theheart.com/cm101    Free Training: How to Reduce Disruptions so You Can Actually Teach: http://teach4theheart.com/free 

If you liked this episode, check out episode 316: How to Be More Consistent with Classroom Behavior Issues at https://teach4theheart.com/316 

Every teacher faces challenges with classroom management and creating a classroom where students thrive. Whole Brain Teaching is one of the world's premier instructional systems. Relying on research-based strategies to successfully engage all students, Chris Biffle shares how using Whole Brain Teaching can make your classroom the best place for every student to learn. Listen in to this episode from our most recent Rise Up Summit.

Get notes + links at http://teach4theheart.com/325

00:00 Introduction and Background 03:06 Engaging the Whole Brain: Whole Brain Teaching 05:48 Superimprover: Turning the Classroom into a Living Video Game 08:56 Mastering Classroom Management with Whole Brain Teaching Rules 11:53 Smooth Transitions: The Three P's and Gamifying Instruction 16:12 Adapting Whole Brain Teaching for Different Grade Levels

Are you struggling with student apathy or a general lack of motivation? Listen to this Rise Up Summit session from 2023 as motivation expert Dave Stuart Jr. shares the key factors that affect student motivation and how we as teachers can inspire our students to not only do the work but genuinely care about it.

Check out our Rise Up Summit for free at https://riseupchristianeducators.com/

Get more info + links from this episode at http://teach4theheart.com/324

00:00  Introduction to Student Motivation 02:06  The Role of Love in Education 12:17  Understanding Student Beliefs 17:11  Building Teacher Credibility 27:50  The Eternal Value of Students 28:23  The Unique Challenges of Today's Students 29:51  Building Genuine Connections with Students 35:55  Overcoming Personal Biases in Teaching 39:42  The Power of Prayer in Education 41:40  The Peter Effect: Teacher Passion and Student Engagement 49:41  The Importance of Teacher Credibility

If you liked this episode check out episode 303: Adding Joy + Play to Any Classroom at https://teach4theheart.com/303 

Having students work in groups can be difficult for them and for you. But working collaboratively is an important way to help students develop compassion, learn more deeply, and be ready to work in their future profession. Listen in as we share the best tips for group work and reasons behind having students collaborate from our community of teachers.

Get notes + links at http://teach4theheart.com/323

00:00Introduction: The Integration of Teaching and Faith 01:51The Spiritual Side of Group Work 05:29Practical Tips for Successful Group Work 12:25Implementing Group Work: Using Sentence Starters and Defining Roles 17:40Recommended Resources for Cooperative Learning Structures 19:42Conclusion: The Value of Group Work in the Classroom   If you liked this episode, check out episode 319: Just Try Something! Small Steps to Innovate in Your Classroom at https://teach4theheart.com/319