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Could YOU be unintentionally pushing your teaching colleagues away? In this eye-opening episode, we dive into the seemingly helpful phrases that might actually be damaging your workplace relationships. Whether you're a veteran teacher or new to the classroom, these common expressions could create tension without you even realizing it!

🎯 Key Takeaways:

• 🤐 The dangerous trap of "it could be worse" and why this well-meaning phrase actually invalidates your colleagues' experiences
• 🏆 Why saying "they never behaved that way for me" is secretly undermining your fellow teachers (and what to say instead!)
• 📊 The career-damaging impact of declaring "this is the worst class ever" and how it affects your professional reputation
• 👑 Veteran teacher alert: How "paying your dues" comments might be creating a toxic hierarchy in your school
• 🎓 New teacher pitfalls: The fine line between sharing fresh knowledge and coming across as a know-it-all

💡 Pro Tips:

• Transform competitive misery into collaborative support
• Learn the art of curiosity-based responses
• Master the delicate balance of experience-sharing

✨ Remember: Awareness is the first step to positive change. These insights aren't meant to shame but to empower you to build stronger, more authentic relationships with your teaching community.

To get your copy of The Empowered Teacher Toolkit: Proven Strategies to Take Control of Your Time, Your Energy, & Your Passion for Teaching click here

📘 My latest (and greatest!) book:
The Empowered Teacher Toolkit
Want to truly thrive in teaching without sacrificing your personal life? Check out the Balanced Teacher Membership here
Check out the best-selling Positive Mindset Habits for Teachers book here
Beat Teacher Burnout with Better Boundaries book here

Wanna get social?
https://www.tiktok.com/@gracestevensteacher
https://www.facebook.com/GraceStevensTeacher
https://www.Instagram.com/gracestevensteacher

Old school: Website : www.GraceStevens.com (courses, blog & freebies!)

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In this heartfelt mini-episode, Grace shares a "Lunchbox Love Note" to help teachers navigate the dreaded Sunday Scaries. As winter break ends and the hustle of teaching looms, many educators feel a mix of anxiety, dread, and resentment. Grace reminds you that these feelings are normal—and that you’re not alone.

💡 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• 🌈 Why it’s okay to feel conflicted about going back to school.
• 🛑 How to stop guilt from stealing your joy today.
• ❤️ A reminder that at least one student—and likely more—is eagerly waiting for the safe, calm, and structured environment you provide.
• 💪 Why you don’t need a “new year, new you” resolution—just a return to the joyful, unexhausted version of yourself.

✨ Teacher Takeaways:

• You’re human, and your emotions are valid.
• You became a teacher to make an impact, and that impact is felt deeply—even if it doesn’t always show.
• Remember: students who test boundaries often need your calm, consistent care the most.

📌 Actionable Advice:

1. Give yourself permission to feel your feelings without guilt.
2. Focus on the joy and impact you bring to your students.
3. Ditch overwhelming resolutions—small, healthy habits are the key to feeling better.

And if you appreciate my content, I humbly invite you to "pay it forward" and share this episode with a colleague. Everyone wins 💛

To get your copy of The Empowered Teacher Toolkit: Proven Strategies to Take Control of Your Time, Your Energy, & Your Passion for Teaching click here

📘 My latest (and greatest!) book:
The Empowered Teacher Toolkit
Want to truly thrive in teaching without sacrificing your personal life? Check out the Balanced Teacher Membership here
Check out the best-selling Positive Mindset Habits for Teachers book here
Beat Teacher Burnout with Better Boundaries book here

Wanna get social?
https://www.tiktok.com/@gracestevensteacher
https://www.facebook.com/GraceStevensTeacher
https://www.Instagram.com/gracestevensteacher

Old school: Website : www.GraceStevens.com (courses, blog & freebies!)

Send us a text

This week's ENCORE🎙️ episode is for anyone who has ever wondered if they are taking our "drink to escape/cope" culture too far. As teachers, many of us joke about needing our "lesson planning juice," but some of us have a nagging feeling that maybe our life would be better without alcohol. Educators, this is a judgment-free zone. It's an invitation to honestly ask yourself if some of your habits may be fueling your teacher stress and anxiety, not relieving them.

Listen along to my conversation with sobriety coach Casey McGuire Davidson, where we discuss all things "sober curious" for educators, including:

• The Allure and Cost of Teacher Drinking Culture 🍾
• The Benefits of Going Dry for 30 Days 🏋️‍♀️
• Making a Lifestyle Shift Through New Rituals 🧘‍♀️
• Honoring Your Health and Reclaiming Time For You ⏰

Casey shares her wisdom, encouragement, and a great resource to help you get started on a 30-day alcohol-free experiment (try it and see how you feel and what you learn)

Free 30-Day Sober Guide - https://hellosomedaycoaching.com/30-day-sober-guide/
Podcast - https://hellosomedaycoaching.com/podcast/

The Hello Someday Podcast For Sober Curious Women

To get your copy of The Empowered Teacher Toolkit: Proven Strategies to Take Control of Your Time, Your Energy, & Your Passion for Teaching click here

📘 My latest (and greatest!) book:
The Empowered Teacher Toolkit
Want to truly thrive in teaching without sacrificing your personal life? Check out the Balanced Teacher Membership here
Check out the best-selling Positive Mindset Habits for Teachers book here
Beat Teacher Burnout with Better Boundaries book here

Wanna get social?
https://www.tiktok.com/@gracestevensteacher
https://www.facebook.com/GraceStevensTeacher
https://www.Instagram.com/gracestevensteacher

Old school: Website : www.GraceStevens.com (courses, blog & freebies!)

Send us a text

To get your copy of The Empowered Teacher Toolkit: Proven Strategies to Take Control of Your Time, Your Energy, & Your Passion for Teaching click here

📘 My latest (and greatest!) book:
The Empowered Teacher Toolkit
Want to truly thrive in teaching without sacrificing your personal life? Check out the Balanced Teacher Membership here
Check out the best-selling Positive Mindset Habits for Teachers book here
Beat Teacher Burnout with Better Boundaries book here

Wanna get social?
https://www.tiktok.com/@gracestevensteacher
https://www.facebook.com/GraceStevensTeacher
https://www.Instagram.com/gracestevensteacher

Old school: Website : www.GraceStevens.com (courses, blog & freebies!)

Send us a text

👩‍🏫 Are you a teacher wrestling with the "stay or go" dilemma? This vulnerable and honest episode might be your roadmap!

Episode Description: In this deeply personal episode, experienced educator Grace Stevens shares her transformative journey of leaving full-time teaching, discovering unexpected challenges in her new life, and ultimately finding her way back to the classroom—but on her own terms.

Key Insights You'll Discover: 🔍 The REAL reasons teachers consider leaving their profession 💡 Surprising emotional and professional gaps created by stepping away from education 🌈 How flexibility doesn't always equal fulfillment 💪 Strategies for maintaining passion while protecting your well-being 🤝 The irreplaceable value of human connection in teaching

Raw Moment Alert: During a conference exercise, Grace discovered she scored incredibly low in "validation" and "purpose" - a revelation that sparked her return to teaching.

Pro Tip for Educators: Grace advocates for normalized sabbaticals and more flexible re-entry paths in education.

Memorable Quote: "Is my life easier without teaching? A hundred percent. But it is not as full."

Who Should Listen?

• Teachers contemplating a career transition
• Educators experiencing burnout
• School leaders interested in teacher retention
• Anyone seeking an authentic story of professional reinvention

To get your copy of The Empowered Teacher Toolkit: Proven Strategies to Take Control of Your Time, Your Energy, & Your Passion for Teaching click here

📘 My latest (and greatest!) book:
The Empowered Teacher Toolkit
Want to truly thrive in teaching without sacrificing your personal life? Check out the Balanced Teacher Membership here
Check out the best-selling Positive Mindset Habits for Teachers book here
Beat Teacher Burnout with Better Boundaries book here

Wanna get social?
https://www.tiktok.com/@gracestevensteacher
https://www.facebook.com/GraceStevensTeacher
https://www.Instagram.com/gracestevensteacher

Old school: Website : www.GraceStevens.com (courses, blog & freebies!)

Send us a text

Are you nervous about setting boundaries at school because you're worried about pushback? You're not alone! In this episode, we tackle one of the most common concerns I hear from educators: "What happens when I start setting boundaries and people push back?" Whether it's passive-aggressive comments from colleagues or pressure from administrators, I'm sharing real strategies to help you stand firm with confidence and grace.

✨ In This Episode You'll Discover:

• 🔑 Why the person who complains most about your boundaries was likely benefiting most from their absence
• 🌟 The "secret sauce" for responding to administrator pushback (hint: it's all about the students!)
• 💪 How to handle passive-aggressive comments from colleagues with professionalism
• 🎯 Why setting boundaries is like having lines on the road - essential for everyone's safety
• 🌱 The truth about boundary-setting being a muscle that gets stronger with practice

🚀 Key Takeaways:

• 📝 Your basic rights as an educator (yes, you have them!)
• 🎭 How to respond to the dreaded "team player" guilt trip
• 💡 Why pushback isn't a sign you're doing something wrong - it's a sign of positive change
• 🌈 Real-world examples from my 20+ years in education
• ⏰ Professional ways to protect your time without burning bridges

💫 Remember: When you invest in healthy boundaries, everyone benefits - your students get a more energized, creative, and present teacher, and you get to have a more balanced, fulfilling life.

Don't forget to grab your ultimate guide to saying "No" ⬇️

To get your copy of The Empowered Teacher Toolkit: Proven Strategies to Take Control of Your Time, Your Energy, & Your Passion for Teaching click here

📘 My latest (and greatest!) book:
The Empowered Teacher Toolkit
Want to truly thrive in teaching without sacrificing your personal life? Check out the Balanced Teacher Membership here
Check out the best-selling Positive Mindset Habits for Teachers book here
Beat Teacher Burnout with Better Boundaries book here

Wanna get social?
https://www.tiktok.com/@gracestevensteacher
https://www.facebook.com/GraceStevensTeacher
https://www.Instagram.com/gracestevensteacher

Old school: Website : www.GraceStevens.com (courses, blog & freebies!)

Send us a text

Let me help you get ready to have the best parent-teacher conference season ever! 📝 While it can cause a lot of teacher stress, conferences are an important chance to connect with families. With some preparation, you can make conferences productive and positive!

In this episode I do do a deep dive into these top 5 strategies to help everything run smoothly.

🔑 First, leverage technology to take yourself out of the scheduling drama! It will also help you meet the needs of parents with inflexible schedules.

⏰ Second, manage expectations upfront. Tell parents how long conferences will be and remind them not to be surprised - they should already know if their child is struggling.

👩‍🏫 Third, involve students when you can with self-reflection exercises like "glow and grow." Get their perspective and involve them in the "triangle of success."

❌ Fourth, set boundaries. Have a schedule posted publicly so parents stick to their time slot. Get a witness if you anticipate tension. 👀

🤗 Fifth, imagine it's your child. Lead with the positives. Minimize jargon on forms. Make it a dialogue, not a monologue.

Bonus: Optics matter - tidy your room, dress professionally. Prepare materials in advance so you look authoritative. 💼

So stop dreading those conferences! With some prep, you'll crush it!

Mentioned in this episode:
Signupgenius.com

To get your copy of The Empowered Teacher Toolkit: Proven Strategies to Take Control of Your Time, Your Energy, & Your Passion for Teaching click here

📘 My latest (and greatest!) book:
The Empowered Teacher Toolkit
Want to truly thrive in teaching without sacrificing your personal life? Check out the Balanced Teacher Membership here
Check out the best-selling Positive Mindset Habits for Teachers book here
Beat Teacher Burnout with Better Boundaries book here

Wanna get social?
https://www.tiktok.com/@gracestevensteacher
https://www.facebook.com/GraceStevensTeacher
https://www.Instagram.com/gracestevensteacher

Old school: Website : www.GraceStevens.com (courses, blog & freebies!)

Send us a text

In this empowering mini-episode, Grace examines how to deal with the aftermath of this week's election results. What if it didn't go the way you hoped? How do we rise above no matter what and find things that unite us with others, not divide us? How do we create a classroom community where everyone feels valued, safe, and included?

❤️ Her advice? "Be the source." Lead with love, not fear.

Take a quick time out to maybe have a mindset shift and a virtual hug to make you feel better about navigating the challenges of "keeping politics out of your classroom" when it is all anyone can think about this week.

Inspiration for teachers, school leadership, and anyone who is stressed by politics these days.

To get your copy of The Empowered Teacher Toolkit: Proven Strategies to Take Control of Your Time, Your Energy, & Your Passion for Teaching click here

📘 My latest (and greatest!) book:
The Empowered Teacher Toolkit
Want to truly thrive in teaching without sacrificing your personal life? Check out the Balanced Teacher Membership here
Check out the best-selling Positive Mindset Habits for Teachers book here
Beat Teacher Burnout with Better Boundaries book here

Wanna get social?
https://www.tiktok.com/@gracestevensteacher
https://www.facebook.com/GraceStevensTeacher
https://www.Instagram.com/gracestevensteacher

Old school: Website : www.GraceStevens.com (courses, blog & freebies!)