Claim OwnershipThe Balanced Educator Podcast
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Description
The Balanced Educator Podcast helps K–12 teachers create calmer, more focused classrooms—without extra prep.
Hosted by teachers who understand today’s classrooms, each episode shares ready-to-use mindfulness practices, social-emotional learning (SEL) strategies, and growth mindset tools. You’ll find support for classroom management, student self-regulation, emotional intelligence, mental health & more.
Press play for practical, evidence-based guidance to reduce teacher stress and help both you & your students thrive.
👉 Visit www.breathegrowthrive.com for free resources and actionable tips!
Hosted by teachers who understand today’s classrooms, each episode shares ready-to-use mindfulness practices, social-emotional learning (SEL) strategies, and growth mindset tools. You’ll find support for classroom management, student self-regulation, emotional intelligence, mental health & more.
Press play for practical, evidence-based guidance to reduce teacher stress and help both you & your students thrive.
👉 Visit www.breathegrowthrive.com for free resources and actionable tips!
157 Episodes
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Struggling with classroom management?One powerful solution is teaching emotional regulation through yoga and mindfulness! In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we interview Giselle Shardlow, founder of Kids Yoga Stories, to explore how yoga and mindfulness can help students self-regulate and manage their behaviors in the classroom.We dive into:- What kids yoga is and how it differs from adult yoga- Fun and engaging ways to teach yoga and mindfulness to kids and teens- How to use yoga for emotional regulation and improve classroom behavior- Tips for bringing mindfulness and yoga into your classroom in a way that kids will love- Simple steps for preparing to teach yoga and mindfulness at schoolBy the end of this episode, you'll have practical strategies and no-prep ideas to start using yoga and mindfulness for better classroom management and emotional regulation right away!
Are you a new teacher feeling overwhelmed by the demands of the classroom?Wondering how to avoid burnout and find balance? You’re not alone! In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we’re joined by Alisha, a seasoned educator and co-host of the Rainbow Skies for New Teachers podcast. Together, we dive into the most common challenges new teachers face and offer practical strategies to help you manage stress, prevent teacher burnout, and thrive during your first year.Alisha shares:- Key tips for managing classroom stress and maintaining work-life balance- How to set realistic expectations and avoid overwhelm as a new teacher- Practical self-care strategies for teachers to prevent burnout- Advice on building a supportive network and staying motivated throughout the school yearIf you're a new teacher looking for support and guidance, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you succeed and avoid burnout in your teaching journey.
Are you struggling with teacher burnout and finding it hard to balance work and life?It’s time to reclaim your personal time and reduce overwhelm! In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we sit down with Shawna Lapointe, teacher, entrepreneur, and mom of four, to learn practical strategies for achieving a healthier work-life balance and preventing burnout.Shawna shares:The key question to ask yourself to maintain balance in both your work and personal lifeTime management tips for completing all your work during contractual hours—no grading or planning at home!Simple meal prep ideas to save time and reduce stress around cooking and cleaningHow to reduce burnout and focus on what matters most: quality time with family and friendsBy the end of this episode, you’ll be armed with actionable strategies to manage your time more effectively, prevent teacher burnout, and create a healthier work-life balance.
Winter is the perfect time to bring mindfulness and social-emotional learning into your classroom.In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we explore winter-themed mindfulness activities that help promote self-regulation and improve classroom management. Whether you're teaching elementary or high school students, these no-prep winter mindfulness activities are perfect for creating a calm and focused environment.In this episode, we cover:- 10 seasonal mindfulness activities for students of all grades- Breathing exercises that promote calmness and self-regulation- How to incorporate mindfulness in winter to reduce stress and enhance focus- Concrete, no-prep ideas you can start using right away!These easy-to-implement winter activities are a great way to help students stay grounded and focused as the season shifts. Plus, we’ll show you how mindfulness practices can boost social-emotional learning (SEL) and promote emotional well-being in and out of the classroom.
Looking for Simple Mindfulness Activities for Your Classroom?Mindful coloring is one of the easiest and most effective ways to help students practice self-regulation and improve classroom management. In this practical episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we dive into the benefits of mindful coloring for kids—plus, we’ve got a special treat for you: free coloring pages to use in your classroom!We cover the what, why, and how of using mindful coloring in your classroom, giving you concrete, no-prep ideas that you can implement immediately to boost student focus and calm
Feeling Stressed and Overwhelmed as a Teacher?If the start of the school year has left you feeling burnt out, this episode is for you! In today’s The Balanced Educator Podcast, we chat with Grace Stevens, a former VP who transitioned into teaching to help educators like you feel less stressed and more empowered.With 20 years of classroom experience and a background in behavioral therapy and positive psychology, Grace combines science-based habits with her signature mantra, “Your energy teaches more than your lesson plans,” to help overwhelmed teachers create positive, stress-free routines. She’s also the author of three books, including the best-seller Positive Mindset Habits for Teachers.Tune in as we explore the 5 key habits of the least stressed, most empowered educators, and set yourself up for a successful and fulfilling school year!
Struggling with Off-Task or Distracted Students in Your Classroom?If you're finding it difficult to keep students focused and engaged, you're not alone. Distractions and lack of focus can be a major challenge in K-12 classrooms. But don't worry—help is here!In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we walk you through a simple, no-prep lesson plan designed to teach your students focus strategies in a clear, systematic way. Not only will this improve classroom management, but it will also help students develop essential skills like self-regulation and problem-solving.Just as we can't expect students to learn how to read without guidance, we also can't expect them to learn how to focus on their own. It's our job as educators to give them the tools they need to succeed.
Feeling overwhelmed by the stress your students face?In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, mindfulness expert Lindsay Miller shares practical strategies to help kids manage stress and build resilience. With over 20 years of child development experience, Lindsay guides us through identifying stress symptoms in children and offers proven tools for emotion regulation, social-emotional learning (SEL), and mindfulness.Listen now to learn how mindfulness can improve kids' emotional well-being and create a balanced, calm classroom.
Struggling with Student Behaviour? It Could Be Your Stress Affecting the Whole Classroom!In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, Kailey dives into the neurobiology behind why emotions are contagious and how they impact both teacher and student behaviour. You’ll learn how emotions serve as a form of communication, both internally and interpersonally, and how you can harness this understanding to improve your classroom dynamics.Kailey shares practical strategies to create a social-emotional teaching plan that helps everyone—students and teachers—prepare their brains and bodies for effective learning. This whole-brain teaching routine will not only help you manage behaviour more effectively but will also boost academic success in your classroom.By the end of this episode, you’ll have actionable strategies to improve your classroom management, behaviour management, and emotional intelligence—all while creating a calmer, more productive environment for both you and your students.
Need a Quick and Effective Way to Get Students Ready for Learning? Try This Calm Classroom Strategy!In this quick and practical episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we share a simple self-regulation strategy that helps create a calm, focused, and respectful classroom environment—perfect for getting your students ready to learn in just 5 minutes!We understand how busy every school day can be, so this easy-to-teach strategy is designed to fit seamlessly into your routine. It’s a tried-and-true method that will help students transition into learning mode, ensuring they’re ready for academics.You’ll leave this episode with everything you need to implement this calm classroom activity immediately, plus extra free resources to make it even easier to use with your K-12 students.
Classroom Management Struggles? Here’s How to Make It Easier with Breathing Exercises.In this short episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we share practical strategies to improve classroom management by teaching emotional regulation through breathing exercises. Learn 6 easy breathing techniques to add to your students’ coping skills toolbox, helping them manage big emotions and stay focused.We’ll also reveal the secret to getting your students to use these self-regulation skills independently, so you can spend less time managing behavior and more time teaching and connecting.You'll leave this episode with actionable, no-prep strategies to create a calmer, more focused, and respectful classroom environment.
Struggling with Students’ Technology Use in the Classroom? You’re Not Alone.In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we dive into the challenges of managing students' use of smartphones and devices, especially in middle and high school. While technology can be a powerful classroom tool, it often becomes a major distraction.We interview Emily Cherkin, The Screentime Consultant, an internationally recognized expert with a Master’s in Education. With over 15 years of experience working with families and schools, Emily helps educators and parents move from tech-overwhelmed to tech-intentional. She has been featured on The Today Show, Good Morning America, and in The New York Times.Emily shares practical strategies to help teachers regain control of tech in the classroom, making it a productive tool for learning rather than a source of distraction.
Looking for the Best Books to Teach Social-Emotional Learning in Your Classroom?In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we sit down with 4th-grade teacher Andrea Burns to explore her top book recommendations for supporting social-emotional development in students. From picture books to chapter books, Andrea shares her favorite literature to help students build emotional intelligence, resilience, and mindfulness.As an educator passionate about both books and SEL, Andrea offers practical tips on how to incorporate these stories into your classroom while aligning with learning outcomes and standards. You’ll leave this episode with fresh ideas and actionable strategies to integrate SEL and mindfulness in your K-12 classroom right away.
Looking for Easy, No-Cost Mindfulness Activities for Your Classroom?In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we chat with Sandi Schwartz, founder of the Ecohappiness Project, about the power of nature in fostering emotional health for kids. Learn the science behind why mindful nature engagement benefits children's emotional well-being and discover creative ways to incorporate nature programming into your classroom.With practical tips and fun, simple nature activities, you'll have plenty of new tools to help your students manage their emotions and boost their mindfulness.
Are You Struggling with Burnout and Perfectionism? You’re Not Alone.In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we dive deep into the pressure that perfectionism can place on teachers, especially women, and how it can lead to burnout and overwhelm. Our guest, Shibani Joshi, shares her powerful insights on how to break free from the cycle of perfectionism, manage expectations, and speak up for yourself in a world that often demands too much.Shibani Joshi is an accomplished journalist with experience covering business, technology, and global news for top media outlets such as ABC News, Fox Business Network, Yahoo! Finance, and the Huffington Post. She’s also anchored a daily markets show on Fox Business and interviewed hundreds of CEOs and executives from companies like Apple, Ford, and Google. With an MBA from Harvard, Shibani knows what it’s like to juggle high-pressure roles while raising three children in the Bay Area.
Are you concerned about the impact of social media on your students' mental health?In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, Richard Capriola, a mental health expert, dives into the growing impact of social media, specifically Instagram, on teen mental health. Did you know that 60% of teen girls and 40% of teen boys experience negative social comparison on Instagram? Richard shares alarming statistics and insightful strategies that educators can use to support students who are navigating the complexities of social media, mental health challenges, and the ongoing effects of the pandemic.You'll walk away with actionable strategies to help your students manage the pressures of social media, build resilience, and foster a healthier classroom environment.
Curious about bringing mindfulness into your classroom but not sure where to start? Or have you struggled with making it stick in the past?In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we share a mini training on the 3 phases of mindfulness in the classroom, giving you actionable steps to make it a success. Plus, we introduce our free, ready-to-use mindfulness and social-emotional learning (SEL) program to help you meet your goals and create a calm, focused environment for your students.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the number of mindfulness and social-emotional learning (SEL) programs available for your classroom? Choosing the right one can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be!In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we break down the outcomes, benefits, and evidence behind the Educalm mindfulness and SEL program. Learn how this research-backed and evidence-based program can help you meet your classroom goals and support your students' well-being.
Are you looking to implement a mindfulness and social-emotional learning (SEL) program in your classroom or school? It’s crucial to choose a research-backed and evidence-based curriculum that works. But with so many options, how do you know where to start?In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we break down the research and evaluation behind the Educalm mindfulness and SEL program for schools. You’ll learn:- What Educalm is and how it supports students and teachers- The importance of mindfulness and social-emotional learning- How Educalm aligns with CASEL standards- The outcomes and evaluation behind the program- How teachers can use the program effectively in their classrooms
With screen time on the rise, critical thinking skills related to media literacy are more important than ever.In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we’re joined by Amy Jussel, Founder of ShapingYouth.org, to explore how to integrate media literacy, mindfulness, and SEL in the classroom. Amy shares strategies for a transdisciplinary approach that helps students navigate the digital landscape and develop skills to critically engage with the media around them.
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I’ve been exploring ways to help bring more calm and focus into the classroom, and I came across a great idea—mindful coloring! It’s such an easy and effective way to help students practice self-regulation. I also found https://funcolorprints.com/ which has tons of free, high-quality coloring pages for all ages. From cartoon characters to animals and superheroes, they offer printable pages that are perfect for teachers looking to add a creative, calming activity to their class.