The Next Level Teacher Podcast

In this episode of Next Level Teacher, Brenna explains why one of the most important keys to teacher burnout prevention is addressing your nervous system—not just your mindset. You’ll learn how your body sets the stage for your thoughts, why “regulation before reframe” is the order that works, and practical ways to calm your nervous system so mindset tools finally stick.You’ll learn:✅ Why mindset-only stress strategies often fall flat✅ The role your nervous system plays in burnout prevention✅ A two-step process: regulate first, reframe secondIf you’ve ever tried to “think” your way out of stress without success, this episode will give you a more effective approach to preventing burnout.Related Episodes:🎙️Episode 57: The Best Classroom Management Advice for Teachers🎙️Episode 63: How Nature Calms Teachers' Nervous Systems  Resources & Links:💻 Course: Calm in the Classroom: Modern Day Solutions to Teacher Stress, Overwhelm, and Anxiety - The necessary teacher training you didn't get (but probably need!) Click HERE for more info! Use the discount code PODCAST to get over 25% off!📷 Follow Brenna on Instagram: @Next.Level.Teacher🔗 Learn more at The Next Level Teacher Blog. Click HERE!

In this episode of Next Level Teacher, Brenna shares a personal story about how a single offhand comment made her question her teaching ability—and even her self-worth. She explores how depending on external validation is one of the hidden teacher burnout causes, and why rooting our confidence internally is the key to resilience.In this Episode You’ll learn:✅ Why external validation never feels like enough✅ How relying on outside approval creates burnout for teachers✅ A simple mindset shift to help you remember your unshakable worth✅ Listen in for encouragement and practical insight on breaking free from the cycle of conditional self-worth.Related Episodes:🎙️ Episode 4: Your Infinite Worth🎙️ Episode 20: When Teachers Make Mistakes🎙️ Episode 44: Embracing Imperfection - Breaking Free From Teacher PerfectionismResources & Links:💻 Course: Calm in the Classroom: Modern Day Solutions to Teacher Stress, Overwhelm, and Anxiety - The necessary teacher training you didn't get (but probably need!) Click HERE for more info! Use the discount code PODCAST to get over 25% off!📷 Follow Brenna on Instagram: @Next.Level.Teacher🔗 Learn more at The Next Level Teacher Blog. Click HERE!

Teacher training programs prepare us with pedagogy, lesson planning, and content knowledge—but there’s one crucial skill they often leave out: emotional regulation. In this episode, Brenna shares why this overlooked skill is one of the most powerful tools for preventing burnout and thriving in the classroom.If you’ve ever felt like teaching is more emotionally draining than you expected, this conversation will help you understand why—and what you can do about it.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✅ Why emotional regulation is rarely taught in teacher prep programs✅ How your emotions affect your teaching more than you realize✅ Why emotional regulation is the invisible foundation of effective pedagogy✅ Practical next steps for new teachers who want to avoid burnoutResources & Links:💻 Course: Calm in the Classroom: Modern Day Solutions to Teacher Stress, Overwhelm, and Anxiety - The necessary teacher training you didn't get (but probably need!) Click HERE for more info! Use the discount code PODCAST to get over 25% off!📷 Follow Brenna on Instagram: @Next.Level.Teacher🔗 Learn more at The Next Level Teacher Blog. Click HERE!

Most lists of “teacher self care ideas” focus on bubble baths, pedicures, or coffee breaks. But if you’ve tried those things and still feel exhausted, you’re not alone. In this episode, Brenna explains why traditional self-care isn’t enough for teachers, and shares what actually works to build resilience and prevent burnout.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✅ Why common teacher self care ideas often fall short✅ The deeper reason teachers still feel burned out despite “self-care”✅ The missing link: emotional regulation and nervous system awareness✅ Practical strategies to support yourself beyond surface-level fixesResources & Links:🆓 Free Mini Course: Why Self-Care Doesn’t Work for Teachers (and What to Do Instead) 📷 Follow me on Instagram: @Next.Level.Teacher🔗 Learn more at The Next Level Teacher Blog. Click HERE!

Teacher burnout isn’t just about long hours, heavy workloads, or a never-ending to-do list. At its root, burnout is an emotional response to the thoughts we carry every day—and it’s leaving many teachers drained and disheartened.In this episode of The Next Level Teacher Podcast, Brenna Nelson shares a 5-step framework that shows you how to prevent teacher burnout by working with your brain, emotions, and nervous system. You’ll walk away with practical tools you can use right away—not more “self-care tips” that don’t actually solve the problem.If you’ve ever wondered why bubble baths and coffee runs aren’t enough to restore your energy, this episode will help you understand what’s really going on beneath the surface—and how to change it.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✅ What teacher burnout really is (and what it isn’t)✅ Why self-care alone doesn’t work to prevent burnout✅ How your brain’s survival mode may be keeping you stuck✅ 5 practical steps to build resilience and restore calm in your classroom✅ How to start rewiring your thought patterns with simple shiftsResources & Links Mentioned🎧 Listen to my episode on Toxic Positivity for a deeper dive--Click HERE.💻 Want to go deeper? Check out my course, Calm in the Classroom, where I guide you step-by-step through this framework. Learn more here.🆓 Looking for personalized help with YOUR situation? Sign up for a free one-on-one coaching session with Brenna! Click HERE to schedule. 📲 Connect with me on Instagram: @next.level.teacher👉 Read more on The Next Level Teacher blog! Click HERE!Next StepsIf this episode on how to prevent teacher burnout resonated with you, please:❇️ Share it with a teacher friend who needs this message.❇️ Follow the podcast so you never miss an episode.❇️ Leave a review to help more teachers discover these tools for resilience and calm.✨ Burnout doesn’t have to define your teaching journey. With the right framework, you can feel calmer, clearer, and more in control every day in your classroom.

What makes some teachers bend without breaking? Why do some stay steady even during the hardest weeks, the toughest years, or the most challenging classrooms? It’s not luck—it’s resilience.In this episode of The Next Level Teacher Podcast, I’m sharing 10 things resilient educators do differently—and how you can start practicing them right now.You’ll learn:**Why separating facts from drama protects your energy.**How resilient teachers process emotions instead of resisting them.**Simple shifts to question negative thoughts (and what I tell “Barbara,” my inner critic).**How to generate useful emotions on purpose—even during grading marathons.**Why having an identity outside of teaching makes you stronger inside the classroom.Resilience isn’t about being perfect or never struggling—it’s about how quickly you bounce back. These 10 practices will help you build the habits that fuel strength, calm, and joy in teaching.👉 Download the free guide, “10 Things Resilient Teachers Do Differently” at brennanelsoncoaching.com/resilient.

Hey Teacher, are you tired of hearing “just stay positive” or “practice more self-care” when you’re already overwhelmed by life in the classroom? In this episode of The Next Level Teacher Podcast, Brenna Nelson (Certified Life Coach + veteran teacher) breaks down the difference between toxic positivity and the real emotional resilience tools that actually help teachers. Tune in to Learn: ** What toxic positivity really looks like in the classroom** Why ignoring or “masking” emotions keeps you stuck** How to allow and process stress in healthy ways** The difference between resisting emotions vs. building resilience** Practical tools to feel calm and grounded—without pretending everything’s fine✨ Whether you’re battling burnout or just want better ways to handle teaching stress, this episode will give you clarity and real strategies you can start using right away. Resources + Links Mentioned in This Episode: Free 1:1 Coaching Session → brennanelsoncoaching.com/freeCalm in the Classroom: Modern-day Solutions to Teacher Stress, Overwhelm, and Anxiety  → brennanelsoncoaching.com/calmteacher FREE 5-Day Mini-Course: Why Self-care Doesn't Work for Teachers (And what to do instead!)  Click HERE to join! It's FREE!

Episode 70: A Teacher’s Guide to BoundariesDo you struggle with setting and holding healthy teacher boundaries? In this episode of The Next Level Teacher Podcast, we’re breaking down the myths around boundaries and giving you practical tools to protect your time, energy, and peace of mind.You’ll learn:**Why boundaries don’t push people away—they actually strengthen relationships**The biggest misconceptions teachers have about boundaries**How to set limits without guilt, anger, or drama**Five simple steps to creating boundaries that last**Real-life examples of boundaries with students, parents, and colleaguesBoundaries aren’t about controlling others—they’re about protecting what matters most to you so you can show up as your best self in the classroom and beyond.If you’re ready to prevent burnout and create a healthier balance in your teaching life, this episode is for you.👉 Ready for more support?Grab your first coaching session free at brennanelsoncoaching.com/freeExplore the Calm in the Classroom course at brennanelsoncoaching.com/calmteacher

We Teachers (and a lot of other human, TBH) have been taught that if our job were just better—more support, more time, fewer challenges—we’d finally be happy. But what if that’s backwards? In this episode, Brenna unpacks Brooke Castillo’s quote, “It’s not your job’s job to make you happy. That’s your job,” and shows teachers how to reclaim joy and peace right now, even in imperfect schools and classrooms.What You’ll Learn:**Why your job can’t create your happiness—and why that’s actually empowering **A real-life teacher example of how thoughts shape your classroom experience**The difference between blame and emotional responsibility**Three mindset tools to help you feel better—without needing anyone else to change**A gentle reminder that your worth is never tied to your jobThis episode is for you if:**You feel like your happiness is totally at the mercy of your admin, students, or workload**You’re tired of waiting for the system to change before you can feel better**You want practical, honest, and compassionate mindset support as a teacher🎁 Mentioned in this episode: 👉 Calm in the Classroom – a coaching-based course for teachers who want to feel more in control of their emotional wellbeing. Use code PODCAST for a listener discount.Follow along on IG: @Next.Level.Teacher

If you’re a new teacher, this episode is for you!Inspired by a comedian’s story of how he built his stand-up set one joke at a time, this episode offers a fresh perspective on what it really takes to grow as an educator. You don’t need to have it all figured out—you just need to be willing to experiment, reflect, and try again. Learn why comparison will slow you down, why failure is part of the process, and how life coaching principles can help you build confidence and calm as you grow your teaching practice.What You’ll Learn:** Why veteran teachers seem like they “have it all together” (and what’s actually true)** The stand-up comedy story that reframes what it means to “figure out teaching”** A life coach’s take on building confidence through repetition and resilience** Encouragement for those in their first few years of teaching**How to define success on your terms🎁 Mentioned in this episode:Calm in the Classroom - Teacher Resilience Course – My signature course for building emotional resilience as an educator. Enroll at brennanelsoncoaching.com/calmteacher and use code PODCAST for a special discount.Follow along on Instagram @Next.Level.Teacher

As the new school year looms large, it’s easy to get swept up in the rush of to-do lists and outside expectations. But in this episode, Brenna invites you to pause and ask one grounding question: 👉 What would a successful school year look like—for YOU?Forget test scores, admin approval, or Pinterest-worthy classrooms. This is about creating a definition of success that’s clean, empowering, and completely within your control.You'll learn:** Why most definitions of success leave teachers feeling anxious or defeated** What a “clean goal” is—and how to create one** How to shift your focus from external results to internal growth** A simple mindset exercise to help you set the tone for your entire school year** Why your worth as a teacher (and human) isn’t tied to your performance💛 Final Thought:Your success is yours to define.You don’t have to earn your worth this year.You’re already worthy.Now let’s teach from that place.🔗 Links & Resources:🧘‍♀️ Calm in the Classroom - Resilient Teacher Course – Get the tools to regulate your nervous system, manage your mind, and create a more sustainable teaching life. 👉 brennanesloncoaching.com/calmteacher 🎉 Use code PODCAST for over 25% off for a limited time!📌 Connect with Brenna:Website: brennanesloncoaching.comInstagram: @brennanesloncoachingSubscribe & Review: If this episode helped you, share it with a teacher friend and leave a quick review!

 In this episode of The Next Level Teacher, we’re diving into something that often gets overlooked in back-to-school prep: your mindset. Learn two simple yet powerful strategies that can help you shift your thinking, reduce stress, and set yourself up for a more empowered school year. Whether you're feeling nervous, frustrated, or just not ready, this episode will help you start the year with more clarity and confidence. In this episode, you'll learn: 🧠 Why your thoughts matter more than your lesson plans🧠 A 5-minute mindset check-in you can do before school starts🧠 Two go-to strategies to manage unhelpful thoughts🧠 How to create emotional relief without resorting to toxic positivityLinks & Resources: 🎓 Course: Calm in the ClassroomUse code PODCAST for over 25% off📷 Follow me on Instagram: @brennanelsoncoaching 

🎧 Podcast Show Notes for Episode 65: Choose to Go Back to School (or Not!)Summary: In this episode, Brenna offers a powerful mindset shift for teachers facing the start of a new school year. By realizing that you always have a choice—whether to stay in the classroom or step away—you can reclaim your agency, release resentment, and walk into the year with renewed purpose.What You'll Learn:**Why teaching from a sense of obligation leads to burnout and resentment**How to reframe your career as a conscious choice**A personal story that illustrates the power of agency**The most important mindset shift you can make this year**How the Calm in the Classroom course can help you build resilience and avoid burnoutMentioned in this Episode:Calm in the Classroom courseLet’s Connect:Website: brennanelsoncoaching.comInstagram: @next.level.teacherSubscribe to the Next Level Teacher Podcast wherever you listen

As we head into the back-to-school season, many teachers are noticing something: the tools, strategies, and habits that once worked just don’t seem to cut it anymore. Whether it’s behavior management, your own energy levels, or student engagement, the truth is—everything has shifted.In this episode, Brenna shares a personal story (yes, it involves the dentist!) and walks you through how to recognize when you're stuck in resistance… and how to shift into a more empowered, solution-focused mindset. Because sitting in frustration won't solve anything—but curiosity just might.What You’ll Learn:**Why old strategies may not work in a post-COVID classroom**The emotional toll of resisting change—and what to do instead**How to reframe challenges as opportunities for growth**A mindset shift that can carry you into the new year with clarity**How the Calm in the Classroom course can help you build resilience and confidenceMentioned in This Episode:Calm in the Classroom CourseSubscribe & Stay Connected:Website: brennanelsoncoaching.comInstagram: @next.level.teacher

Do you feel like your brain is stuck in overdrive as the school year creeps closer? You’re not alone—and you’re not broken. In this episode, Brenna shares the science behind how time in nature lowers stress, soothes the amygdala, and helps teachers regulate their nervous systems.After spending a week camping and backpacking in northern Michigan with 60 teens and a group of incredible leaders, she felt the shift in her own body and mind—and wants to encourage every teacher to explore nature as a healing, empowering tool.What You’ll Learn:**What happens in your brain when you walk in nature**Why your amygdala keeps you in survival mode—and how to calm it**The difference nature made after a week totally unplugged**How this applies directly to the demands of teaching**How the Calm in the Classroom course helps you regulate your nervous system all year longLinks Mentioned:Calm in the Classroom courseLet’s Stay Connected:Website: brennanelsoncoaching.comInstagram: @next.level.teacher

Welcome back to the Next Level Teacher Podcast! In this summer-themed episode, Brenna unpacks a different kind of teacher professional development—one that doesn’t involve lesson plans, curriculum maps, or new tech tools. Instead, she makes a powerful case for using this season to increase your emotional capacity.You’ll learn:**Why emotional resilience is the foundation for effective teaching**How increasing your emotional capacity improves classroom management, communication, and your own mental well-being**Why traditional PD misses this essential skill**Practical ways to build emotional resilience this summerWhether you’re fully unplugging or itching to prep for next year, this episode will help you set intentional goals that support your personal and professional growth.🎧 Ready to turn summer rest into strength? Let’s dive in! Visit brennanelsoncoaching.com/calmteacher today!Resources Mentioned: 👉 Calm in the Classroom course 👉 1:1 Coaching with Brenna 📩 Questions? Email: brenna@brennanelsoncoaching.com 📱 Let’s connect on Instagram: @Next.Level.Teacher

Change the System or Change the Teacher? Why Teachers Should Work on Themselves FirstIn this powerful episode of The Next Level Teacher, Brenna explores the real teacher burnout definition and challenges the idea that systemic change alone will fix the emotional and mental exhaustion many educators face.We often look to external solutions—lower class sizes, better testing policies, or more classroom support—to solve the teacher burnout crisis. While these are important, they aren't enough.Burnout is not just a result of the education system—it’s an emotional experience rooted in unmanaged stress, pressure, and internal thought patterns.In this episode, you’ll learn:** The most accurate and helpful teacher burnout definition** Why time off (like summer break) won’t fix burnout long-term** The power of an “inside-out” approach to emotional resilience** Why building inner strength is essential before we try to change the system** Practical tools and free resources to help you reset this summer📥 Grab the free Summer Reset for Teachers at: brennanleonsoncoaching.com/burnout🎓 Ready to build the skills to beat burnout for good and feel empowered again?Explore 1:1 coaching or the Calm in the Classroom course: brennanleonsoncoaching.com/resources

Welcome back to The Next Level Teacher podcast! If you’re feeling exhausted as the school year wraps up, this episode is for you.In this candid and compassionate conversation, Brenna shares a powerful reminder that while summer break offers rest, it doesn’t heal burnout. You’ll learn why emotional exhaustion doesn’t disappear with a beach trip and why true burnout recovery requires intentional work—starting with the right tools.If you’ve ever thought, “I’ll feel better once it’s summer,” but found yourself back in burnout mode by the end of September, this episode explains exactly why that happens—and how to break the cycle for good.✨ In this episode, you’ll learn:** Why summer break alone doesn’t fix burnout** What emotional burnout actually is (hint: it’s more than being tired)** The trap of waiting for relief without addressing the root causes** Why mindset, nervous system regulation, and emotional processing matter now more than ever** What you can do this summer to truly reset—and not just collapse🎁 FREE RESOURCE: Grab your free copy of The Teacher’s Summer Reset, a 7-day step-by-step system to help you decompress, process, and prep for a stronger fall. 👉 www.brennanelsoncoaching.com/burnoutREADY TO GO NEXT LEVEL? Take your personal development to the next level by enrolling in the Calm in the Classroom course! You will learn all the emotional and cognitive skills and tools that will help you uplevel your teaching, your career, and your life! Enroll Now by visiting www.brennanelsoncoaching.com/calmteacher.Your future self will thank you!PREFER A MORE PERSONALIZED APPROACH?Bring your personal concerns and situations to a 1:1 coaching session in which Brenna will coach you through any problem or challenge you're facing in or out of the classroom!  Your first session is on the houSESign up today at www.brennanelsoncoaching.com/fee

The Real Cause of Teacher Burnout (Hint: It’s Not Your To-Do List)Welcome back to The Next Level Teacher Podcast! In today’s episode, we’re diving into the real root of teacher burnout—and spoiler alert—it’s not the overflowing to-do list that’s causing your stress.👉 If May feels more like Mayhem, you’re not alone. End-of-year demands are high, but the overwhelm you’re feeling is not because of the number of tasks. It’s because of the thoughts you’re having about those tasks.Inside this episode, I’ll walk you through:🧠 Why your brain short-circuits when faced with too much🧠 The truth about stress and how your thoughts create it🧠 How to stop spinning in overwhelm and start shifting your mindset🧠 Simple, science-backed mental shifts that reduce burnout and help you feel calm—even when your plate is full🧠 How choosing different thoughts can help regulate your nervous system🔥 Plus: I share one of my favorite strategies for prioritizing your day without panic so you can get more done—without sacrificing your mental health.💡 Remember: It’s not about doing more. It’s about thinking differently.🎓 Want to go deeper?Enrollment is now open for my course, Calm in the Classroom!This isn’t fluff or surface-level self-care—it’s a practical, neuroscience-informed approach to emotional regulation for teachers. You’ll learn how to rewire your brain for calm, resilience, and confidence—no matter what’s happening around you. 👉 Learn more: brennanelsoncoaching.com/calmteacher✨ Let’s Connect:📸 Instagram: @next.level.teacher💌 Subscribe to my Next.Level.Notes to receive weekly mindset and wellness strategies to take yourself to the next level!🎧 Share this episode with a fellow educator who needs a mindset reset!Keywords:teacher burnout, stress management for teachers, overwhelmed teachers, end-of-year teacher stress, teacher mindset, calm classroom, teacher mental health

 🎧 In This Episode: Teacher burnout is at an all-time high, and while the statistics paint a bleak picture, the root causes are often deeper than workload or policy. In this episode, Brenna dives into the sneaky thoughts many teachers believe that unknowingly contribute to their burnout. These thoughts sound helpful on the surface, but they actually create emotional stress, anxiety, and exhaustion.What You'll Learn:🗬 Why even well-meaning thoughts like “I should be able to handle this” or “There’s not enough time” may be doing more harm than good🗬 How to identify when a thought is useful vs. harmful by tuning into your emotions🗬 Simple mindset shifts that help calm your nervous system and prevent burnout🗬 The real reason self-care advice often falls flat—and what works instead🗬 How this all ties into what recent teacher burnout statistics are missing👩‍🏫 This episode is for you if:You feel like you're on the edge of burnoutYou’re tired of surface-level “self-care” tips and want real, science-backed toolsYou’ve ever thought “If I don’t do it, it won’t get done right” or “There’s just not enough time”🎁 Mentioned in this episode:👉 Enrollment is OPEN for Calm in the Classroom – a transformative course for teachers who want to build emotional resilience, manage stress effectively, and feel better in their classroom.💡 Quote to Remember: "You can struggle and still be a great teacher. Beating yourself up doesn’t help—it only drains the resilience you need to move forward."Check out The Next Level Teacher Blog! More free help for educators who are not just tired, but teacher-tired.