Just Listen the First Time | A Teaching Podcast

Morning meeting is a big part of an elementary classroom, and we all run things a little different! Join us as we chat about how we kick off the day in our classrooms! Sorry for the mic malfunction and the blurry video for half of this episode. Gotta love technology! #teachervlog #teacherlife #morningmeeting

Sorry about the audio quality, our mics didn't record! Teaching is so much more than teaching. In this episode, we will talk about different "hats" we wear in our classrooms on top of teaching. 

Join us in this cozy episode where we chat about creating a warm and welcoming reading environment in the classroom. Se’ll share some down-to-earth advice on setting up a reading nook kids will love, choosing books that spark all kinds of interests, and making reading a regular, fun part of your daily routine. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to freshen up your space, we’ve got plenty of ideas to help you help your students fall in love with reading. Grab a cup of coffee and tune in for some friendly tips and stories.

Welcome back to 'Just Listen the First Time' as we kick off Season 3! In our first episode, we're catching up on all the big life changes—celebrating new family additions and sharing experiences from taking a year off to focus on family. Join us as we reflect on these personal milestones and discuss how they're shaping our approach to this school year. Whether you're a teacher, parent, or just someone who enjoys heartfelt stories and educational insights, this episode is for you!

What a school year it has been! The JLFT Crew ends this "season" of the podcast with a game hosted by Kacey! In a spinoff of The Newly Wed Game, we will see how well Fletcher and Mark know each other! Most questions are related to their teaching careers. Listen and find out if they know each other as well as they think they do!

Have you ever thought about looping with your class? Have you ever wondered if it's worth it as a teacher? A student? A parent? In this episode, Mark interviews Kacey and Fletcher about their experiences looping with their classes. Learn the good and the bad from their experiences and if they think it's worth it!

In this episode of "Just Listen the First Time," join Fletcher as he takes Mark's role as the host. He sits down for a chat with Kacey and Mark, two awesome individuals rocking the roles of both teachers and parents. They dive into the real deal of juggling lesson plans with bedtime stories, sharing the highs, lows, and some things they've learned along the way. From navigating chaotic schedules to finding moments of unexpected joy, their conversation is one any teacher/parent balancing work and family life can relate to. So kick back, tune in, and get ready to Just Listen the First TIme.

As a teacher, what is your favorite spirit week dress up day? What's your least favorite? In this episode, Kacey, Mark, and Fletcher will do a snake draft to select 5 dress up days each. Listen along and see if you agree with their thinking!

Grab your headphones and join Mark, Kacey, and Fletcher, three teachers for a enlighting chat on the unsung heroes of our schools: paraprofessionals. Ever wondered about the secret behind smooth-running classrooms and happy, thriving students? Spoiler: it’s often the paras. Through stories from their own classrooms, our hosts dig into the real-deal impact of paras on students, teachers, and the whole school vibe. They’ll chat about those magic moments made possible by great para-teacher teams and share tips on how everyone can get in on this winning formula. So, whether you’re in the car, on a break, or just chilling at home, tune in to find out why paras are the heart and soul behind the scenes of education.

Teaching is hard. In our last episode, we talked about why teaching is hard. We thought it would be fun to bring some positivity to this episode and discuss what our dream schools would include! We of course would have a lot more items that we'd have, but here's what we came up with on the spot! What would you add?

There's a national teacher shortage? Why? Why is teaching so hard? Why are less people going into teaching? In episode 10, we talk about why we think teaching is hard. We aren't trying to be negative about the profession. We want to be real about the struggles educators are experiencing. What did we miss? Let us know!

Back to school season is exhausting. Especially when you throw in a new math curriculum and coach a fall sport. Join us as we talk about how the first weeks of school have gone with homecoming week tossed in.

Teaching is hard. No one has it all figured out. However, there are things we've learned over the years that have allowed all of us to hit the decade marker for years of teaching. Join us as we share advice for new teachers, or teachers in general! Have some extra advice? Let us know on IG @jlft_podcast

August is here, which means back to school season is right around the corner. Listen in as we talk about the phases of our summers, and how we fight the "August Scaries" we might experience. Make sure you follow us on instagram! @jlft_podcast

Join us for our 5th episode as we ask each other "Would You Rather" questions related to teaching! We'll share our reasoning, disagree with each other, all answer the same immediately, and have a lot of laughs as we share some stories. We hope you enjoy! Don't forget to follow us on Instagram @jlft_podcast  

Join the JLFT Crew as we have our first guest on the show! Megan is a first year Elementary Art teacher with a plethora of knowledge in art education. Art can be difficult to incorporate into the general education classroom due to the high math and reading state standards. Listen and learn with us as we discuss the impacts and benefits of having an elementary art program in schools. Teaching is hard, and Elementary is no exception. Listen as we learn from Megan about the importance of art education programs for our youngest learners in a system that doesn’t always make art a priority.  #teacherpodcast #teachers #arteducation  

Teacher burn out is real... and one thing that seems to be an ongoing discussion is class size. Does class size have an impact on teachers? Does it have an impact on students? On episode 3 of Just Listen the First Time, we will discuss what we've seen throughout our teaching careers and how class size has impacted our teaching, our students, and our stress levels.  

Listen and laugh with (or at) us as we discuss the importance of school staff culture and morale. In this episode, we reflect back on why we are still teaching and how positive school culture is one of the main reasons. We share ideas that have worked for us in our school as well as what to look for in a positive school culture!

Episode 1: The Debut- "Just Listen the First Time” is an alltrue phrase that most people, especially teachers, can relate to everyday. In this podcast, you will  journey with three authentic teachers who share thought-provoking ideas, real challenges, and possible solutions within the education profession. With its light and humorous vibe, you will leave feeling validated and motivated for the month ahead.