Feeling that familiar tug of guilt during summer break? In this episode, we’re sharing a simple, six-step system for back to school teacher prep that helps you feel calm, confident, and well-rested, without letting work take over your summer. Learn how to use just one hour a week to tackle high-impact tasks, stay focused on what matters most, and actually enjoy your break!

Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/back-to-school-teacher-prep/

Resources:

• BTS Success Course
• Editable Classroom Seating Chart Maker Tool
• Tell, Try, Tally, Talk Slides
• Back to School Readiness Checklists
• Zero Days by Ruth Ware
• Podcast: Happier with Gretchen Rubin
• Join the Teacher Approved Club!
• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.
• Shop our teacher-approved resources.
• Join our Facebook group, Teacher Approved
• Leave your review on Apple Podcasts!

Related Episodes to Enjoy:

• Episode 55, Thriving as a Teacher: One Helpful Strategy
• Episode 87, 4 Important Ways to Build Classroom Community At Back to School
• Episode 201, 20 Easy Back-to-School Teacher Tasks You Can Totally Do From the Couch
• Episode 203, 6 Teacher Traps We’re Saying No to This Back to School Season

In this can’t-miss classic episode, we’re sharing one simple mindset shift that can make a huge difference in how your school year begins: give your future self a gift. We're talking about practical, meaningful ways to ease the back-to-school chaos before it even starts. If you’re craving a calmer, more intentional start to the year, grab a popsicle and a notebook—this is one episode you don’t want to miss!

Prefer to read? Grab the original episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/teacher-tips-for-summer/

Resources:

• Join the Teacher Approved Club!
• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow
• Shop our teacher-approved resources
• Join our Facebook group, Teacher Approved

Related Episodes to Enjoy:

• Episode 67, How to Actually Get Stuff Done for School This Summer
• Episode 65, Make an Easy Plan For Your Perfect Teacher Summer: Recovery and Readiness
• Episode 64, Your Summer To Do List – How Teachers Can Choose the Best Tasks for Big Impact

Feeling that back to school teacher stress creeping in? You’re not alone, and in this episode, we’re calling out six common traps that add unnecessary pressure at the start of the school year. From Pinterest-perfect classrooms to over-the-top prep, we’re giving you permission to say no to the overwhelm and yes to what really matters. Let’s simplify, reset, and start the year with intention.

Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/back-to-school-teacher-stress/

Resources:

• First Day of School Lesson Plan and Planning Guide
• Colton Gentry's Third Act, by Jeff Zentner
• Join the Teacher Approved Club!
• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.
• Shop our teacher-approved resources.
• Join our Facebook group, Teacher Approved
• Leave your review on Apple Podcasts!

Related Episodes to Enjoy:

• Episode 81, 20 Teacher Approved Back to School Tips From Listeners
• Episode 143, The Easiest Back to School Tip
• Episode 194, Want a Smoother Back to School? Do These 5 Things Now
• Episode 201, 20 Easy Back-to-School Teacher Tasks You Can Totally Do From the Couch

This can't-miss classic episode of Teacher Approved is all about the 10 stages of teacher summer break—yes, there are stages! From that first glorious day of freedom to the creeping thoughts of back-to-school prep, we’re breaking down the emotional rollercoaster teachers experience over the summer. Tune in to hear how you can recognize, survive, and even thrive in each stage, knowing you're not alone in the mix of joy, procrastination, and pre-fall panic.

Resources:

• End of Year Road Map Freebie
• Join the Teacher Approved Club!
• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.
• Shop our teacher-approved resources.
• Join our Facebook group, Teacher Approved
• Leave your review on Apple Podcasts!

Related Episodes to Enjoy:

• Episode 130, The 2 Things Teachers Need to Refuel This Summer
• Episode 128, Back to School Boost: Do These 3 Things Now to Prep for Next School Year
• Episode 67, How to Actually Get Stuff Done for School This Summer
• Episode 65, Make an Easy Plan For Your Perfect Teacher Summer: Recovery and Readiness
• Episode 14, Best Summer Ever
• Episode 13, Design Your Summer
• Episode 12, Recovering from the School Year

Check out the original show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/teacher-summer-break-stages/

Feeling the pressure to get ahead on your back-to-school teacher prep tasks, but also craving a restful summer? In this episode, we’re sharing 20 simple “TV tasks” you can do from the comfort of your couch to ease into school mode without the stress. From organizing digital files to prepping small gifts and backup schedules, these light-lift tasks help you feel productive without sacrificing your downtime.

Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/back-to-school-teacher-prep-tasks/

Resources:

• Freebie: End of Year Roadmap
• Readiness Checklists
• Wishing Star Printable
• @Teacherpodcastrecs on Instagram
• The Holiday Headstart Podcast
• Seed Probiotic
• Hero Sunscreen
• Join the Teacher Approved Club!
• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.
• Shop our teacher-approved resources.
• Join our Facebook group, Teacher Approved
• Leave your review on Apple Podcasts!

Related Episodes to Enjoy:

• Episode 196, The 3 Step Plan to Park Those School Thoughts and Enjoy Your Summer Break
• Episode 197, A Teacher Summer Self Care and Recovery Plan That Doesn’t Feel Like Work
• Episode 199, Time, Tech, & Tasks: The 3 Boundaries That Save Teacher Summers

We can't believe it's the 200th episode of Teacher Approved! We're celebrating this major milestone by revisiting five of our all-time favorite Teacher Approved tips. We combed through every single episode to choose the ones that have made the biggest impact on our own teaching experiences. These are tips we’d rely on from day one if we were back in the classroom tomorrow. They're all practical strategies that simplify classroom management and support teacher well-being.

Whether this is your first episode or your 200th, we're so grateful for your support, and of course we’re celebrating with a giveaway! Head to our Instagram @2ndstorywindow to enter (it's SO easy!). And don’t forget to leave a review for the show. It would be the best gift ever!

Show Notes: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/200-episodes-later/

Resources:

• Join the Teacher Approved Club!
• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.
• Shop our teacher-approved resources.
• Join our Facebook group, Teacher Approved
• Leave your review on Apple Podcasts!

Related Episodes to Enjoy:

• Episode 5, Ditch Your Test Review (Try This Instead!)
• Episode 26, The Cheapest Classroom Management Tool
• Episode 50, 3 Guidelines to Make Classroom Transitions Work Smarter Not Harder
• Episode 94, A Great Day Before School Even Starts: Your Perfect Teacher Morning Routine at School
• Episode 98, 5 Reasons Your Attention Signal Isn't Working and How to Improve It

Feeling torn between resting and being productive over summer break? In this episode, we’re diving into the power of teacher summer boundaries...the key to enjoying your time off without guilt! We explore three essential types of boundaries—time, technology, and task—that help you protect your peace, be intentional with your time, and avoid burnout. Tune in to learn how to reset, recharge, and make this summer one that truly serves you!

Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/teacher-summer-boundaries/

Resources:

• Freebie: End of Year Roadmap
• Resource: Back to School Pattern Block Activities
• Resource: Back to School Lego Activities
• Podcast: Happier with Gretchen Rubin
• Join the Teacher Approved Club!
• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.
• Shop our teacher-approved resources.
• Join our Facebook group, Teacher Approved
• Leave your review on Apple Podcasts!

Related Episodes to Enjoy:

• Episode 131, To-Do List Magic - How to Prioritize Your Teacher Tasks This Summer
• Episode 134, The 10 Stages of Teacher Summer Break
• Episode 196, The 3 Step Plan to Park Those School Thoughts and Enjoy Your Summer Break
• Episode 197, A Teacher Summer Self Care and Recovery Plan That Doesn’t Feel Like Work

Feeling totally worn out as the school year wraps up? You're not alone, and in this "Can't Miss Classic" episode, we’re diving into why this moment of transition is the perfect time for some simple, powerful reflection. We're sharing meaningful questions that’ll help you celebrate your wins, learn from your challenges, and give your future teacher self the gift of clarity. No guilt trips here! Just a cozy, encouraging chat to help you process the year and move forward with intention (and maybe a ta-da list or two!).

Resources:

• Freebie: End of Year Roadmap
• Guided Discovery Back to School Bundle Pack
• Free Guided Discovery of Pencils
• Back to School Pattern Block Mats for the First Day of School
• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow
• Shop our teacher-approved resources
• Join our Facebook group, Teacher Approved
• Leave your review on Apple Podcasts!

Related Episodes:

• Episode 128, Back to School Boost: Do These 3 Things Now to Prep for Next School Year
• Episode 78, Teacher Approved Tips: The Best First Day Arrival Activity and Pre-Writing Assessments
• Episode 75, Classroom Procedures and Expectations: How they Differ and How to Teach Them
• Episode 64, Your Summer To-Do List – How Teachers Can Choose the Best Tasks for Big Impact
• Episode 61, 6 Things Teachers Can Do Now for a Better Back-to-School
• Episode 10, What You Can Do Now for Next Year
• Episode 21, Guided Discovery

Check out the original show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/end-of-year-teacher-reflection