Rest & Restore – Week 2: Mental Rest That Lets Your Mind Exhale ☀️🧠✍️

Your body may be on summer break... but is your brain?

In this week’s episode of the Rest & Restore Summer Mini-Series, we’re talking about mental rest—the kind that lets your thoughts settle, your shoulders drop, and your mind finally exhale.

If your teacher brain is still swirling with ideas, plans, and what-ifs, you’re not alone. I’ll walk you through 5 practical ways to quiet the mental noise, including:

• A 5-minute “brain-dump and bless” ritual 📝
• A one-hour screen sabbath to reset your focus 📵
• Simple sensory cues to signal your brain it’s safe to rest 🕯️
• A scripture-based reframe with Philippians 4:8
• Encouragement from 2 Corinthians 12:9–10 to let God meet you in your weakness 💛

You’ll also hear about my updated Get Ready for 2nd Grade packets—designed to help you or your students ease into the school year without doing all the prep yourself. (Think: sip your tea, print, and go. ☕✂️)

👉🏻Get Ready for Kindergarten

👉🏻Get Ready for First Grade

👉🏻Get Ready for Second Grade

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Rest & Restore – Week 1: Physical Rest That Actually Restores ☁️🪴💤

You made it to summer… but why are you still so tired? 😩☀️

In this first episode of the Rest & Restore mini-series, we’re talking about physical rest — and what it really means to recharge your body without turning into a total couch potato 🛋️🍿.

From gentle routines 🕯️☕

to guilt-free naps 😴

and cozy corners outside 🌸🪑,

I’m sharing five simple ways I’m learning to rest with intention — and how I’m leaning on God’s strength instead of my own.

We’ll reflect on 2 Corinthians 12:9–10 📖:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness…” If you’ve been carrying more than your share lately, this one’s for you. 💛

You don’t have to fake being fine. You don’t have to earn rest. You’re allowed to breathe, heal, and let God carry what you can’t. 🙌

Let’s start this summer of restoration — gently and honestly — together.

Get Ready for next year with these ultimate resources.

Get Ready for Kindergarten

Get Ready for First Grade

Get Ready for Second Grade

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In this episode of The Education Connection, I share an honest look at what it feels like to hit summer break and still feel completely drained—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Three days in, and the rest hasn’t kicked in yet. Sound familiar?

We’ll talk about:

• Why post-year exhaustion is deeper than just being “tired”
• Simple, soul-filling ways to rest without guilt
• A quick devotional from Matthew 11:28 to remind us we’re not meant to carry it all
• And how Mel Robbins’ 5-Second Rule might just help when it’s time to slowly ease back into motion

If you’re feeling worn out instead of refreshed, this episode is your permission slip to pause. You’ve done enough. Let this be your gentle reminder: real rest takes time—and you deserve it.

Get Ready for next year with these ultimate resources.

Get Ready for Kindergarten

Get Ready for First Grade

Get Ready for Second Grade

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🎙️ New Episode: 4 Days to Go — Ending the Year with Fun Games & Heart

It’s the final countdown! 🗓️ Only four days left for me, and if you’re running on fumes, this one’s for you, teacher friend. 💛 Let’s wrap up the year with laughter, love, and a few no-prep games that’ll keep kids happy (and you sane).

✨ Plus, I’m sharing a word of encouragement straight from Galatians 6:9 to help you finish strong — heart full, not burnt out.

✅ Inside this episode:

☑️ Low-prep classroom games 🎨

☑️ Crowd-pleasing favorites like Silent Ball & Trashcan Basketball 🏀

☑️ Two new fun ideas: Guess Who Left the Room & Partner Drawing Challenge 🙈🖍️

☑️ End-of-year reflection questions that build connection 🗣️💬

☑️ A devotional reminder that your work is seen and it matters 🌱

👩‍🏫 Whether you're planning activities, packing up your classroom, or holding back tears — this episode will lift your spirit and give you what you need to end the year well.

🎧 Tune in wherever you get your podcasts — and don’t forget to share it with a teacher friend who could use a little joy this week!

#TheEducationConnection #TeacherPodcast #EndOfYearFun #FinishStrong #ChristianEducators #Galatians6v9 #TeacherLife 💛📚🎈

Get Ready for next year with these ultimate resources.

Get Ready for Kindergarten

Get Ready for First Grade

Get Ready for Second Grade

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How to Help Your First Grader Make the Leap to 2nd Grade

📚 Is your child or class moving from 1st to 2nd grade? In this episode, we're breaking down the big academic jumps in both math ➕ and language arts

✏️—from place value and problem solving to reading stamina and paragraph writing. You'll get clear insight into what changes, why it matters, and how to support learning over the summer 🌞.

Whether you're a teacher wrapping up the year or a parent prepping for a confident start, this one's packed with practical tips and a whole lot of encouragement 💛.

🎧 Let’s get them ready—without the stress!

Get Ready for next year with these ultimate resources.

Get Ready for Kindergarten

Get Ready for First Grade

Get Ready for Second Grade

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When It’s OK to Pause: The Power of Rest for Teachers

In this gentle and honest episode of The Education Connection, we’re giving teachers something they rarely get — permission to rest. If you’ve ever felt guilty for calling in sick, struggled to slow down, or pushed through exhaustion because "your students need you," this episode is for you.

We explore the unspoken pressure educators feel to keep going no matter what, and why it’s not only okay, but necessary, to honor your body and mind when they need a break. Because the truth is: you can’t pour from an empty cup — and taking care of yourself is one of the most powerful examples you can set for your students.

Whether you're at home recovering or just feeling emotionally drained, this episode is a calm reminder: your health matters, your rest is valid, and your worth is not tied to your productivity.

🛋️ Take a deep breath, slow down with me, and let’s talk about what it really means to be a whole, healthy teacher.

Get Ready for next year with these ultimate resources.

Get Ready for Kindergarten

Get Ready for First Grade

Get Ready for Second Grade

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🎙️Preventing the Summer Slide

📚 Summer is a time for fun and relaxation — but it’s also important to keep those young minds active! In today’s episode, we’ll explore simple, effective ways to prevent the "summer slide" and keep kids learning all summer long. ✨ Whether you're a teacher, a homeschooling parent, or just looking for easy activities to boost skills at home, you’ll find fresh ideas, printable resources, and motivating tips you can start using right away.

👓 Need stylish, affordable glasses that fit your active summer lifestyle? Check out my favorite customizable frames from Pair Eyewear here ➡️http://rwrd.io/pbjadb1?c.

🎯 In this episode:

• Fun learning routines that won’t feel like "school" 🏖️
• Reading and math activities to keep skills sharp 📖➕
• How to set up simple rewards to keep kids motivated 🎉
• Printable ideas you can grab today 🖨️

☀️ Let’s make this the summer where kids have fun and grow their brains! 🎧

Get Ready for Kindergarten

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🎧 Small Groups vs. Whole Group Instruction: What’s Best for Elementary Students? 📌

In today’s episode of The Education Connection, we’re diving into one of the most talked-about debates in elementary education: Should we teach in small groups or stick to whole group instruction?

With the rise of the Science of Reading and a shift away from traditional Guided Reading, many educators are wondering what’s truly best for students—especially when it comes to equity, engagement, and effectiveness.

We’ll explore the pros and cons of both approaches, unpack why the conversation has become so controversial, and discuss why many teachers are finding success with a blended model.

Plus, I’ll share a quick update on my newest adventure—my classroom resource store at firstgradeloves.com, where you can find tools designed to support both whole group and small group instruction!

Whether you’re feeling confident, conflicted, or just curious, this episode is here to support and inspire you on your teaching journey.

I would love to know how you feel? Do you prefer small group or whole group instruction?

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