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Let me help you get ready to have the best parent-teacher conference season ever! 📝 While it can cause a lot of teacher stress, conferences are an important chance to connect with families. With some preparation, you can make conferences productive and positive!

In this episode I do do a deep dive into these top 5 strategies to help everything run smoothly.

🔑 First, leverage technology to take yourself out of the scheduling drama! It will also help you meet the needs of parents with inflexible schedules.

⏰ Second, manage expectations upfront. Tell parents how long conferences will be and remind them not to be surprised - they should already know if their child is struggling.

👩‍🏫 Third, involve students when you can with self-reflection exercises like "glow and grow." Get their perspective and involve them in the "triangle of success."

❌ Fourth, set boundaries. Have a schedule posted publicly so parents stick to their time slot. Get a witness if you anticipate tension. 👀

🤗 Fifth, imagine it's your child. Lead with the positives. Minimize jargon on forms. Make it a dialogue, not a monologue.

Bonus: Optics matter - tidy your room, dress professionally. Prepare materials in advance so you look authoritative. 💼

So stop dreading those conferences! With some prep, you'll crush it!

Mentioned in this episode:
Signupgenius.com

➡️ To get your FREE 🎁 PDF Guide The Professional Teacher's Guide to Saying "No" visit: www.gracestevens.com/sayno

Want to truly thrive in teaching without sacrificing your personal life? Check out the Elevated Teacher Experience here
Check out the best-selling Positive Mindset Habits for Teachers book here
And the #1 new release for educators Beat Teacher Burnout with Better Boundaries book here

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Old school: Website : www.GraceStevens.com (courses, blog & freebies!)

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In this empowering mini-episode, Grace examines how to deal with the aftermath of this week's election results. What if it didn't go the way you hoped? How do we rise above no matter what and find things that unite us with others, not divide us? How do we create a classroom community where everyone feels valued, safe, and included?

❤️ Her advice? "Be the source." Lead with love, not fear.

Take a quick time out to maybe have a mindset shift and a virtual hug to make you feel better about navigating the challenges of "keeping politics out of your classroom" when it is all anyone can think about this week.

Inspiration for teachers, school leadership, and anyone who is stressed by politics these days.

➡️ To get your FREE 🎁 PDF Guide The Professional Teacher's Guide to Saying "No" visit: www.gracestevens.com/sayno

Want to truly thrive in teaching without sacrificing your personal life? Check out the Elevated Teacher Experience here
Check out the best-selling Positive Mindset Habits for Teachers book here
And the #1 new release for educators Beat Teacher Burnout with Better Boundaries book here

Wanna get social?
https://www.tiktok.com/@gracestevensteacher
https://www.facebook.com/GraceStevensTeacher
https://www.Instagram.com/gracestevensteacher

Old school: Website : www.GraceStevens.com (courses, blog & freebies!)

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That pit in your stomach on Sunday afternoon? You're not alone. As educators, we've ALL felt that weekend-ruining anxiety creeping in. But here's the truth: you don't have to live with the Sunday Scaries forever. In this episode, I'm sharing my battle-tested strategies that helped me transform my weekends from dread-filled to rejuvenating.

🎯 In This Episode You'll Discover:

• 💡 Why it's NOT "just teaching" - the surprising truth about Sunday anxiety across all professions
• 📚 The "Friday Power Hour" strategy that can completely transform your weekend peace of mind
• 📱 How your tech habits might be sabotaging your weekend (and the simple fixes you need)
• 🌟 The counter-intuitive approach to weekend plans that actually helps you rest better
• ⏰ My game-changing "Sunday at 7" method that freed me from constant work anxiety
• 🎁 BONUS TIP: The "Monday Micro-Joy" technique that makes the week ahead less daunting

💪 Key Takeaways:

Stop letting Sunday anxiety rob you of weekend joy and Monday energy. These practical strategies will help you set boundaries, protect your peace, and show up as your best self for your students.

➡️ To get your FREE 🎁 PDF Guide The Professional Teacher's Guide to Saying "No" visit: www.gracestevens.com/sayno

Want to truly thrive in teaching without sacrificing your personal life? Check out the Elevated Teacher Experience here
Check out the best-selling Positive Mindset Habits for Teachers book here
And the #1 new release for educators Beat Teacher Burnout with Better Boundaries book here

Wanna get social?
https://www.tiktok.com/@gracestevensteacher
https://www.facebook.com/GraceStevensTeacher
https://www.Instagram.com/gracestevensteacher

Old school: Website : www.GraceStevens.com (courses, blog & freebies!)

Send us a text

Teachers, want to boost your daily happiness and teacher resilience?

In this mini-episode, Grace shares a simple, transformative strategy that requires no time, no money, and very little effort—but has the potential to completely change how you feel and show up each day in your classroom and your life. It's all about noticing the "lovely" moments in your day and giving them just a little extra focus to turn everyday encounters into a source of joy. Dive in to learn how a “lovely list” can help you cultivate a positive mindset!

Key Takeaways:

• 🌸 The Lovely List Unveiled: Discover Grace's latest tool that helps you notice and appreciate small acts of kindness and connection throughout the day.
• 🧠 Boost Your Mood with a Mental Game: Learn how creating a mental "lovely list" rewires your brain to focus on positive interactions, no journaling required.
• ✨ Find the Lovely in the Ordinary: Start seeing the beauty in everyday interactions—from a smile from a stranger to a helpful hand from a student.
• 💡 Be Someone's Lovely Moment: Challenge yourself to make someone else's day better by being a positive presence.

Why Listen?

If you’re feeling teacher overwhelmed during this busy time of year, this episode offers a grounding, uplifting practice that’s easy to implement. Just one change in how you notice the little things can help you feel more connected and present each day and transform the energy in your classroom.

➡️ To get your FREE 🎁 PDF Guide The Professional Teacher's Guide to Saying "No" visit: www.gracestevens.com/sayno

Want to truly thrive in teaching without sacrificing your personal life? Check out the Elevated Teacher Experience here
Check out the best-selling Positive Mindset Habits for Teachers book here
And the #1 new release for educators Beat Teacher Burnout with Better Boundaries book here

Wanna get social?
https://www.tiktok.com/@gracestevensteacher
https://www.facebook.com/GraceStevensTeacher
https://www.Instagram.com/gracestevensteacher

Old school: Website : www.GraceStevens.com (courses, blog & freebies!)

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🎙️ Lunchbox Love Note Bonus Mini-Episode: Just like those little love notes slipped into your lunchbox, this episode is here to brighten your day with a virtual smile and a hug.

I hope you enjoy this jolt of inspiration and empowerment for teachers!

And if you appreciate my content, I humbly invite you to "pay it forward" and share this episode with a colleague. Everyone wins 💛

This one is all about the mindset of "enough." I promise you, you are enough, you do enough.

➡️ To get your FREE 🎁 PDF Guide The Professional Teacher's Guide to Saying "No" visit: www.gracestevens.com/sayno

Want to truly thrive in teaching without sacrificing your personal life? Check out the Elevated Teacher Experience here
Check out the best-selling Positive Mindset Habits for Teachers book here
And the #1 new release for educators Beat Teacher Burnout with Better Boundaries book here

Wanna get social?
https://www.tiktok.com/@gracestevensteacher
https://www.facebook.com/GraceStevensTeacher
https://www.Instagram.com/gracestevensteacher

Old school: Website : www.GraceStevens.com (courses, blog & freebies!)

Send us a text

🎓 Breaking Down Dyslexia: What Every Teacher Needs to Know (But Was Never Taught!)

Did you know that 1 in 5 students in your classroom may have dyslexia? Yet most of us learned about it in just "two paragraphs" during our teacher training! In this eye-opening episode, we chat with Lisa Parnello, a full-time dyslexia coach who's transforming how we understand and support students with dyslexia.

Key Takeaways: 📚 Dyslexia isn't about seeing letters backward - it's about how the brain processes language 🧠 Three major signs to watch for:

• Phonemic awareness challenges
• Executive functioning struggles (organization, time management)
• Left-handedness (surprisingly correlated!)

🍎 What teachers can do to help students who they suspect may have dyslexia, despite the imitation of resources in many schools.

🌟 Success Stories: Many highly successful individuals have dyslexia, including:

• Steve Jobs (Apple founder)
• Richard Branson (Virgin Group founder)
• Keira Knightley (actress)

🎯 Free Resources:
Join Lisa's Dyslexia Awareness Challenge at www.parnelloeducation.com/challenge

• 5-day email sequence
• Daily 1-2 minute videos
• Practical resources and tools
• Over 200 successful participants

🎧 Want to Learn More? Check out Lisa's podcast "Dyslexia Devoted" - over 117 episodes of practical strategies and insights

Professional Development Opportunities:

• Dyslexia for Beginners Workshop
• Educator's Guide to Dyslexia (comprehensive course with 4.5 hours PD credit)
• Spelling and Writing Booster Workshops
• Use promo code "balance" for 20% off all courses!

Remember: You're not alone in feeling underprepared to support students with dyslexia. With the right tools and knowledge, you can make a significant difference in these students' lives!

#TeacherResources #Dyslexia #SpecialEducation #TeacherPD #EducatorSupport #DyslexiaAwareness #TeacherTips #teacherbalance #teachertips

➡️ To get your FREE 🎁 PDF Guide The Professional Teacher's Guide to Saying "No" visit: www.gracestevens.com/sayno

Want to truly thrive in teaching without sacrificing your personal life? Check out the Elevated Teacher Experience here
Check out the best-selling Positive Mindset Habits for Teachers book here
And the #1 new release for educators Beat Teacher Burnout with Better Boundaries book here

Wanna get social?
https://www.tiktok.com/@gracestevensteacher
https://www.facebook.com/GraceStevensTeacher
https://www.Instagram.com/gracestevensteacher

Old school: Website : www.GraceStevens.com (courses, blog & freebies!)

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Many of us know that we need to do a better job expressing our needs, wants, desires, and preferences, but we don't know how to start the conversation or do it in a productive, positive way.

If, like me, you suffer from being a chronic -people pleaser, this episode is for you!
I dive deep into the art of setting healthy boundaries – a game-changer for teachers who want to avoid burnout and rediscover their work-life balance. 🏋️‍♀️💪

Why Boundaries Matter for Teachers

Setting boundaries isn't about building walls – it's about creating lanes that allow you to navigate your professional and personal life with confidence. By establishing clear expectations and limits, you're not only protecting your well-being but also fostering healthier relationships with colleagues, students, and administrators. 🤝

I will cover the 12 Essential Rules for setting healthier boundaries at school and at home. Key concepts include:

🎯 Setting boundaries is a loving act, both for yourself and others.

🎯 Start with small, manageable boundaries and build up your confidence.

🎯 Use "I" statements to express your needs without putting others on the defensive.

🎯 Be prepared to enforce your boundaries, but always do so with grace and professionalism.

I give you all the details you need to start setting healthier boundaries TODAY.
Remember, dear teachers: You have the right to a balanced life! By implementing these boundary-setting strategies, you're not just improving your own well-being – you're setting a powerful example for your students and your teaching colleagues. ✨

➡️ To get your FREE 🎁 PDF Guide The Professional Teacher's Guide to Saying "No" visit: www.gracestevens.com/sayno

Want to truly thrive in teaching without sacrificing your personal life? Check out the Elevated Teacher Experience here
Check out the best-selling Positive Mindset Habits for Teachers book here
And the #1 new release for educators Beat Teacher Burnout with Better Boundaries book here

Wanna get social?
https://www.tiktok.com/@gracestevensteacher
https://www.facebook.com/GraceStevensTeacher
https://www.Instagram.com/gracestevensteacher

Old school: Website : www.GraceStevens.com (courses, blog & freebies!)

Send us a text

In this episode, I reflect on an "Open Letter to Parents from Your Child's Teacher" that I wrote for ThriveGlobal.com back in 2019. I take another look into three game-changing habits that can transform your classroom dynamics and help your students develop crucial life skills.

📌 Key Takeaways:

1. 🎭 Let natural consequences be the teacher
2. 🧠 Foster persistence in problem-solving
3. 🤝 Empower students to navigate social interactions

Discover how these strategies not only benefit your students but also lighten your load as an educator. It's time to break free from the "do-everything" mindset and empower our students to thrive! 💪

🎙️ Episode Highlights:

• The timeless nature of classroom challenges (hint: it's not all COVID's fault!)
• How over-helping can hinder student independence and confidence
• Practical tips for implementing these strategies in your classroom
• Real-life examples of how these habits play out (and why they're so tempting!)
• The importance of social-emotional learning in conflict resolution

💡 Actionable Tips:

• Establish clear homework policies and stick to them
• Use prompting questions to guide students instead of providing answers
• Implement a structured approach for resolving playground conflicts

Remember, it's not about doing more – it's about doing the right things that truly matter for your students' growth and success. 🌱

🔗 Related Resources:

• Episode 61: Back to School 2024, Part Two - Positive Teacher-Parent Partnerships
• The original letter from Thrive Global
• https://community.thriveglobal.com/3-simple-ways-to-help-your-child-thrive-in-school-by-doing-less/

Ready to transform your teaching approach and empower your students?

Tune in now and learn how doing less can actually lead to more success in the classroom! 🎧

➡️ To get your FREE 🎁 PDF Guide The Professional Teacher's Guide to Saying "No" visit: www.gracestevens.com/sayno

Want to truly thrive in teaching without sacrificing your personal life? Check out the Elevated Teacher Experience here
Check out the best-selling Positive Mindset Habits for Teachers book here
And the #1 new release for educators Beat Teacher Burnout with Better Boundaries book here

Wanna get social?
https://www.tiktok.com/@gracestevensteacher
https://www.facebook.com/GraceStevensTeacher
https://www.Instagram.com/gracestevensteacher

Old school: Website : www.GraceStevens.com (courses, blog & freebies!)