Teach 4 the Heart

If grading, paperwork, and lesson planning are taking up way too much of your time, you won't want to miss this podcast! Join us as the Teach 4 the Heart team shares a variety of ideas to streamline and save time in multiple areas that need our attention but shouldn't be taking over our lives. This episode is part of the series Highlights: The Best Solutions for Teachers' Biggest Problems. Check out the full series at www.teach4theheart.com/best.

Christian teachers: do you struggle with and feel attacked by the culture around you? Listen to this week's podcast as Alistair Begg talks about how we as Christians can stand for truth and shine Christ's light as we teach and interact...even when the culture around us becomes more and more hostile. Despite the difficulty, with God-sized confidence you can firmly and lovingly stand fast on your convictions. This episode is part of the series Highlights: The Best Solutions for Teachers' Biggest Problems. Check out the full series at www.teach4theheart.com/best.

Too often we find ourselves trying to be superheroes, thinking somehow we can keep going, serve everyone, and get everything done without getting the rest and refreshment that we need. In this week's episode, we will speak with Pratia Jordan, an award-winning educator, as she shares the need to establish patterns of work and rest, bear each others' burdens, and see Jesus as the Superhero, not ourselves. This episode is part of the series Highlights: The Best Solutions for Teachers' Biggest Problems. Check out the full series at www.teach4theheart.com/best.

Trying to differentiate work for varying levels of students can be stressful and time consuming, but it doesn't have to be. Laura Kebart shares practical strategies to make differentiation simple and relatively easy. Check out one of our very best sessions Summit sessions from 2020 here. This episode is part of the series Highlights: The Best Solutions for Teachers' Biggest Problems. Check out the full series at www.teach4theheart.com/best.

Teaching in this world is difficult. And as the cultural climate of the world changes, making an impact in our students' lives can be even more challenging. How can you make the impact you desire while facing - requirements to teach against your Biblical beliefs? - questions about the legality of sharing your faith? - living out your faith without breaking the law? - helping your Christian school students foster a biblical world view? You can find the answers and support you are looking for in this podcast episode that examines questions & answers about faith & relationships. Listen, learn, and be empowered today! This episode is part of the series Answers for Your Top Teaching Questions. Check out the full series at www.teach4theheart.com/answers.

Right now so many teachers are struggling with anxiety! If you're one of them, you'll want to listen in as Linda addresses some of the common questions we've gotten from teachers, like... -How do I oversome the anxiety related to perfectionism? -How do I handle feeling unappreciated? -What do I do if I'm in a stressful, somewhat unsafe teaching environment? -How do I stop taking everything personally? -How can I keep negativity from taking over? -What do I do with the feeling that I'm not an effective witness for Christ? Listen in and get Biblically-based mental health support today! This episode is part of the series Answers for Your Top Teaching Questions. Check out the full series at www.teach4theheart.com/answers.

Time management has always been a challenge for teachers! It seems like the responsibilities of teaching are never-ending and always bleed into our personal lives. This week, Linda answers a few more questions on this topic from our community! 1. How do you get both planning AND grading done? I've been focusing too much on one and not the other! 2. I want to become more involved in my church, but teaching takes up all of my time! What should I do? 3. Any suggestions for catching up on school work so that I have time with my family and to take care of household duties? 4. How do I give my students more ownership in the classroom so I have less to do? Linda tackles all these questions in this week's podcast episodes and shares the tools and tips you need to improve your work/life balance. This episode is part of the series Answers for Your Top Teaching Questions. Check out the full series at www.teach4theheart.com/answers.

Are you facing these common classroom management issues? -Constant classroom chatter -Small group instruction -Lack of support from admin -Classroom rewards that won't break the bank -A school that doesn't allow traditional consequences. In this episode of the Teach 4 the Heart podcast, you will learn that many teachers are facing these issues and you are not alone. Better yet, Linda will provide some powerful mindset shifts and solutions for whatever problem is plaguing you the most. Tune in, and get answers to your classroom management issues today! This episode is part of the series Answers for Your Top Teaching Questions. Check out the full series at www.teach4theheart.com/answers.

Have feelings of anxiety become your status quo? Many of us feel like they are, but with God's help, they don't have to be! If you've been struggling to experience the peace God promises His followers, you won't want to miss this bonus podcast with Crystal Kershaw. Crystal, counselor and former teacher, examines common causes of anxiety and shares scriptural insights & practical tips to help you overcome it. Get links & additional info here.

Discouragement can be hard to overcome if you feel like the eternal impact you're having on your students is minimal. This can be particularly true for teachers in public schools, but can be a struggle for those in private schools as well. If you're like many Christians, you might tend to think you've only made an eternal impact if you've helped someone move from unsaved to saved. Listen to this week's podcast episode to hear Linda explain why this is a limited understanding of the impact you have on your students' spiritual lives. Be encouraged as you listen to this episode and start to gain a more complete picture of the fruit you're producing as a Christian & how God's using you daily in your students lives for their spiritual benefit... even in a public school. This episode is part of the series This Little Light of Mine: Shining for Christ in the Classroom. Check out the full series at www.teach4theheart.com/shine.

Even though God created us for relationships, that does not mean having relationships is easy. In fact, building connections with our students is some of the hardest work we ever do. This podcast episode is a great chance to look at the way the gospel not only reconciles us to God, but also allows us to be reconciled to one another. Using the framework of the gospel, the fruits of the spirit, and practical teaching techniques, Linda will walk you through how to build deeper relationships with your students. Want to live out your mission to shine the light of Christ in your school? Listen in for practical ideas and the encouragement you need to keep going! This episode is part of the series This Little Light of Mine: Shining for Christ in the Classroom. Check out the full series at www.teach4theheart.com/shine.

What keeps us from shining God's light in our classroom? For teachers, some common reasons are stress, discouragement, and feeling overwhelmed. In this podcast episode, we will look at how to combat these obstacles with both spiritual and practical tools. Be inspired and equipped as we explore four essential questions to strengthen our spiritual foundation, hear practical tips to reduce feelings of being overwhelmed and stressed, and gain a renewed perspective that God is on this mission with us. This episode is part of the series This Little Light of Mine: Shining for Christ in the Classroom. Check out the full series at www.teach4theheart.com/shine.

Do you have a passion to reach others for Christ? Developing your credibility where He's placed you can have an immensely poweful impact! When you're good at your job, you increase your credibility... which God can and will use for eternal benefits! Listen to this week's podcast for ideas on how to improve your foundational teaching skills for His benefit, and at the same time avoid some common traps. If you find it hard to strike a balance between being complacent with your level of teaching expertise and striving toward unattainable perfection, this episode's for you. Listen now to hear Linda's perspective on seeking and finding that balance while increasing your workplace credibility! This episode is part of the series This Little Light of Mine: Shining for Christ in the Classroom. Check out the full series at www.teach4theheart.com/shine.

Most teachers feel discouraged at some point in their careers. Some teachers maybe even feel discouraged daily. Truth: our jobs are difficult and overwhelming. So, even though the idea of shining for Christ sounds good in theory, executing it in real life may feel impossible. In the latest podcast episode, Linda invites us to make some mindset shifts concerning work, where our focus lies, and how we view discouragement. Plus, you'll learn how focusing on the reason we are here (and why we teach) can change EVERYTHING. If you want to feel seen in your struggles, shine consistently for Christ, and make a difference in your school, then this podcast has the strategies you need. Listen in today! This episode is part of the series This Little Light of Mine: Shining for Christ in the Classroom. Check out the full series at www.teach4theheart.com/shine. This podcast is produced by Linda Kardamis of Teach 4 the Heart and brought to you in partnership with the Herzog Foundation.

Do you find yourself comparing the similarities of the latest school shooting to your school? As the frequency of these tragedies increases, it's easy to allow ourselves to slip into a near-constant panic that screams, "What if we are next?!?!" And, it's not just school shootings. Sadly, everyday tragedies happen at schools around the world; teachers and students get sick, pass away, are involved in crime, and other heartbreaking scenarios. Listen in to discover what to do if the unthinkable happens at your school. This episode is part 8 of our series Teach without Fear: Conquering our Anxieties with Faith & Wisdom. Check out the full series at www.teach4theheart.com/fears.

It can feel scary to disagree with whatever the approved cultural narrative is at any given time. Whether there's a specific situation that you know about, or you find yourself worried about what may lie ahead, this can be extremely concerning for Christian teachers. One area this is showing up more and more commonly for teachers is with students who are claiming to be transgender. What used to be a rare instance is now shockingly common - and more and more of us are facing pressure to affirm students' choices in this area without question - and in some cases to even overtly teach unBiblical viewpoints. By taking the time to listen to this full podcast episode, you can both address your fears and learn how to communicate effectively with wisdom and grace no matter who you are talking to. This episode is part 7 of our series Teach without Fear: Conquering our Anxieties with Faith & Wisdom. Check out the full series at www.teach4theheart.com/fears.

As you watch your to-do list grow, do you worry you will never have time to feel fully rested again? Do you fear that your life as a teacher is keeping you from enjoying other parts of ministry or living? Are you truly afraid of missing out on some of the best parts of life because of your career? You are not alone! But, take heart and listen to today's podcasts where we learn to create space to ENJOY both your career & your LIFE. This episode is part 6 of our series Teach without Fear: Conquering our Anxieties with Faith & Wisdom. Check out the full series at www.teach4theheart.com/fears.

Disengaged students have left teachers feeling helpless & hopeless for years. Thanks to the experience and wisdom of Dave Stuart Jr., we no longer have to fear apathy from our students. Listen in to hear practical tips and strategies hear to engage even the most apathetic of learners. This episode is part 5 of our series Teach without Fear: Conquering our Anxieties with Faith & Wisdom. Check out the full series at www.teach4theheart.com/fears.

Most teachers can accept that there will be difficult days, seasons, and even years. But, what happens when you start to fear that all your hard work is in vain, and you are not even making a difference? Listen to today's podcast to learn how to let go of that fear and what actions to faithfully continue when you are in one of those discouraging seasons. This episode is part 4 of our series Teach without Fear: Conquering our Anxieties with Faith & Wisdom. Check out the full series at www.teach4theheart.com/fears.

Talking to parents can make even the most seasoned teacher nervous from time to time. In this episode, we focus on reframing our relationships with parents and how we interact with them. Listen in to learn steps to take you from fear to wisdom as you minister to the parents of your students in love and confidence. This episode is part 3 of our series Teach without Fear: Conquering our Anxieties with Faith & Wisdom. Check out the full series at www.teach4theheart.com/fears.

We're bringing you a recording of our Back-to-School Classroom Management & Motivation training in this special bonus episode. Listen to discover strategies to reduce chaos, motivate your students, and start the year off right. To view the full video version of this training, visit www.teach4theheart.com/training. Join us in Classroom Management 101 at www.teach4theheart.com/101.

Does student behavior ever fill you with fear? Particularly, do you ever stress over how you will handle addressing the behavior? In this episode of the podcast, we are using our 3 part framework to address the issue and take action so that you can teach with confidence. Listen in and get help with overcoming your fear of your students' bad behavior. This episode is part 2 of our series Teach without Fear: Conquering our Anxieties with Faith & Wisdom. Check out the full series at www.teach4theheart.com/fears.

Are you a teacher who feels stuck, unsure of whether you're in the right position or even in the right profession? You're not alone. In this podcast episode, we'll explore common thoughts about discontentment & worry that teachers face concerning God's will. We will also look at how to take what we are feeling and shore it up with the truth of Scripture. Join us as we help you find the hope and peace you need to prepare your heart for what God has in store next for you this year. This episode is part 1 of our series Teach without Fear: Conquering our Anxieties with Faith & Wisdom. Check out the full series at www.teach4theheart.com/fears.

Summer vacation goes by faster every year it seems, and there's so much to squeeze into those quickly fleeting days. How do we get it all done? Simple. We plan well. Listen in to learn about this 4 step template that will help you get all your summer fun (and not-so-fun, but still important) completed before back to school time!

Reflection is THE key to growth & change. Celebrating your wins, acknowledging your pain points, and making a plan for next year ensures the hope of a brighter future. The best part? If you do your reflection now, you can fully enjoy your summer vacation! Ready to relax? Listen here.

I can hardly believe it's been 10 years since Teach 4 the Heart started. I never could have imagined what God had planned and how God would grow and use my feeble writing attempts to encourage and help so many teachers. As we celebrate our 10-year anniversary, I thought it would be fun to share some of the backstory of how Teach 4 the Heart started and how God has faithfully worked and grown us over the years. We hope you'll enjoy this special, somewhat unfiltered episode and story. And don't miss our anniversary sale, where you can save 40% on all our best courses. Happening May 23-25 at https://teach4theheart.com/anniversary

Say goodbye to checked-out students and chaotic messes at the end of the school year! Use these tips to close your classroom down for summer in a way that will make future you thrilled. Learn more about these skills and our other stress-reducing ideas from Teach 4 the Heart + here.

If you are worried about the pacing of your curriculum in these last few weeks and how to stretch it or get through it all, this episode is for you! Prioritize what is most important (now and in the future) and use those relationship skills to make a more profound impact at the year's end. Learn how by listening here.

Finishing the year well may feel impossible if you are depleted, but this episode gives you spiritual resources and practical strategies to keep going strong until the end of the school year. After all, your opportunity for impact remains until the very last day of school. Check out this encouraging episode AND the Teacher Appreciation Bundle we have for you here!

At the core of many of the issues facing both teens and adults is a question of identity. From confusion about gender or sexual identity to struggles with anxiety, depression, and self-worth, how we view ourselves is at the core. In this special episode, Jonathan Holmes joins us to explore the differences between a traditional view of identity and a modern one, and how a Gospel identity transcends and transforms both views, enabling us to overcome with our identity fixed in Christ.

For teachers, the stress of making sub plans often means we are super hesitant to take days off - even if we need them. But what if it didn't have to be that hard? Listen as Kelsey Sorenson shares how to prep simple, ready-made sub plans that can be pulled out anytime you need them!

Over this series, we have talked a lot about building a Classroom Management Plan, and then adjusting it so it works. Today, we are going to hear from Laura, who shares how she did that last summer, and how her plan has been working this school year. Listen in for a true tale from teaching!

Do you love a step-by-step plan? Then listen in as Linda walks you through the steps to having a classroom that will run smoothly! These four elements will allow you to finally have the classroom you have always wanted!

Gospel Adventures offers free online curriculum that introduces children and teens to different cultures & the work of the Gospel around the world. Check out their free curriculum at www.gospeladventures.org

If you are wondering why, despite your best efforts, your classroom isn't running as planned, you may find your answer in this episode! Listen in to see if you are making one of these 3 common mistakes that impact the environment of our classrooms much more than we would expect.

Join us in this thought-provoking episode where we balance the need for consequences and the call to love one another well. If you struggle to see beyond your students' misbehaviors, then this episode is a must listen!

We're thrilled to announce the release of Teach 4 the Heart +, a new program to help you find joy in teaching again. Teach 4 the Heart + is here to help you reduce the stress of teaching by implementing wise strategies & learning to trust our faithful God - so you can joyfully teach and love the students God has given you. Get all the details & join at the special premier rate (now through March 1) at www.teach4theheart.com/plus.

Many issues in life have multiple solutions. Not all solutions are created equal. How do we know which way to solve a problem will bring the most glory to God or which solution is the wisest? Join us in this episode as we will discuss this and how T4TH+ helps you discover great solutions too! This episode is part 2 of our miniseries about Banishing Discouragement & Loving Teaching Again. Check out the full series at www.teach4theheart.com/discouragement.

February's always a challenging month for teachers - but for many of you, the frustration & discouragement goes even beyond that. You might be seriously wondering if you can make it to May - or even questioning if you should keep teaching. In this special episode, Pastor & author David Platt shares the encouraging & challenging truths you NEED to hear to battle discouragement, as well as advice on how to discern God's leading if you're considering quitting teaching. This episode is part 1 of our miniseries about Banishing Discouragement & Loving Teaching Again. Check out the full series at www.teach4theheart.com/discouragement. And join us for the free Love Teaching Again challenge at www.teach4theheart.com/love.

How can we set up our schedules so that we prioritize time for work, for rest, and also for our families & other important personal priorities? Join in as we explore how to use intentional scheduling to create wise boundaries and cultivate better work-life balance. This episode is the final part of our series called How to Reduce Teacher Stress & Create Work/Life Balance. Check out the full series at www.teach4theheart.com/balance.

We're thrilled to announce the release of our brand new program Reclaim Your Time 101. In Reclaim Your Time 101, you'll learn how to cut 5-10 hours off your workweek without sacrificing your effectiveness so you can stop feeling stressed and get time and energy for your family and personal life. Get all the details & sign up at www.teach4theheart.com/reclaim. And use the coupon code LAUNCH to save $40 now through February 1.

As we've examined ways to reduce stress and create some balance, a question has emerged - Should we do our best on everything? This question brings up more questions, especially as believers. What does it mean to never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically? Is balance possible while still following biblical principles? Listen in as we answer these important questions. This episode is part 4 of our series called How to Reduce Teacher Stress & Create Work/Life Balance. Check out the full series at www.teach4theheart.com/balance.

If we bravely admit we are doing too much, and decide to stop doing certain tasks, how can we be sure nothing important slips through the cracks? Join us as we implement a new way of thinking for an exhausted and overworked soul. This episode is part 3 of our series called How to Reduce Teacher Stress & Create Work/Life Balance. Check out the full series at www.teach4theheart.com/balance.

As teachers, we tend to have hearts that are primed to serve. As many of us know, a call to serve can easily end up feeling like pressure to do it all. Listen in for tips when you need help coming to grips with the reality that doing it all is not possible. This episode is part 2 of our series called How to Reduce Teacher Stress & Create Work/Life Balance. Check out the full series at www.teach4theheart.com/balance

The Bible is clear; because of the fall, our world is now short of the glory that God first intended, which means we tend to either overwork or be lazy. Very few of us have achieved a healthy balance. Join us as we see what God says about work, rest, and balance in the light of the gospel. This episode is part 1 of our series called How to Reduce Teacher Stress & Create Work/Life Balance. Check out the full series at www.teach4theheart.com/balance

Responding to Teaching Challenges with Faith & Hope: Episode 05 Do you ever struggle with the tension between trusting God & taking action? Take a situation that you're worried about. You decide to trust God with it and ask Him to help. Does that mean you should just sit back and do nothing, waiting for Him to work? Join us as we explore this important question and discover what it looks like to both trust God and move forward in faith. This episode is part 5 of our series on Responding to Teaching Challenges with Faith & Hope. Check out the full series at www.teach4theheart.com/challenges.

Responding to Teaching Challenges with Faith & Hope: Episode 04 Whether the basic "busy and tired" of teaching has you overwhelmed or you're facing a season when things feel especially dark, you are in for a treat with this special interview with singer-songwriter (and former teacher) Ellie Holcomb. Listen as Ellie shares how we can use God's Word to fight back the lies we too often believe and find hope in Him, no matter what we face. This episode is part 4 of our series on Responding to Teaching Challenges with Faith & Hope. Check out the full series at www.teach4theheart.com/challenges.

Responding to Teaching Challenges with Faith & Hope: Episode 03 Where we find our worth can make all the difference between loving teaching and despising it. Why? Because when our worth is fixed on anything other than Christ, it's vulnerable, and everyday problems can become attacks on our very identity & self-worth. Join us as we explore why fixing our identity & worth on Christ creates a sure foundation and enables us to respond to teaching challenges with hope rather than anxiety. This episode is part 3 of our series on Responding to Teaching Challenges with Faith & Hope. Check out the full series at www.teach4theheart.com/challenges.

Responding to Teaching Challenges with Faith & Hope: Episode 02 Whether it's a huge trial like a cancer diagnosis or day-to-day struggles like that 5th-period class that you think might just be the death of you, we all face challenges & trials. Knowing why we face these is vital to our ability to respond well. So, join us as we see what the Bible has to say about why difficulties exist and how we should think about them. This episode is part 2 of our series on Responding to Teaching Challenges with Faith & Hope. Check out the full series at www.teach4theheart.com/challenges.

Responding to Teaching Challenges with Faith & Hope: Episode 01 When we face challenges, anxiety, fear & stress often well up. We worry about what will happen, we stress about what to do, and we often carry anxiety around in the meantime. Not only is this difficult for us to deal with, but it also hampers our ability to respond well - sometimes it even paralyzes us. This is NOT how God would have us live, and it doesn't have to be our reality. Join us as we dive into how exactly we can trust God and experience the peace that He promises us. This episode is part 1 of our series on Responding to Teaching Challenges with Faith & Hope. Check out the full series at www.teach4theheart.com/challenges.