Teach 4 the Heart

It's somewhat common to feel alone at your school anyhow, but this pandemic has brought loneliness to another level! If you're feeling alone, listen to discover simple advice for creating meaningful connections within the body of Christ - yes, even now! Sign up for the Rise Up Summit, a free online conference for Christian educators, at www.riseupchristianeducators.com.

Teaching difficult students can be, well, difficult. But taking a long-term view can be extremely helpful. Join us to discover what that looks like – and how it will help you persevere. Grab your copy of Take Heart & Teach at www.teach4theheart.com/books

We knew an election year would involve politics, but we had no idea the scope & weightiness of all the social issues we'd be grappling with this year. How can we engage these issues with our students in a way that is helpful, respectful, and unifying? Join us to discover three key principles. Get notes and links at www.teach4theheart.com/138. Find out more about Teach Uplifted at www.teachuplifted.com.

This pandemic has many of us facing unprecedented situations, and it's almost inevitable that at some point leadership will make a decision that you disagree with. Join us as we process how to respond when this happens. Join the free 21-Day Prayer Challenge for Teachers at www.teach4theheart.com/prayerchallenge

Are you teaching online or have students learning virtually? Discover four simple ways to engage shy or hesitant learners online. Get more ideas for virtual teaching, hybrid learning, and more at www.teach4theheart.com/pandemicteaching Join our Facebook group at www.teach4theheart.com/facebook.

Are you using Loom.com? This tool will save you tons of time and make it easier to communicate with your students. Listen for details. Check out Loom at www.loom.com. Check out our new merch at www.teach4theheart.com/merch.

As Christian teachers, we must engage with issues surrounding race and justice, but how we do that should look quite different than prevailing secular thought. We must examine everything we are hearing, reading, and thinking in light of the Bible and interpret everything through the lens of the Gospel. Join us as we discuss how much of what we're hearing is actually based in a secular philosophy called Critical Race Theory. But that is not the only way to fight against racism. Through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, God offers a different - and much better - way to pursue unity. Get notes & links at www.teach4theheart.com/151

Classroom management doesn't disappear online. You still have issues like students blurting out answers, forgetting to turn off their mics, or bringing in a lot of background noise. Join us for practical tips to reduce audio disruptions in the virtual classroom. Get the Virtual Classroom Rules list at www.teach4theheart.com/virtual. Get more classroom management help (online or in-person) at www.teach4theheart.com/backtoschooltraining.

Are you frustrated about everything you can't do - or extra things that you have to do? Get yourself excited again by choosing to let go of the negative and instead brainstorm from this simple question: "What possibilities does this situation open up?" And don't forget about classroom management! It matters now more than ever! Get our free Back-to-School Classroom Management Solutions training at www.teach4theheart.com/backtoschooltraining.

This year, more than ever, you can't try to do everything on your own! In this episode, we discuss three avenues that you delegate responsibility: parent volunteers, partnering with fellow teachers, and giving students responsibility. Listen for details & ideas! Get more ideas about how to delegate responsibilities in podcast episode #91 or at www.teach4theheart.com/delegate. Find out more about Classroom Management 101 at www.teach4theheart.com/cm101

With everything happening, it's so easy to feel overwhelmed, frustrated or discouraged. That's why we MUST keep our eyes on Jesus and on what He says is true. These 10 affirmations are truths we must cling to this year, so don't just listen once. Head to www.teach4theheart.com/150 and download a printable version you can review daily!

So many scenarios this year have teachers responsible for in-person AND virtual learning > If you're using a hybrid model > If parents choose in-person or virtual and you have to facilitate both > If you're in-person but anticipate lots of extended absences In all these scenarios, you can't afford to create two sets of lessons! Listen for some simple ideas for how to streamline your workflow and keep everyone on the same page. Get more information about flipping your class at www.teach4theheart.com/flip - or check out episode #45. Get video math lessons for pre-algebra, Algebra 1, and Algebra 2 at www.mymathlight.com.

Stress, anxiety, overwhelm - these are always challenges but perhaps never so commonly as this year. How do we combat these feelings? We need to put on the armor of God and stand firm in His truth. Listen for an encouraging word from Ephesians 6 and join our free prayer challenge at www.teach4theheart.com/prayerchallenge.

In many ways, this school year didn't shape up the way we hoped it would. But perhaps that gives us a bigger chance than ever to make a difference. Join us as we talk about how to keep a positive perspective - and the powerful impact this can have on our students. Find out more about Teach Uplifted at www.teachuplifted.com. Join the free prayer challenge at www.teach4theheart.com/prayerchallenge

The 2020-21 school year promises to be extra challenging, which means we need boundaries & routines more than ever. Join us to discover key routines and boundaries that will help you & your students not just survive but perhaps even thrive in this crazy year. Get notes & links at www.teach4theheart.com/149 Get the Teach Uplifted Devotions at www.teach4theheart.com/devotions

These outfit guides have been making it so much easier for me to plan out my wardrobe. If planning outfits stresses you out, check out these guides: www.teach4theheart.com/outfit

Increase student motivation by helping them set their own goals & monitor their own progress. Today, we give four steps to make this happen. Learn more about goal-setting in Beyond Classroom Management at www.teach4theheart.com/beyond. And join us for our FREE Respectful, Responsible, & Engaged live training to discover more ways to motivate your students. Sign up at www.teach4theheart.com/trainings.

Do you ever wonder if controlling your classroom is actually the right goal? It's an important question, and we tackle it in today's episode. Join us for a FREE Back-to-School Classroom Management Solutions training at www.teach4theheart.com/training.

We still may not be 100% sure what school will look like this fall, but we know that we'll want to make every second we have together count! Today, we'll discuss five keys to create a conducive learning environment no matter what learning situation you end up facing. Get the notes & links at www.teach4theheart.com/148 Join our FREE classroom management trainings at www.teach4theheart.com/trainings Find out more about Classroom Management 101 at www.teach4theheart.com/cm101

Classroom jobs aren't just for cute kindergarteners. You can automate your classroom by transferring responsibility for certain tasks to your students. We talk more about this in podcast #91 at www.teach4theheart.com/delegate. And Angela teaches how to do this in detail in the 40 Hour Teacher Workweek Club. Join now at www.teach4theheart.com/40hourteacher.

It's clear we must stand and fight against racial injustice. But the philosophy behind our fight is key. Will we take the secular perspective that try to do it without God? Or will we recognize that true unity, justice, and peace flow from Jesus?

In this special episode, team member Sarah talks with her daughter Lydia about the difference some work/life balance & the 40 Hour Teacher Workweek Club has made for their family.

Teaching is overwhelming in the best of times. Add in a pandemic, distance learning, and everything else, and balance feels like it's completely out the window. But what we did last spring was unsustainable. As we look towards the fall, we must find a semblance of work/life balance. And these principles will help you do that. I cannot recommend Angela Watson's 40 Hour Teacher Workweek program highly enough. Find out more & join now at www.teach4theheart.com/40hourteacher. Get notes & links at www.teach4theheart.com/147

When we're feeling worried, stressed, or frustrated, we must take those concerns to God and leave them in His capable hands. Doing this over and over again gradually creates a habit of peace instead of anxiety. ❤️ Explore these thoughts further in the Teach Uplifted Devotions for Teachers at www.teach4theheart.com/devotions or the full Teach Uplifted program at www.teachuplifted.com.

Do you ever find yourself searching for that worksheet - that test - that quiz - that you know should be right around here but has somehow gone missing? This simple organizational system will ensure you always know exactly where every paper is. And, bonus, your desk will be way less cluttered, too! Get more ideas in Angela Watson's 40 Hour Teacher Workweek Club: www.teach4theheart.com/40hourteacher.

Have you tried to delegate tasks to students or parent volunteers - only to find yourself frustrated that you have to re-do all of it? This simple mindset shift will allow you to finally utilize student & volunteer help - without getting annoyed or wasting time. Angela Watson has so many of these systems already figured out in her 40 Hour Teacher Workweek Club. Check it out at www.teach4theheart.com/40hourteacher.

Covid closures completely upended the school year. And now, as we consider heading back new year, we have no idea what that might look like. But regardless of the form school takes 2020-21, we can and should be asking bigger questions. How can we take the lessons we've learned during these closures and reimagine schools in a better way - a way that truly prepares students and connects with them in a meaningful way? Join us as we discuss these important questions with Dave Stuart Jr. Get notes and links at www.teach4theheart.com/146. Join Angela Watson's 40 Hour Teacher Workweek Club at www.teach4theheart.com/40hourteacher. Join our Facebook group at www.teach4theheart.com/facebook

If you teach K - 2, you definitely need to try ABCmouse.com. This program is incredibly easy to use & set up and super engaging for kids. Best of all, it's free for teachers and their students! Check it out at www.abcmouse.com/teachers. Join Angela Waton's 40 Hour Teacher Workweek Club at www.teach4theheart.com/40hourteacher.

If you're a white teacher that's somewhat confused about racism, "white privilege," and everything that's happening, this episode is for you. I'm only beginning to understand myself, but I hope this message will help us all better love one another not just in word but in action, too.

Chances are, we're going to be facing some changes that we don't like. So what do we do about it? Rather than accepting that things will be horrible, we can find creative solutions that will actually work by asking a simple question. Join Angela Watson's 40 Hour Teacher Workweek Club at www.teach4theheart.com/40hourteacher.

Do you lie down to sleep only to find your mind racing with a million thoughts, concerns, and questions? Listen to and discover a beautifully simple way to quiet your mind each evening, resulting in more sleep and less anxiety. Compline: Evening Liturgies for Anxious Souls: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/compline-evening-liturgies-for-anxious-souls/id1509076756 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1dJphTNj9KJBlhX9Yf48GD Join one of our free summer book clubs at www.teach4theheart.com/bookclub

We all hoped next fall everything would be back to normal, but now we're not so sure. Theories and ideas abound about what form next school year will take. So what are we as teachers to do? How can we plan when we don't know what we're planning for? Where do we spend our time when there's so much uncertainty? In this episode, we discuss six imperatives that will help focus us on what matters most - and avoid draining our energy worrying about possibilities that may or may not ever materialize. Save this episode to revisit throughout the summer! Get the notes at www.teach4theheart.com/145. Find out more about Angela Watson's 40 Hour Teacher Workweek Club at www.teach4theheart.com/40hourteacher. And join one of our summer book clubs at www.teach4theheart.com/bookclub.

Believe it or not, you have learned and grown SO MUCH as a teacher through this crisis. Don't let all that growth go to waste! Schedule a time of reflection where you consider what you've learned and what you want to do differently when things are back to "normal." Join us in our summer book club at www.teach4theheart.com/bookclub.

As we consider ending the year without most of our well-beloved traditions, we can seek out other ways to connect and create a sense of closure. Listen for some ideas & inspiration. Collaborate in our Facebook group at www.teach4theheart.com/facebook.

Today I just want to say thank you. Thank you, teachers, for all you are doing to help students continue to learn and grow. You are amazing. Save the date for the Rise Up Summit - an online conference for Christian educators - October 22-27, 2020. Get details at www.riseupchristianeducators.com.

Distance learning has completely upended our end-of-the-year traditions, but that doesn't mean we can't still do something meaningful, engaging, and even fun in the final days of school. Listen to discover a fun (low-prep) project you can use to review, create a sense of closure, and even create fun memories in these last days of distance learning. Get the notes at www.teach4theheart.com/144 Join the summer book club at www.teach4theheart.com/bookclub

While we all wish we could go on those field trips we had planned, a virtual one might be the next best thing! Listen for some cool ideas, and plan one with your class. Watch the free Respectful, Responsible, & Engaged training at www.teach4theheart.com/teachertraining.

We've been doing distance learning for awhile now, but in most cases, we're not done yet. Now is a great time to evaluate what you've been doing and look for ways to simplify even further. Ask yourself, "what matters most" and focus on that. Get the virtual classroom rules list at www.teach4theheart.com/virtual.

The title of our podcast is Teach 4 the Heart. But what exactly does that mean? Join us as we discuss what it means - and why it matters! Join us for our 21-Day Prayer Challenge at www.teach4theheart.com/prayerchallenge.

Are you trying to teach from home while simultaneously taking care of your own kids? Join us for some helpful ideas to make things go just a bit more smoothly. Get the notes & links at www.teach4theheart.com/143

I've found that when I sit down on Friday and spend a few minutes planning the next week, I not only get more done but I'm also able to let go of the mental stress and actually enjoy time off over the weekend. Listen as I explain exactly how this works. For more ideas, check out our free Reclaim Your Time Challenge at www.teach4theheart.com/reclaim

Today I'm sharing some insights from Paul David Tripp's book, Parenting that absolutely apply to teaching. Let's talk about the amazing work of God's grace to empower us to teach in His strength.

As I've found my emotions all over the place, I've found comfort in the fact that God cares about our tears and struggles. Join us as we imagine a picture of God as a comforting Father, crying with us and walking with us through this crisis. Join the prayer challenge at www.teach4theheart.com/prayerchallenge. Join us in Teach Uplifted at www.teachuplifted.com.

In this special episode, Colleen Hoffman shares lessons learned from her challenging journey of watching her baby granddaughter suffer through - and ultimately die from - cancer. But this episode is anything but depressing. Colleen challenges us to look to God, raise our shield of faith, and trust Him and His definition of good during each moment of our own trials. I first heard this talk last October, but I listened to it again as I was struggling with my own thoughts & emotions during this current crisis. I knew her wisdom and hard-earned experience would be a huge help to so many of you, and I pray you will be edified in the Lord. This episode can also be found at www.teach4theheart.com/142. Join us in Teach Uplifted at www.teachuplifted.com.

NOTE: We recorded this episode before the current crisis exploded into our world, but as I went back and listened, I found the truths amazingly applicable to what we're all facing today. So I hope this episode will be an encouragement to you. **** Sometimes we might wonder if we are in the right school, the right grade level, the right profession - but God has you right where you are for a reason. He didn't make a mistake, and we can rest in that truth. Join us for our 21-Day Prayer Challenge at www.teach4theheart.com/prayerchallenge.

We're all struggling with the lack of our normal interactions, and that means the connections you have with your students are more important than ever! Join us as we hear encouragement from Kim Pendleton, who's been teaching online for two years. Join our Facebook group at www.teach4theheart.com/facebook

As teachers, we deal with a plethora of challenges and are often even mistreated. But Christ's example and Paul's admonition in Philippians 2:1-13 can be a huge encouragement for us not to worry so much about what we think we deserve but to instead seek to serve our students and those around us. Join us for our 21-Day Prayer Challenge at www.teach4theheart.com/prayerchallenge.

Are you stressed about all the things that are out of your control during this crisis? Join us for a word of encouragement about how to let go and trust the One who holds everything in the palm of His hands. Get notes & links at www.teach4theheart.com/141 Join Teach Uplifted at www.teachuplifted.com

Sometimes a situation (whether inside or outside the classroom) feels simply impossible. But nothing is impossible with God, and He can redeem even the messiest of situations. Join us in our upcoming prayer challenge at www.teach4theheart.com/prayerchallenge

Is your head spinning as you scramble to transition to distance learning? These five questions will help guide your thoughts and actions towards what matters most.