One Tired Teacher
Teachers have important things to say and share about teaching, life, teaching, and learning. A podcast for teachers brings you the stories and inspiration behind the scenes from classrooms around the globe. Honest conversations about teacher tired and passion-filled teaching allow educators to speak their truth on the trials and treasures of being a teacher.
Episodes
265 episodes
OTT 271: 10 of the Best Children’s Christmas Books (That Still Teach Something)
December doesn’t have to be survival mode. We’re sharing ten Christmas read‑alouds that bring the room to a cozy hush while still nailing essential skills like character analysis, sequencing, vocabulary, point of view, and fluency. Each pick co...
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Episode 271
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24:13
OTT 270: Short Week, Full Heart; Sanity Saved
The week before Thanksgiving can feel like a carnival on wheels—school-wide feasts, cupcake drop-offs, half the class rehearsing for a turkey play, and attention spans migrating toward grandma’s pie. We lean into that reality with a grounded pl...
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Episode 270
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7:33
OTT 269: A Read-Aloud That Reframes Thanksgiving and Belonging
What if the most meaningful lesson in a noisy month is the quietest one? I share the story of a short read-aloud—Molly’s Pilgrim—that shifted my classroom from scattered to centered, and why one complete book can spark more empathy and i...
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Episode 269
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7:16
OTT 268: Bonus November: The We-Do-Not-Care List
The pre‑Thanksgiving stretch can feel like a sprint you didn’t sign up for, and we’re done pretending it’s fine. This candid bonus drop is for every tired teacher who needs permission to step off the hamster wheel, set healthier boundaries, and...
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Episode 268
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6:41
OTT 267: Gratitude Without the Guilt: Projects That Actually Matter
Tired of being told to “just be grateful” while you’re juggling a crowded class, endless testing, and a to-do list that never ends? I open up about gratitude without the guilt—how to honor real exhaustion and real care at the same time—so you c...
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Episode 267
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18:43
OTT 266: What Saved Me When I Had to Call Out in November
The quiet snap of November hits hard: the adrenaline fades, the sinuses throb, and suddenly “powering through” isn’t noble—it’s costly. We open up about the annual crash so many teachers face and lay out a calm, practical path to protect your p...
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Episode 266
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11:16
OTT 265: We Do Not Care Club Teacher Chapter: Humor, Burnout, and the Power of Saying ‘Nope’
The birth of "The We Do Not Care Club: Teacher Chapter" might be the most honest conversation about educator burnout you'll hear this year. After discovering a hilarious TikTok creator who gave women permission to stop caring about societal exp...
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Episode 265
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10:59
OTT 264: Fairytales, Folktales, and Fables: Teaching Genre with Heart and Purpose
Feeling the October teaching slump? When attention spans dwindle and classroom routines grow heavy, fairy tales, folk tales, and fables offer the perfect remedy. These timeless genres breathe fresh life into your curriculum while delivering pow...
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Episode 264
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8:32
OTT 263: Pumpkin Projects with Purpose: Turning Halloween Chaos into Meaningful Learning
Ever found yourself torn between Halloween excitement and curriculum demands? You're not alone. That tension between creativity and standards alignment represents a false choice we don't need to make.Remember that administrator who once...
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Episode 263
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14:50
OTT 262: Mid-Fall Teacher Fog: What It Is and How to Shake
Feeling that mid-fall classroom fatigue? You're not alone. The back-to-school adrenaline has faded, student behaviors are surfacing, and those carefully crafted routines are starting to fray at the edges. It's the perfect storm of teacher exhau...
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Episode 262
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12:36
OTT 261: When Halloween Takes Over: Keeping Learning Fun (and Focused) in October
Sugar highs, costume talk, and boundless energy—October's Halloween excitement can quickly derail even the most carefully planned lessons. But this seasonal shift doesn't have to steamroll your learning objectives or your sanity as a teacher.
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Episode 261
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9:33
OTT 260: How to Weave Science Into Your ELA Block (Without Losing Your Mind)
Ever feel like science gets pushed to the back burner because reading and math dominate your teaching schedule? You're not alone. The struggle to fit everything in is real, especially when administrators sometimes suggest cutting science altoge...
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Episode 260
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13:03
OTT 259: Screens, Focus, and Reconnecting in REAL Life
Remember the days when getting kids to focus in class didn't feel like competing with a digital circus? Today's students—even third graders—are coming to school with phones in hand, already accustomed to constant digital stimulation and instant...
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Episode 259
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9:20
OTT 258: 3 Ways to Keep Reading Routines Strong When Curriculum Kicks In
Ever found yourself sacrificing read-aloud time for pre-assessments and curriculum demands? You're not alone. In this heartfelt exploration of keeping reading routines strong, we dive into why those beautiful reading structures we create in Aug...
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Episode 258
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14:45
OTT 257: Wally Is Worried- Helping Students (and Ourselves) Navigate Big Feelings
A worried watermelon might be exactly what your students need to navigate their big feelings this year. Meet Wally – the adorable protagonist of author Erin Waters' new children's book that's transforming how we approach anxiety in the classroo...
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Episode 257
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21:55
OTT 256: From Teacher to Author: Christine Devane's Journey with Elephant Beach
Christine Devane takes us on her journey from classroom teacher to published children's author, revealing how patience and persistence led to the publication of her book "Elephant Beach" after nearly a decade of waiting. What started as a manus...
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Episode 256
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16:35
OTT 255: Building Reading Routines That Stick (and Don’t Drain You)
Struggling to establish reading routines that don't leave you exhausted? Discover the magic of sustainable reading practices that transform your classroom culture while building essential literacy skills.The most powerful reading routin...
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Episode 255
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9:39
OTT 254: Break the Ice Without the Cringe – Fun Ways to Build Classroom Community
Ever found yourself cringing through yet another awkward icebreaker activity? You're not alone. As teachers, we know building classroom community is essential, but finding engaging ways to do it can be challenging. The good news? Creating meani...
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Episode 254
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11:32
OTT 253: What to Do Before You Get Sick – Smart Planning for the Inevitable
Every teacher knows the feeling: waking up with a scratchy throat or fever, but dreading the thought of writing sub plans while sick. What if you could eliminate that stress with some smart planning now?The beginning of the school year ...
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Episode 253
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13:46
OTT 252: Teaching Sanity 101
The back-to-school jitters aren't just for students—teachers face them too! As summer winds down and classrooms beckon, even the most experienced educators find themselves wrestling with familiar questions about those crucial first weeks.
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Episode 252
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10:24
OTT: 251 The Gentle Teacher's Guide to Starting the School Year Strong
Feeling that end-of-summer anxiety creeping in as the new school year approaches? Take a deep breath – you're not alone, and there's a better way to start the year.The transition from summer relaxation to classroom chaos doesn't have to...
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Episode 251
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10:00
OTT 250: STEM Books That Win Over Reluctant Readers
Ever noticed how some kids love science and building but turn away from books? That disconnect isn't just frustrating—it's a missed opportunity for deeper learning. What if we could harness their natural STEM enthusiasm to ignite a love for rea...
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Episode 250
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6:57
OTT 249: Makerspace Magic: Transforming Reluctant Readers into Confident Explorers
Ever watched a reluctant reader disconnect from a book before they've even given it a chance? There's a powerful solution hiding in your classroom supply closet.Today we're diving into the transformative world of hands-on learning for l...
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Episode 249
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9:09
OTT 248: Transforming Story Time: Hands-On STEM Challenges for Young Readers
Ever watched a child struggle to connect with a story, only to see their eyes light up when they get to build something with their hands? There's magic in that moment when reading transforms from a passive activity into an adventure of problem-...
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Episode 248
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9:33
OTT 247: Beyond the Page: 3 Simple STEM Challenges That Make Books Come Alive
Reading becomes an adventure when students get to build, design, and create alongside their favorite stories. For too many children, books remain distant collections of words rather than doorways to imagination – but that changes when we introd...
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Episode 247
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20:12