How to Work Less in 2025: 5 Things I Did to Get My Weekends Back

Incorporating humor in the classroom is a small strategy that has the power to transform your classroom atmosphere. Humor isn’t just telling knock-knock jokes whenever you have time to fill between activities. Instead, there are so many more ways you can use humor to build connections and create a positive and engaging environment for your students. In today’s episode, I’m sharing 15 of my favorite creative ways to infuse humor in the classroom. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/humor-in-the-classroom  Free Masterclass - Your 5-Step Classroom Management Reset: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/the-5-step-reset Grab a copy of my book, Dear New Teacher, Here's Exactly What to Do: Your 5-Step R.E.A.D.Y. for School Roadmap for Elementary Classrooms: https://amzn.to/3w3zZJ7 Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk  Connect with Lori on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drlorifriesen/ Connect with Lori on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beginningteachertalk If the Beginning Teacher Talk podcast is helping you in your teaching and if you're feeling extra loving, I would be so grateful if you would leave a positive review for the show! Your kind words mean the world to me. Just click here to leave your review now (and be entered into our draw for a $25 Amazon Gift Card)! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beginning-teacher-talk/id1456137677 I hope you have a wonderful week, and remember - just because you are a beginning elementary teacher, there is no need for you to struggle like one. Xo Lori P.S. Do you have your copy of my FREE Ultimate Classroom Management Checklist? Get yours by clicking here now! https://www.drlorifriesen.com/ultimate-classroom-management-checklist

This Christmas, give yourself the gift of time with strategies to achieve work-life balance as a teacher. In this episode, I share five powerful shifts to help you streamline your planning, set boundaries, and create more time for life outside the classroom. These actionable tips may feel challenging at first, but they’ve made a lasting difference for me, and they can for you too. Start small, implement one strategy at a time, and watch how small changes lead to big results! Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/achieve-work-life-balance Free Masterclass - Your 5-Step Classroom Management Reset: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/the-5-step-reset Grab a copy of my book, Dear New Teacher, Here's Exactly What to Do: Your 5-Step R.E.A.D.Y. for School Roadmap for Elementary Classrooms: https://amzn.to/3w3zZJ7 Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk  Connect with Lori on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drlorifriesen/ Connect with Lori on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beginningteachertalk If the Beginning Teacher Talk podcast is helping you in your teaching and if you're feeling extra loving, I would be so grateful if you would leave a positive review for the show! Your kind words mean the world to me. Just click here to leave your review now (and be entered into our draw for a $25 Amazon Gift Card)! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beginning-teacher-talk/id1456137677 I hope you have a wonderful week, and remember - just because you are a beginning elementary teacher, there is no need for you to struggle like one. Xo Lori P.S. Do you have your copy of my FREE Ultimate Classroom Management Checklist? Get yours by clicking here now! https://www.drlorifriesen.com/ultimate-classroom-management-checklist

Teaching English Language Learners (ELLs) can be both rewarding and challenging, especially when it comes to building their confidence to speak and participate in class. In this episode, I’m sharing simple, low-prep speaking activities that make language practice fun and stress-free for your students. Whether they’re just starting out or advancing in their language skills, these adaptable strategies will help them grow from listening to confidently speaking. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/activities-for-ell-students Free Masterclass - Your 5-Step Classroom Management Reset: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/the-5-step-reset Grab a copy of my book, Dear New Teacher, Here's Exactly What to Do: Your 5-Step R.E.A.D.Y. for School Roadmap for Elementary Classrooms: https://amzn.to/3w3zZJ7 Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk  Connect with Lori on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drlorifriesen/ Connect with Lori on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beginningteachertalk If the Beginning Teacher Talk podcast is helping you in your teaching and if you're feeling extra loving, I would be so grateful if you would leave a positive review for the show! Your kind words mean the world to me. Just click here to leave your review now (and be entered into our draw for a $25 Amazon Gift Card)! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beginning-teacher-talk/id1456137677 I hope you have a wonderful week, and remember - just because you are a beginning elementary teacher, there is no need for you to struggle like one. Xo Lori P.S. Do you have your copy of my FREE Ultimate Classroom Management Checklist? Get yours by clicking here now! https://www.drlorifriesen.com/ultimate-classroom-management-checklist

Are you tired of straining your voice and managing a noisy classroom? In this episode, I’m sharing how nonverbal cues can transform your classroom management. Silent signals can lower noise levels, create a calmer environment, and save your voice. Tune in to learn 15 practical examples of nonverbal cues to add to your teaching toolkit! Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/nonverbal-cues  Free Masterclass - Your 5-Step Classroom Management Reset: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/the-5-step-reset Grab a copy of my book, Dear New Teacher, Here's Exactly What to Do: Your 5-Step R.E.A.D.Y. for School Roadmap for Elementary Classrooms: https://amzn.to/3w3zZJ7 Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk  Connect with Lori on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drlorifriesen/ Connect with Lori on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beginningteachertalk If the Beginning Teacher Talk podcast is helping you in your teaching and if you're feeling extra loving, I would be so grateful if you would leave a positive review for the show! Your kind words mean the world to me. Just click here to leave your review now (and be entered into our draw for a $25 Amazon Gift Card)! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beginning-teacher-talk/id1456137677 I hope you have a wonderful week, and remember - just because you are a beginning elementary teacher, there is no need for you to struggle like one. Xo Lori P.S. Do you have your copy of my FREE Ultimate Classroom Management Checklist? Get yours by clicking here now! https://www.drlorifriesen.com/ultimate-classroom-management-checklist

Teachers in my Classroom Management Club always ask for strategies to help handle student behaviors, which is why classroom management is such a hot topic on this podcast. While I will continue to provide you with new tips you can use in your classroom, in today’s episode, I want to reiterate a perspective that will change how you address behavior issues with your students. Although student behaviors can be challenging, it’s important to remember that all behavior is communication. Since students are trying to tell us something, it’s our job as educators to figure out what that something is, and it all starts with building strong connections. Today I’m sharing 12 practical and easy ways to build connections with your students. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/behavior-is-communication  Free Masterclass - Your 5-Step Classroom Management Reset: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/the-5-step-reset “Teacher-Student Relationships: Impact of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports”: https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1399789.pdf  “The Key to Effective Classroom Management”: https://www.edutopia.org/article/key-effective-classroom-management  “The Importance of Strong Relationships Between Teachers & Students”: https://edtrust.org/rti/the-importance-of-strong-relationships/  Grab a copy of my book, Dear New Teacher, Here's Exactly What to Do: Your 5-Step R.E.A.D.Y. for School Roadmap for Elementary Classrooms: https://amzn.to/3w3zZJ7 Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk  Connect with Lori on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drlorifriesen/ Connect with Lori on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beginningteachertalk If the Beginning Teacher Talk podcast is helping you in your teaching and if you're feeling extra loving, I would be so grateful if you would leave a positive review for the show! Your kind words mean the world to me. Just click here to leave your review now (and be entered into our draw for a $25 Amazon Gift Card)! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beginning-teacher-talk/id1456137677 I hope you have a wonderful week, and remember - just because you are a beginning elementary teacher, there is no need for you to struggle like one. Xo Lori P.S. Do you have your copy of my FREE Ultimate Classroom Management Checklist? Get yours by clicking here now! https://www.drlorifriesen.com/ultimate-classroom-management-checklist

Countless times on this podcast, I’ve shared tips for improving your classroom management. We’ve talked about strategies, routines, and engaging activities that create a streamlined classroom management system specific to your needs. And while all of those small and consistent changes add up to huge results, there’s one thing missing to mastering your classroom management: your mindset.  In today’s episode, I’m sharing the importance of believing in yourself and your ability to persevere during difficult times in the classroom. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/master-your-classroom-management  Free Masterclass - Your 5-Step Classroom Management Reset: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/the-5-step-reset James Wedmore's "Mind Your Business" Podcast: https://www.mindyourbusinesspodcast.com/  Grab a copy of my book, Dear New Teacher, Here's Exactly What to Do: Your 5-Step R.E.A.D.Y. for School Roadmap for Elementary Classrooms: https://amzn.to/3w3zZJ7 Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk  Connect with Lori on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drlorifriesen/ Connect with Lori on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beginningteachertalk If the Beginning Teacher Talk podcast is helping you in your teaching and if you're feeling extra loving, I would be so grateful if you would leave a positive review for the show! Your kind words mean the world to me. Just click here to leave your review now (and be entered into our draw for a $25 Amazon Gift Card)! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beginning-teacher-talk/id1456137677 I hope you have a wonderful week, and remember - just because you are a beginning elementary teacher, there is no need for you to struggle like one. Xo Lori P.S. Do you have your copy of my FREE Ultimate Classroom Management Checklist? Get yours by clicking here now! https://www.drlorifriesen.com/ultimate-classroom-management-checklist

Whether it’s redirecting students during a lesson, someone asking to use the restroom during a read aloud, the phone ringing while giving instructions, or the unexpected sound of the fire alarm, interruptions are a constant in the classroom. In today’s episode, I’m going to share some very concrete strategies and a few mindset reminders that will keep you teaching and your students focused when interruptions occur. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/teaching-with-interruptions Free Masterclass - Your 5-Step Classroom Management Reset: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/the-5-step-reset Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk  Connect with Lori on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drlorifriesen/ Connect with Lori on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beginningteachertalk If the Beginning Teacher Talk podcast is helping you in your teaching and if you're feeling extra loving, I would be so grateful if you would leave a positive review for the show! Your kind words mean the world to me. Just click here to leave your review now (and be entered into our draw for a $25 Amazon Gift Card)! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beginning-teacher-talk/id1456137677 I hope you have a wonderful week, and remember - just because you are a beginning elementary teacher, there is no need for you to struggle like one. Xo Lori P.S. Do you have your copy of my FREE Ultimate Classroom Management Checklist? Get yours by clicking here now! https://www.drlorifriesen.com/ultimate-classroom-management-checklist

As teachers, we know that difficult behaviors are going to happen. But sometimes certain behaviors become too much and we need to involve administrators. In today’s episode, I’m going to break down the steps to take so you can confidently know what to do before reaching out to administration for help and signs for when they need to intervene right away. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/involve-admin  Free Masterclass - Your 5-Step Classroom Management Reset: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/the-5-step-reset Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk  Connect with Lori on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drlorifriesen/ Connect with Lori on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beginningteachertalk If the Beginning Teacher Talk podcast is helping you in your teaching and if you're feeling extra loving, I would be so grateful if you would leave a positive review for the show! Your kind words mean the world to me. Just click here to leave your review now (and be entered into our draw for a $25 Amazon Gift Card)! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beginning-teacher-talk/id1456137677 I hope you have a wonderful week, and remember - just because you are a beginning elementary teacher, there is no need for you to struggle like one. Xo Lori P.S. Do you have your copy of my FREE Ultimate Classroom Management Checklist? Get yours by clicking here now! https://www.drlorifriesen.com/ultimate-classroom-management-checklist

With Thanksgiving just around the corner in North America, I wanted to spend some time discussing how to incorporate gratitude and learning in your classroom. I provide research-based evidence that shows what can happen when you cultivate a genuine attitude of gratitude amongst your students and seven ideas to implement in your classroom.  Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/gratitude-and-learning  "Raising Children With an Attitude of Gratitude" Article: https://www.wsj.com/articles/raising-children-with-an-attitude-of-gratitude-1387839251?tesla=y  "Grateful Schools, Happy Schools" Article: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/grateful_schools_happy_schools  "11 Tips for Instilling True Gratitude in Your Students" Article: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/11-tips-for-instilling-true-gratitude-in-your-kids_b_4708019?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAAbtz-FWgv_9kkAHuq4rOPJ3Gfq4Ix2g1lntUTdAwU-1eqCeZHOWnfTrWxHSD8SpOJwQFZP1uKz0-DJCwByu1vqQueKEmolIsvod-od9dy1rW7_MfykxF5M1UE2QrRcw8cP4xKwf-BtMY182-CXcuJMUVlNVjvno8uMZZ53Pu7lI  Free Masterclass - Your 5-Step Classroom Management Reset: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/the-5-step-reset Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk  Connect with Lori on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drlorifriesen/ Connect with Lori on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beginningteachertalk If the Beginning Teacher Talk podcast is helping you in your teaching and if you're feeling extra loving, I would be so grateful if you would leave a positive review for the show! Your kind words mean the world to me. Just click here to leave your review now (and be entered into our draw for a $25 Amazon Gift Card)! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beginning-teacher-talk/id1456137677 I hope you have a wonderful week, and remember - just because you are a beginning elementary teacher, there is no need for you to struggle like one. Xo Lori P.S. Do you have your copy of my FREE Ultimate Classroom Management Checklist? Get yours by clicking here now! https://www.drlorifriesen.com/ultimate-classroom-management-checklist

When our expectations of being a teacher don't align with our realities, that's when we're in the disillusionment phase of teaching. In today's episode, I’m diving into what the disillusionment phase is and then providing you with practical strategies that will help you get relief. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/disillusionment-phase-2  Chatty Class Rescue Bundle: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/rescuebundleSP  Phases of First-Year Teaching by Ellen Moir: https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4298/JCPS/4089317/Phases_of_First_Year_Teachers.pdf  Sleep and Mental Health Article: https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/sleep-and-mental-health  Free Masterclass - Your 5-Step Classroom Management Reset: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/the-5-step-reset Check out Lori's TpT store (Beginning Teacher Talk): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Beginning-Teacher-Talk  Connect with Lori on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drlorifriesen/ Connect with Lori on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beginningteachertalk If the Beginning Teacher Talk podcast is helping you in your teaching and if you're feeling extra loving, I would be so grateful if you would leave a positive review for the show! Your kind words mean the world to me. Just click here to leave your review now (and be entered into our draw for a $25 Amazon Gift Card)! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beginning-teacher-talk/id1456137677 I hope you have a wonderful week, and remember - just because you are a beginning elementary teacher, there is no need for you to struggle like one. Xo Lori P.S. Do you have your copy of my FREE Ultimate Classroom Management Checklist? Get yours by clicking here now! https://www.drlorifriesen.com/ultimate-classroom-management-checklist