
207: From Crisis to Calm
03/23/20 • 96 min
This podcast episode was previously recorded as a free webinar for teachers after they received the news that schools would be closing for multiple weeks due to the COVID-19 virus precaution.
Teachers will be able to:
- Create a success plan for e-learning during the Covid-19 precaution period
- Achieve calm, efficient work-life balance
- Develop a workflow that maximizes time
- Reserve time and space to be readily available for students and colleagues
- Prioritize your well-being above all else
I know this webinar & podcast episode is going to set you up for success, not just during this chaotic time, but for the future as well. The habits and mindset you will establish for yourself will be life-giving! Grab the PDF Guide here.
Quotables
- You have got to look the part. You have got to look presentable for the kids that you’re are going to be working with, the colleagues that you are collaborating with, and the parents that you are communicating with.
- Structure and plan what your day is going to look like and what you are going to be doing.
- Find a place to work where you can be productive.
- Make a schedule. Just like in the classroom where you have a very detailed schedule of what you are going to be doing at what specific time, create that for yourself.
- No matter who it is that you are home with, set boundaries, rules and roles.
- You don’t have to work 8 hours straight. In fact, you could be productive in less time if you are prioritizing essential tasks.
- Get structured but be flexible until you find what works for you.
- Set up a time where you can have a video call with your work colleagues because you are going to feel that isolation.
- Have different markers (visual cue like wearing a lanyard) to help set boundaries.
- Your experience over these next few weeks, or months, who knows? Is really going to begin and end with you.
- This is a learning experience for a lot of us. We want to induce feelings of confidence and inspiration. We are going to just try it out, and see how it goes.
- I will focus on what will have the biggest impact on my vision.
- I can do hard things and I am not going to let challenges affect my attitude. I am going to do the best I can with what I have.
- I am not going to worry about things that I cannot control
- I am going to focus on what I can do with the time that I have and I will ask for help when I need it.
- I am capable and I am worthy.
- We have to start with our self-talk and our mindset first before we can move forward.
- Illuminate distractions that are time sucks. Turn off your notifications.
- Narrow the funnel of how you are delivering instruction and how families are communicating with you.
- Set clear boundaries and add up your hours to make sure you are staying within those boundaries.
- Use batching and blocking to make time for important tasks.
- Prioritize your own self-care so that you can better support those that you serve.
- Be mindful about what you are consuming
- Connect with others
- Give yourself grace
- This isn’t just about your physical health but your mental health too.
- Give kids a space to talk about their concerns and anxieties
Stamp of Approval
- Google Calendar
- Voxer
- Zoom
- Marco Polo
- Happy Teacher Movement
- @blessingmanifesting
Connect with Amber Harper
- Website: www.burnedinteacher.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Social: @burnedinteacher (TW and IG) | Burned-In Teacher (FB)
Connect with Danna Thomas
- Website: HappyTeacherRevolution.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Social: @HappyTeacherRevolution (FB & Insta) @HappyTeacherHTR (TW)
Grab a Slot on my Calendar
Let’s chat about your currents and develop a plan. Click below:
Join the Always A Less...
This podcast episode was previously recorded as a free webinar for teachers after they received the news that schools would be closing for multiple weeks due to the COVID-19 virus precaution.
Teachers will be able to:
- Create a success plan for e-learning during the Covid-19 precaution period
- Achieve calm, efficient work-life balance
- Develop a workflow that maximizes time
- Reserve time and space to be readily available for students and colleagues
- Prioritize your well-being above all else
I know this webinar & podcast episode is going to set you up for success, not just during this chaotic time, but for the future as well. The habits and mindset you will establish for yourself will be life-giving! Grab the PDF Guide here.
Quotables
- You have got to look the part. You have got to look presentable for the kids that you’re are going to be working with, the colleagues that you are collaborating with, and the parents that you are communicating with.
- Structure and plan what your day is going to look like and what you are going to be doing.
- Find a place to work where you can be productive.
- Make a schedule. Just like in the classroom where you have a very detailed schedule of what you are going to be doing at what specific time, create that for yourself.
- No matter who it is that you are home with, set boundaries, rules and roles.
- You don’t have to work 8 hours straight. In fact, you could be productive in less time if you are prioritizing essential tasks.
- Get structured but be flexible until you find what works for you.
- Set up a time where you can have a video call with your work colleagues because you are going to feel that isolation.
- Have different markers (visual cue like wearing a lanyard) to help set boundaries.
- Your experience over these next few weeks, or months, who knows? Is really going to begin and end with you.
- This is a learning experience for a lot of us. We want to induce feelings of confidence and inspiration. We are going to just try it out, and see how it goes.
- I will focus on what will have the biggest impact on my vision.
- I can do hard things and I am not going to let challenges affect my attitude. I am going to do the best I can with what I have.
- I am not going to worry about things that I cannot control
- I am going to focus on what I can do with the time that I have and I will ask for help when I need it.
- I am capable and I am worthy.
- We have to start with our self-talk and our mindset first before we can move forward.
- Illuminate distractions that are time sucks. Turn off your notifications.
- Narrow the funnel of how you are delivering instruction and how families are communicating with you.
- Set clear boundaries and add up your hours to make sure you are staying within those boundaries.
- Use batching and blocking to make time for important tasks.
- Prioritize your own self-care so that you can better support those that you serve.
- Be mindful about what you are consuming
- Connect with others
- Give yourself grace
- This isn’t just about your physical health but your mental health too.
- Give kids a space to talk about their concerns and anxieties
Stamp of Approval
- Google Calendar
- Voxer
- Zoom
- Marco Polo
- Happy Teacher Movement
- @blessingmanifesting
Connect with Amber Harper
- Website: www.burnedinteacher.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Social: @burnedinteacher (TW and IG) | Burned-In Teacher (FB)
Connect with Danna Thomas
- Website: HappyTeacherRevolution.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Social: @HappyTeacherRevolution (FB & Insta) @HappyTeacherHTR (TW)
Grab a Slot on my Calendar
Let’s chat about your currents and develop a plan. Click below:
Join the Always A Less...
Previous Episode

206: Are you Dying, Pruning or Growing?
We are all learners, honing our craft so we can better serve those we impact. Brian Mendler says, “Every plant has their own requirements in order to grow...and so do people.” We can get caught up in seasons that leave us dying instead of thriving, or pruning instead of moving forward, or growing to greater heights. Whatever the season, we can better understand what requirements we have to grow and how we can advocate for those opportunities in abundance. Tune in for your action steps!
Inspiration for this episode brought to you by:
Quotables:
- People have their own requirements in order to grow so first, do you even know what your own requirements are? Second, have you written them down or even verbally stated them out loud? And third, are you advocating for what it is you need and want to grow?
- I urge you to really think about the characteristics that make you thrive and grow.
- If you had to name three requirements to grow and to thrive, what are they?
- Every time you feel yourself getting upset about your circumstances in relation to growing and learning, look at this list. What from the current situation or opportunity is missing?
- When you bring a solution to the table by providing a tweak to some current growth model that the school uses and you say how you think it could be better, they are going to be on board. You are providing them insight that they did not have access to before.
- Most often you are not the only one requiring that aspect and many are going to thank you for speaking up. You make everyone better when you make suggestions that are to help the progress and the growth of those around you.
- You are on the inside, in the trenches, doing the work so your voice and your perspective matter.
- Do not stay a dying talent. It is not serving you or serving the people you are meant to impact. You deserve better. You are here for a reason and it isn’t to be withering away.
- You don’t have to be moving at mach 10 speed to be productive. You just have to be intentional with how you operate within the season that you are in.
Stamp of Approval:
Brian Mendler - https://www.brianmendler.com/
That One Kid - https://tlc-sems.com/product/that-one-kid/
Watch Your Mouth - https://tlc-sems.com/product/watch-your-mouth/
Grab a Slot on my Calendar
Let’s chat about your currents and develop a plan. Click below:
Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter
Join the New Teacher Support Facebook Group
Shop AAL Swag
Connect with Gretchen
- Email: [email protected]
- Blog: Always A Lesson
- Facebook: Always A Lesson
- Twitter: @gschultek
- Instagram: Always.A.Lesson
- Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers
- Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers
- Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College
Leave a Rating and Review:
This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long lasting effect on our future.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2
- Search for my show in iTunes or Stitcher.
- Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’
- Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.”
- Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info
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Next Episode

208: Do the NEXT Right Thing
During uncertain times, the overwhelm can be debilitating. By focusing on doing the next right thing, you can strategically move forward, build momentum and gain sanity. Tune in to learn a 3 part system that will help you navigate any new situation you face so that you come out on the other side successful.Quotables
- You make the best decision you can at the time with the knowledge and skills that you have so don’t beat yourself up if down the path you gain insight and decide to change direction or tactics
- Every moment you take what you have currently and you do your best with it and you say to yourself, “What is the next right thing I can do?”.
- My action steps were to stop the pity party of how this was affecting my daily life and instead just show up serve hard.
- We all have something to give right now. We all give back to the collective with a piece of knowledge or talent that we possess so strategize your action steps.
- So show up, meet them where they are in the middle of their freak out. Walk them through one step on the game board at a time until they can get a breath of air.
- The 3 part system is 1: Acknowledge 2: Accept 3: Act
- You don’t have to know how the story ends. You don’t have to know every step along the way.
Learning Opportunities Mention in Episode
Sponsorship
- This episode is sponsored by Power School/Schoology’s Time for Teachers initiative.
Join the Always A Lesson Newsletter
Shop AAL Swag
Connect with Gretchen
- Email: [email protected]
- Blog: Always A Lesson
- Facebook: Always A Lesson
- Twitter: @gschultek
- Instagram: Always.A.Lesson
- Linkedin: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers
- Google+: Gretchen Schultek Bridgers
- Book: Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn’t Teach You in College
Leave a Rating and Review:
This helps my show remain active in order to continue to help other educators remain empowered in a career that has a long lasting effect on our future.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2
- Search for my show in iTunes or Stitcher.
- Click on ‘Ratings and Reviews.’
- Under ‘Customer Reviews,’ click on “Write a Review.”
- Sign in with your iTunes or Stitcher log-in info
- Leave a Rating: Tap the greyed out stars (5 being the best)
- Leave a Review: Type in a Title and Description of your thoughts on my podcast
- Click ‘Send’
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