One Tired Teacher: Teaching Without Burnout

Trina Deboree
  • 4.9 (17)
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One Tired Teacher: Teaching Without Burnout is a podcast for tired teachers who want to keep teaching without burning out. If you’re exhausted by constant pressure, shifting expectations, and the feeling that you’re never doing enough, this show offers grounded support and a practical perspective to help you teach sustainably. Each episode explores teaching without burnout—from navigating evaluations and testing season to simplifying instruction, setting boundaries, and choosing classroom practices that are calm, humane, and actually work. We talk honestly about what teaching feels like right now, and how to protect your energy, your values, and your students’ learning without performative extras. This is real talk for educators who love kids but are done sacrificing themselves for the job. You’ll find encouragement, classroom-rooted insight, and permission to trust what you already know—because sustainable teaching isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what matters. If you’re a burned-out teacher looking for clarity, calm, and a way forward that doesn’t cost your well-being, you’re in the right place.

  1. 2D AGO

    Simple STEM Activities That Still Build Deep Thinking

    Send a text Overcomplicated STEM lessons don’t lead to deeper learning—they lead to burnout. In this episode, we unpack why simple, well-designed STEM challenges create stronger thinking, better engagement, and more meaningful classroom moments. Tired of feeling like STEM needs fancy kits, perfect conditions, and a superhuman level of classroom management? We break that myth and show how simple tools, real problems, and a steady structure can unlock big thinking without the overwhelm. Using the engineering design process as our anchor, we walk through a clear path that keeps creativity high and anxiety low—both for students and for us as teachers. We start with mindset: reassurance and permission to keep it simple. Then we explore story-based STEM and use After the Fall as a launchpad for force, motion, gravity, and impact. A familiar narrative gives context, builds empathy, and bridges literacy with science so students care about the challenge and ask sharper questions. From there, we move into the practical: cardboard, tape, craft sticks, pipe cleaners, recyclables, and LEGO bricks are more than enough to prototype, test, and iterate. No fancy kits required—just thoughtful constraints and a culture that values iteration over perfection. Testing and revision get special attention because that’s where learning deepens. We share why splitting the process across sessions helps students reflect, compare, and refine their designs without rushing. Along the way, we highlight classroom strategies that reduce chaos: clear steps, visible goals, and time set aside for reflection. The core takeaway is simple: simple doesn’t mean shallow; it often means safe. And safe environments are where students take risks, embrace productive struggle, and grow real grit. Ready to try story-driven STEM with minimal prep? Grab the free grit STEM story station inspired by After the Fall and see how far cardboard and conversation can go. If you find value here, follow the show, share it with a colleague, and leave a quick review to help more teachers find calm, creative STEM. Links Mentioned in the Show: February Freebie- GRIT STEM Story Station Support the show 🌿 You can’t pour from an empty cup — but with the Sub Survival System, you’ll never have to panic when you need a day. Ready-to-go sub plans designed by a teacher who’s been there. Because rest isn’t a luxury — it’s part of the job. 👉 [Explore the Sub Survival System on TpT] Subscribe and Review: Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. Click here for iTunes. Now, if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review. Reviews help other teachers find my podcast. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review,” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

    7 min

  2. FEB 9

    Teaching the Engineering Design Process When Failure Is the Lesson

    Send us a text Looking for a simple way to teach growth mindset, productive struggle, and the engineering design process—especially during testing season? This episode shares a real classroom STEM challenge that shows how failure becomes feedback when students feel safe to try. What if the word failure stopped feeling like a verdict and started sounding like a clue? A chaotic testing schedule pushed us to improvise, and a simple Piggy and Elephant story turned into a full-on design challenge with a big mindset payoff. Fifth graders faced a familiar, human problem—Snake wants to play catch without arms—and discovered how quickly curiosity returns when the stakes are safe and the goal is learning, not perfection. We walk through the engineering design process in real time: clarifying constraints, sketching ideas, choosing materials, and building the first draft. The catch is that materials are uneven on purpose—cardboard and tape for one group, Legos or Play-Doh for another—because design is about trade-offs, not identical kits. When most prototypes fail on the first test, we resist rescue and reframe: failure is information. Students mine their results for patterns, name what almost worked, and plan precise changes. That shift from judgment to data turns frustration into momentum and makes revision feel like power rather than punishment. Along the way, we share strategies any teacher can use to turn a read-aloud into a quick, high-impact STEM moment. You’ll hear how to define success criteria kids can own, turn scarcity into creativity, and guide reflections that build metacognition and grit. The best part? None of this requires perfect prep. It only asks for a clear problem, a safe space to try, and the courage to call a failed test what it is: the next step forward. If you’re craving a practical way to spark engagement on long testing days or want language to normalize productive struggle, you’ll find it here—plus a free grit STEM story station to help you start tomorrow. Subscribe, share with a colleague who needs a lift, and leave a review telling us how you make failure feel safe for your students. Links Mentioned in the Show: February Freebie- G Support the show 🌿 You can’t pour from an empty cup — but with the Sub Survival System, you’ll never have to panic when you need a day. Ready-to-go sub plans designed by a teacher who’s been there. Because rest isn’t a luxury — it’s part of the job. 👉 [Explore the Sub Survival System on TpT] Subscribe and Review: Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. Click here for iTunes. Now, if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review. Reviews help other teachers find my podcast. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review,” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

    11 min

  3. FEB 2

    You Are Enough: Surviving February Burnout and Evaluation Pressure

    Send us a text February burnout hits hard for teachers—testing pressure, evaluations, and the constant push to do more can make even experienced educators question their worth. In this episode, we talk honestly about staying grounded, protecting your values, and teaching authentically during the hardest stretch of the school year. February can feel like a pressure cooker—testing talk, evaluation season, and the quiet drumbeat of “do more” echoing through the halls. We get real about that weight and share a grounded way to protect your energy, your values, and your classroom community without slipping into performative teaching. We start by unpacking the scarcity mindset that tells some teachers they’re “second string,” then flip the script: your worth isn’t measured by a rubric or a test window. From there, we reframe observations with a simple shift—think hospitality, not performance. You still teach authentically, but you prepare for “company” so students and you feel ready. We walk through practical moves for pre‑ and post‑conferences, how to bring evidence that shows growth beyond a 45‑minute slice, and language that explains mid‑lesson pivots with confidence. We also tackle the fidelity trap when big‑ticket programs underdeliver. Instead of grinding through one‑size‑fits‑all tasks, we advocate for principled alignment: meet the requirement briefly, then pivot to what actually serves kids. STEM becomes the spark—hands‑on, standards‑aligned, and community-building. Using a read‑aloud like After the Fall, we model how to turn resilience into an engineering challenge that builds grit, creativity, and collaboration. It’s not “more work”; it’s better work that lights up learners and maps to what evaluators hope to see. If February feels heavy, let this be your reminder: you don’t have to do it all to matter. Protect what aligns with your heart, document the good, and let your authentic practice lead the way. If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a teacher who needs the boost, and leave a quick review—what aligned choice will you make this week? Links Mentioned in the Show: February Freebie- GRIT STEM Story Station Support the show 🌿 You can’t pour from an empty cup — but with the Sub Survival System, you’ll never have to panic when you need a day. Ready-to-go sub plans designed by a teacher who’s been there. Because rest isn’t a luxury — it’s part of the job. 👉 [Explore the Sub Survival System on TpT] Subscribe and Review: Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. Click here for iTunes. Now, if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review. Reviews help other teachers find my podcast. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review,” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

    15 min

  4. JAN 26

    Surviving Teacher Evaluations: How to Stay Grounded During Classroom Observations

    Send us a text Teacher observations can trigger stress, self-doubt, and overperforming—especially during evaluation season. In this episode, we talk honestly about how to stay grounded, protect your confidence, and remember what actually matters when you’re being observed. If evaluation season ties your stomach in knots, you’re not alone—and you’re not a score. We take a clear-eyed look at how to stay grounded when someone with a clipboard walks in, and we share a toolkit that turns everyday good teaching into visible evidence without turning your classroom into a performance. You’ll hear why knowing the Danielson Framework inside out changes the power dynamic, how to select and rehearse a lesson that fits your voice, and the specific engagement moves that show learning from every seat. We also talk about what makes the system feel unfair—how life outside school affects test data, how single snapshots miss the best moments, and why rubrics designed for growth get misused for pay. Then we flip the script. From student roles like a safety captain to essential questions and turn and talk, we outline simple structures that demonstrate culture, rigor, and management in ways observers can actually see. We dig into practical readiness: plan B tech, quick pivots when things go sideways, and calm responses to behavior that still meet the rubric. Along the way, we challenge leaders to gather better evidence by teaching a mini-lesson themselves and to right-size the frequency of high-stakes visits. Until that happens, we can still advocate for ourselves: bring artifacts to the post conference, cite the rubric language, and narrate your decisions. Most of all, protect your confidence. A label can’t hold your craft, your care, or the spark you light in students long after the clipboard leaves. If you’re ready for strategies that lower stress and raise clarity, hit play—and if this helped, follow, share with a teammate, and leave a quick review so more teachers find it. Links Mentioned in the Show: Gift of a Day off- Free Sub Plans Support the show 🌿 You can’t pour from an empty cup — but with the Sub Survival System, you’ll never have to panic when you need a day. Ready-to-go sub plans designed by a teacher who’s been there. Because rest isn’t a luxury — it’s part of the job. 👉 [Explore the Sub Survival System on TpT] Subscribe and Review: Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. Click here for iTunes. Now, if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review. Reviews help other teachers find my podcast. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review,” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

    20 min

  5. JAN 19

    Super Bowl Reading Lessons: Engaging Informational Text Without Busywork

    Send us a text Looking for Super Bowl reading activities that actually build skills—not just hype? This episode shares practical, low-prep ways to use football culture to strengthen informational text comprehension, media literacy, and engagement for elementary readers. Big-game buzz is already in the air, and we’re turning that energy into real reading growth. Rather than fighting for attention, we tap into what students are already hearing at home and seeing on TV—Super Bowl storylines, halftime ads, and player talk—to build relevance, stamina, and mastery of informational text skills without adding busywork. We walk through a practical playbook for teachers who want engagement with substance. You’ll hear how a streamlined Super Bowl reader can anchor close reading, vocabulary in context, sequencing, and author’s purpose, while text features like timelines and fast-fact boxes make complex information easier to digest. We share why updating facts each year becomes a mini-lesson in source reliability and current events, and how quick wins—main idea exit tickets, sequencing card sorts, and short evidence-based responses—create momentum for reluctant readers. From there, we bring in writing and media literacy that students actually enjoy: player profiles, team predictions backed by evidence, and halftime ad analysis focused on audience, persuasive techniques, and claims. We make space for every learner with choice-driven stations—history of the game, commercial critique, or pop culture angles—so football superfans and non-fans both find an entry point. Along the way, we connect the dots to broader teaching: once you see how to channel this cultural moment, you can replicate the strategy for award shows, local events, or space missions to keep reading instruction timely and alive. If this approach helps, follow the show, share it with a teacher friend who needs a fresh spark, and leave a quick review telling us which activity your students would try first. Links Mentioned in the Show: Super Bowl Reader Support the show 🌿 You can’t pour from an empty cup — but with the Sub Survival System, you’ll never have to panic when you need a day. Ready-to-go sub plans designed by a teacher who’s been there. Because rest isn’t a luxury — it’s part of the job. 👉 [Explore the Sub Survival System on TpT] Subscribe and Review: Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. Click here for iTunes. Now, if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review. Reviews help other teachers find my podcast. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review,” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

    7 min

  6. JAN 12

    Integrating Reading And Science With Severe Weather

    Send us a text The school year restarts, the weather turns wild, and our schedules fill faster than a radar screen during a storm. We’re leaning into a smarter way to teach: integrating reading and science through a focused study on severe weather so every minute pulls double duty. From thunderstorms to hurricanes, we use clear, kid-friendly texts to teach main idea, text features, vocabulary in context, and questioning—while giving students concrete safety steps that lessen anxiety and build confidence. We walk through how to structure a short severe weather reader so it aligns with standards and still feels human. That means building sections on watches vs warnings, lightning safety, tornado tips, and flood awareness, then layering close reads and partner talk for evidence gathering. Along the way, we open space for feelings: drills can be scary, and kids need words for fear, routines for safety, and practice showing empathy to communities facing storms different from their own. We also tackle author’s purpose and bias, using real passages to show how word choice and structure shape understanding and influence. If your region sees snow and ice, we turn that gap into inquiry with a simple research blueprint students can follow—definition, formation, risks, safety—so they practice nonfiction skills while expanding the class weather map. And because flu season and admin pop-ins are real, we share how to build reliable sub plans that keep learning moving: a tight reading sequence, a text-feature hunt, scaffolded questions, and a quick-write on safety tips. It’s all about intentional routines that reduce stress and make room for the conversations that matter. Want the materials we mention? We’re linking the Severe Weather Reader, plus ready-to-use January and February sub plans that blend literacy and science. If this approach helps you breathe easier on stormy days, follow the show, share it with a teammate, and leave a quick review so more teachers can find calm in the chaos. Links Mentioned in the Show: Severe Weather Reader Support the show 🌿 You can’t pour from an empty cup — but with the Sub Survival System, you’ll never have to panic when you need a day. Ready-to-go sub plans designed by a teacher who’s been there. Because rest isn’t a luxury — it’s part of the job. 👉 [Explore the Sub Survival System on TpT] Subscribe and Review: Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. Click here for iTunes. Now, if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review. Reviews help other teachers find my podcast. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review,” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

    12 min

  7. JAN 5

    Back To School Without The Chaos: Simple Routines For A Smoother January

    Send us a text The first days back after break don’t need to feel like a sprint through fog. We map out a gentle re-entry that keeps your class connected, your planning sane, and your energy intact. Instead of diving headfirst into new content, we focus on three anchors that make the day feel calm and productive: a purposeful morning meeting, a cozy read-aloud that sets tone and focus, and a respectful reset of routines and procedures. We start by rebuilding community with short shares and simple goal setting that invite students back into voice without draining attention. A few playful “would you rather” prompts create laughter and momentum, while a shared text becomes the day’s steady heartbeat. We talk through choosing a story that highlights perseverance, empathy, or problem solving, then show how to draw out quick comprehension without turning it into a heavy lesson. When students return sleepy and dysregulated, narrative focus and light structure are your best friends. From there, we walk through a practical routine review: modeling what lining up looks like, clarifying how to ask for help, smoothing transitions, and patching the small systems that frayed in December. We explain why review before new content is not a delay but a performance boost, and how avoiding overplanning protects both you and your students. By the end, you’ll have a simple three-step plan you can run tomorrow: morning meeting, meaningful read-aloud, and routine reset, with optional spiral review if time allows. If this gentle start resonates, share it with a colleague who needs permission to slow the pace, then subscribe and leave a quick review so more teachers can find the show. Your work matters—and a calm January begins with a single steady day. Links Mentioned in the Show: Would You Rather January Sub Plans Support the show 🌿 You can’t pour from an empty cup — but with the Sub Survival System, you’ll never have to panic when you need a day. Ready-to-go sub plans designed by a teacher who’s been there. Because rest isn’t a luxury — it’s part of the job. 👉 [Explore the Sub Survival System on TpT] Subscribe and Review: Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. Click here for iTunes. Now, if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review. Reviews help other teachers find my podcast. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review,” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

    10 min

  8. 12/29/2025

    Give Yourself Grace: Simple Ways Teachers Reset And Return Renewed

    Send us a text The holidays are done, the calendar is rolling toward a new year, and your energy tank is somewhere between low and blinking. Let’s make winter break feel like it actually refills you. We pull back the curtain on what a real teacher reset looks like when you set aside perfect plans and choose small, human rituals that restore your mind, body, and heart. We start with the quiet stuff that matters: not setting an alarm, finishing the book that’s been waiting on your nightstand, stepping outside for a slow walk without turning it into a task. From there, we offer five simple reflection prompts—what worked, what felt heavy, what made you smile, what you want more of, and what lights you up—plus an easy way to use voice memos if writing feels like one task too many. This is reflection for you, not your students, not your admin, and not social media. Then we take the pressure off January. If prepping a welcome-back routine feels soothing, do it. If not, log off and rest. You’ll hear why presence beats perfection, how a light-touch back-from-break packet can ease re-entry without the Sunday Scaries, and why choosing grace over goals is the most strategic move you can make for your classroom and your own nervous system. Expect practical tips, warm encouragement, and permission to reset without guilt so you return with a clearer mind and a steadier heart. If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a teacher who needs a gentle nudge, and leave a quick review. Your support helps more tired teachers find a softer, saner way back to school. Links Mentioned in the Show: Welcome Back From Winter Break Packet Free Sub Survival Guide Support the show 🌿 You can’t pour from an empty cup — but with the Sub Survival System, you’ll never have to panic when you need a day. Ready-to-go sub plans designed by a teacher who’s been there. Because rest isn’t a luxury — it’s part of the job. 👉 [Explore the Sub Survival System on TpT] Subscribe and Review: Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. Click here for iTunes. Now, if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review. Reviews help other teachers find my podcast. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review,” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

    7 min
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4.9
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

One Tired Teacher: Teaching Without Burnout is a podcast for tired teachers who want to keep teaching without burning out. If you’re exhausted by constant pressure, shifting expectations, and the feeling that you’re never doing enough, this show offers grounded support and a practical perspective to help you teach sustainably. Each episode explores teaching without burnout—from navigating evaluations and testing season to simplifying instruction, setting boundaries, and choosing classroom practices that are calm, humane, and actually work. We talk honestly about what teaching feels like right now, and how to protect your energy, your values, and your students’ learning without performative extras. This is real talk for educators who love kids but are done sacrificing themselves for the job. You’ll find encouragement, classroom-rooted insight, and permission to trust what you already know—because sustainable teaching isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what matters. If you’re a burned-out teacher looking for clarity, calm, and a way forward that doesn’t cost your well-being, you’re in the right place.

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