New Teacher Talk

Elizabeth Wilkins and Anna Quinzio-Zafran
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Education

Are you a new teacher in an urban, suburban, or rural school? Or, are you an aspiring new teacher? We’re here to support YOU! This podcast channel is designed to help those new to teaching. We talk about the most common challenges educators face and how to find answers. On this channel, you will find a community of support as well as on our associated social media platforms: Instagram and BlueSky - @NewTeacherTalk.

  1. 1d ago

    Ep 214: Structure, High Expectations, and Real Connection

    Structure, High Expectations, and Real Connection Guest: Chloe Lillie, first-year general music teacher In this episode, Chloe Lillie challenges the idea that student behavior is a puzzle to be solved, arguing instead that authentic, human connection is at the center of good classroom management. She shares hard-won lessons from her first year in the classroom. In this episode: Why interacting with students shouldn't feel artificial or like problem-solving The case for starting strict, and why clarity brings students comfort rather than stress Why structure matters for students still developing organizational skills How high expectations reduce students' fear of trying and failing Chloe's strategy of intentionally modeling mistakes to normalize the learning process A holiday classroom story: navigating a kindergartner's question about race and representation Chloe's framework: treat younger students like they're older, and older students like they're still kids Teaching first graders solfège and sheet music notation, with surprising results Why she gave middle schoolers holiday stuffed animals, and how they responded Why authentic, confident connection matters more than being a "perfect" teacher Key takeaway: Strong behavior management isn't about solving a puzzle, it's about building real, human connection while holding clear, consistent expectations. #ClassroomManagement #NewTeacherSupport #FirstYearTeacher #TeachingPodcast #StudentBehavior #ClearExpectations #ClassroomStructure #HighExpectations #LearningFromMistakes #SensitiveConversations #AgeAppropriateTeaching #TreatYoungerStudentsAsCapable #LetOlderStudentsBeKids #HumanCenteredTeaching #NewTeacherTalk

  2. 3d ago

    Ep 213: The Warm Demander Secret to Starting Your Year Strong

    The Warm Demander Secret to Starting Your Year Strong Guest: Melissa Dudic, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, large suburban high school district In this episode, Melissa Dudic explains how three fundamental elements, present in every classroom whether teachers realize it or not, shape the culture for learning: time, routines, and relationships. She draws on resources including Creating Cultures of Thinking by Ron Ritchhart and The 12 Touchstones of Good Teaching by Brian Goodwin and Elizabeth Ross Hubbell. In this episode: Why how teachers use class time communicates their priorities and values Specific feedback language that builds perseverance, resourcefulness, and independence The importance of wait time after posing a question Building in explicit closure and reflection time, even just 60 seconds Why classroom routines matter most for new teachers The "C3B4 me" routine for group work and student agency Why routines require modeling, practice, feedback, and reinforcement Relationships as the foundation of instruction The "warm demander" concept Practical ways to connect with every student daily, including quieter students Key takeaway: Intentional use of time, clear routines, and genuine relationships create classrooms where students see themselves as active participants in their own learning. #ClassroomCulture #NewTeacherSupport #TeachingPodcast #InstructionalLeadership #TimeRoutinesRelationships #ClassroomRoutines #WarmDemander #MeaningfulFeedback #StudentBelonging #C3B4Me #IntentionalTeaching #TeachWithConfidence #HighExpectationsWarmSupport #NewTeacherTalk #NewTeachers #FirstYearTeacher

  3. Aug 12

    Ep 212: Classroom Management Part Two, Structure, Strictness, and Redirection

    Classroom Management Part Two, Structure, Strictness, and Redirection Guest: Abby Bartle, fourth-year English teacher, Oswego High School, Oswego, Illinois In part two, Abby Bartle moves from big-picture classroom management into the daily habits and in-the-moment techniques that keep a classroom calm and focused. She emphasizes that classroom management is personal and that what works for one teacher may not work for another. In this episode: Why classroom management style is personal and varies teacher to teacher Starting each period with clear materials routines Setting realistic attention span benchmarks (10-15 minutes) based on knowing your students Using movement breaks and brain breaks to refocus a class Creating a positive classroom environment through tone, personality, and decor Why misbehavior happens even with strong management, and why strictness early matters The "sacrifice a lamb" concept for establishing authority as a new teacher A redirection progression: praise, direct redirection, and non-verbal cues Why addressing behavior privately avoids power struggles and public escalation The difference between handling off-task behavior and students talking over instruction When to involve counselors, colleagues, or parents Key takeaway: Consistent routines and calm, private redirection do more to manage behavior than volume or punishment ever will. #ClassroomManagement #NewTeacherSupport #TeachingPodcast #LessonPlanning #BehaviorManagement #StudentAttentionSpan #ClassroomProcedures #NonVerbalRedirection #TeacherExpectations #PositiveClassroomCulture #ProactiveTeaching #TeachWithConfidence #CalmClassroomStrategies #NewTeacherTalk

  4. Aug 10

    Ep 211: Classroom Management Starts on Day One, Not Later

    Classroom Management Starts on Day One, Not Later Guest: Abby Bartle, fourth-year English teacher, Oswego High School, Oswego, Illinois In this episode, Abby Bartle explains why classroom management can't be postponed while you settle into curriculum and school logistics. She makes the case for prevention over punishment and lays out a practical, proactive framework for the first weeks of school. In this episode: Why classroom management must start on day one, not once things "settle down" Establishing routines and procedures before the school year begins Where to find inspiration: online teachers, school colleagues, student teaching experience, and your own education Why the second week of school often brings boundary testing Learning student names quickly through attendance, pronunciation practice, and icebreakers Building relationships without becoming "too friendly," and why that boundary matters The concept of being a "warm demander" Strategic desk placement and seating arrangements, including pods, pairs, and rows A step-by-step approach to building seating charts, from accommodations to friendships Why students shouldn't choose their own seats early in the year Key takeaway: Structure now creates freedom later. Prioritizing routines and procedures at the start of the year makes it possible to build in flexibility and relationship warmth as the year goes on. #ClassroomManagement #NewTeacherSupport #TeachingPodcast #BackToSchoolPrep #WarmDemander #TeacherTips #ClassroomRoutines #BehaviorManagement #TeacherLife #PositiveClassroomCulture #TeacherProfessionalDevelopment #RelationshipBuilding #SeatingChartStrategy #TeachWithConfidence #NewTeacherTalk #TeacherPodcast

  5. Aug 5

    Ep 210: Classroom Design Secrets Every New Teacher Should Know

    In this episode, Dr. Meg White explains why classroom setup is never just about aesthetics, it's a direct reflection of your educational philosophy. She walks through the difference between behaviorist and constructivist theory, teacher-centered versus student-centered classrooms, and what that means for how your room should actually be arranged. In this episode: Behaviorist theory (B.F. Skinner): learning through repetition, rewards, and consequences, "learning by training" Constructivist theory (Piaget and Vygotsky): learning through hands-on problem solving and prior experience, "learning by building" The fishing analogy: teacher-centered classrooms "give a fish," student-centered classrooms "teach to fish" White's first-year teaching story about bulletin boards, construction paper, and a principal's hard lesson in priorities The "renting versus owning" framework for information retention Practical classroom arrangement guidance: desk placement, traffic flow, sight lines, and material accessibility Four fundamental principles of classroom behavior management A three-strike system built on student choice, featuring the "Roberto" scenario Why frequent punishment is usually a sign of a management problem, not a discipline problem Key takeaway: Thoughtful classroom design isn't decoration. It's a foundational teaching decision that shapes participation, collaboration, behavior, and learning.  #BehaviorismVsConstructivism #TeacherCenteredVsStudentCentered #ClassroomArrangement #TeachingPodcast #LearningTheory #ClassroomDesign #ProximityControl #ThreeStrikeSystem #IntentionalClassroomDesign #RentingVsOwningLearning #TeachWithConfidence #StudentResponsibility #NewTeacherTalk

  6. Aug 3

    Ep 209: The First 10 Days: Procedures that Prevent Chaos

    The First Ten Days: The Procedures that Prevent Chaos Hosts: Dr. Beth Wilkins and Dr. Anna Quinzio-Zafran In this episode, Dr. Anna and Dr. Beth make the case that classroom management isn't about rules or discipline, it's about procedures. They break down exactly how to use the first ten days of school to build the routines that prevent chaos all year long. In this episode: Why the difference between a calm and chaotic classroom often comes down to whether students know what to do the moment they walk in "Freedom through structure," why clear expectations give teachers more flexibility, not less The difference between rules (big-picture expectations like "be respectful") and procedures (the specific "how," like where to turn in homework) Why procedural gaps are an instruction problem, not a behavior problem, and can't be solved through discipline A day-by-day breakdown for the first three days of school: Day one: entry and exit routines Day two: materials distribution and collection Day three: attention signals and group work transitions Why the first 30 seconds of class sets the tone for the entire period The "explain, model, practice, give feedback" teaching method for procedures Why procedural mistakes call for reteaching, not punishment Reframing procedures as building muscle memory rather than catching students doing wrong Commonly overlooked procedures: early finishers, absence and makeup work, and emergency situations How to avoid overwhelm by prioritizing routines that happen multiple times a day, then adding more as the year goes on Why adjusting procedures for different classes or groups is normal, not a sign of failure Key takeaway: Strong classroom management starts with teaching clear, explicit procedures from day one. When students know exactly what to do, teachers spend less time managing behavior and more time teaching. #First10DaysOfSchool #ClassroomManagement #TeachProceduresNotRules #BackToSchoolPrep #TeacherSuccessStrategies #TeachWithConfidence #ClassroomSystems #EduPodcast #TeacherPodcast #EdLeadership #K12Education #TeachingCommunity #NewTeachers #FirstYearTeacher #NewTeacherTalk #TeacherPodcast

  7. Jun 1

    Ep 208: Summer Strong: What to Do Before Day One

    The season finale of New Teacher Talk delivers exactly what new and returning teachers crave heading into summer: a clear, confidence‑building plan that replaces overwhelm with strategy. Dr. Beth and Dr. Anna break down how to prepare for the school year with intention, from documenting your classroom space to designing management systems that actually work. Their message is simple and powerful — systems come first, content follows — and they show you how to build those systems step by step.  This episode is packed with the kind of practical wisdom teachers wish they’d had in year one: routines that run themselves, attention signals that actually land, community‑building that feels natural, and self‑care that keeps you in the profession long enough to thrive. If you want to start the year grounded instead of scrambling, this finale is your roadmap. Summer Extra Value "Classroom and Behavior Management” Episodes:  Episode 145: Building Community Through Structure, Essential Classroom Management Techniques with Kwame Sarfo-Mensa Episode 177: Mastering the Art of Behavior Redirection, Part 1 Episode 181: Mastering the Arts of Behavior Redirection, Part 2 Episode 183: Redirecting Behavior, Part 3 Episode 191: Redirecting Behavior, Part 4  HASHTAGS #TeacherSummerPrep #SystemsFirstTeaching #NewTeacherPreparation #ClassroomManagementDesign #SustainableTeachingJourney #EdChat #TeacherTips #NewTeachers #FirstYearTeacher #NewTeacherTalk #TeacherPodcast

  8. May 25

    Ep 207: Work-Life Balance: How New Teachers Can Protect Their Time and Avoid Burnout

    First-year teaching is a marathon disguised as a sprint. In this episode, first-year English teacher Isabel Wilde and department chair Amy Howerton get honest about what no one tells you before you step into your own classroom: the planning is relentless, the administrative tasks are endless, and the risk of burnout is real. Together they unpack practical strategies for protecting your time and your energy, from setting email boundaries and building smarter planning routines to understanding why comparison with other teachers will quietly steal your joy. Amy also shares research-backed insight on the three-year teaching cycle and what shifts when you finally hit your stride. Whether you are weeks into your first year or already dreaming of survival, this episode is your reminder that sustainable teaching is not selfish. It is the whole point. HASHTAGS: #SustainableTeaching #WorkLifeBalance #OnePositiveEveryDay #Yet #EdChat #Newteachertips #newteachers #newteachertalk #podcast

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Are you a new teacher in an urban, suburban, or rural school? Or, are you an aspiring new teacher? We’re here to support YOU! This podcast channel is designed to help those new to teaching. We talk about the most common challenges educators face and how to find answers. On this channel, you will find a community of support as well as on our associated social media platforms: Instagram and BlueSky - @NewTeacherTalk.

Information

  • Creator
    Elizabeth Wilkins and Anna Quinzio-Zafran
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2021 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    New Teacher Talk

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