The Present Teacher Podcast

Helena Hains

Teaching was never supposed to cost you your health, your time, or your identity. The Present Teacher Podcast is for educators who are done glorifying burnout, overwork, and self-sacrifice—and are ready to build a sustainable teaching career instead. Hosted by Helena Hains, this podcast challenges the unspoken rules of the education system and names the truths teachers are often too afraid to say out loud: burnout isn’t a personal failure, classroom chaos isn’t always a management issue, and working harder is rarely the solution. Each week, we explore the truths teachers are rarely encouraged to say out loud, including: • Why burnout isn’t a time-management problem • How interviews and school culture predict long-term exhaustion • Why classroom setup and management affect your nervous system • How to leave on time without guilt • And how to build a teaching career that doesn’t cost you yourself This podcast covers four core pillars: Teacher Interviews | Classroom Setup | Classroom Management | Time Management Inspired by Helena’s book That New Teacher Next Door: Work Less. Impact More., this show is for the teacher who knows there has to be a better way. Because the teacher next door doesn’t make herself small to make others comfortable. She knows who she is. She knows the impact she makes. And she has the courage to go after it.

  1. 1D AGO

    #171: Teacher Work-Life Balance Isn’t a Myth — It’s a Mindset

    Is it really impossible to have work-life balance as a teacher… or were we just taught to believe that? In this episode, I’m unpacking one of the biggest lies in education: That good teachers have to be exhausted. I’m sharing the moment I realized something had to change — when I was so emotionally drained from teaching that I couldn’t even stay present during dinner with my husband. If you’ve ever: • Felt guilty for leaving at contract time • Judged yourself for wanting teaching to feel easier • Believed that burnout is just “part of the job” • Struggled with work-life balance as a new teacher This episode will shift everything for you. We’ll walk through: • Why teacher burnout is often rooted in identity • How high-achieving childhood patterns show up in teaching • The difference between impact and overworking • What “aligned action” means in your classroom • 3 mindset shifts that help you create sustainable balance Teaching is not supposed to be a constant state of sacrifice. When it becomes easier, your impact becomes deeper. You are not here to struggle. You are here to lead. If you’re ready to redefine what it means to be a “good teacher” — this episode is for you. Next Steps: Grab the book That New Teacher Next Door Download the FREE Teacher Prep Guide Join The Present Teacher Circle Because the teacher next door doesn’t burn herself out. She builds systems. She thinks differently. And she gives herself permission to let it be easy.   Download the Ultimate Teacher Prep Guide Here: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/teacher-prep-guide Grab the Book: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/book-2025 Join The Present Teacher Circle Community: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/the-present-teacher-circle ___________________________ ❤️Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thepresentteacher/🔥TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@thepresentteacher🚀Website | https://thepresentteacher.com/💜YouTube | https://youtube.com/@ThePresentTeacher?si=meqMmiDHJN-0Jmlr___________________________// RESOURCES💌 Join our email list for weekly motivation | https://www.thepresentteacher.com/teacher-prep-guide🌼 Join our Community on Facebook | https://www.thepresentteacher.com/offers/QUzcjYLT___________________________//  ABOUTI’m Helena Hains, a coach for new and first-year teachers, sharing knowledge on how to have a thriving career and personal life.The Present Teacher Podcast is a resource for classroom management, classroom organization, time management, and teacher wellness. Follow along and learn how to thrive in the classroom and in life.Subscribe to The Present Teacher Podcast to get inspired by new weekly podcast episodes!

    16 min
  2. JAN 11

    #169: The 3 Systems Every Teacher Needs to Leave on Time This Year

    Want to leave school at contract time without falling behind? Learn the three essential systems every teacher needs—planning, prepping, and communication—to finally stop staying late, reduce stress, and reclaim your evenings. Download the Ultimate Teacher Prep Guide Here: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/teacher-prep-guide Grab the Book: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/book-2025 Join The Present Teacher Circle Community: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/the-present-teacher-circle ___________________________ ❤️Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thepresentteacher/🔥TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@thepresentteacher🚀Website | https://thepresentteacher.com/💜YouTube | https://youtube.com/@ThePresentTeacher?si=meqMmiDHJN-0Jmlr___________________________// RESOURCES💌 Join our email list for weekly motivation | https://www.thepresentteacher.com/teacher-prep-guide🌼 Join our Community on Facebook | https://www.thepresentteacher.com/offers/QUzcjYLT___________________________//  ABOUTI’m Helena Hains, a coach for new and first-year teachers, sharing knowledge on how to have a thriving career and personal life.The Present Teacher Podcast is a resource for classroom management, classroom organization, time management, and teacher wellness. Follow along and learn how to thrive in the classroom and in life.Subscribe to The Present Teacher Podcast to get inspired by new weekly podcast episodes!

    14 min
  3. JAN 4

    #168: 3 Things to Stop Doing If You're Feeling Burnt Out Before Break

    Feeling burnt out before break? Learn the top three habits contributing to teacher burnout—and what to do instead to protect your energy, work smarter, and finish the semester strong without sacrificing your well-being. Download the Ultimate Teacher Prep Guide Here: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/teacher-prep-guide Grab the Book: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/book-2025 Join The Present Teacher Circle Community: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/the-present-teacher-circle ___________________________ ❤️Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thepresentteacher/🔥TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@thepresentteacher🚀Website | https://thepresentteacher.com/💜YouTube | https://youtube.com/@ThePresentTeacher?si=meqMmiDHJN-0Jmlr___________________________// RESOURCES💌 Join our email list for weekly motivation | https://www.thepresentteacher.com/teacher-prep-guide🌼 Join our Community on Facebook | https://www.thepresentteacher.com/offers/QUzcjYLT___________________________//  ABOUTI’m Helena Hains, a coach for new and first-year teachers, sharing knowledge on how to have a thriving career and personal life.The Present Teacher Podcast is a resource for classroom management, classroom organization, time management, and teacher wellness. Follow along and learn how to thrive in the classroom and in life.Subscribe to The Present Teacher Podcast to get inspired by new weekly podcast episodes!

    18 min
  4. 12/28/2025

    #167: What I Wish I Knew Before My First Winter Break as a Teacher

    Over winter break, it can be so hard to balance rest and productivity. During my first year of teaching, I made a lot of mistakes when it came to working ahead. Which is why today I am sharing the mistakes I made along my teaching journey. Today, we are diving into what most new teachers get wrong about winter break, the mistakes that lead to deeper burnout, and what to do instead to actually rest and recover. A must-see for first-year teachers feeling guilty for resting. Download the Ultimate Teacher Prep Guide Here: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/teacher-prep-guide Grab the Book: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/book-2025 Join The Present Teacher Circle Community: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/the-present-teacher-circle ___________________________ ❤️Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thepresentteacher/🔥TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@thepresentteacher🚀Website | https://thepresentteacher.com/💜YouTube | https://youtube.com/@ThePresentTeacher?si=meqMmiDHJN-0Jmlr___________________________// RESOURCES💌 Join our email list for weekly motivation | https://www.thepresentteacher.com/teacher-prep-guide🌼 Join our Community on Facebook | https://www.thepresentteacher.com/offers/QUzcjYLT___________________________//  ABOUTI’m Helena Hains, a coach for new and first-year teachers, sharing knowledge on how to have a thriving career and personal life.The Present Teacher Podcast is a resource for classroom management, classroom organization, time management, and teacher wellness. Follow along and learn how to thrive in the classroom and in life.Subscribe to The Present Teacher Podcast to get inspired by new weekly podcast episodes!

    13 min
  5. 12/21/2025

    #166: How to Prep for January Now — So You Actually Rest Over Break

    Let’s be honest, December is peak season for many new teachers to reach teacher burnout. It’s easy to feel like, in order to finally break the cycle, you need to work your entire break. But that’s not the case.  Learn how to prepare for January now so you can truly rest over winter break—without burnout or guilt. Discover three simple, sustainable strategies teachers can use to batch lessons, prep materials, and reset routines for a smooth return in the new year. Download the Ultimate Teacher Prep Guide Here: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/teacher-prep-guide Grab the Book: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/book-2025 Join The Present Teacher Circle Community: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/the-present-teacher-circle ___________________________ ❤️Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thepresentteacher/🔥TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@thepresentteacher🚀Website | https://thepresentteacher.com/💜YouTube | https://youtube.com/@ThePresentTeacher?si=meqMmiDHJN-0Jmlr___________________________// RESOURCES💌 Join our email list for weekly motivation | https://www.thepresentteacher.com/teacher-prep-guide🌼 Join our Community on Facebook | https://www.thepresentteacher.com/offers/QUzcjYLT___________________________//  ABOUTI’m Helena Hains, a coach for new and first-year teachers, sharing knowledge on how to have a thriving career and personal life.The Present Teacher Podcast is a resource for classroom management, classroom organization, time management, and teacher wellness. Follow along and learn how to thrive in the classroom and in life.Subscribe to The Present Teacher Podcast to get inspired by new weekly podcast episodes!

    12 min
  6. #165: What No One Tells You About Teacher Burnout (And How I Got Out of It)

    12/16/2025

    #165: What No One Tells You About Teacher Burnout (And How I Got Out of It)

    First-year teacher burnout is common—but it doesn’t have to be normal. In today’s content, we cover the silent signs of burnout no one talks about, what shifted in my own journey, and how to avoid or recover from burnout through simple, sustainable systems. Teacher burnout does not have to be a rite of passage for first-year and second-year teachers. There is a way out of it, and if it’s possible for m,e it’s possible for you too.   Download the Ultimate Teacher Prep Guide Here: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/teacher-prep-guide Grab the Book: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/book-2025 Join The Present Teacher Circle Community: https://www.thepresentteacher.com/the-present-teacher-circle ___________________________ ❤️Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thepresentteacher/🔥TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@thepresentteacher🚀Website | https://thepresentteacher.com/💜YouTube | https://youtube.com/@ThePresentTeacher?si=meqMmiDHJN-0Jmlr___________________________// RESOURCES💌 Join our email list for weekly motivation | https://www.thepresentteacher.com/teacher-prep-guide🌼 Join our Community on Facebook | https://www.thepresentteacher.com/offers/QUzcjYLT___________________________//  ABOUTI’m Helena Hains, a coach for new and first-year teachers, sharing knowledge on how to have a thriving career and personal life.The Present Teacher Podcast is a resource for classroom management, classroom organization, time management, and teacher wellness. Follow along and learn how to thrive in the classroom and in life.Subscribe to The Present Teacher Podcast to get inspired by new weekly podcast episodes!

    28 min
  7. 11/16/2025

    #164: The Secret to Seamless Center Transitions (Without Saying a Word)

    What if I told you I have my students switch centers or stations everyday without me saying anything? Freeing me up to work one-on-one with students or in small groups at the back of my classroom for an average of an hour a day. What could you do with that extra hour? Could you help individual students make the leaps in growth that you've been craving?   Today, I am talking about how my students transition from one center to another without me. All with a little help from music and a timer. Managing a classroom doesn't have to be hard during centers. Especially when students are responsible for their behaviors without you.   We'll be talking about how the use of classroom jobs, how I transition my kids using music, and how my students run centers without me, lead to an enjoyable experience for everyone. So much so that I can teach at the teacher table guilt-free, while sipping my hot cup of chai.    Download the Ultimate Classroom Management Guide Here: https://thepresentteacher.mykajabi.com/classroom-management-guide  Check Out My Classroom Procedure Slides for Inspo: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Nature-Theme-Classroom-Procedures-Slides-11985169  Get Access to the Ultimate Classroom Management Bundle: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Ultimate-Classroom-Management-Bundle-12219499?st=94900c5f462cfd33e73369c219124e7a  Get Support inside The Present Teacher Circle Community: https://thepresentteacher.com/present-teacher-circle/  ___________________________ ❤️Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thepresentteacher/ 🔥TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@thepresentteacher 🚀Website | https://thepresentteacher.com/ 💜YouTube | https://youtube.com/@ThePresentTeacher?si=meqMmiDHJN-0Jmlr ___________________________ // ABOUT I’m Helena, a coach for new and first-year teachers sharing knowledge on how to have a thriving career and personal life. The Present Teacher Podcast is a resource for classroom management, classroom organization, time management, and teacher wellness. Follow along and learn how to thrive in the classroom and in life. Subscribe to The Present Teacher Podcast to get inspired by new weekly podcast episode

    17 min
  8. 11/09/2025

    #163: How to Get Students to Run Centers Without You

    One of the biggest reasons most teachers don't implement centers or stations in their classrooms is because they think it will take a lot of work and it will be a classroom management disaster. But that couldn't be farther from the truth. The truth is, there's a way to get your students to run centers without you saying a word. And that's what we are diving into today.   Today we will be covering how I get my students to run centers without me using classroom procedures, how long I practice centers before releasing control to my students, how to add in rotations so transitions are seamless, and how to keep students accountable for their work during centers without micromanaging.    The truth is, centers are a great way to meet the needs of your students while reinforcing what you are already learning in class. And it doesn't require hours of your time to make them happen.    Download the Ultimate Classroom Management Guide Here: https://thepresentteacher.mykajabi.com/classroom-management-guide  Check Out My Classroom Procedure Slides for Inspo: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Nature-Theme-Classroom-Procedures-Slides-11985169  Get Access to the Ultimate Classroom Management Bundle: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Ultimate-Classroom-Management-Bundle-12219499?st=94900c5f462cfd33e73369c219124e7a  Get Support inside The Present Teacher Circle Community: https://thepresentteacher.com/present-teacher-circle/  ___________________________ ❤️Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thepresentteacher/ 🔥TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@thepresentteacher 🚀Website | https://thepresentteacher.com/ 💜YouTube | https://youtube.com/@ThePresentTeacher?si=meqMmiDHJN-0Jmlr ___________________________ // ABOUT I’m Helena, a coach for new and first-year teachers sharing knowledge on how to have a thriving career and personal life. The Present Teacher Podcast is a resource for classroom management, classroom organization, time management, and teacher wellness. Follow along and learn how to thrive in the classroom and in life. Subscribe to The Present Teacher Podcast to get inspired by new weekly podcast episode

    19 min
5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Teaching was never supposed to cost you your health, your time, or your identity. The Present Teacher Podcast is for educators who are done glorifying burnout, overwork, and self-sacrifice—and are ready to build a sustainable teaching career instead. Hosted by Helena Hains, this podcast challenges the unspoken rules of the education system and names the truths teachers are often too afraid to say out loud: burnout isn’t a personal failure, classroom chaos isn’t always a management issue, and working harder is rarely the solution. Each week, we explore the truths teachers are rarely encouraged to say out loud, including: • Why burnout isn’t a time-management problem • How interviews and school culture predict long-term exhaustion • Why classroom setup and management affect your nervous system • How to leave on time without guilt • And how to build a teaching career that doesn’t cost you yourself This podcast covers four core pillars: Teacher Interviews | Classroom Setup | Classroom Management | Time Management Inspired by Helena’s book That New Teacher Next Door: Work Less. Impact More., this show is for the teacher who knows there has to be a better way. Because the teacher next door doesn’t make herself small to make others comfortable. She knows who she is. She knows the impact she makes. And she has the courage to go after it.

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