Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers

Dr. Lori Friesen, Elementary Classroom Management Tips for New Teachers
  • 4.9 (242)
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  • Updated Weekly

"Just because you're a beginning elementary teacher, there's no need for you to struggle like one." Welcome to Beginning Teacher Talk, the weekly podcast hosted by Dr. Lori Friesen, where we talk about all of the things you wish you learned in college about teaching elementary school. We feature kid-tested classroom management techniques, organizational strategies, creative ways to motivate your students, how to work with colleagues, seasonal gems, and how to de-stress and eliminate the overwhelm that too often accompanies your first years of teaching.

  1. 398. What to Write Down Before You Leave Your Classroom for Summer

    2d ago

    398. What to Write Down Before You Leave Your Classroom for Summer

    Before you pack up your classroom for summer, there's one simple step that can make next year dramatically easier. In this episode, Dr. Lori Friesen shares a powerful Teacher Debrief Framework to help you reflect with purpose, capture what truly worked, and turn this year's experiences into stronger classroom systems for next year. What You'll Learn: How to identify the classroom routines that created calm, predictable systems Why certain lessons or units fell flat and how to adjust them for better engagement The key procedures you may have forgotten to explicitly teach and how that impacts classroom management How to recognize behavior patterns and triggers so you can plan proactively The simple systems and strategies that made your teaching easier and how to build on them Resources Mentioned: The Teacher Debrief Framework (5-step reflection process) Learn more about Dr. Lori's programs If you want to walk into next school year with more clarity, confidence, and stronger classroom management systems, this episode is a must-listen. Be sure to subscribe to Beginning Teacher Talk so you never miss an episode designed to support you every step of your teaching journey. Save your seat at Dr. Lori's new, free class: Need to set up an elementary classroom? Discover how to start next school year calm, confident, and fully in control (without working all summer). Even if you haven't been hired yet, can't set foot in your school, or don't know what grade you'll be teaching. Click here to save your seat! https://www.drlorifriesen.com/ready Stay connected with us! Follow us on Instagram @beginningteachertalk Looking for quick, actionable PD? Visit our YouTube channel! Be sure to follow, rate, and subscribe to the Beginning Teacher Talk podcast so you never miss an episode in the Spring Reset Series. Warmly, Dr. Lori Friesen

    22 min
  2. 397. How to Pack Up Your Classroom for the Summer (So Next Year Feels 10x Easier)

    May 20

    397. How to Pack Up Your Classroom for the Summer (So Next Year Feels 10x Easier)

    As spring fever sets in and the school year winds down, it's tempting to rush through classroom pack-up just to be done. But in this episode of Beginning Teacher Talk, Dr. Lori Friesen shares a powerful shift in thinking that can transform how you end the year so next year feels dramatically easier. Learn how a simple, system-based approach to packing up your classroom can reduce overwhelm, strengthen your classroom management, and help you start the next school year with clarity and confidence. What You'll Learn: Why end-of-year classroom pack-up is a critical part of effective classroom management and not just a final task How to stop saving everything and instead make intentional decisions that support stronger classroom systems A simple strategy for organizing your materials by classroom systems rather than random supplies How to "leave breadcrumbs" for your future self so you don't feel like you're starting over each year The "First Week Box" every teacher should create to reduce stress and set the tone for strong routines Resources Mentioned: The Spring Reset Series (Five-part series) Learn more about Dr. Lori's programs Ready to feel more prepared for next year? If this episode encouraged you, share it with a fellow teacher who's feeling the weight of spring fever and end-of-year exhaustion. And don't forget to subscribe to Beginning Teacher Talk so you can keep building simple, effective classroom management systems that make teaching feel easier and more sustainable year after year. Save your seat at Dr. Lori's new, free class: Need to set up an elementary classroom? Discover how to start next school year calm, confident, and fully in control (without working all summer). Even if you haven't been hired yet, can't set foot in your school, or don't know what grade you'll be teaching. Click here to save your seat! https://www.drlorifriesen.com/ready Stay connected with us! Follow us on Instagram @beginningteachertalk Looking for quick, actionable PD? Visit our YouTube channel! Be sure to follow, rate, and subscribe to the Beginning Teacher Talk podcast so you never miss an episode in the Spring Reset Series. Warmly, Dr. Lori Friesen

    22 min
  3. 396. 10 Things I Wish I Had Known During My First Year of Teaching

    May 13

    396. 10 Things I Wish I Had Known During My First Year of Teaching

    If you've ever felt like your classroom success depends on having the perfect lesson, this episode may shift everything for you. In this heartfelt and practical episode, Dr. Lori Friesen shares 10 powerful lessons she wishes she had known in her first year, revealing how strong classroom systems and routines are the true foundation of effective classroom management. What You'll Learn: In this episode, you'll discover: Why classroom routines and systems matter more than even your best lesson plans How improving transitions can instantly create a calmer, more focused classroom Why students need to practice expectations repeatedly and how to do it effectively The difference between calm authority and reactive discipline, and how it impacts behavior How to identify when behavior challenges are actually system problems, not student problems Resources & Mentions: Free training: Virtual Teacher Summer Camp Upcoming episode: Teacher Debrief Framework (end-of-year reflection process) The Spring Reset Series (Part One and upcoming episodes) After Recess/Lunch Slides inside the Classroom Management Club Includes breathing exercises, SEL prompts, story starters, and quick reset activities Learn more about Dr. Lori's programs If this episode encouraged you or gave you a new perspective on classroom management, share it with a fellow teacher who might need support right now. And be sure to subscribe to Beginning Teacher Talk so you don't miss the next episode, where Dr. Lori walks you through a simple reflection process to help you finish the year strong and make next year easier. Save your seat at Dr. Lori's new, free class: Click here to save your seat! https://www.drlorifriesen.com/ready Ready to Feel Back in Control of Your Classroom? If your classroom feels a little off right now, these small system resets can make a big difference fast. Tune in to learn how to bring back calm, clarity, and confidence in just a few days. Stay connected with us! Follow us on Instagram @beginningteachertalk Looking for quick, actionable PD? Visit our YouTube channel! Be sure to follow, rate, and subscribe to the Beginning Teacher Talk podcast so you never miss an episode in the Spring Reset Series. Warmly, Dr. Lori Friesen

    24 min
  4. 395. The 5 Spring Systems to Tighten (To Make Next Year Easier)

    May 6

    395. The 5 Spring Systems to Tighten (To Make Next Year Easier)

    If your classroom suddenly feels noisier, slower, or harder to manage this spring, you're not imagining it, and you're not doing anything wrong. In this episode, Dr. Lori Friesen shares exactly why spring behavior shifts happen and walks you through five simple classroom systems you can tighten right now to restore calm and focus. You'll also get a practical 3-day reset plan to help you finish the school year strong and set yourself up for an easier start next year. What You'll Learn: How to quickly reset classroom transitions so they become smooth, fast, and predictable again Simple ways to re-teach and improve lining up routines without power struggles A practical routine to reset student behavior after recess or lunch and improve afternoon focus How to re-establish clear voice level expectations in a positive, engaging way Strategies to rebuild independent work stamina and reduce rushing or off-task behavior Resources Mentioned: The Spring Reset Series (Part One and upcoming episodes) After Recess/Lunch Slides inside the Classroom Management Club Includes breathing exercises, SEL prompts, story starters, and quick reset activities Whole-Class Motivators to gamify routines and reinforce positive behavior Teacher Summer Camp (Click the link to save your seat!) Learn more about Dr. Lori's programs Ready to Feel Back in Control of Your Classroom? If your classroom feels a little off right now, these small system resets can make a big difference fast. Tune in to learn how to bring back calm, clarity, and confidence in just a few days. Save your seat for my free class at the Teacher Summer Camp: Click here to save your seat! https://www.drlorifriesen.com/ready Stay connected with us! Follow us on Instagram @beginningteachertalk Looking for quick, actionable PD? Visit our YouTube channel! Be sure to follow, rate, and subscribe to the Beginning Teacher Talk podcast so you never miss an episode in the Spring Reset Series. Warmly, Dr. Lori Friesen

    26 min
  5. 394. Why May is the Most Important Month of the Year for Teachers

    Apr 29

    394. Why May is the Most Important Month of the Year for Teachers

    As the school year winds down, many teachers feel like they're just trying to make it to summer. But what if May is actually the most powerful month for improving your teaching? In this episode, Dr. Lori Friesen explains why this final stretch of the year is the perfect time for reflection, and how capturing what worked and what didn't can make next year dramatically easier. You'll learn a simple method to turn this year's experiences into a clear plan for stronger routines, smoother classroom management, and a more confident start next fall. In this episode, you'll discover: • Why May is the most important month for teacher reflection and professional growth • How noticing classroom "friction points" can reveal the systems your classroom needs • The routines and strategies that make a classroom run more smoothly • How to identify patterns in student engagement and behavior • A simple 20-minute Spring Reset reflection process that can save you hundreds of hours next school year Resources Mentioned • READY for School Academy by Dr. Lori Friesen • Free class at the Virtual Teacher Summer Camp • More support for teachers at drlorifriesen.com Listen & Subscribe If this episode encouraged you, please share it with another teacher who could use a little support right now. And be sure to subscribe to the Beginning Teacher Talk so you don't miss the next episode in the Spring Reset Series, where Dr. Lori shares the five classroom systems you should tighten before the school year ends. Teaching is important work, and you don't have to do it alone. 💛 Stay connected with us! Follow us on Instagram @beginningteachertalk Looking for quick, actionable PD? Visit our YouTube channel!

    20 min
  6. 392. Lawnmower Parents Who Say, "My Child Is the Victim"

    Mar 18

    392. Lawnmower Parents Who Say, "My Child Is the Victim"

    Many students struggle with accountability, empathy, and boundaries due to "lawnmower parenting," where obstacles are removed before they can learn independence. In this episode, I share a five-step framework to navigate these behaviors with calm, clear strategies that protect your classroom and your nervous system. You'll learn how to hold boundaries, teach students to repair harm, reinforce consequences, and collaborate with parents, giving students the skills to face challenges and grow responsibly. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/lawnmower-parents  5-Minute Field Trips: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/5-minute-field-trips  FREE Class at the Virtual Tropical Island Teacher Retreat: How to Prevent 2-3 Students from Derailing Your Entire Day: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/need-this Subscribe to the Beginning Teacher Talk YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@beginningteachertalk Grab a copy of Dr. Lori's 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 Lung Cancer Free: One Couple's Journey Through a "Lungs in a Box" Double Lung Transplant: https://www.lungcancerfree.com/ 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 (or veteran) elementary teacher, there is no need for you to struggle like one.

    30 min
  7. 391. 10 Outdoor Classroom Management Strategies to Channel Spring Energy (Without Losing Control)

    Mar 11

    391. 10 Outdoor Classroom Management Strategies to Channel Spring Energy (Without Losing Control)

    What if the most powerful academic shift you could make during your day wasn't a new curriculum, but a change of scenery? Stepping outside softens energy, sparks curiosity, and helps even restless students regulate, but many teachers worry about losing control. In this episode, I share how taking learning outdoors doesn't mean sacrificing structure. With clear expectations, strong boundaries, and intentional routines, the outdoors becomes an engaging, manageable classroom space. I walk through practical strategies for channeling spring energy, boosting engagement, and strengthening classroom community, turning fresh air into a powerful tool for learning. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/outdoor-classroom-management  Spring Mystery Motivator: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mystery-Motivator-for-Spring-Positive-Classroom-Management-Tool-K-4th-Grade-6748582  5-Minute Field Trips Subscription: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/5-minute-field-trips  FREE Class at the Virtual Tropical Island Teacher Retreat: How to Prevent 2-3 Students from Derailing Your Entire Day: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/need-this Subscribe to the Beginning Teacher Talk YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@beginningteachertalk 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 Lung Cancer Free: One Couple's Journey Through a "Lungs in a Box" Double Lung Transplant: https://www.lungcancerfree.com/ 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 (or veteran) elementary teacher, there is no need for you to struggle like one.

    22 min
  8. 390. When Inclusion Isn't Working — And How Teachers Can Survive a Broken System Without Burning Out

    Mar 4

    390. When Inclusion Isn't Working — And How Teachers Can Survive a Broken System Without Burning Out

    Every day, teachers walk into buildings shaped by policies they didn't choose. They're asked to function while understaffed, under-resourced, and held to expectations that often feel impossible to meet. Today's episode is raw, real, and an honest conversation about what teachers are actually experiencing in their classrooms. Because in reality, most teachers are in survival mode. So in this episode, I offer support for teachers trying to survive in a broken school system and share practical ways to navigate inclusion without burning out of the profession. Plus, I share strategies to help regulate your nervous system and begin focusing on what you can control in the classroom.  Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/inclusion  5-Minute Field Trips Subscription: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/5-minute-field-trips  FREE Class at the Virtual Teacher Ski Lodge: How to Prevent 2-3 Students from Derailing Your Entire Day: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/need-this Subscribe to the Beginning Teacher Talk YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@beginningteachertalk 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 Lung Cancer Free: One Couple's Journey Through a "Lungs in a Box" Double Lung Transplant: https://www.lungcancerfree.com/ 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 (or veteran) elementary teacher, there is no need for you to struggle like one.

    19 min
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4.9
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242 Ratings

About

"Just because you're a beginning elementary teacher, there's no need for you to struggle like one." Welcome to Beginning Teacher Talk, the weekly podcast hosted by Dr. Lori Friesen, where we talk about all of the things you wish you learned in college about teaching elementary school. We feature kid-tested classroom management techniques, organizational strategies, creative ways to motivate your students, how to work with colleagues, seasonal gems, and how to de-stress and eliminate the overwhelm that too often accompanies your first years of teaching.

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