Beginning Teacher Talk: A Podcast for New Elementary Teachers

Dr. Lori Friesen, Elementary Classroom Management Tips for New Teachers
  • 4.9 (242)
  • HOW TO
  • 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. 1D AGO

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

    Episode #395 🌿 The Spring Reset Series Part Two: The 5 Spring Systems to Tighten (To Make Next Year Easier) Episode Summary: 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
  2. 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

    Episode #394 The Spring Reset Series – Part One 🌷 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 389. Novelty Without Burnout (So You're Not Entertaining All Day)

    FEB 25

    389. Novelty Without Burnout (So You're Not Entertaining All Day)

    What if the secret to student engagement wasn't new curriculum, more resources, updated materials, or the teacher entertaining at the front of the room all day, but a sprinkle of surprise? A predictable classroom may feel safe, but a classroom infused with purposeful novelty feels electric. In this episode, I'm sharing how you can implement novelty in your classroom in a way that supports you rather than drains your energy. Plus, I share a simple framework you can use right away to spark an immediate shift in your students' engagement. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/novelty-in-classrooms  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 Classroom Management Club Waitlist: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/membershipwaitlist 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 elementary teacher, there is no need for you to struggle like one. Xo Lori P.S. Do you have your copy of my FREE Ultimate Classroom Management Checklist? Get yours by clicking here now! https://www.drlorifriesen.com/ultimate-classroom-management-checklist

    22 min
  7. 388. How to Build Curiosity Into Lessons (Even the Boring Ones)

    FEB 18

    388. How to Build Curiosity Into Lessons (Even the Boring Ones)

    Instead of treating engagement as something you're constantly trying to manage, think of it as something you're trying to solve, and curiosity is the solution. In this episode, you'll learn simple strategies for building curiosity into your lessons that activate your students' brains and transform the way they engage during instruction. Plus, you'll gain perspective on how curiosity positively impacts classroom management by turning student compliance into genuine cooperation. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/curiosity  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 Classroom Management Club Waitlist: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/membershipwaitlist 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 elementary teacher, there is no need for you to struggle like one. Xo Lori P.S. Do you have your copy of my FREE Ultimate Classroom Management Checklist? Get yours by clicking here now! https://www.drlorifriesen.com/ultimate-classroom-management-checklist

    25 min
  8. 387. Low-Prep Ways to Add Surprise to Your Elementary Classroom Without Losing Control

    FEB 11

    387. Low-Prep Ways to Add Surprise to Your Elementary Classroom Without Losing Control

    You can have strong routines and clear expectations and still feel like your classroom energy has gone flat. In this episode, I share how small, intentional moments of surprise (woven into your existing routines!) can spark curiosity, boost engagement, and make classroom management easier, instead of harder. You'll learn practical ways to add mystery and novelty without losing control or overhauling what already works. Show Notes: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/blog/surprise  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 Classroom Management Club Waitlist: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/membershipwaitlist 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 elementary teacher, there is no need for you to struggle like one. Xo Lori P.S. Do you have your copy of my FREE Ultimate Classroom Management Checklist? Get yours by clicking here now! https://www.drlorifriesen.com/ultimate-classroom-management-checklist

    24 min
See All (395)

4.9
out of 5
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.

Information

You Might Also Like