Next Chapter for Teachers Podcast

Erin Sponaugle
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

Whether it's classroom management or teacher burnout, this podcast has you covered. Being a teacher isn't what it used to be. The need to meet students' educational and social-emotional needs can easily overshadow your own personal needs as a person outside of the classroom, so much so that quitting teaching may feel like the only option for a healthy life. The Next Chapter for Teachers Podcast, hosted by Dr. Erin Sponaugle, covers topics in education relevant to teachers that address the stressful issues that can cloud the joy of what teaching is meant to be, while offering helpful strategies to streamline teaching and address conflicts that arise in the classroom. Topics covered are teacher burnout, classroom management, trends in instruction and assessment, and self-care. Erin Sponaugle is a teacher, author, and speaker with the experience and insight to provide practical advice to other educators. Subscribe to this podcast to get ideas and inspiration for teaching in uncertain times. For more information on turning the page to the future of the teaching profession, visit www.erinsponaugle.com.

  1. 63. Tips to Help Teachers Recover Over Summer Break

    May 31

    63. Tips to Help Teachers Recover Over Summer Break

    If the end of the school year has you feeling exhausted and unable to function, you aren't alone. The demands of the school year and the stress of closing out the year in your classroom can leave you feeling like you've been sucked of all your energy. I have five things I focus on as soon as the school year ends to help me recover and enjoy all that the break from going to school each day for a few months can offer. Listen to this episode if you want more from your summer break than zoning out in a sea of fatigue or jumping from one form of stress to another. Give yourself permission to focus on your family and personal needs, and you may be surprised how healing it can become. For more on teacher self-care over the summer, check out my YouTube playlist here! Have a question or idea for a future episode on teacher burnout or classroom management? Want to be a guest interview? Send me a text - I'd love to hear from you! Support the show Watch my TEDx talk on teacher resilience and burnout here. Get your copy of Teachaholic: The 7-Day MindSET Shift to Conquer Burnout, Build Life-Changing Boundaries, and Reignite Your Love for Teaching at www.erinsponaugle.com/book.  Download the Teachaholic Action Guide to begin your journey back from burnout!   SUBSCRIBE to Next Chapter for Teachers on YouTube! Download The Great 88: Rules, Routines, and Expectations to Go Over and Over! For more resources on classroom management, time management, and  teacher burnout, visit www.erinsponaugle.com. Find more upper elementary classroom resources by visiting Next Chapter Press on Teachers Pay Teachers. Instagram Facebook Pinterest

    25 min
  2. 62. Work Smarter, Not Harder: Tips for Overwhelmed Teachers, an Interview with Ashleigh Smith of Rainbow Sky Creations

    May 24

    62. Work Smarter, Not Harder: Tips for Overwhelmed Teachers, an Interview with Ashleigh Smith of Rainbow Sky Creations

    As the school year comes to an end in the United States, many of us are already thinking about what the next school year will bring. At some point, even if it's in August, you will be gearing up for back-to-school and the extra energy it will require of you. What if we took this summer to think about how we could approach the many tasks and asks of the school year so we could focus on what matters most?  In this interview with Ashleigh Smith of Rainbow Sky Creations, you will get a refreshing reminder of how things can work better in your classroom without reinventing the wheel and feeling like you have to check every item off your to-do list in order to be an effective teacher. You'll enjoy this practical, fun conversation that will have you reflecting on how you can spend your time in the classroom to make the best use of it, without being distracted by things that don't make the best use of our time and energy. Ashleigh is one half of Rainbow Sky Creations, where she works alongside her business partner Alisha to create resources and content for primary school teachers. With a genuine love for teaching, Ashleigh is passionate about helping educators feel more confident, supported, and inspired in their classrooms. She is driven to find ways to make learning meaningful and engaging for students while simplifying the day-to-day demands placed on teachers. At the heart of her work is the belief in working smarter, not harder. Ashleigh understands classroom realities and is committed to creating practical tools and ideas that lighten the load without compromising impact. Through Rainbow Sky Creations, she aims to ensure teachers feel supported, valued, and never alone, always reminding them that rainbows lie ahead. To connect with Ashleigh: Online shop: https://shop.rainbowskycreations.com/ Blog: https://rainbowskycreations.com/blog Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rainbowskycreations/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rainbowskycreations?lang=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rainbowskycreations/ Have a question or idea for a future episode on teacher burnout or classroom management? Want to be a guest interview? Send me a text - I'd love to hear from you! Support the show Watch my TEDx talk on teacher resilience and burnout here. Get your copy of Teachaholic: The 7-Day MindSET Shift to Conquer Burnout, Build Life-Changing Boundaries, and Reignite Your Love for Teaching at www.erinsponaugle.com/book.  Download the Teachaholic Action Guide to begin your journey back from burnout!   SUBSCRIBE to Next Chapter for Teachers on YouTube! Download The Great 88: Rules, Routines, and Expectations to Go Over and Over! For more resources on classroom management, time management, and  teacher burnout, visit www.erinsponaugle.com. Find more upper elementary classroom resources by visiting Next Chapter Press on Teachers Pay Teachers. Instagram Facebook Pinterest

    52 min
  3. 61. From "Gotcha" to Growth: Rethinking Teacher Observations, an interview with Craig Randall

    May 17

    61. From "Gotcha" to Growth: Rethinking Teacher Observations, an interview with Craig Randall

    When most teachers hear the word ‘observation,’ it doesn’t exactly bring a sense of excitement or growth. It brings pressure and performance, and for many teachers, the feeling of being judged rather than supported. But what if observations could actually do what they were originally intended to do: help teachers grow, reflect, and feel more confident in their practice? In this conversation, I’m joined by Craig Randall, who specializes in trust-based observation models that aim to shift evaluations from a ‘gotcha’ moment into something far more meaningful and human-centered. We’re talking about why traditional evaluation systems often miss the mark, how trust completely changes what happens in a classroom, and what teachers can do (even within imperfect systems) to make observations feel a little less performative and a lot more productive. Craig Randall is the developer and author of Trust-Based Observations, an Amazon number-one bestseller in five countries. Craig has spent the last 30-plus years in education working as a counselor, coach, teacher, and principal. Craig spends the majority of his time training school leaders in Trust-Based Observations (TBO), building mastery, and transforming the world of teacher observations to a model of trust and support that fosters growth mindsets, cultures of trust, and creates collective teacher efficacy in action.  To connect with Craig and learn more about his book and resources for Trust-Based Observations, check out the links below: Website: https://trustbased.com/ X: https://x.com/TrustbasedCraig LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trustbasedcraig/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/craig.randall.7311 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trustbasedcraig/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/trustbasedcraig.bsky.social Have a question or idea for a future episode on teacher burnout or classroom management? Want to be a guest interview? Send me a text - I'd love to hear from you! Support the show Watch my TEDx talk on teacher resilience and burnout here. Get your copy of Teachaholic: The 7-Day MindSET Shift to Conquer Burnout, Build Life-Changing Boundaries, and Reignite Your Love for Teaching at www.erinsponaugle.com/book.  Download the Teachaholic Action Guide to begin your journey back from burnout!   SUBSCRIBE to Next Chapter for Teachers on YouTube! Download The Great 88: Rules, Routines, and Expectations to Go Over and Over! For more resources on classroom management, time management, and  teacher burnout, visit www.erinsponaugle.com. Find more upper elementary classroom resources by visiting Next Chapter Press on Teachers Pay Teachers. Instagram Facebook Pinterest

    49 min
  4. 60. Ways Teachers Can Manage Being Overstimulated By the Classroom

    May 10

    60. Ways Teachers Can Manage Being Overstimulated By the Classroom

    Do you feel like you have too many tabs open right now as a teacher? Stressed out and overwhelmed from the noise, stuff accumulating in your classroom, and hearing your students say your name on repeat? It's easy to become overstimulated as a teacher, especially as the school year comes to a close or right before the holidays. How do you combat the sensory overload and avoid starting your summer break on the brink of burnout? In this episode, you'll learn why it's important to address overstimulation instead of powering through the insanity and ways you can manage the craziness, no matter what the end of the school year throws at you. Other episodes related to this topic: 58. My Class Is Driving Me Crazy! (Student Behavior) 37. Dealing With Repetitive and Distruptive Noises in the Classroom Have a question or idea for a future episode on teacher burnout or classroom management? Want to be a guest interview? Send me a text - I'd love to hear from you! Support the show Watch my TEDx talk on teacher resilience and burnout here. Get your copy of Teachaholic: The 7-Day MindSET Shift to Conquer Burnout, Build Life-Changing Boundaries, and Reignite Your Love for Teaching at www.erinsponaugle.com/book.  Download the Teachaholic Action Guide to begin your journey back from burnout!   SUBSCRIBE to Next Chapter for Teachers on YouTube! Download The Great 88: Rules, Routines, and Expectations to Go Over and Over! For more resources on classroom management, time management, and  teacher burnout, visit www.erinsponaugle.com. Find more upper elementary classroom resources by visiting Next Chapter Press on Teachers Pay Teachers. Instagram Facebook Pinterest

    26 min
  5. 59. How to Deal with Feeling Unappreciated as a Teacher

    May 3

    59. How to Deal with Feeling Unappreciated as a Teacher

    Have you ever felt unappreciated as a teacher or discouraged by the current classroom conditions and expectations? Teaching can often feel like a thankless job, and many are leaving the classroom because the hours and demands of teaching have led them to choose another path. This episode, recorded during Teacher Appreciation Week, looks at what matters more than appreciation, because change and appreciation, in the form we seek, may never come. If we want to continue doing well for our students and honor ourselves, the validation needs to come from within.  Have a question or idea for a future episode on teacher burnout or classroom management? Want to be a guest interview? Send me a text - I'd love to hear from you! Support the show Watch my TEDx talk on teacher resilience and burnout here. Get your copy of Teachaholic: The 7-Day MindSET Shift to Conquer Burnout, Build Life-Changing Boundaries, and Reignite Your Love for Teaching at www.erinsponaugle.com/book.  Download the Teachaholic Action Guide to begin your journey back from burnout!   SUBSCRIBE to Next Chapter for Teachers on YouTube! Download The Great 88: Rules, Routines, and Expectations to Go Over and Over! For more resources on classroom management, time management, and  teacher burnout, visit www.erinsponaugle.com. Find more upper elementary classroom resources by visiting Next Chapter Press on Teachers Pay Teachers. Instagram Facebook Pinterest

    15 min
  6. 58. "My Class Is Driving Me Crazy!" How to Survive the End of the School Year

    Apr 26

    58. "My Class Is Driving Me Crazy!" How to Survive the End of the School Year

    As the end of the school year approaches, student behavior can become more challenging, and the quality of work may decline. If this is making you stressed out and questioning your effectiveness as a teacher, don't lose hope. In this episode, we'll unpack why the end of the year gets crazy (even if you've done everything in your power to make your classroom run smoothly and foster good relationships) and a simple plan for maintaining control when the wild things are literally right in your classrooms taking apart your pencil sharpener.  Have a question or idea for a future episode on teacher burnout or classroom management? Want to be a guest interview? Send me a text - I'd love to hear from you! Support the show Watch my TEDx talk on teacher resilience and burnout here. Get your copy of Teachaholic: The 7-Day MindSET Shift to Conquer Burnout, Build Life-Changing Boundaries, and Reignite Your Love for Teaching at www.erinsponaugle.com/book.  Download the Teachaholic Action Guide to begin your journey back from burnout!   SUBSCRIBE to Next Chapter for Teachers on YouTube! Download The Great 88: Rules, Routines, and Expectations to Go Over and Over! For more resources on classroom management, time management, and  teacher burnout, visit www.erinsponaugle.com. Find more upper elementary classroom resources by visiting Next Chapter Press on Teachers Pay Teachers. Instagram Facebook Pinterest

    23 min
  7. 57. Teachers Speaking Up: How to Use Your Voice to Lead from the Classroom

    Apr 19

    57. Teachers Speaking Up: How to Use Your Voice to Lead from the Classroom

    Do you feel like you don't have a voice as a teacher to share your perspective or initiate change? Ever wonder if speaking up will have consequences or will be pointless because you're "just a teacher?" If there is anything I have learned this school year, it is that having a voice is a choice. What matters is how you choose to use it. In this episode, I share my TEDx experience, my journey from unlikely teacher to having the platform I have today, and important aspects that separate professional, grounded voices of reason from those that just make noise. I am proud and honored to share my TEDxWVU talk with you at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kc7xHSF8gt0&list=PL7CCzOG03NMQOuqec_dJcXrLf7mgYIZq4 Have a question or idea for a future episode on teacher burnout or classroom management? Want to be a guest interview? Send me a text - I'd love to hear from you! Support the show Watch my TEDx talk on teacher resilience and burnout here. Get your copy of Teachaholic: The 7-Day MindSET Shift to Conquer Burnout, Build Life-Changing Boundaries, and Reignite Your Love for Teaching at www.erinsponaugle.com/book.  Download the Teachaholic Action Guide to begin your journey back from burnout!   SUBSCRIBE to Next Chapter for Teachers on YouTube! Download The Great 88: Rules, Routines, and Expectations to Go Over and Over! For more resources on classroom management, time management, and  teacher burnout, visit www.erinsponaugle.com. Find more upper elementary classroom resources by visiting Next Chapter Press on Teachers Pay Teachers. Instagram Facebook Pinterest

    23 min
  8. 56. The Non-Negotiables: How to Honor What You Won't Tolerate as a Teacher

    Apr 12

    56. The Non-Negotiables: How to Honor What You Won't Tolerate as a Teacher

    Do you know what your non-negotiables are as a teacher? Also known as a deal breaker or a hard pass, these are the things that you know you are not willing to accept as part of your teaching environment. Knowing what your non-negotiables are can help you avoid burnout and be the teacher and person you want to be. In this episode, you will learn how non-negotiables are different than boundaries, what you can do when you are faced with a situation where you have to make a decision regarding your non-negotiables, and why it's essential to recognize and honor your non-negotiables in your teacher career. Have a question or idea for a future episode on teacher burnout or classroom management? Want to be a guest interview? Send me a text - I'd love to hear from you! Support the show Watch my TEDx talk on teacher resilience and burnout here. Get your copy of Teachaholic: The 7-Day MindSET Shift to Conquer Burnout, Build Life-Changing Boundaries, and Reignite Your Love for Teaching at www.erinsponaugle.com/book.  Download the Teachaholic Action Guide to begin your journey back from burnout!   SUBSCRIBE to Next Chapter for Teachers on YouTube! Download The Great 88: Rules, Routines, and Expectations to Go Over and Over! For more resources on classroom management, time management, and  teacher burnout, visit www.erinsponaugle.com. Find more upper elementary classroom resources by visiting Next Chapter Press on Teachers Pay Teachers. Instagram Facebook Pinterest

    18 min
See All (63)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Whether it's classroom management or teacher burnout, this podcast has you covered. Being a teacher isn't what it used to be. The need to meet students' educational and social-emotional needs can easily overshadow your own personal needs as a person outside of the classroom, so much so that quitting teaching may feel like the only option for a healthy life. The Next Chapter for Teachers Podcast, hosted by Dr. Erin Sponaugle, covers topics in education relevant to teachers that address the stressful issues that can cloud the joy of what teaching is meant to be, while offering helpful strategies to streamline teaching and address conflicts that arise in the classroom. Topics covered are teacher burnout, classroom management, trends in instruction and assessment, and self-care. Erin Sponaugle is a teacher, author, and speaker with the experience and insight to provide practical advice to other educators. Subscribe to this podcast to get ideas and inspiration for teaching in uncertain times. For more information on turning the page to the future of the teaching profession, visit www.erinsponaugle.com.

Information

  • Creator
    Erin Sponaugle
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    63
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Next Chapter for Teachers Podcast
  • Show Website
    Next Chapter for Teachers Podcast

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