Capes in the Classroom

Becky Jo Oglesby

5.0 (1)
Education
Weekly

This is a podcast built on the belief that teachers are the heroes that shape lives and build hope. This is a place for teachers that fight for their students and their sanity, for those who question their abilities but keep showing up, those who are tired but won't quit trying. Those who believe every child deserves to be seen, valued, and loved. For ordinary people that walk into schools and accomplish extraordinary things.

3d ago

Self Care pt. 5 Self Actualization

In the final episode of our Teacher Self-Care series, Becky Jo explores self-actualization: becoming more fully yourself and living out your purpose as an educator. It’s not just about getting through the day—it’s about knowing your “why” and letting it guide how you teach, grow, and care for yourself. Becky shares three ways to move toward that purpose: •Clarify your calling: Identify your values and turn them into a simple mission statement you can use to guide your priorities. Becky’s own: “know and grow kids and colleagues.”• Cultivate your potential: Keep learning, reflecting, and trying new approaches so you can grow as an educator.• Make room for creativity: Find practical, personal ways to bring your mission to life—like using a daily question to get to know your students.Self-actualization isn’t just about what you accomplish. It’s also about who you become and whose life is better because you were there. Becky closes with practical reminders for caring for yourself, including practicing gratitude, eating breakfast, and keeping up with health appointments.
Nov 1

Self Care Plan pt. 4 esteem

You've made it through another week, and you're doing more than surviving. This is week four of our five-part Teacher Self-Care series on Capes in the Classroom, and we've reached the fourth rung of Maslow's hierarchy of needs: esteem. If you struggle with self-doubt, feel like an imposter, or never feel like you're enough, this episode is for you. Becky Jo walks through four practical steps, the "Four I's": Identify your thought patterns. Use meditation-style observation and 10-minute journaling to notice what your inner voice actually says.Interrupt the negative patterns. Counter thoughts like "this is too hard" with affirmations you can believe, such as "I'm resilient and I can handle any challenge that comes my way."Inventory your wins. Write down your Effort, Successes, and Progress (ESP) each day, and start a specific gratitude practice.Invest in encouraging and recognizing others. Build a culture of appreciation in your school with encouraging notes, a "catch them doing great things" note-card station, and a traveling teacher award.Becky Jo also shares research on how gratitude can support a positive mindset, stress reduction, emotional resilience, focus, sleep, and overall health.Resource mentioned:American Brain Foundation. (2025, November 26). Does gratitude rewire your brain? https://www.americanbrainfoundation.org/does-gratitude-rewire-your-brain/ Next week: the final episode of the series, self-actualization, at the top of the pyramid.Have ideas for recognizing teachers in your building? Share them in the comments.
Oct 26

Self Care Plan Part 3: Love and Belonging

Teacher Burnout, Belonging, and the Power of Connection Teacher burnout is not just about workload—it can also stem from disconnection. In this episode, Becky Jo explores how educators can fight loneliness, protect their mental health, and build relationships that make the work more sustainable, using Maslow’s hierarchy of needs as a guide. Moving beyond the basics of food, sleep, and financial stress, Becky Jo focuses on the often-overlooked need for love and belonging. She shares why connection matters for educators, especially when the emotional weight of the classroom begins to spill into home life. You’ll hear why intentional connection is more than a feel-good extra, how to take the initiative in strengthening relationships, and practical ways to make time for the people who matter. Becky Jo also shares a moving story about staying connected with her grandmother, Big Ma, and reflects on how social connection can support well-being and resilience.If you’ve been feeling isolated, running on empty, or carrying too much of school home with you, this conversation offers a simple place to start: choose your people, put time together on the calendar, and invest in the connections that help you keep going.
Oct 18

Ep. 5 Selfcare-Safety and Security

Educators are great at caring for everyone else, but what happens when your own safety and security are falling apart? Becky Jo Oglesby continues her self-care series by moving up Maslow’s hierarchy and tackling the overlooked stressors that quietly drain teachers: finances, health, and emotional safety. This week’s conversation gets practical fast. Becky Jo breaks down why money stress is not just a “personal issue” but a real threat to your ability to show up at school, at home, and for yourself. She shares a realistic way to think about budgeting, spending caps, and what to do when the number going out is higher than the number coming in. From student debt to grocery budgets to saving for the kind of break that keeps you from burning out, this episode helps you stop wishing the month will work out and start building a plan that does. You'll discover: Why financial stress impacts your classroom presence, relationships, and mental loadSimple budgeting ideas that create more peace of mindHow to think about supplementing income without shame or overwhelmWhy your health appointments matter just as much as your students'The connection between rhythmic movement, regulation, and mental clarityHow walking can become a reset ritual before you go from school to homeWhat emotional safety at work really looks like among colleaguesBecky Jo also names something many people avoid saying out loud: for some listeners, “safety” is not theoretical. If home is not a safe place, she encourages reaching out for support and using available abuse resources, school counselors, and trusted colleagues to get help. She also reminds listeners that emotional safety at school matters too, especially in hard, high-pressure environments where teachers carry everyone else’s burdens. If you’ve been putting off your own doctor visits, running on stress, or trying to pour from an empty cup, this episode gives you permission to stop surviving on autopilot and start protecting your own well-being. Perfect for educators who know they need a better system, a better rhythm, and a little more breathing room.
Oct 11

Ep. 4 Self Care Plan pt. 1 Basic Needs

Teacher burnout does not start with the grading pile - it starts when you ignore the most basic things your body needs to survive the school day. Becky Jo Oglesby breaks down a realistic self-care plan for educators using Maslow's hierarchy, and the first step is not a bubble bath - it's food, water, and sleep. If you're running on a Pop-Tart, microwaved coffee, and five hours of sleep, this episode is the wake-up call you need. Becky Jo gets practical about how teachers can actually protect their energy in a job that constantly pulls them in every direction. You'll discover how to think about breakfast and lunch like a teacher who needs steady focus, not a sugar crash, including simple options like protein shakes, beef jerky, cheese sticks, and other grab-and-go choices that work on a school morning. She also shares a realistic strategy for drinking more water without making your whole day revolve around bathroom breaks, including how to coordinate with neighboring teachers and build a coverage plan that respects everyone’s time. Then Becky Jo tackles the third basic need most educators sacrifice first: sleep. She explains how to work backward from your wake-up time, build a nighttime routine that actually sticks, and use simple habit-stacking to make rest part of your life instead of an afterthought. She also explains why your phone may be sabotaging your ability to wind down and what to do about it. This is about more than self-care buzzwords. It’s about creating sustainable habits so you can stop pouring from an empty cup and stay in education for the long haul. If you’re overwhelmed, overstimulated, and tired of pretending you can power through forever, this episode gives you a starting point you can actually use. Perfect for teachers who know they need better self-care but want something realistic, specific, and doable starting today. Becky Jo is your guide through the first rung of a bigger plan, and this is where the shift begins.
Oct 4

Ep. 3-10 Ways to Build Relationships in Your Classroom

Building strong relationships with students is at the heart of great teaching. In this episode, Becky Jo shares 10 practical ways to help children feel seen, valued, and supported—from daily questions and one-on-one check-ins to positive calls home, interest surveys, and small rituals that build trust. A warm, actionable guide for teachers who want to create a classroom culture where every student can thrive.
Sep 26

Joy on Purpose

In this episode we talk about creating and protecting your joy.
Sep 26

Ep.1 Welcome to Capes in the Classroom

This is Episode 1. I want you to know why I am doing this, and why you might choose to listen.

8 Episodes

This is a podcast built on the belief that teachers are the heroes that shape lives and build hope. This is a place for teachers that fight for their students and their sanity, for those who question their abilities but keep showing up, those who are tired but won't quit trying. Those who believe every child deserves to be seen, valued, and loved. For ordinary people that walk into schools and accomplish extraordinary things.

Creator

Becky Jo Oglesby
Years Active

2026
Episodes

8
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Becky Jo Oglesby
Show Website

Capes in the Classroom