Teacher Thrive

Teacher Thrive

Welcome to Teacher Thrive, the ultimate podcast for educators seeking to thrive in both their professional and personal lives. Join hosts Madel Mazzella and Kaitlyn Rapai as they delve into the essential topics of life coaching, self-care, mindfulness, boundaries, time management, and burnout prevention specifically tailored to the teaching profession. read less
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Episodes

Teacher Thrive: Episode 58: Drama
Jul 24 2024
Teacher Thrive: Episode 58: Drama
Free Guides: Examine your Thoughts Who Are You, Really? 12 Prompts to Create Self-Awareness Thoughts That Build Resilience Weekly Time Blocking Planner Boundary Setting Cheat-Sheets Understanding Imposter Syndrome Connect with the hosts: Madel Mazzella: Instagram: ⁠@madelmazzella TikTok: ⁠@madelmazzella⁠ Website: madelmazzella.com Kaitlyn Rapai: Instagram: @the_teacher_burnout_coach TikTok: ⁠@kaitlyn_rapai_coaching⁠ Website: ⁠kaitlynrapai.com⁠ Exaggerating ideas and thoughts to express how we feel is part of our culture. Sentences such as “Life is so hard” or “I have the hardest job in the world” are expressed often without giving them a second thought. What we may not realize is that those seemingly harmless utterances can have us down-spiral into a web of negativity.  When we think the same thoughts repeatedly, and then verbalize them, the truer they seem to us, and the more evidence we find to continue believing them. Embellishing these thoughts– by adding great adjectives to a story, speculation, etc. around it– can heighten the feeling we experience, thus creating a loop of misery.  This is perfectly fine to do if you’re the type of person that needs to verbally process your feelings, or “think out loud”. We do, however, need to keep in mind only the facts of the situation and have the awareness that at any point we want we can decide to shift into thoughts that do serve us.  Original Music by: Matthew Dotson Cover Art by: Nate Rapai [Disclaimer: Any views or opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of any educational institutions or organizations. This podcast is presented solely for educational and entertainment purposes. The hosts are not licensed therapists and their opinion does not substitute the advice of a physician or other qualified professional]
Teacher Thrive: Episode 57: Finding Your Slow Living Routine
Jul 17 2024
Teacher Thrive: Episode 57: Finding Your Slow Living Routine
Free Guides: Examine your Thoughts Who Are You, Really? 12 Prompts to Create Self-Awareness Thoughts That Build Resilience Weekly Time Blocking Planner Boundary Setting Cheat-Sheet Understanding Imposter Syndrome Connect with the hosts: Madel Mazzella: Instagram: ⁠@madelmazzella TikTok: ⁠@madelmazzella⁠ Website: madelmazzella.com Kaitlyn Rapai: Instagram: @the_teacher_burnout_coach TikTok: ⁠@kaitlyn_rapai_coaching⁠ Website: ⁠kaitlynrapai.com⁠ There is no manual on how to live our individual lives, but the one we create for ourselves based on what works for us. On today’s episode, the hosts discuss finding our own pace to slow-living in the summer months.  So many of us experience mixed feelings in the summer. There’s nothing we want more as teachers than to finally have our well-deserved time off when we’re in the middle of the school year trying our might to juggle all the demands. We dream about using that sweet leisure time to do all the things we say we don’t have time to do when school is in session. But, summer has finally settled in, and now many teachers struggle with having nothing to do, or wanting to do so much only to end up doing nothing – then beating themselves up for it.  The hosts suggest that in order to find our happy medium we need to have a flexible structure. First, we must establish our priority. What is your non-negotiable this summer? If relaxing is hard for you, journal about why and ask yourself questions regarding the meaning you’re assigning to doing nothing. If, on the contrary, you feel as though you’re wasting your time, schedule things to do during the day. It is proven that when you write down things you want to do the probability of completing them increases significantly. Set reminders on your phone to keep your attention focused on your priority.  Try different approaches during this precious time off to see what works. And, as always, give yourself grace when you fall short of hitting your mark, and celebrate each and every single accomplishment. Original Music by: Matthew Dotson Cover Art by: Nate Rapai [Disclaimer: Any views or opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of any educational institutions or organizations. This podcast is presented solely for educational and entertainment purposes. The hosts are not licensed therapists and their opinion does not substitute the advice of a physician or other qualified professional]
Teacher Thrive: Episode 56: Do Not Disturb Until August
Jul 10 2024
Teacher Thrive: Episode 56: Do Not Disturb Until August
Free Guides: Examine your Thoughts Who Are You, Really? 12 Prompts to Create Self-Awareness Thoughts That Build Resilience Weekly Time Blocking Planner Boundary Setting Cheat-Sheets Understanding Imposter Syndrome Connect with the hosts: Madel Mazzella: Instagram: ⁠@madelmazzella TikTok: ⁠@madelmazzella⁠ Website: madelmazzella.com Kaitlyn Rapai: Instagram: @the_teacher_burnout_coach TikTok: ⁠@kaitlyn_rapai_coaching⁠ Website: ⁠kaitlynrapai.com⁠ It’s time to check in with ourselves to determine how we really feel about not working this summer. If you’ve ever been asked about the ‘working in the summer’ question by non teachers you’d know the type of feeling it elicits. If you’re the kind of person that says summers are for fun and relaxation without hesitation, that’s amazing! Many teachers struggle with the answer, however, and some love to explain how we really need the time off because the type of work we do is so mentally and physically draining.  If we really think about how we want to feel about not working in the summer we can align our answer to our values and be firm with it without having to offer explanations. We must remember that people will think what they want regardless of our answer. No amount of explaining will convince anyone who already made up their mind about teachers having their summers off. It’s time for us to reframe our thoughts and think about the next few weeks as the time we pour into our well-being, learn to disconnect and not let our overachieving mentality make some of us think we’re lazy because we’re off. It’s ok to not want to talk about school, difficult students, colleagues, administrators, and all the stressors we typically face during the school year. The thoughts we think will determine whether we feel pressured or guilty for not registering for a summer conference, workshop or webinar on how to start the new school year –when it’s only the beginning of July. The more we acknowledge how we truly feel, the more we’d realize how we’re not outcasts for wanting to disconnect.  Original Music by: Matthew Dotson Cover Art by: Nate Rapai [Disclaimer: Any views or opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of any educational institutions or organizations. This podcast is presented solely for educational and entertainment purposes. The hosts are not licensed therapists and their opinion does not substitute the advice of a physician or other qualified professional]
Teacher Thrive: Episode 55: Independent Thought
Jul 3 2024
Teacher Thrive: Episode 55: Independent Thought
Free Guides: Examine your Thoughts Who Are You, Really? 12 Prompts to Create Self-Awareness Thoughts That Build Resilience Weekly Time Blocking Planner Boundary Setting Cheat-Sheets Understanding Imposter Syndrome Connect with the hosts: Madel Mazzella: Instagram: ⁠@madelmazzella TikTok: ⁠@madelmazzella⁠ Website: madelmazzella.com Kaitlyn Rapai: Instagram: @the_teacher_burnout_coach TikTok: ⁠@kaitlyn_rapai_coaching⁠ Website: ⁠kaitlynrapai.com⁠ This episode is an extension of the last two episodes regarding recharging for the summer and having an overwhelming amount of goals. So many teachers look forward to the summer to finally do the things we think we cannot do during the school year. Whether it is reading for pleasure, going for long walks in nature, working out, etc. Summers is where our dream to-do list gets done. But, our exhaustive to-do list can drive us into a slump when we think we finally have the time to relax, the list can wait. When we realize that our time, or lack thereof, during the school year and summer is all our perception (created by our thoughts) we can pivot into thinking thoughts that serve us.  We have the freedom and autonomy to choose our thoughts, but having this choice is only possible when we pause to acknowledge the thoughts we’re actually thinking. Oftentimes, those thoughts are not our own. Instead, they are the results of many years of conditioning or thoughts that are passed down to us either by our family, friends, environment, society, etc. The moment we stop to examine the thoughts that are driving our actions we have the power to decide whether we want to keep them or not. We can ask ourselves, Are those thoughts serving us? How are these thoughts helping me achieve my goals? Do they add value or are they stressful and negative? In order to obtain the results we want this summer, we must practice a thought that empowers us to take action. Here’s an example from the hosts: Goal: Working out consistently Thought:  Not helpful: I have all day. – This thought not only doesn’t have the energy to drive the action, it also allows for time to be wasted doing everything but working out. Helpful: I get to do it. – This thought elicits the feeling of being grateful and appreciative of having more time, being physically able to move the body. Result: There’s motivation and energy to workout first thing in the morning. Everything else on the list happens afterwards.  Find the thoughts preventing you from doing what you want this summer. Change it to one that empowers you to jump into action. Practice it every day. Original Music by: Matthew Dotson Cover Art by: Nate Rapai [Disclaimer: Any views or opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of any educational institutions or organizations. This podcast is presented solely for educational and entertainment purposes. The hosts are not licensed therapists and their opinion does not substitute the advice of a physician or other qualified professional]
Teacher Thrive: Episode 54: Paralyzed by Your To Do List
Jun 26 2024
Teacher Thrive: Episode 54: Paralyzed by Your To Do List
Free Guides: Examine your Thoughts Who Are You, Really? 12 Prompts to Create Self-Awareness Thoughts That Build Resilience Weekly Time Blocking Planner Boundary Setting Cheat-Sheets Understanding Imposter Syndrome Connect with the hosts: Madel Mazzella: Instagram: ⁠@madelmazzella TikTok: ⁠@madelmazzella⁠ Website: madelmazzella.com Kaitlyn Rapai: Instagram: @the_teacher_burnout_coach TikTok: ⁠@kaitlyn_rapai_coaching⁠ Website: ⁠kaitlynrapai.com⁠ If you experience a lack of motivation when school’s out for the summer you’re not alone. So many of us experience action paralysis when we finally have the time to do the goals we’ve waited all year long to complete.  Teachers, for the most part, are very much goal oriented and we live and thrive by having structure in our days. We have a responsibility to fulfill, whether we feel like it or not, and having to adhere to the school schedule, bells, deadlines, etc., ensures that things get done.  That is the reason the number one strategy to tackle our to-do list in the summer is to give ourselves structure, beginning with rest first! Resting and recharging must be a priority during this time! We must reframe our mindset from thinking that our worth is attached to how productive we are on any given day.  Our society views being busy as a sign of high status. If you’ve ever felt burned-out you know that viewpoint does not serve us.  Begin with rest, then tackle one small goal at a time. Reward yourself whenever you cross something off your list (big or small). Celebrating, or acknowledging ourselves–even if the task seems small to us– trains our brain to think better thoughts.  Remember, every action begins with a thought first. Begin your day setting your intention for the day: - How would you like to feel?  What thoughts would you like to think on purpose?  What small tasks can you accomplish?  How will you rest and have fun?  How are you honoring your needs? Original Music by: Matthew Dotson Cover Art by: Nate Rapai [Disclaimer: Any views or opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of any educational institutions or organizations. This podcast is presented solely for educational and entertainment purposes. The hosts are not licensed therapists and their opinion does not substitute the advice of a physician or other qualified professional]
Teacher Thrive: Episode 53: How to Re-energize Yourself This Summer
Jun 19 2024
Teacher Thrive: Episode 53: How to Re-energize Yourself This Summer
Free Guides: Examine your Thoughts Who Are You, Really? 12 Prompts to Create Self-Awareness Thoughts That Build Resilience Weekly Time Blocking Planner Boundary Setting Cheat-Sheets Understanding Imposter Syndrome Connect with the hosts: Madel Mazzella: Instagram: ⁠@madelmazzella TikTok: ⁠@madelmazzella⁠ Website: madelmazzella.com Kaitlyn Rapai: Instagram: @the_teacher_burnout_coach TikTok: ⁠@kaitlyn_rapai_coaching⁠ Website: ⁠kaitlynrapai.com⁠ Many teachers feel like they are in a mental slump in the summers. We feel lazy, unmotivated, and sometimes even depressed. The lack of structure has us procrastinating and leaving things for later.  There are so many things we say we cannot wait to do in the summer, but oftentimes, summer comes and goes without us completing or doing what we said we were going to do. We lose motivation because we don’t HAVE to do it. Below are some strategies to combat falling into a slump in the summer: Structure your days. Create a calendar that includes rest and play so completing tasks doesn’t become burdensome.  Anticipate obstacles. We know ourselves better than anyone, and we know what excuses work best to prevent us from having a desired outcome. We can decide ahead of time what we’ll tell ourselves or what we’ll do when we don’t want to do it. If it’s working out we can trick our brain to say we can do anything for 10 minutes. We could also use Mel Robbins’ famous countdown from 5, and jump up to do the activity when we reach number 1. We can do any strategy that get us to doing the thing when we’re not motivated. Have an accountability partner. This could be a good idea depending on our style since so often we tend to honor the commitments we make to others before honoring our own. Having someone to check in and hold us accountable could get us started creating the habit.  Celebrate all the wins as frequently as possible with small nudges of acknowledgements. Rewarding ourselves trains our brain to continue doing more of what made us feel successful. Write down your goals every day. Set intentions for the day - ask yourself: How do I want to feel today? What do I want to accomplish? Why do I want to do X? What are my priorities today? … Writing down our goals and intentions guides the brain to think the thoughts that will lead to the actions we must take in order to do anything. Original Music by: Matthew Dotson Cover Art by: Nate Rapai [Disclaimer: Any views or opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of any educational institutions or organizations. This podcast is presented solely for educational and entertainment purposes. The hosts are not licensed therapists and their opinion does not substitute the advice of a physician or other qualified professional]
Teacher Thrive: Episode 52: People Pleasing
Jun 12 2024
Teacher Thrive: Episode 52: People Pleasing
Free Guides: Examine your Thoughts Who Are You, Really? 12 Prompts to Create Self-Awareness Thoughts That Build Resilience Weekly Time Blocking Planner Boundary Setting Cheat-Sheets Understanding Imposter Syndrome Connect with the hosts: Madel Mazzella: Instagram: ⁠@madelmazzella TikTok: ⁠@madelmazzella⁠ Website: madelmazzella.com Kaitlyn Rapai: Instagram: @the_teacher_burnout_coach TikTok: ⁠@kaitlyn_rapai_coaching⁠ Website: ⁠kaitlynrapai.com⁠ People pleasing aims to manipulate the opinions of others in your favor. It is a habit we learn early on in order to be accepted and liked by the group. Constant people pleasing and being overly agreeable does not serve us. It is rooted in fear and it leaves us depleted because all we’re doing is mask our own needs in order to accommodate the needs of others, sometimes our perceived needs of others. Here are some traits of a people pleaser: Undermine your own needs Go with the flow that’s dictated by others You’re too agreeable in general Do not assert yourself Value praise from others over your own Feel valuable when complying with others People pleasing doesn’t always have to be negative. Doing something kind for others is a beautiful experience for both, the giver and receiver of the kindness. For the naturally big-hearted person, performing acts of kindness can be very rewarding. We run into trouble when we extend kindness while expecting approval and validation in return– as opposed to recognizing and accepting ourselves. Also, we do this while ignoring, or not really knowing or stopping to think about what we really want. People-pleasers tend to think of what others are thinking or will think of us if we do what we think they want us to do. It is important, therefore, to remind ourselves that it can be very uncomfortable and frustrating for the other person. But, beyond that, it’s time to think about ourselves. We must practice the habit of listening to what we really want and honoring that.  How can we validate ourselves? What does it look like? What would it feel like to value our own opinion more than the opinions of others?  Original Music by: Matthew Dotson Cover Art by: Nate Rapai [Disclaimer: Any views or opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of any educational institutions or organizations. This podcast is presented solely for educational and entertainment purposes. The hosts are not licensed therapists and their opinion does not substitute the advice of a physician or other qualified professional]
Teacher Thrive: Episode 50: Perfectionism
May 29 2024
Teacher Thrive: Episode 50: Perfectionism
Free Guides: Examine your Thoughts Who Are You, Really? 12 Prompts to Create Self-Awareness Thoughts That Build Resilience Weekly Time Blocking Planner Boundary Setting Cheat-Sheets Understanding Imposter Syndrome Connect with the hosts: Madel Mazzella: Instagram: ⁠@madelmazzella TikTok: ⁠@madelmazzella⁠ Website: madelmazzella.com Kaitlyn Rapai: Instagram: @the_teacher_burnout_coach TikTok: ⁠@kaitlyn_rapai_coaching⁠ Website: ⁠kaitlynrapai.com⁠ Perfectionism is often used in a statement as a quality we’d want to emulate. Many people categorize themselves as perfectionists as a way to establish a high standard for the quality of the work they produce. This side of perfectionism can actually help the person feel inspired, motivated and proud as they take pleasure in pursuing and achieving their goals.  The other side of perfectionism is rooted in fear, however, and it’s therefore far less appealing. Once could almost qualify it as self-punishment. We set unrealistically high expectations of ourselves and when we cannot meet our goal we become overly critical and disappointed in our “failure”. Spending so much time obsessing about our ‘shortcomings’ serves absolutely no good purpose. We could be causing our own stress and anxious thoughts but thinking that the real culprit is our circumstances. It’s rarely, if ever, our circumstances. When we know ourselves enough and know our pattern, we can catch the behaviors or thoughts that make us perfectionists out of fear. Once we notice we have the power to stop the behavior and pivot in a direction that better serves us. Noticing also gives us access to show ourselves grace, love and compassion. Once we can do that for ourselves, we can extend the same grace, love and compassion for others as opposed to expecting them to do things perfectly. Original Music by: Matthew Dotson Cover Art by: Nate Rapai [Disclaimer: Any views or opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of any educational institutions or organizations. This podcast is presented solely for educational and entertainment purposes. The hosts are not licensed therapists and their opinion does not substitute the advice of a physician or other qualified professional]
Teacher Thrive: Episode 49: Can Changing Your Job Fix Everything?
May 22 2024
Teacher Thrive: Episode 49: Can Changing Your Job Fix Everything?
Free Guides: Examine your Thoughts Who Are You, Really? 12 Prompts to Create Self-Awareness Thoughts That Build Resilience Weekly Time Blocking Planner Boundary Setting Cheat-Sheet Understanding Imposter Syndrome Connect with the hosts: Madel Mazzella: Instagram: ⁠@madelmazzella TikTok: ⁠@madelmazzella⁠ Website: madelmazzella.com Kaitlyn Rapai: Instagram: @the_teacher_burnout_coach TikTok: ⁠@kaitlyn_rapai_coaching⁠ Website: ⁠kaitlynrapai.com⁠ The way we feel about our job as teachers is not defined by the circumstances we face. Rather, it’s defined by what we think. We often believe we’re being objective and believe what we think is the truth. We’re so convinced that we think and what we know is what is. The more we focus on the negative thoughts we have about what we do, the more evidence we will continue to find that reaffirms what we’re focusing on. Thankfully, the opposite also happens and we are able to find plenty of proof of all the positive aspects of our job the more we focus on those aspects.  We get to decide what we want our narrative to be. Either narrative creates a story that becomes a little book with chapters. We tell it, or think it so many times that it becomes solidified in our psyche. Our narrative can either empower or weaken us.  Become aware of your story. Write it out Who are you as a teacher? What’s your school like? What are your students, colleagues, parents, etc. like? What do you think about your career? Read your story and identify all the facts. You’ll know they’re facts if everyone can agree with you. You’ll realize that there might be a handful of facts, but your story is mostly full of your thoughts and feelings.  Anything that’s a thought is optional. Reflect on the reasons why you’re choosing to think those thoughts and decide if you want to change them.  Once you decide you want to change them you must work on it everyday. It will not happen by inertia. You must do certain things to guarantee that you’ll protect your energy and thoughts. If after a deep reflection you love your reasons to change your job, then go for it. Otherwise, keep doing the deep internal work until circumstances are not the reason you’d want to change it.  Original Music by: Matthew Dotson Cover Art by: Nate Rapai [Disclaimer: Any views or opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of any educational institutions or organizations. This podcast is presented solely for educational and entertainment purposes. The hosts are not licensed therapists and their opinion does not substitute the advice of a physician or other qualified professional]
Teacher Thrive: Episode 48: Personal Upgrades for Busy Teachers
May 15 2024
Teacher Thrive: Episode 48: Personal Upgrades for Busy Teachers
Free Guides: Examine your Thoughts Who Are You, Really? 12 Prompts to Create Self-Awareness Thoughts That Build Resilience Weekly Time Blocking Planner Boundary Setting Cheat-Sheet Understanding Imposter Syndrome Connect with the hosts: Madel Mazzella: Instagram: ⁠@madelmazzella TikTok: ⁠@madelmazzella⁠ Website: madelmazzella.com Kaitlyn Rapai: Instagram: @the_teacher_burnout_coach TikTok: ⁠@kaitlyn_rapai_coaching⁠ Website: ⁠kaitlynrapai.com⁠ In this episode of the Teacher Thrive podcast the hosts take a deeper dive to explore how we can implement personal upgrades that would level up different areas of our life. If you love to thrive, not just exist, then this episode is perfect for you.  Research shows that even small upgrades can have a significantly positive impact and we can be better equipped to handle difficult situations, manage stress better, lower our cortisol, increase our energy and even be more organized/productive at home or doing things we truly enjoy inside and outside of work. Some Upgrades Include: Prioritize Sleep Take sleeping mocktails about 2 hours before your bedtime Magnesium, tart cherry juice and Ashwagandha, if need be. Make time for decompressing by journaling or reading. Make Your Bed There’s even a book written about the importance of this seemingly menial task.  US Navy Admiral William McRaven wrote it, and the basic premise is that accomplishing small goals help us persevere through challenges throughout the day because you start your day with a task completed.  If we add making our own coffee, packing lunch, filling up our water bottle and taking your vitamins, not only would we be fueling our body with nutritious and healthier foods, but our pockets would thank us! Make sure to take a listen for a detailed list of our hosts’ favorite upgrades. Original Music by: Matthew Dotson Cover Art by: Nate Rapai [Disclaimer: Any views or opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of any educational institutions or organizations. This podcast is presented solely for educational and entertainment purposes. The hosts are not licensed therapists and their opinion does not substitute the advice of a physician or other qualified professional]
Teacher Thrive: Episode 47: Savor or Slog Through?
May 8 2024
Teacher Thrive: Episode 47: Savor or Slog Through?
Free Guides: Examine your Thoughts Who Are You, Really? 12 Prompts to Create Self-Awareness Thoughts That Build Resilience Weekly Time Blocking Planner Boundary Setting Cheat-Sheet Understanding Imposter Syndrome Connect with the hosts: Madel Mazzella: Instagram: ⁠@madelmazzella TikTok: ⁠@madelmazzella⁠ Website: madelmazzella.com Kaitlyn Rapai: Instagram: @the_teacher_burnout_coach TikTok: ⁠@kaitlyn_rapai_coaching⁠ Website: ⁠kaitlynrapai.com⁠ In this episode of the Teacher Thrive podcast the hosts discuss how to finish the year strong. During the last few months of the school year many teachers experience a sort of frenzy due to all the tasks that need to be completed before the year is over. There’s curricula that need to be covered, evaluations to be administered, goals to ponder and reflections to make on how we can do it all over again, but better during the upcoming year.  The last two months bring a unique set of challenges for teachers. In addition to preparing students for tests we must face the fact that they’re at their wit’s end and in dire need of robust amounts of motivation. Since this motivation has to come in big part from their teachers, we must do certain things to ensure that we ourselves hop-skip our way to the finish line.  Below are a few suggestions the hosts propose in order to end the school year thriving: Keep the end in mind: Do your normal routine knowing that there’s something you’re looking forward to doing once school lets out. This does not need to involve traveling. It can be as simple as spending comfortable and cozy time at home watching a series, or having the time to go for long, slow walks in the morning. Show up intentionally: Make it a point to finish strong by keeping your mental game strong. No student, parent or administrator can determine how you feel or respond to a situation. Anticipate possible issues and plan accordingly. Mix up your highly structured lessons with fun games so that there’s also laughter and high energy. Protect your energy: Put some distance between negative individuals and stay organized. Having a plan to accomplish each day will keep you laser-focused– and able to tune out all the noise – and ahead of the game.  Original Music by: Matthew Dotson Cover Art by: Nate Rapai [Disclaimer: Any views or opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of any educational institutions or organizations. This podcast is presented solely for educational and entertainment purposes. The hosts are not licensed therapists and their opinion does not substitute the advice of a physician or other qualified professional]
Teacher Thrive: Episode 46: Am I Burned Out?
May 1 2024
Teacher Thrive: Episode 46: Am I Burned Out?
Free Guides: Examine your Thoughts Who Are You, Really? 12 Prompts to Create Self-Awareness Thoughts That Build Resilience Weekly Time Blocking Planner Boundary Setting Cheat-Sheet Understanding Imposter Syndrome Connect with the hosts: Madel Mazzella: Instagram: ⁠@madelmazzella TikTok: ⁠@madelmazzella⁠ Website: madelmazzella.com Kaitlyn Rapai: Instagram: @the_teacher_burnout_coach TikTok: ⁠@kaitlyn_rapai_coaching⁠ Website: ⁠kaitlynrapai.com⁠ In this episode of the Teacher Thrive podcast the hosts delve into common signs of burning out and a few tips on how to approach it. Unsurprisingly for anyone in our field, burning out is a common experience for many teachers. The demands are many for us: attending meetings, professional development, curriculum planning, delivering and assessing lessons and assessments, proctoring, parent communication, extra help, school events, etc. If we add non-tangible tasks the list keeps going: Building relationships with all constituents of our school– students, parents, colleagues, administration– advocating for students, holding them accountable, etc. When we stop enjoying our daily teaching practice and start feeling as though we cannot continue to juggle all the responsibilities, or we may start getting easily frustrated, we can be sure we’re on the road to burning out. There are also physical signs that our bodies have to endure: insomnia, exhaustion, brain fog, anxiety, muscle tension, etc. As soon as we start noticing the symptoms we can pivot our attention to our priorities during the day. We must take an inventory of all our obligations and re-evaluate them in order of priorities. Focusing our attention to one small goal at a time is an easy way to reset our thinking and shift our perception regarding our to-do list. Sometimes starting with what we enjoy doing the most is the best way to shift our perspective and feel inspired again so that we can have the energy to complete the less appealing tasks.  Most importantly, we must be firm about our individual needs. Often we’re our own worst critic and many of our stresses may be self-imposed. When we take the time to think about what we truly need to do to have a successful day at work and have the energy to be present at home, we become empowered to make decisions that work for us.  Original Music by: Matthew Dotson Cover Art by: Nate Rapai [Disclaimer: Any views or opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of any educational institutions or organizations. This podcast is presented solely for educational and entertainment purposes. The hosts are not licensed therapists and their opinion does not substitute the advice of a physician or other qualified professional]
Teacher Thrive: Episode 45: Interview with Michelle Auton, Author of 'What Happy Teachers Do'
Apr 24 2024
Teacher Thrive: Episode 45: Interview with Michelle Auton, Author of 'What Happy Teachers Do'
Connect with Michelle Auton: Linktree Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Michelle Auton has been a UK primary school teacher for twenty-five years and an Assistant Headteacher for ten years. She has always been passionate about teaching and the importance of creating a nurturing and safe environment for both children and staff to thrive. Her inner drive to do the best job possible has at times pushed her too far. In the last eight years she has learnt how mindfulness and tapping can support her to be a great teacher, Mum and wife whilst maintaining balance in her life. After recognising the benefits, she trained to be an EFT Tapping practitioner and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Teacher and has since delivered many courses on these topics.  Her desire to share self-care techniques with teachers is brought together in her first book 'What Happy Teachers Do' as a practical guide for teachers to reduce stress and prioritise self-care. The book is available for pre-order on Amazon.  Original Music by: Matthew Dotson Cover Art by: Nate Rapai [Disclaimer: Any views or opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of any educational institutions or organizations. This podcast is presented solely for educational and entertainment purposes. The hosts are not licensed therapists and their opinion does not substitute the advice of a physician or other qualified professional]
Teacher Thrive: Episode 44: Improving Your Relationship With Yourself
Apr 17 2024
Teacher Thrive: Episode 44: Improving Your Relationship With Yourself
Free Guides: Examine your Thoughts Who Are You, Really? 12 Prompts to Create Self-Awareness Thoughts That Build Resilience Weekly Time Blocking Planner Boundary Setting Cheat-Sheet Understanding Imposter Syndrome Connect with the hosts: Madel Mazzella: Instagram: ⁠@madelmazzella TikTok: ⁠@madelmazzella⁠ Website: madelmazzella.com Kaitlyn Rapai: Instagram: @the_teacher_burnout_coach TikTok: ⁠@kaitlyn_rapai_coaching⁠ Website: ⁠kaitlynrapai.com⁠ In this episode of the Teacher Thrive podcast the hosts propose that building a healthier relationship with ourselves can have a significantly positive impact on everything else we do. When we know ourselves well–we know our strengths and weaknesses– we can operate from an empowered position. This means that we’re able to embrace our talents and take advantage of them, as well as admit the areas that need our attention and discernment in order to do better. We could use our self-development as a useful tool especially when we’re challenged by difficult students or situations in the classroom. In those circumstances, having a healthy relationship with ourselves could help us determine if the situation warrants discipline, patience, compassion or grace– as opposed to a one size fits all type of approach.  Having a good relationship with ourselves can mean that we focus on our inner world by paying attention to the negative thoughts we think about ourselves and others. When we’re able to identify habitual negative thoughts about our struggles in the classroom we can perceive them from a different angle. At the very least, being aware of situations that ‘trigger’ us and the reasons why we’re ‘triggered’ can give us a beautiful opportunity to understand ourselves and others better. In that moment we have the power to decide how to respond instead of react. Original Music by: Matthew Dotson Cover Art by: Nate Rapai [Disclaimer: Any views or opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of any educational institutions or organizations. This podcast is presented solely for educational and entertainment purposes. The hosts are not licensed therapists and their opinion does not substitute the advice of a physician or other qualified professional]
Teacher Thrive: Episode 43: When you Feel Trapped
Apr 10 2024
Teacher Thrive: Episode 43: When you Feel Trapped
Free Guides: Examine your Thoughts Who Are You, Really? 12 Prompts to Create Self-Awareness Thoughts That Build Resilience Weekly Time Blocking Planner Boundary Setting Cheat-Sheet Understanding Imposter Syndrome Connect with the hosts: Madel Mazzella: Instagram: ⁠@madelmazzella TikTok: ⁠@madelmazzella⁠ Website: madelmazzella.com Kaitlyn Rapai: Instagram: @the_teacher_burnout_coach TikTok: ⁠@kaitlyn_rapai_coaching⁠ Website: ⁠kaitlynrapai.com⁠ Today we’re exploring the pervasive notion of counting down the years in teaching. I've observed a prevalent sentiment of feeling trapped by the profession's perceived timeline. Many educators adhere to the notion of a "30-year ideal," viewing retirement as the ultimate liberation from the confines of teaching.  I’d like to propose a shift in perspective. Feeling trapped in one's profession not only leads to burnout but also cultivates a culture of negativity and disengagement. Rather than resigning ourselves to this countdown mentality, let's embrace agency and choice in our careers. By reframing our mindset and exploring alternative avenues within and beyond education, we can foster a sense of autonomy and fulfillment. Moreover, prioritizing self-care and cultivating mindfulness are crucial steps in navigating these professional challenges. It's important to recognize the power of metacognition in reshaping our thoughts and emotions surrounding our work. For those grappling with feelings of entrapment and burnout, know that support is available. Seeking guidance in addressing educator burnout can be transformative. Original Music by: Matthew Dotson Cover Art by: Nate Rapai [Disclaimer: Any views or opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of any educational institutions or organizations. This podcast is presented solely for educational and entertainment purposes. The hosts are not licensed therapists and their opinion does not substitute the advice of a physician or other qualified professional]
Teacher Thrive: Episode 42: How to Deal with Failure
Apr 3 2024
Teacher Thrive: Episode 42: How to Deal with Failure
Free Guides: Examine your Thoughts Who Are You, Really? 12 Prompts to Create Self-Awareness Thoughts That Build Resilience Weekly Time Blocking Planner Boundary Setting Cheat-Sheet Understanding Imposter Syndrome Connect with the hosts: Madel Mazzella: Instagram: ⁠@madelmazzella TikTok: ⁠@madelmazzella⁠ Website: madelmazzella.com Kaitlyn Rapai: Instagram: @the_teacher_burnout_coach TikTok: ⁠@kaitlyn_rapai_coaching⁠ Website: ⁠kaitlynrapai.com⁠ Failing in our society is viewed as a complete and utter negative that must be avoided at all cost.  It’s no wonder so many of us have a terrible fear of failure. We dread looking bad in front of others, being embarrassed, appearing weak, incapable or unsuccessful at anything.  Fear of failure leaves us struggling with perfectionism and traps us in a loop of self doubt and uncertainty.  Being aware of this fear can bring much relief as it gives us the power to decide what to do with the fear. We can intentionally decide to define failure in our own terms, or to not hold others’ opinions about our “failures” in such high regard.  By doing this for ourselves we can extend the same grace to our students and teach them that failing is the way we move forward. We can model reaching for excellence by going through every step and mishap. We must be a beginner and we must get things wrong in order to learn. One way we can do this is by sharing appropriate instances of shortcomings if the classroom environment allows it. Adopting a “failing forward” attitude allows us to relax and experiment. It is the definition of ‘being in our lane’ and honoring our unique path.  As always, trying to go against the status quo takes practice and patience with ourselves. It’s important that in our quest to adapt a new attitude regarding failure we show ourselves grace and compassion. Afterall, it’s not better ‘there’ than where you are right now. Original Music by: Matthew Dotson Cover Art by: Nate Rapai [Disclaimer: Any views or opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of any educational institutions or organizations. This podcast is presented solely for educational and entertainment purposes. The hosts are not licensed therapists and their opinion does not substitute the advice of a physician or other qualified professional]
Teacher Thrive: Episode 41: Dealing with Difficult Students
Mar 27 2024
Teacher Thrive: Episode 41: Dealing with Difficult Students
Free Guides: Examine your Thoughts Who Are You, Really? 12 Prompts to Create Self-Awareness Thoughts That Build Resilience Weekly Time Blocking Planner Boundary Setting Cheat-Sheet Understanding Imposter Syndrome Connect with the hosts: Madel Mazzella: Instagram: ⁠@madelmazzella TikTok: ⁠@madelmazzella⁠ Website: madelmazzella.com Kaitlyn Rapai: Instagram: @the_teacher_burnout_coach TikTok: ⁠@kaitlyn_rapai_coaching⁠ Website: ⁠kaitlynrapai.com⁠ In this episode, we discuss the challenges of dealing with difficult students, with perspectives from elementary and high school teaching levels. Elementary teachers often encounter behavioral issues stemming from past struggles, while high school educators can face apathetic students sometimes focused solely on grades. We emphasize the importance of understanding underlying causes and building trust to engage students effectively. Managing personal triggers and maintaining a positive mindset are crucial in fostering positive relationships and creating a supportive learning environment. Ultimately, changing our own mindset can lead to breakthroughs in student engagement and success. Building relationships with difficult students is challenging but essential for their success. By understanding our own reactions and focusing on positive connections, we can create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students. Original Music by: Matthew Dotson Cover Art by: Nate Rapai [Disclaimer: Any views or opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of any educational institutions or organizations. This podcast is presented solely for educational and entertainment purposes. The hosts are not licensed therapists and their opinion does not substitute the advice of a physician or other qualified professional]
Teacher Thrive: Episode 40: Pushing Through Anxiety
Mar 20 2024
Teacher Thrive: Episode 40: Pushing Through Anxiety
Free Guides: Examine your Thoughts Who Are You, Really? 12 Prompts to Create Self-Awareness Thoughts That Build Resilience Weekly Time Blocking Planner Boundary Setting Cheat-Sheet Understanding Imposter Syndrome Connect with the hosts: Madel Mazzella: Instagram: ⁠@madelmazzella TikTok: ⁠@madelmazzella⁠ Website: madelmazzella.com Kaitlyn Rapai: Instagram: @the_teacher_burnout_coach TikTok: ⁠@kaitlyn_rapai_coaching⁠ Website: ⁠kaitlynrapai.com⁠ We all face different pressures and circumstances that may cause us to feel anxious at one point or another. There are a plethora of factors that can add stress to our already busy lives if we’re not careful. Whether our stress is due to work, life situations, the news, or a predisposition to worry, it is a real threat to our well-being. Statistics show that there’s an epidemic of loneliness due to a lack of real connection between family and friends.  Having our attention drawn in so many directions nowadays can be a real cause for anxiety, doubt and overwhelm. Social media can offer a delicious dose of distraction and instant gratification that could be hard to pass, but that, inevitably, may be contributing to our feelings of dissatisfaction and anxiety. Being cognizant of our priorities can be the first step in alleviating our anxiety. Our priorities remind us that it’s not all about the grind. Our modern society is almost obsessed with working hard and going for our dreams and being successful. While there’s certainly nothing wrong with the hussle and the grind, there’s also nothing wrong with slowing down, resting or doing leisure activities… often!  Working hard gives us tremendous benefits, such as confidence, experience, personal development, etc. It is also true that the real way to self-actualization has to do with ultimately loving what we do and feeling that it matters to us. Original Music by: Matthew Dotson Cover Art by: Nate Rapai [Disclaimer: Any views or opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of any educational institutions or organizations. This podcast is presented solely for educational and entertainment purposes. The hosts are not licensed therapists and their opinion does not substitute the advice of a physician or other qualified professional]
Teacher Thrive: Episode 39: Who Are You, Really?
Mar 14 2024
Teacher Thrive: Episode 39: Who Are You, Really?
In this Episode: Who Are You, Really? Connect with the hosts: Madel Mazzella: Instagram: ⁠@madelmazzella TikTok: ⁠@madelmazzella⁠ Website: madelmazzella.com Kaitlyn Rapai: Instagram: @the_teacher_burnout_coach TikTok: ⁠@kaitlyn_rapai_coaching⁠ Website: ⁠kaitlynrapai.com⁠ In this episode of the podcast the hosts share 12 questions you can consider when you find yourself at a crossroads about any aspect of your life. First and foremost, we must examine and establish honesty with ourselves. This can be done by asking two simple questions: Who have I been? And Who do I want to be? Your thoughts, feelings and actions determine both. The difference is that by thinking about these questions intentionally you can give direction to your own life and actually have an outcome that you have thought about ahead of time, as opposed to by default. One of the most impactful things we can all do in order to achieve this is redirect our thoughts. Our thoughts become our beliefs and our beliefs determine how we act, thus they determine who we are. But, we can practice new beliefs by practicing new thoughts. We can question every aspect of our life we’d like to change. In essence, we can give ourselves a life upgrade just by deciding not to live by the status quo. This will require practice and determination. You can redefine anything you want about yourself. You don’t need to announce it or ask for permission. You only need to decide that you’re doing it. Original Music by: Matthew Dotson Cover Art by: Nate Rapai [Disclaimer: Any views or opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of any educational institutions or organizations. This podcast is presented solely for educational and entertainment purposes. The hosts are not licensed therapists and their opinion does not substitute the advice of a physician or other qualified professional]