We can't believe it's the 200th episode of Teacher Approved! We're celebrating this major milestone by revisiting five of our all-time favorite Teacher Approved tips. We combed through every single episode to choose the ones that have made the biggest impact on our own teaching experiences. These are tips we’d rely on from day one if we were back in the classroom tomorrow. They're all practical strategies that simplify classroom management and support teacher well-being.

Whether this is your first episode or your 200th, we're so grateful for your support, and of course we’re celebrating with a giveaway! Head to our Instagram @2ndstorywindow to enter (it's SO easy!). And don’t forget to leave a review for the show. It would be the best gift ever!

Resources:

• Join the Teacher Approved Club!
• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.
• Shop our teacher-approved resources.
• Join our Facebook group, Teacher Approved
• Leave your review on Apple Podcasts!

Related Episodes to Enjoy:

• Episode 5, Ditch Your Test Review (Try This Instead!)
• Episode 26, The Cheapest Classroom Management Tool
• Episode 50, 3 Guidelines to Make Classroom Transitions Work Smarter Not Harder
• Episode 94, A Great Day Before School Even Starts: Your Perfect Teacher Morning Routine at School
• Episode 98, 5 Reasons Your Attention Signal Isn't Working and How to Improve It

Mentioned in this episode:

Ready to feel calm, confident, and classroom-ready for fall? Join us for the 2nd annual Teacher Summer Talks—a free audio summit packed with practical tips from 35+ real teachers. Grab your free ticket at https://secondstorywindow.net/summit

Feeling torn between resting and being productive over summer break? In this episode, we’re diving into the power of teacher summer boundaries...the key to enjoying your time off without guilt! We explore three essential types of boundaries—time, technology, and task—that help you protect your peace, be intentional with your time, and avoid burnout. Tune in to learn how to reset, recharge, and make this summer one that truly serves you!

Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/teacher-summer-boundaries/

Resources:

• Freebie: End of Year Roadmap
• Resource: Back to School Pattern Block Activities
• Resource: Back to School Lego Activities
• Podcast: Happier with Gretchen Rubin
• Join the Teacher Approved Club!
• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.
• Shop our teacher-approved resources.
• Join our Facebook group, Teacher Approved
• Leave your review on Apple Podcasts!

Related Episodes to Enjoy:

• Episode 131, To-Do List Magic - How to Prioritize Your Teacher Tasks This Summer
• Episode 134, The 10 Stages of Teacher Summer Break
• Episode 196, The 3 Step Plan to Park Those School Thoughts and Enjoy Your Summer Break
• Episode 197, A Teacher Summer Self Care and Recovery Plan That Doesn’t Feel Like Work

Mentioned in this episode:

Ready to feel calm, confident, and classroom-ready for fall? Join us for the 2nd annual Teacher Summer Talks—a free audio summit packed with practical tips from 35+ real teachers. Grab your free ticket at https://secondstorywindow.net/summit

Feeling totally worn out as the school year wraps up? You're not alone, and in this "Can't Miss Classic" episode, we’re diving into why this moment of transition is the perfect time for some simple, powerful reflection. We're sharing meaningful questions that’ll help you celebrate your wins, learn from your challenges, and give your future teacher self the gift of clarity. No guilt trips here! Just a cozy, encouraging chat to help you process the year and move forward with intention (and maybe a ta-da list or two!).

Resources:

• Freebie: End of Year Roadmap
• Guided Discovery Back to School Bundle Pack
• Free Guided Discovery of Pencils
• Back to School Pattern Block Mats for the First Day of School
• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow
• Shop our teacher-approved resources
• Join our Facebook group, Teacher Approved
• Leave your review on Apple Podcasts!

Related Episodes:

• Episode 128, Back to School Boost: Do These 3 Things Now to Prep for Next School Year
• Episode 78, Teacher Approved Tips: The Best First Day Arrival Activity and Pre-Writing Assessments
• Episode 75, Classroom Procedures and Expectations: How they Differ and How to Teach Them
• Episode 64, Your Summer To-Do List – How Teachers Can Choose the Best Tasks for Big Impact
• Episode 61, 6 Things Teachers Can Do Now for a Better Back-to-School
• Episode 10, What You Can Do Now for Next Year
• Episode 21, Guided Discovery

Check out the original show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/end-of-year-teacher-reflection

Mentioned in this episode:

Ready to feel calm, confident, and classroom-ready for fall? Join us for the 2nd annual Teacher Summer Talks—a free audio summit packed with practical tips from 35+ real teachers. Grab your free ticket at https://secondstorywindow.net/summit

We don’t know who needs to hear this, but rest is not a reward you have to earn! In this episode, we’re talking all about teacher recovery in summer, why it’s essential, not indulgent, and how to make it happen in a way that feels good. We introduce the Four Rs of Recovery—Relax, Refresh, Refocus, and Recharge—as a practical framework to help you build a personalized recovery plan. From resetting routines to rediscovering joy outside the classroom, this conversation is your permission slip to take the break you deserve.

Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/teacher-recovery-in-summer/

Resources:

• Freebie: End of Year Roadmap
• Everything is Tuberculosis, by John Green
• Join the Teacher Approved Club!
• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.
• Shop our teacher-approved resources.
• Join our Facebook group, Teacher Approved
• Leave your review on Apple Podcasts!

Related Episodes to Enjoy:

• Episode 13, Design Your Summer
• Episode 65, Make an Easy Plan for Your Perfect Teacher Summer: Recovery and Readiness
• Episode 130, The 2 Things Teachers Need to Refuel This Summer
• Episode 134, The 10 Stages of Teacher Summer Break
• Episode 196, The 3 Step Plan to Park Those School Thoughts and Enjoy Your Summer Break

Mentioned in this episode:

If you're enjoying this podcast, we would love to hear from you! You can leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/teacher-approved/id1613980327

Summer break is calling, but are you ready to truly disconnect? In this episode, we share our 3-step May/June crossover plan. Think of it as the ultimate end of year teacher checklist for your mind and classroom. We guide you through simple steps to give your brain breathing room, create emotional closure, and set the stage for a stress-free summer break.

Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/end-of-year-teacher-checklist/

Resources:

• Freebie: End of Year Roadmap
• Dandruff Comb
• Shower Affirmation Cards
• Join the Teacher Approved Club!
• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.
• Shop our teacher-approved resources.
• Join our Facebook group, Teacher Approved
• Leave your review on Apple Podcasts!

Related Episodes to Enjoy:

• Episode 131, To-Do List Magic - How to Prioritize Your Teacher Tasks This Summer
• Episode 193, Why Smart Teachers Start Planning for Next Year in May
• Episode 194, Want a Smoother Back to School? Do These 5 Things Now
• Episode 195, Ditch the Countdown: A Better Way to Create End of Year Closure

Mentioned in this episode:

Ready to feel calm, confident, and classroom-ready for fall? Join us for the 2nd annual Teacher Summer Talks—a free audio summit packed with practical tips from 35+ real teachers. Grab your free ticket at https://secondstorywindow.net/summit

The end of the school year often flies by in a blur of countdowns, celebrations, and chaos—but without a little intention, you and your students might miss out on something really important: true end of year closure. In this episode, we’re sharing simple, purposeful ideas to help you slow down, reflect, and wrap up the year in a way that honors your students’ growth.

Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/end-of-the-year-closure

Resources:

• Freebie: End of Year Roadmap
• Freebie: Looking Back Reflection Awards
• Looking Back, Looking Ahead Bulletin Board
• Collapsible laundry baskets
• @Matt_swack on Instagram
• Join the Teacher Approved Club!
• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.
• Shop our teacher-approved resources.
• Join our Facebook group, Teacher Approved
• Leave your review on Apple Podcasts!

Related Episodes to Enjoy:

• Episode 9, Breaking Up With End of Year Awards
• Episode 11, Closing the Year
• Episode 193, Why Smart Teachers Start Planning for Next Year in May
• Episode 194, Want a Smoother Back to School? Do These 5 Things Now

Mentioned in this episode:

Ready to feel calm, confident, and classroom-ready for fall? Join us for the 2nd annual Teacher Summer Talks—a free audio summit packed with practical tips from 35+ real teachers. Grab your free ticket at https://secondstorywindow.net/summit

Ever wish you could head into summer already feeling ahead for next school year? We’re sharing five simple but powerful ways to tackle teacher back to school prep before the school year even ends, so you can enjoy your break without that looming to-do list hanging over your head!

Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/teacher-back-to-school-prep/

Resources:

• Freebie: End of Year Roadmap
• Guided Discovery of School Tools
• First Day Pattern Block Activities
• First Day Lego Activities
• Looking Ahead, Looking Back Bulletin Board
• Teacher goodie bag ideas
• Peanut Butter Barebells
• Join the Teacher Approved Club!
• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.
• Shop our teacher-approved resources.
• Join our Facebook group, Teacher Approved
• Leave your review on Apple Podcasts!

Related Episodes to Enjoy:

• Episode 7, The Secret to End of Year Survival
• Episode 62, End of Year Awards: 5 Reasons You Should Rethink This Classroom Tradition
• Episode 188, Ending the School Year Strong: 3 Steps to Help Teachers Thrive in Term 4
• Episode 193, Why Smart Teachers Start Planning for Next Year in May

Mentioned in this episode:

Ready to feel calm, confident, and classroom-ready for fall? Join us for the 2nd annual Teacher Summer Talks—a free audio summit packed with practical tips from 35+ real teachers. Grab your free ticket at https://secondstorywindow.net/summit

May might feel like survival mode, but it’s actually the perfect time to start planning for the year ahead. In this episode, we share five reasons why teacher end-of-year planning is a game changer, from reflecting on what worked to testing out new systems with your current students. Planning now helps ease your mental load over the summer, so you can enjoy a stress-free break and feel confident when school starts again!

Ready to swap back-to-school panic for peace of mind? Download our free End of Year Roadmap to get started!

Prefer to read? Grab the episode transcript and resources in the show notes here: https://www.secondstorywindow.net/podcast/teacher-end-of-year-planning/

Resources:

• Don’t Trust Fish, by Neil Sharpson
• Free Resource: End of year Roadmap
• Ecosia
• Join the Teacher Approved Club!
• Connect with us on Instagram @2ndstorywindow.
• Shop our teacher-approved resources.
• Join our Facebook group, Teacher Approved
• Leave your review on Apple Podcasts!

Related Episodes to Enjoy:

• Episode 190, Do These 5 Easy Things in April to Make Back to School Easier!
• Episode 188, Ending the School Year Strong: 3 Steps to Help Teachers Thrive in Term 4
• Episode 62, End of Year Awards: 5 Reasons You Should Rethink This Classroom Tradition
• Episode 7, The Secret to End of Year Survival

Mentioned in this episode:

Ready to feel calm, confident, and classroom-ready for fall? Join us for the 2nd annual Teacher Summer Talks—a free audio summit packed with practical tips from 35+ real teachers. Grab your free ticket at https://secondstorywindow.net/summit