Struggling with classroom management? One powerful solution is teaching emotional regulation through yoga and mindfulness! In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we interview Giselle Shardlow, founder of Kids Yoga Stories, to explore how yoga and mindfulness can help students self-regulate and manage their behaviors in the classroom. We …

Are you a new teacher feeling overwhelmed by the demands of the classroom? Wondering how to avoid burnout and find balance? You’re not alone! In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we’re joined by Alisha, a seasoned educator and co-host of the Rainbow Skies for New Teachers podcast. Together, we dive into the most common challenges new t…

Are you struggling with teacher burnout and finding it hard to balance work and life? It’s time to reclaim your personal time and reduce overwhelm! In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we sit down with Shawna Lapointe, teacher, entrepreneur, and mom of four, to learn practical strategies for achieving a healthier work-life balance and …

Winter is the perfect time to bring mindfulness and social-emotional learning into your classroom. In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we explore winter-themed mindfulness activities that help promote self-regulation and improve classroom management. Whether you're teaching elementary or high school students, these no-prep winter mind…

Looking for Simple Mindfulness Activities for Your Classroom? Mindful coloring is one of the easiest and most effective ways to help students practice self-regulation and improve classroom management. In this practical episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we dive into the benefits of mindful coloring for kids—plus, we’ve got a special treat fo…

Feeling Stressed and Overwhelmed as a Teacher? If the start of the school year has left you feeling burnt out, this episode is for you! In today’s The Balanced Educator Podcast, we chat with Grace Stevens, a former VP who transitioned into teaching to help educators like you feel less stressed and more empowered. With 20 years of classroom experien…

Struggling with Off-Task or Distracted Students in Your Classroom? If you're finding it difficult to keep students focused and engaged, you're not alone. Distractions and lack of focus can be a major challenge in K-12 classrooms. But don't worry—help is here! In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we walk you through a simple, no-prep le…

Feeling overwhelmed by the stress your students face? In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, mindfulness expert Lindsay Miller shares practical strategies to help kids manage stress and build resilience. With over 20 years of child development experience, Lindsay guides us through identifying stress symptoms in children and offers proven…

Struggling with Student Behaviour? It Could Be Your Stress Affecting the Whole Classroom! In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, Kailey dives into the neurobiology behind why emotions are contagious and how they impact both teacher and student behaviour. You’ll learn how emotions serve as a form of communication, both internally and inte…

Need a Quick and Effective Way to Get Students Ready for Learning? Try This Calm Classroom Strategy! In this quick and practical episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we share a simple self-regulation strategy that helps create a calm, focused, and respectful classroom environment—perfect for getting your students ready to learn in just 5 minut…

Classroom Management Struggles? Here’s How to Make It Easier with Breathing Exercises. In this short episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we share practical strategies to improve classroom management by teaching emotional regulation through breathing exercises. Learn 6 easy breathing techniques to add to your students’ coping skills toolbox, h…

Struggling with Students’ Technology Use in the Classroom? You’re Not Alone. In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we dive into the challenges of managing students' use of smartphones and devices, especially in middle and high school. While technology can be a powerful classroom tool, it often becomes a major distraction. We interview E…

Looking for the Best Books to Teach Social-Emotional Learning in Your Classroom? In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we sit down with 4th-grade teacher Andrea Burns to explore her top book recommendations for supporting social-emotional development in students. From picture books to chapter books, Andrea shares her favorite literature…

Looking for Easy, No-Cost Mindfulness Activities for Your Classroom? In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we chat with Sandi Schwartz, founder of the Ecohappiness Project, about the power of nature in fostering emotional health for kids. Learn the science behind why mindful nature engagement benefits children's emotional well-being and…

Are You Struggling with Burnout and Perfectionism? You’re Not Alone. In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we dive deep into the pressure that perfectionism can place on teachers, especially women, and how it can lead to burnout and overwhelm. Our guest, Shibani Joshi, shares her powerful insights on how to break free from the cycle of …

Are you concerned about the impact of social media on your students' mental health? In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, Richard Capriola, a mental health expert, dives into the growing impact of social media, specifically Instagram, on teen mental health. Did you know that 60% of teen girls and 40% of teen boys experience negative soc…

Curious about bringing mindfulness into your classroom but not sure where to start? Or have you struggled with making it stick in the past? In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we share a mini training on the 3 phases of mindfulness in the classroom, giving you actionable steps to make it a success. Plus, we introduce our free, ready-t…

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the number of mindfulness and social-emotional learning (SEL) programs available for your classroom? Choosing the right one can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be! In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we break down the outcomes, benefits, and evidence behind the Educalm mindfulness and SEL program. L…

Are you looking to implement a mindfulness and social-emotional learning (SEL) program in your classroom or school? It’s crucial to choose a research-backed and evidence-based curriculum that works. But with so many options, how do you know where to start? In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we break down the research and evaluation b…

With screen time on the rise, critical thinking skills related to media literacy are more important than ever. In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we’re joined by Amy Jussel, Founder of ShapingYouth.org, to explore how to integrate media literacy, mindfulness, and SEL in the classroom. Amy shares strategies for a transdisciplinary app…

Feeling overwhelmed by the endless mindfulness resources? We’ve got you covered! In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we walk you through a beginner mindfulness practice that’s perfect for starting, revitalizing, or deepening your own practice. Plus, we’ll show you how to use this mindfulness exercise with the students in your classroo…

What do you need to know about adolescent substance abuse today? In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we welcome Richard Capriola, a mental health and addictions counselor and author of The Addicted Child: A Parent’s Guide to Adolescent Substance Abuse. Richard shares his expertise on teen substance abuse and mental health, covering cr…

Are your students struggling with self-regulation? You’re not alone! In today’s episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we explain why focusing on co-regulation first is the key to fostering emotional regulation in your classroom. You’ll discover concrete strategies for co-regulating with your students, so that everyone can thrive and be ready fo…

Feeling overworked and stressed? Struggling to complete your never-ending to-do list? In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we’re joined by Dan Jackson, educator and author of Work Less, Teach More. Dan shares powerful time management strategies that will help you manage your workload, reduce stress, and create balance in your life—so y…

Tired of struggling with student engagement in your classroom? We’ve got solutions for you! In today’s episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we dive into our tried-and-true methods for boosting student participation in mindfulness and social-emotional learning (SEL) activities. These engagement strategies will help you get even the most relucta…

Looking for effective social-emotional learning (SEL) and self-regulation strategies to enhance your classroom? We've got a no-prep mindfulness activity that’s a game-changer! In today’s episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we share one of our favorite mindfulness exercises that promotes emotional well-being and is a student favorite: A Memory…

Are you looking for no-prep activities that support social-emotional learning (SEL) and mindfulness? In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we share quick, enriching activities you can do with students of all ages, with little to no supplies, and that fit perfectly when time runs short. These activities are ideal for filling time during …

Are late assignments and student stress taking a toll on your classroom? In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we reveal an effective strategy for helping high school and university students manage their time, reduce stress, and prioritize wellbeing. Learn how to guide your students toward better time management and a calmer, more focus…

Struggling to stay on top of your teaching tasks? As a teacher, it can feel like you're constantly juggling a never-ending to-do list, struggling to catch up before and after school. But it doesn't have to be this way! In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we share a highly effective strategy to help you stay on track and find work-life…

Talking about complex social justice topics like racism, sexism, and human rights with kids can feel daunting. How do you address these sensitive issues in a way that’s age-appropriate and honest, without oversimplifying? The key lies in how we, as adults, facilitate these important conversations. In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, w…

In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we’ve made it easy for you by creating a free Introduction to Mindfulness video lesson, designed specifically for middle and high school students. Whether you’re teaching in person or online, simply press play and set your students up for success with their mindfulness routine! We’ll walk you throug…

Starting a mindfulness practice in your classroom can feel intimidating, especially when you’re unsure how to introduce it to your students. How can you get them on board and help them understand the benefits of mindfulness? In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we remove that barrier by introducing our free mindfulness lesson plan—desi…

As educators, we strive to create a safe, welcoming space where students feel valued, respected, and empowered to advocate for themselves. But what happens when conflicts or bullying threaten that environment? In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we dive into how to systematically teach kindness and compassion in the classroom, helping…

Struggling to manage classroom behaviour? Teaching self-regulation can make all the difference. In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we dive into part 2 of our series on how to teach self-regulation effectively! In our last episode, we explored how self-awareness and self-regulation can make classroom management easier and boost produc…

Struggling with classroom management? What if you could teach your students the essential skill of self-regulation—helping them manage their emotions and behaviors independently? In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we break down self-regulation into simple, actionable steps. With so much advice out there, it can be overwhelming to kno…

As educators, one of the most powerful gifts we can give our students is the ability to believe in themselves. But how do we get started in teaching self-confidence, and where can we begin in the classroom? In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we’re diving into a step-by-step approach to teaching self-confidence and positive self-talk …

Mindful movement in the classroom isn’t just for fun—it’s a powerful tool to help students manage their emotions and get ready for focused, effective learning. In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we discuss how incorporating movement breaks can improve classroom management, promote emotional regulation, and set students up for success…

Talking about racism can feel intimidating, but avoiding the conversation can prevent us from better supporting all our students. In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we’re joined by Noreen Sibanda, a Provisional Psychologist, to discuss how we can create safe, inclusive spaces where children from all cultures feel seen and valued. Kai…

Supporting struggling learners can be a challenge—especially when we don’t know the root cause or the right strategies to use. In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we’re joined by Rachel Kapp and Stephanie Pitts, educational therapists from Learn Smarter, the Educational Therapy Podcast. Together, they share valuable insights into how …

In challenging times, sometimes we need the love and wisdom of a grandmother to help guide us. In this special episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we’re honored to have Grandmother Pahan Pte San Win share her powerful story of working with incarcerated youth. Grandmother Pahan Pte San Win reflects on the invaluable lessons she’s learned while…

Are you considering using Educalm, our social-emotional learning and mindfulness program, in your classroom? In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we’re joined by Erith Thompson, a Grade 6 teacher who shares her firsthand experience using Educalm with her students and team. Erith discusses why she started using Educalm, the most valuabl…

Gratitude is a powerful tool that can transform classroom dynamics and help students develop a positive mindset. But how do we teach students to be grateful? In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we dive into practical strategies for exploring gratitude in the classroom. We’ll share an engaging letter of gratitude project that teachers …

Trauma can significantly impact a student's ability to learn, and there may be more students in your classroom who have experienced trauma than you realize. Understanding trauma is crucial for fostering a supportive learning environment where all students can thrive. In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we’re joined by Kimberly Mackey,…

Are you a parent or teacher struggling with managing big emotions or conflicts? In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we’re interviewing Hunter Clarke-Fields, host of The Mindful Mama Podcast and author of Raising Good Humans. Hunter shares how she transformed her reactive parenting style into mindful parenting, leading to more peace an…

In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we tackle the challenge of self-care for teachers. Self-care doesn’t need to be a separate task or another item on your to-do list. We share how you can integrate simple self-care practices into your school day, benefiting both you and your students. Learn how to create a balanced, calm classroom en…

Struggling to teach mindfulness in the classroom? In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we share 4 crucial do’s and don’ts for integrating mindfulness successfully. Learn from our experience and avoid the mistakes we made early on! With the right strategies, you’ll create a calm, focused classroom and see quicker results in your student…

In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, Kailey reveals how she successfully integrates mindfulness and social-emotional learning (SEL) in her high school classroom. She discusses the step-by-step process of introducing mindfulness practices at the start of the semester, creating a consistent SEL routine, and how her students responded to …

Struggling with problem behaviors in the classroom? Discover how having more fun can transform student behavior and create positive relationships! In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we chat with behavior specialist Dr. Marcie Beigel about how infusing fun into your classroom can help students manage behaviors and build strong connect…

Ready to help your students shift from "I can't" to "I can"? Learn how to teach growth mindset in your classroom with practical lessons and activities! How do we empower students to adopt a growth mindset and overcome challenges? In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we dive into growth mindset lessons, activities, and interdisciplinary…

Struggling to find time for self-care as a busy teacher? Try these quick and easy strategies to de-stress in 5 minutes or less! As a teacher, it can feel impossible to prioritize self-care with everything on your plate. But taking a few minutes for yourself can make a world of difference. In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we share a…