Join us this weekend for the Rise Up Summit, a free online conference that will equip you to boldly fulfill your God-given calling. You can attend all sessions for free - or simply pick 1 or 2 favorites to watch. Sign up for free - and bring your friends - at www.riseupchristianeducators.com.

Are you struggling with student apathy or a general lack of motivation? Listen to this Rise Up Summit session from 2023 as motivation expert Dave Stuart Jr. shares the key factors that affect student motivation and how we as teachers can inspire our students to not only do the work but genuinely care about it. Check out our Rise Up Summit for free at https://riseupchristianeducators.com/ Get more info + links from this episode at http://teach4theheart.com/324 00:00  Introduction to Student Motivation 02:06  The Role of Love in Education 12:17  Understanding Student Beliefs 17:11  Building Teacher Credibility 27:50  The Eternal Value of Students 28:23  The Unique Challenges of Today's Students 29:51  Building Genuine Connections with Students 35:55  Overcoming Personal Biases in Teaching 39:42  The Power of Prayer in Education 41:40  The Peter Effect: Teacher Passion and Student Engagement 49:41  The Importance of Teacher Credibility If you liked this episode check out episode 303: Adding Joy + Play to Any Classroom at https://teach4theheart.com/303

Having students work in groups can be difficult for them and for you. But working collaboratively is an important way to help students develop compassion, learn more deeply, and be ready to work in their future profession. Listen in as we share the best tips for group work and reasons behind having students collaborate from our community of teachers. Get notes + links at http://teach4theheart.com/323 00:00Introduction: The Integration of Teaching and Faith 01:51The Spiritual Side of Group Work 05:29Practical Tips for Successful Group Work 12:25Implementing Group Work: Using Sentence Starters and Defining Roles 17:40Recommended Resources for Cooperative Learning Structures 19:42Conclusion: The Value of Group Work in the Classroom   If you liked this episode, check out episode 319: Just Try Something! Small Steps to Innovate in Your Classroom at https://teach4theheart.com/319

A toxic work environment can infect every area of your life if you let it! But God hasn't abandoned you in this situation. He has a plan for growing you and using you to shine His light (remember, it can shine all the brighter in the dark). Listen to this session from our Rise Up Summit 2023 for practical help and encouragement as you seek to interact wisely. You'll also learn how to guard your heart and mind in the midst of an unhealthy work situation so bitterness and frustration don't become your norm. Get notes + links at http://teach4theheart.com/322

Do you feel drained by the end of the school day? What about your students? Outdoor learning is a game-changer for any classroom. Watch student behavior and even your own mental health improve! Learn how to cover your curriculum while getting your students outside with podcast guest Shannon McLeod. Get notes + links at http://teach4theheart.com/321 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:38 Discovering the Benefits of Outdoor Learning 10:21 The Journey of Implementing Outdoor Learning 18:28 The Benefits of Outdoor Learning 20:13 Practical Advice for Teachers 25:47 Handling Weather and Conclusion If you liked this episode, check out episode 305: Words for the Weary: Encouraging Prayers to Keep Teachers Connected with Christ at https://teach4theheart.com/305

Join us this October for the Rise Up Summit, where you'll be equipped to boldly fulfill your God-given calling. The online conference for Christian teachers is FREE to attend the weekend of the event. Sign up at www.riseupchristianeducators.com.

When students misbehave, it can feel like you've failed as a teacher. But the only thing in your control is your response to their behavior. Listen in as Linda shares how to let go of what you can't control and embrace what you can in the classroom, so you can be confident when handling student misbehavior. Get notes + links at http://teach4theheart.com/320

Innovation can sound overwhelming. Who has the time? But innovation doesn't have to be a giant project. In fact, some innovation begins so small you could try something new tomorrow without hours of planning! Listen in as Karly and Linda talk about ways innovating without overhauling. Get notes + links at http://teach4theheart.com/319

Communication between a students families and their teachers is challenging--there can be misunderstanding and unrealistic expectations on both sides. So how do we do better with the time we have? Join us for a special episode with a teacher and a parent who share their experiences communicating successfully! Get notes + links + extra tips at http://teach4theheart.com/318

We want to let Scripture guide how we think, feel, and act in our daily lives, and in our classrooms. It can be challenging to sort through what is biblical and what is cultural. Roger Erdvig shares some practical strategies for immersing our classrooms in a worldview that honors God and begin to see school as a place to live and learn. Get notes + links at http://teach4theheart.com/317

It can be so challenging to be consistent when dealing with behavior issues. But when we let something to one day and then blow up over it the next, we're inadvertently contributing to the chaos rather than calming it. Thankfully, being consistent doesn't have to be as hard as we think. Listen as Linda shares how you can be more consistent in your classroom - and why it will make all the difference. Get notes + links at www.teach4theheart.com/316

As a teacher, do people think you are too nice or too strict? How do you balance compassion, kindness, and also maintain your authority? Being firm doesn't mean you are not kind, and being kind doesn't mean you let go of control of your classroom. Listen in as Linda shares how to balance being kind and firm. Get notes + links at www.teach4theheart.com/315

These days book fairs can be problematic. The quality of books seems to be going down, and cultural differences over what is appropriate for kids increases. Scholastic, the most popular book fair, faces increasing controversy about their books and are no longer reliable for some schools. Listen in as we share our favorite alternative Christian book fairs and why we like them. Get the notes and links at www.teach4theheart.com/314

The culture at a school can be difficult to navigate. Cliques, tense relationships with administration, negativity--these can all make the already hard work of teaching extra hard, and sometimes lonely. Listen in as Linda and Karly share about how to care about your fellow educators and make a difference at your school. Get notes + links at https://teach4theheart.com/313

Does your classroom sometimes feel as if it slipping out of your control? Do you feel overwhelmed by student behavior? Managing a classroom effectively is not easy, but there are simple steps you can take to get things under control. Listen in as Linda shares the five parts of an effective classroom management plan. Get notes + links at https://teach4theheart.com/312

In this special bonus episode, Linda takes you behind-the-scenes and shares some of the story behind the popular Pray & Plan teacher planner. Listen as Linda discusses the ups, the downs, and the lessons she's learned in between.   Interested in Pray & Plan? Check out the teacher planner at www.teach4theheart.com/planner.

The end of the year can be so hard to plan. How do we keep learning? How do we celebrate and end well? Listen in as we share ideas from teachers like you for end-of-year activities that make the best use of that time. Get the notes and links at www.teach4theheart.com/311

Teaching is full of unexpected situations, and it can be hard to respond to every one with the same calm and consistency. You can help yourself be ready for anything by developing and using Pocket Phrases. Listen in to find out what they are, how to use them, and why they might be the next best tool in your classroom management tool belt. Get notes and links at https://www.teach4theheart.com/310

We live in a culture that requires technology in the classroom, but it can be overwhelming to navigate the many types available. Which technologies do I use? How do I use them? How much is too much technology? Matt from Ditch That Textbook joins us to clear the way and help us teach meaningfully with technology, or as his book title puts it--Tech Like a Pirate.  Get notes and links at https://www.teach4theheart.com/309

Pray & Plan is a planner designed specifically for Christian teachers to help you welcome God into your planning and prioritize what matters most - both at home, at school, and in your spiritual walk. Find out all about Pray & Plan and orders your copy at www.teach4theheart.com/planner.