Happy Teaching

Episoade

• Episode 52: What Are Free-Flowing Centers? 31.05.2026 12min

  In this episode, Alex breaks down one of her favorite classroom systems: free-flowing centers. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by center rotations, timers, constant prep, or trying to manage every student’s movement during math and literacy time, this episode introduces a different approach — one built around independence, playful learning, and strong routines. ✨ You’ll learn: What free-flowing centers are (and what they are not)Why strong routines matter more than timers and rotationsHow fre...
• Episode 51: Community Supplies: Why They Actually Work 24.05.2026 10min

  In this episode, Alex shares why she made the switch from individual student supplies to whole-class community supplies and why she never went back. If you’ve ever dealt with missing pencils, broken crayons, overflowing supply boxes, or constant classroom clutter, this episode will give you a different perspective on how supplies can actually support independence, responsibility, and classroom management. ✨ You’ll learn: Simple ways to organize and store shared materialsHow color coding and c...
• Episode 50: Why Your Classroom Layout Matters 17.05.2026 8min

  In this episode, Alex builds on last week’s conversation about playful classroom areas by introducing the idea of the “mullet of classroom design.” What does that mean? Many classrooms are set up with all the “learning” in the middle with tables, chairs, and teacher-directed spaces, while anything playful or engaging gets pushed to the edges of the room. Alex explains why this setup can actually work against engagement, independence, and classroom management. ✨ You’ll learn: Why classroom zon...
• Episode 49: Playful Classroom Areas That Support Learning 10.05.2026 11min

  In this episode, Alex shares some of the most important classroom areas to include in a playful, developmentally appropriate learning environment. This conversation isn’t about having the “perfect” classroom or expensive setups—it’s about creating intentional spaces that help students learn through play, movement, exploration, and connection. ✨ You’ll learn: The key classroom areas that support playful learningWhy classroom layout impacts behavior, engagement, and independenceSimple ways to c...
• Episode 48: Beating the Sunday Night Blues 03.05.2026 8min

  In this episode, Alex talks about something many teachers know all too well — the Sunday Night Blues. That anxious feeling as the weekend winds down can make it hard to fully enjoy your time off. Alex shares simple, realistic ways to reduce Sunday stress so you can protect your weekend and head into Monday feeling more prepared and calm. ✨ You’ll learn: Why the Sunday Night Blues happen in the first placeHow doing yourself a “Friday favor” can make Monday feel easierWhy brain dumps help stop ...
• Episode 47: Walking in Line Without the Chaos 26.04.2026 9min

  In this episode, Alex tackles a classroom challenge that sounds simple but rarely feels easy: walking in line. Getting young students from point A to point B can quickly become chaotic, especially during transitions and hallway travel. Alex shares practical ways to teach line expectations, reduce struggles, and make travel time calmer and more manageable. ✨ You’ll learn: Why walking in line is a skill that needs to be explicitly taughtHow to practice line routines before expecting success in ...
• Episode 46: Struggling with Dismissal? Try These Simple Shifts 19.04.2026 12min

  In this episode, Alex tackles one of the most chaotic parts of the school day — dismissal. Even with a plan in place, dismissal can feel rushed, stressful, and overwhelming. You'll hear simple, practical strategies to help you create a smoother, calmer dismissal routine so you can end your day feeling more in control (and actually enjoy those final moments with your students). ✨ You’ll learn: Why “pack up and go home” is too many directions for young learnersHow to break dismissal into simple...
• Episode 45: A Simple Alphabet Party That Feels Fun (Not Stressful) 13.04.2026 10min

  In this episode, Alex shares a simple, low-prep way to celebrate the end of the year with an Alphabet Party. If you’re feeling the end-of-year crunch, these easy ideas still feel fun and special without adding more to your plate. ✨ You’ll learn: Simple ways to turn snacks or manipulatives into hands-on learning activitiesEasy games like Alphabet Bingo and a “mystery letter” gameHow to keep the day engaging with songs — without things feeling chaotic💡 This episode is a reminder that it’s not a...
• Episode 44: Four Corners: The Easiest Brain Break Your Class Will Love 05.04.2026 6min

  In this episode, Alex shares a simple, go-to game that every teacher needs in their back pocket, especially during those high-energy, “we need something different right now” moments. Whether you’re dealing with spring fever, indoor recess, or filling in for PE, Four Corners is an easy, low-prep game that gets students moving, engaged, and having fun in minutes. ✨ You’ll learn: How to set up and play Four Corners with minimal materialsHow to keep the game moving so students stay engagedEasy wa...
• Episode 43: Should You Limit How Many Kids Are in Each Center? (Let’s Rethink This) 29.03.2026 11min

  In this episode, Alex challenges a common classroom practice: limiting how many students can be in each center. Before you think, “There’s no way that would work in my classroom”... stick with this one. This episode is all about shifting perspective and rethinking how much control we actually need during center time. ✨ You’ll learn: Why limiting centers may be more about control than student need How removing limits creates real opportunities for problem-solving The difference...
• Episode 42: AI for Teachers: Simple Ways to Save Time and Reduce Stress 22.03.2026 14min

  In this episode, Alex breaks down AI in a way that actually feels manageable for teachers. Whether you’re excited about AI, completely overwhelmed by it, or somewhere in between, this episode will help you shift your mindset and see how it can support you — without taking over your teaching. ✨ You’ll learn: How to use AI as a simple tool to support (not replace) your teachingWhy starting small can reduce overwhelmHow better prompts lead to better resultsWays AI can help lighten your mental lo...
• Episode 41: Giving Directions Kids Can Actually Follow (2 Simple Teacher Tips) 15.03.2026 11min

  In this episode, Alex shares two simple shifts that can dramatically improve how students respond to directions in your classroom. If you’ve ever given instructions and looked around to see students doing something completely different, or felt like you’re constantly saying “Don’t do that” or “Stop running” — this episode is for you. ✨ You’ll learn: Why we often give too many directions at once without realizing itHow breaking instructions into 2–3 simple steps helps students succeedA powerfu...
• Episode 40: 7 Signs You’re Definitely a Kindergarten Teacher 08.03.2026 8min

  In this fun and relatable episode, Alex shares seven classic signs you might be a Kindergarten (or early childhood) teacher. From hoarding office supplies to decoding student writing that looks like hieroglyphics, it’s a lighthearted look at the little things only Pre-K, TK, and Kindergarten teachers truly understand. ✨ You’ll Hear: The irresistible pull of a good office supply sale Why early childhood teachers become masters of repurposing everything The mysterious teac...
• Episode 39: 3 Tips to Make Morning Arrival Easier 01.03.2026 8min

  In this episode, Alex shares three simple, practical strategies to help you calm the chaos of morning arrival. If your day starts with ringing phones, attendance stress, parents needing you, kids arriving at different times, and you already feel overwhelmed ten minutes in — this episode is for you. Because just like adults, kids feel it when a morning starts off rocky. And when we can create a predictable, calm beginning to the day, everything else tends to run more smoothly. ✨ You’ll Hear: W...
• Episode 38: What to Do When Kids Won't Keep Their Hands to Themselves 23.02.2026 10min

  In this episode, Alex dives into one of the most common (and frustrating) classroom challenges: students not keeping their hands to themselves. Whether it’s pestering, poking, constant touching, or more serious hitting and shoving, this episode walks you through how to move beyond just saying “Keep your hands to yourself” and actually teach students what that means. ✨ You’ll hear: • The difference between “pesty” behavior and truly hurtful behavior • Why teaching both sides of the situation m...
• Episode 37: How to Re-engage Students with Classroom Materials 16.02.2026 6min

  In this episode, Alex shares a simple strategy that delivers big results: how to re-engage students with materials they’re ignoring, without buying anything new. If you’ve ever set up a center you were excited about, only to watch students completely pass it by, this episode is for you. Sometimes the fix isn’t replacing the activity — it’s rethinking how it’s presented. ✨ You’ll Hear: • Why rotation is one of the easiest ways to make materials feel “new” again • How presentation impacts wheth...
• Episode 36: Easy Ways to Add Music/Movement to Circle Time 08.02.2026 9min

  In this episode, Alex shares how to make circle time more engaging, effective, and developmentally appropriate — without adding more to your plate. If you’ve ever felt like your students just can’t sit still or that you’re constantly relying on brain breaks to keep things moving, this one’s for you. ✨ You’ll Hear: • Why shorter circle times actually lead to better focus and fewer behaviors • How to use songs and chants to guide transitions and boost participation • Simple ways to add movement...
• Episode 35: Valentine’s Day in Pre-K & Kindergarten- What Really Matters 01.02.2026 8min

  Valentine’s Day in the early childhood classroom can feel like a whirlwind, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming or over the top. In this short and sweet episode, we’re talking about what really matters when it comes to celebrating Valentine’s Day in Pre-K and Kindergarten. In This Episode, You’ll Hear: A gentle reminder that Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be Pinterest-perfectWhy simplicity and consistency are key in classroom celebrationsHow to keep things meaningful and fun without addin...
• Episode 34: When a Student Refuses to Work - Try This! 25.01.2026 10min

  In this episode, we’re tackling a challenge every early childhood teacher faces: what to do when a student refuses to work. Whether it’s ignoring directions, sitting with arms crossed, or simply saying “no,” these moments can be tricky and emotionally draining. But there’s a way through that builds connection and cooperation. You’ll learn: Why refusal might be happening (hint: it’s not always defiance!)What to say and do in the moment to shift power strugglesA must-try phrase that opens the d...
• Episode 33: Let’s Talk Small Groups: Keeping It Simple in Pre-K & Kindergarten 18.01.2026 7min

  Small groups can feel like one of the hardest parts of the day to manage, but they don’t have to be! In this episode, Alex breaks down how to keep small group time simple, doable, and impactful in a Pre-K or Kindergarten classroom. Whether you’re just getting started or trying to make your groups more consistent, this episode offers realistic tips and encouragement to help you feel more confident. ✨ What You’ll Hear: Why small group time can feel overwhelming and how to ease that pressureSimp...