In this episode, Grace talks with Phil Januszewski, a science teacher, keynote speaker, and positive psychology enthusiast, about practical strategies for teachers to avoid burnout and bring more joy into their lives and classrooms. This conversation is a delightful reminder to prioritize self-care and intentionally cultivate positivity.

Highlights include:

• Meet Phil Januszewski, a high school chemistry and physics teacher, who's on a mission to help educators avoid burnout and become happier through positive psychology 🧠💡
• Discover the power of focusing on your "ERs" – the things you are, do, and perform daily that build you up (e.g., father, baker, singer) 🎤🍰👨‍👩‍👧
• Learn how to intentionally schedule and structure your day to hit on those fulfilling "ERs" more often, leading to an overflow of energy and inspiration 🗓️⚡
• Explore the idea of leaning into your unique purpose and quirks to create positive change for yourself, colleagues, and students 🦸‍♀️✨
• Hear Phil's 10-minute "TED Talk" on three practical strategies for avoiding burnout as a giver ⏱️🔥
• Find out how Phil ended up on Netflix's amateur baking show "Nailed It!" and his hilarious alien cake adventure 🤖🍰
• Discover Phil's tips for empathizing with and connecting to even the most resistant or negative audience 👂💞
• Get inspired by stories of intentional acts of kindness and their profound impact on well-being 🙌🌟

For more information on Phil Januszewski and his mission visit:
https://www.philjanuszewski.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/philjanuszewski

To learn more about The Elevated Teacher Experience visit: www.gracestevens.com/elevate

To watch the FREE video masterclass on The 5 Mistakes You Are Making Setting Boundaries as an Educator go to www.gracestevens.com/boundaries

Want to truly thrive in teaching without sacrificing your personal life? Check out the Elevated Teacher Experience here
Check out the best-selling Positive Mindset Habits for Teachers book here
And the #1 new release for educators Beat Teacher Burnout with Better Boundaries book here

Wanna get social?
https://www.tiktok.com/@gracestevensteacher
https://www.facebook.com/GraceStevensTeacher
https://www.Instagram.com/gracestevensteacher

Old school: Website : www.GraceStevens.com (courses, blog & freebies!)

🎙️ Ready for a fresh take on summer prep? Discover why less professional development for teachers and more personal growth might be your key to a rejuvenated classroom experience next year. 🌞💡

In this episode of the Balance Your Teacher Life podcast, host Grace Stevens dives into a topic that sparked some controversy but holds powerful insights for educators. Grace shares her bold perspective on why teachers should prioritize personal development over professional development during their summer break.

Key Takeaways:

• 📧 The Controversial Email: Why the subject line "F* PD this summer" stirred emotions and what it truly meant.
• 🏖️ Personal Development vs. Professional Development: Grace’s compelling argument for focusing on self-improvement and personal growth skills.
• 📚 Real-Life Experiences: Insightful stories from Grace’s two decades in the classroom, including the pitfalls of mandatory curriculum training.
• 💪 Empowering Change: How personal growth can transform your teaching, energy, and overall life.
• ❓What are the empowering questions to ask that truly move your life forward?

Overall, you'll learn why educators need less curriculum coaches (we all know how to read that Teacher's Edition") and more LIFE coaches to understand what it takes to thrive in teaching without sacrificing our personal lives.

To learn more about The Elevated Teacher Experience visit: www.gracestevens.com/elevate

To watch the FREE video masterclass on The 5 Mistakes You Are Making Setting Boundaries as an Educator go to www.gracestevens.com/boundaries

Want to truly thrive in teaching without sacrificing your personal life? Check out the Elevated Teacher Experience here
Check out the best-selling Positive Mindset Habits for Teachers book here
And the #1 new release for educators Beat Teacher Burnout with Better Boundaries book here

Wanna get social?
https://www.tiktok.com/@gracestevensteacher
https://www.facebook.com/GraceStevensTeacher
https://www.Instagram.com/gracestevensteacher

Old school: Website : www.GraceStevens.com (courses, blog & freebies!)

If you're feeling fed up with the lack of student accountability, chaos in the classroom, and lack of admin support, then this email is for you. I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Justin Bader - the incredible voice of reason taking over TikTok for exhausted teachers everywhere.

School leaders - you MUST listen!
Teachers - you will feel so seen and validated!

Topics we cover in this episode:

✨ The Hot Mess of Restorative Practices

• The well-intentioned but disastrous move to remove student consequences and redefine failure as success
• Tales of students returning to class with candy bars after outrageous behavior
• How this approach stole all accountability and enabled chaos

✨ Dismantling the "Load Bearing Wall" of Progressive Discipline

• The invisible backbone that kept classroom management functional has been decimated
• Creating predictable consequences is key for a safe, calm learning environment
• Without it, the message is "you can aft how you want without consequences"

✨ The Role of Ideological, Agenda-Driven "Research"

• Most discipline studies are "absolute garbage" with massive logical holes
• The unfounded claims that avoiding discipline improves student outcomes
• How quality research got hijacked by fads and alternative discipline camps

✨ Getting Back to Basics with Firm Boundaries

• Rewind 10-15 years to the old-school wisdom that still worked: high standards, counseling, engaged lessons, fair consequences
• Prioritize creating a viable learning environment above all else
• "We've gone off the rails by making other goals the primary objective"

✨ What Effective Leadership Really Looks Like

• It's not just subject matter expertise - wisdom and backbone are crucial
• Having experience in a highly functional organization to model healthy leadership
• Keeping the main thing (learning) the main thing through the boring basics

✨ Why PBIS program research was solid, but it's being implemented incorrectly

Justin's advice? Fix the foundational pieces like progressive discipline first. Then build your creativity and innovation on that solid base - not the other way around. Regain that empowered stance as an educator by reestablishing firm boundaries and consistent accountability... and so much more!

For comprehensive FREE evidence-based resources on PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLE go to:
https://www.principalcenter.com/pd/

To learn more about The Elevated Teacher Experience visit: www.gracestevens.com/elevate

To watch the FREE video masterclass on The 5 Mistakes You Are Making Setting Boundaries as an Educator go to www.gracestevens.com/boundaries

Want to truly thrive in teaching without sacrificing your personal life? Check out the Elevated Teacher Experience here
Check out the best-selling Positive Mindset Habits for Teachers book here
And the #1 new release for educators Beat Teacher Burnout with Better Boundaries book here

Wanna get social?
https://www.tiktok.com/@gracestevensteacher
https://www.facebook.com/GraceStevensTeacher
https://www.Instagram.com/gracestevensteacher

Old school: Website : www.GraceStevens.com (courses, blog & freebies!)