We Teach So Hard!

All of us at We Teach So Hard felt like we needed an uplifting read, and listeners...THIS book inspired us! By the end of  Michelle Obama´s memoir, …

When you have to learn a lot in a short amount of time, it´s not unusual to feel overwhelmed. In fact, we´ve grown to expect those emotions! In this episode, we discuss apps, websites and online resources that we found …

Our first book in our summer read series, Untamed is the perfect avenue for self-reflection. Most have us have been in our own little physical cages over the last 3 months of shelter-in-place, but what about those …

We know, we know. It feels like you just ended your school year...or maybe you have! But with all the uncertainty, we are already thinking ahead to …

Normally, you'd be breaking down your classroom, cleaning off shelves, recycling your piles of paper, and taking bulletin boards down. But in our …

You don't teach sooooo hard...you've been teaching TOOOOO hard! We Teach So Hard is back with a new podcast episode about saying goodbye to your …

Roses are red...violets are blue...we're feeling a little bit anxious, how about you? This past week has been mind-blowing, emotional, and …

It seems like everywhere we look on social media, we're seeing article after article about teaching empathy in the classroom. One of our favorite ways to teach empathy is to do service projects with our kiddos. Nothing …

Project-based learning is sooooo much fun! Right? But it can be daunting, too. The preparation, the organization, the performance-based assessments- Ugh! Sometimes it feels like we're suiting up for a football game, …

Welcome to our last episode in our Fostering a Culturally Responsive Classroom. In this episode, we relive our tragic elementary school cooperative …

Welcome to our sixth episode of Book Talk Theme Talk. This month, We Teach So Hard is discussing hope-themed books to enrich your reader's workshop. In this episode, we offer a wealth of kidlit recommendations and …

This episode has got us singing our Patti LaBelle! Some sequins, a few feathers, and a blinged-out mic... "I got a new attitude!"  In this 3rd …

In this second episode of a 4-part series on the culturally responsive classroom, we explore how we foster student motivation and engagement. We muck …

In this first episode of a 4-part series on the culturally responsive classroom we explore how we build a respectful environment where our students …

"Love is a Many Splendored Thing..."

"All You Need is Love..."

"Love Me Tender..."

Love IS in the air at We Teach So Hard! February is just around the corner and there's no time like the present to start gathering books …

You're over the hump of the school year. January is here, and it's a new month, new year. If you're anything like us, January is for tweaking ... …

We've all had those students. When you ask them how they think they did, they always say, "I did awesome!" Sometimes, they ask questions like, "What if we don't really think we need improvement? Then what do we do?" …

Another book list for you because no one has time to hunt for books when you're teaching themes. November's theme is HONESTY.  This is We Teach So Hard's fourth Book Talk-Theme Talk post. In this episode, we share …

Raise your hand if you have umpteen million learner needs in your one little ole' classroom. Differentiation is the name of the game, and yet it can …

What's a teacher to do with her reluctant learners? You plan, you agonize, you teach small group lessons... sometimes the urge to throw up your hands …

Want an engaging approach to collaboration? Try adding technology. Whether you're teaching kids how to podcast or setting up book discussion skyping …

What's that we hear? Is that wailing and the gnashing of teeth? Did someone say, "Technology?" All kidding aside, technology is a powerful teaching …

We love book lists. In fact, we suspect that most teachers do because we have so much on our plates. Looking for books with similar themes so we can work our literary magic with cross-text connections is so time …

We think behavior modification is like going to Weight Watchers. We plan ahead, set things up for success, buy a new scale, and then fall apart on the third day of the first week. In our classrooms, we plan ahead, put …

Sometimes, goal-setting with students can feel like a root canal. You know it's needed, but the time expense, effort, and white-knuckled anticipation can be daunting. We want our students to think about their learning …

The classroom that laughs together, learns together. That's our mantra at We Teach So Hard. Humor is such a powerful teaching tool. Whether we're …

We love book lists. In fact, we suspect that most teachers do because we have so much on our plates. Looking for books with similar themes so we can work our literary magic with cross-textual connections (sounds kind of …

Remember that old Bangles song? "Just another manic Monday...wish it was Sunday..." Sometimes every one of our mornings feels like a manic Monday. If …

We've all struggled with cooperative learning, either as teachers of students. In this episode we explore ways to get your kids collaborating without …

There MUST be 50 reasons to love teaching! We are celebrating our 50th podcast episode! Help us celebrate and enter to win the We Teach So Hard …

Welcome to We Teach So Hard's inaugural themed book talk episode! Every 2nd week of the month, we'll be exploring books around a central theme. This …

Accountable talk. On-task talk. Turn and talk. No matter what you call it, we can all agree that it's really important that our students learn how to engage in discourse. They need to be able to share their thinking, …

We've all been there, and it's usually on the day before school.  We're trapped in a PD when we have 1,001 other more pressing things to do. Research …

It's our last summer read and we're crying in our cocktails, but this one is thought-provoking, we promise! Goodbye For Now by Laurie Frankel is a modern science fiction novel that left us thinking about many …

Join us for our 3rd episode in our Summer Reads Series. In this episode, we discuss a memoir, Autism in Heels by Jennifer Cook O'Toole.  As teachers, …

Hey lovely listeners! We hope you're enjoying your summer as much as we are. Welcome to the second installment of We Teach So Hard's Summer Reads …

Ahhhhhhhh... It's summer, finally. Welcome to the first installment of We Teach So Hard's Summer Reads Series where we suggest pleasure-read books …

The end is in sight! Nothing can bring relief and yet instill panic like that statement.  We're bedraggled, exhausted, and wishing we had a margarita instead of that third cup of coffee. And, we have miles to go before …

Toilet paper on your shoe? Skirt tucked into your tights? Or maybe,  hygiene mishaps? We've all been there. We've all had those moments when we wish …

Watermelon. Swimming. Barbecue. These are words that come to mind when we think of summer.  We don't think "math worksheets" when we think of summer. In this episode, we discuss ways to help your students avoid the …

Planning for your end-of-year classroom celebrations doesn't have to feel apocalyptic! We offer tips and suggestions for some great ways to celebrate your kiddos.  You won't have to smash your piggy bank, either, we …

The end is in sight, and you have to think about packing up your classroom for the summer. Whether you're required to pack up your entire room for the summer, or tuck your teaching goodies away in cabinets and closets, …

Calling all listeners! This announcement is JUST for you, because YOU TEACH SO HARD! Listen, and click the link below to enter! 

https://www.facebook.com/We-Teach-So-Hard-300984973941377

Looking for the perfect Mother's Day craft for your kiddos to do this week? SO ARE WE! Seriously though, sometimes Mother's Day can be difficult to …

You're tired...bone tired, but someone has got to pay the bills, so you're teaching summer school this year! It doesn't have to be doom, gloom and …

Do we hear wailing and the gnashing of teeth? The end is near, and your students are squirrely and CHECKED OUT. Don't freak out! Take them outside! In this episode of WE TEACH SO HARD, we share fun end-of-year ideas for …

We've got the future of the planet in our classrooms. Earth Day is a fantastic opportunity to begin conservation conversations and education with your students with the intent that Earth Day might be celebrated EVERY …

We're galloping toward the year's end. There's standardized testing to get through...HOURS of it, in fact. Field trips, assemblies, learning celebrations, and don't forget about your evaluation, report cards, common …

April is National Poetry Month and we at We Teach So Hard have collectively decided that it is one of our favorite months! Poetry can rock your …

Maybe we'll never find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, but we feel dang lucky to be teachers. There's nothing easy about our jobs, but the …

It's getting to be that time of year. Test prep... test prep... TEST PREP! You know what we're talking about, don't you? The testing manual says it …

Calling all #LOSER teachers! This episode is just for you. Join us as we laugh, cry (and maybe rage, a little) about what we wish people understood …

March is Reading Month and Read Across America week are just around the corner? Are you ready? We love the intention of these celebrations...the cool …

Do you remember floaty long dresses, appliqued with apple patches? Did you own teacher necklaces made from wooden blocks? How about your shoes? Did you wear "teacher shoes?" If you need a good laugh, this episode is FOR …

We've all been there. Whether it's at a state, community or building level, things happen that affect our morale. Sometimes, it's really hard to come …

Nothing says FUN (or mayhem) like taking 25 + kiddos to the zoo, the museum, or the farm. In this episode, we laugh, we cry, we commiserate, and we …

It's teacher evaluation season. Are you crunching data? Studying Marzano? Tossing and turning at night? This episode is just for you! Join us as we …

We've all been there! It's January, and the kiddos have returned to the classroom. Sometimes it seems like they've forgotten every routine and procedure they knew before winter break. We've got you covered with some …

Martin Luther King Jr. day is coming up, and teachers are teaching, crafting, and reading with their kids about his life. But what if we taught about the things Dr. King held near and dear to his heart throughout the …

We've worked so hard. YOU'VE worked sooooo hard! It's time to kick your feet up, stay in your jammies all day, eat some good food, drink some yummy cocktails and read some great books. Remember? Some authors actually …

We might be aging ourselves, but remember that fitness guru Susan Powell and her "Stop the insanity" commercials? That sums up our teacher angst this time of year. Stop the insanity...cuz we wanna get off this bus! …

Hissing cockroaches, live chickens, exploding cricket cages and more! This episode is meant for all teachers who have ever contemplated having …

STEM? STEAM? PBL? What's the difference? Give us a listen as we discuss the differences, the reasons for incorporating it in your classroom, as well as some practical tips and tricks for success. Let us entertain you …

Mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberries and TURKEY! It's a buffet of Thanksgiving topics for teachers! We're laughing and crying our way through …

Do you have an attitude of gratitude? Do your students? How do you teach gratitude? Join us as we explore books and resources for teaching gratitude, not just in November, but all year long! The research says our brains …

Join us as we explore approaches to use when you teach about the election. What happens when students have questions that are difficult to answer? …

It's that time of year again...parent-teacher conferences. Nothing causes sleepless nights and stomach butterflies like the anxiety we feel as we prepare for conferences. But guess what? Parents get nervous, too! And if …

Hey there! What are you going to be for Halloween this year? Sexy pirate? Sexy witch? Sexy panda? Seriously though, come laugh and plan your Halloween survival strategies with us at We Teach So Hard. We've got you …

Ever feel like you're an imposter? Everyone else around you has it all together or fits the teacher mold, but you're not a REAL teacher, because …

Hush your mouth and raise your hand if you've ever heard the saying, "Those who can do; those who can't, teach." I know, right? Nothing makes us roll …

Girl! Shut your mouth! Ever have anyone tell you that? Nice girls don't talk politics. Nice girls don't stand up when they're being abused by …

Liar, liar pants on fire! We need to scream it from the rooftops! Society tells us lies about teachers, and we believe them. Join us as we explore lie #1...You are not enough. You know you believe it, at least some of …

The dust has settled and the new school year has begun. Your desk is piled with papers and the name tags on your students' desks have begun to peel. …

In this latest episode of WE TEACH SO HARD, we explore ways to build relationships with parents and students and share some humor along the way. Give …

Join WE TEACH SO HARD as we talk shop about great back-to-school reads that foster community, conversation, and collaboration. In this episode we …

Got the open house blues? Got the curriculum night flop sweats? This episode is just for you! Crickets and second graders running amok work wonders …

Most every teacher has encountered this: A team that isn't a dream. Sometimes, the experiences are humorous. Sometimes, they are soul-crushing. What …

The fearsome foursome share tips and ideas for a successful first day, as well as how to wash the parent nose prints off your classroom windows. …

Join us, Retta, Kathie, Tracy & Deann, as we laugh and cry over classroom set-up drama...waxed floors, no air conditioning, emergency room mishaps and mansweat! Plus, some tips for making your set up go smoother.

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