When was the last time you asked students questions like… What do you really want teachers to know about you? What would you say to your teachers if you knew they would listen without judgement? What can I do in this classroom this year to help decrease your frustration and increase your engagement. Yes, kids want things like snacks, snapchat, and to sleep in class. But kids actually want WAY different things then that too and their results to these questions are surprisingly reasonable. In this week’s episode of the This Teacher Life podcast I give you all the details of a transparent conversation I had with my students that totally worked. It is easy to replicate and once you have the roadmap, I promise it will create positive momentum for the rest of the school year. Episode Notes:  Get 180 Fully Planned SEL Lessons Right Here: monicagenta.com/180SEL Sign Up for the Awesome Academy! Fun, Flexible Teacher Courses:  monicagenta.com/awesomeacademy Needing Some Awesome PD for Your School? Let’s Connect:  monicagenta.com/PD Get a free PDF copy of Monica’s Book Crushing It For Kids Here: monicagenta.com/freebook Connect with Monica on social media: Instagram: instagram.com/monicagentaed/ TikTok: tiktok.com/@monicagentaed Facebook: facebook.com/MonicaGentaEd Twiiter: twitter.com/monicagentaed

Looking for some simple, strategic classroom and behavior management strategies? You are in the right place! On this week’s episode of This Teacher Life special guest, Jack Berckemeyer, shares some solutions that are so meaningful. The best part, all 3 of these ideas can be tried with students by the end of the podcast because they are no prep and no stress! I promise you will laugh and learn as you dive into these hacks that can be used in any classroom and with any age. Episode Notes:  Needing Awesome Professional Development at your School? Let’s Connect:  http://monicagenta.com/pd Get a free PDF copy of Monica’s Book Crushing It For Kids Here: http://bit.ly/MonicaGenta Learn More About Jack Here:  https://jackberckemeyer.com Connect with Monica on social media: Instagram: instagram.com/monicagentaed/ TikTok: tiktok.com/@monicagentaed Facebook: facebook.com/MonicaGentaEd Twiiter: twitter.com/monicagentaed

Do you get 100% attendance at your parent teacher conference? Do you get 100% of people engaged at the table during those conferences? I’ve got an idea that can make BOTH of those happen. And the best part these conferences will create LESS work and LESS stress in your teacher life. Sometimes in order to make parent-teacher conferences between, we just need to remix them with raisins! Because this year, we can all be hosting raisin reunions! Are you ready to find out more on how to host the best conferences of your career? You are in the right place! Episode Notes: Resource Bundle For Raisin Reunions: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Parent-Teacher-Conference-Bundle-Raisin-Reunions-Host-BEST-Conferences-Ever-10241241 Get a free PDF copy of Monica’s Book Crushing It For Kids Here: http://bit.ly/MonicaGenta Needing some uplifting, awesome professional development at your school? Let’s Connect:  http://monicagenta.com/pd Connect with Monica on social media: Instagram: instagram.com/monicagentaed/ TikTok: tiktok.com/@monicagentaed Facebook: facebook.com/MonicaGentaEd Twiiter: twitter.com/monicagentaed

Needing or wanting 3 extremely easy and practical solutions to solve today’s problems in schools? In this week’s episode of the This Teacher Life podcast, we tackle two of the biggest stressors teachers face—apathy and attendance—and how they’re affecting classrooms everywhere. From students who just don’t seem to care, to the endless challenges of getting them to show up, we’ll explore practical solutions that can make a real difference. Tune in for fresh, fun ideas to boost engagement, increase attendance, and make your school days a whole lot smoother! And spoiler alert… this idea DOES NOT involve burping up ANOTHER binder! Episode Notes:  Get 180 FULL SEL Lessons to Improve Apathy & Attendance in Your School:  monicagenta.com/180SEL Students Refusing to Work? Check out this Management Solution: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Classroom-Management-Behavior-Management-Increase-Success-Decrease-Stress-11500061 Wanting AWESOME PD for Your Whole School?  monicagenta.com/PD Get a free PDF copy of Monica’s Book Crushing It For Kids Here: http://bit.ly/MonicaGenta Connect with Monica on social media: Instagram: instagram.com/monicagentaed/ TikTok: tiktok.com/@monicagentaed Facebook: facebook.com/MonicaGentaEd Twiiter: twitter.com/monicagentaed  

Getting staff AND students on the same page can be incredibly difficult these days. But what if there was a silly, simple way to increase the climate and culture of your school while also bringing people together? What if that same idea would INCREASE positive office referrals too? In this week’s episode of the This Teacher Life podcast we unpack the details of how a plastic golden cat when from being trash to a treasure. I promise that “Gary” can gain popularity in your school once you listen to this short and sweet solution! Episode Notes:  Check out the Awesome Academy for Teachers- The BEST PD for Educators: https://monicagenta.com/awesomeacademy Get a free PDF copy of Monica’s Book Crushing It For Kids Here: http://bit.ly/MonicaGenta Connect with Monica on social media: Instagram: instagram.com/monicagentaed/ TikTok: tiktok.com/@monicagentaed Facebook: facebook.com/MonicaGentaEd Twiiter: twitter.com/monicagentaed

How are you currently feeling in your position in education? Do you feel like you are supported as staff? Do you feel like your kids are supported as students? Sometimes all our school needs is a little social-emotional support for everybody! But how do we do that? In this episode I dive into some ideas that I’m using as a K-12 SEL teacher. I’m confident they can easily be applied to your current position and it will bring positivity, purpose, and passion back to your people! Episode Notes:  Get 180 FULL SEL Lessons in 180 Days of Awesome SEL Curriculum:  monicagenta.com/180SEL Needing Some Help with SEL at Your School? Let’s Connect:  monicagenta.com/PD Get a free PDF copy of Monica’s Book Crushing It For Kids Here: monicagenta.com/freebook Connect with Monica on social media: Instagram: instagram.com/monicagentaed/ TikTok: tiktok.com/@monicagentaed Facebook: facebook.com/MonicaGentaEd Twiiter: twitter.com/monicagentaed  

When was the last time you were able to get your students super motivated with a paper plate? When was the last time you increased student engagement with a reverse card from Uno? When was the last time you handed out notecards and nobody refused to participate? Because after listening to this week’s episode of This Teacher Life podcast, you are going to be so excited to bust out paper products! And the best part, they are going to product student results. In this special episode with guest, Jack Berckemyer, we unpack 3 super simple ways to engage students. I promise you will laugh and learn in this one! Episode Notes:  Get Awesome Teacher Books Perfect for Summer Reading Here: monicagenta.com/books Check Out the Amazing Giant & Mini Uno Cards Here monicagenta.com/amazon Get a free PDF copy of Monica’s Book Crushing It For Kids Here: http://bit.ly/MonicaGenta Connect with Monica on social media: Instagram: instagram.com/monicagentaed/ TikTok: tiktok.com/@monicagentaed Facebook: facebook.com/MonicaGentaEd Twiiter: twitter.com/monicagentaed

How is behavior managed in your school? Would you say it is more proactive or reactive? When it comes to school culture, nothing building positive climate better than parties over punishment. But how can we celebrate students in a way that gets kids motivated to make the right behavioral choices? In this week’s episode of the This Teacher Life podcast we tackle the word RESPECT and how that can set the tone for the whole year. Don’t miss this simple, structured idea to create smiles from staff and students! Episode Notes:  Get 180 FULL SEL Lessons in 180 Days of Awesome SEL Curriculum:  monicagenta.com/180SEL Needing Some Help with SEL at Your School? Let’s Connect:  monicagenta.com/PD Get a free PDF copy of Monica’s Book Crushing It For Kids Here: monicagenta.com/freebook Connect with Monica on social media: Instagram: instagram.com/monicagentaed/ TikTok: tiktok.com/@monicagentaed Facebook: facebook.com/MonicaGentaEd Twiiter: twitter.com/monicagentaed  

Do you struggle to get kids to turn in work? Do you wish students put forth more effort on the work they turn in? Do you feel like students are failing and they don’t care? If you answered YES to any (or all of those) questions then this week’s episode of the This Teacher Life podcast is for you! We will dive into my #1 way to get students putting for their best effort on the first try and the amazing system my school in place if kids don’t. This idea will take you from stressed to solution focused in the matter of 30 minutes. We dive into grades, student apathy, student organization, and academic gaps, all while staying focused on student success. Episode Notes:  Here is the Behavior Management Correction Reflection System & Student Refusal Form: monicagenta.com/management  Get a free PDF copy of Monica’s Book Crushing It For Kids Here: http://bit.ly/MonicaGenta Needing some uplifting, awesome professional development at your school? Let’s Connect:  http://monicagenta.com/pd Connect with Monica on social media: Instagram: instagram.com/monicagentaed/ TikTok: tiktok.com/@monicagentaed Facebook: facebook.com/MonicaGentaEd Twiiter: twitter.com/monicagentaed

Truth: Teachers want and need more joy in their life! Truth: It can come in some silly and significant ways if we are strategic about it! In the This Teacher Life season finale, we’re wrapping up with a special episode dedicated to helping educators rediscover the joy in their teaching journey on both a personal and professional level. Join us as we dive into six simple yet powerful strategies that can transform the day-to-day experience in the classroom and beyond. Whether you’re feeling burnt out or just looking for ways to inject a little more positivity into your routine, this episode is full of fun with special guests Jack Berckemeyer and Rachael McCoy. It’s time to take a step back, reflect, and find the joy that’s often hidden in the hustle. Tune in and get ready to finish the season feeling inspired and rejuvenated for the next chapter of your teaching journey! AND… prepare your hearts to feel like you are having a conversation with your teacher BFF. Episode Notes:  Get Signed up for the Awesome Academy for Teachers NOW! monicagenta.com/awesomeacademy Needing Some Awesome PD for Your School? Let’s Connect:  monicagenta.com/PD Connect with Monica on social media: Instagram: instagram.com/monicagentaed/ TikTok: tiktok.com/@monicagentaed Facebook: facebook.com/MonicaGentaEd Twiiter: twitter.com/monicagentaed

In this raw and heartfelt episode of the This Teacher Life, we’re diving into a BIG announcement that might just surprise you. After years of dedication to the traditional classroom, I’m packing up and walking away… or just across town — but not for the reasons you might think! This episode explores the personal and professional shifts that led to this decision, the challenges and triumphs of education, and what’s next on the horizon. Tune in for a candid conversation about growth, change, and the future of teaching! Spoiler Alert: this isn’t the ending — it’s a whole new chapter! Want AWESOME PD or SEL Consulting for Your School Next Year? Let’s Make it Happen  monicagenta.com/PD Get 180 Days of Awesome SEL Curriculum Here:  monicagenta.com/180SEL Connect with Monica on social media: Instagram: instagram.com/monicagentaed/ TikTok: tiktok.com/@monicagentaed Facebook: facebook.com/MonicaGentaEd Twiiter: twitter.com/monicagentaed

Special episode alert! In this week’s powerful recording of This Teacher Life, we dive into the heart of education with practical, yet impactful strategies that can transform not only schools but the lives of students and staff alike. We explore actionable ideas that can spark meaningful change in your school environment. From boosting student engagement to fostering a positive school culture, this episode provides real-world solutions to the challenges educators face today. Whether you’re a teacher, administrator, or part of the school support staff, get ready to leave with the motivation and tools to make a lasting difference in the education world. Want AWESOME PD for Your School for Next Year? Let’s Make it Happen  monicagenta.com/PD Get Copies of 180 Days of Awesome and All Monica’s Books Here Here: monicagenta.com/books Connect with Monica on social media: Instagram: instagram.com/monicagentaed/ TikTok: tiktok.com/@monicagentaed Facebook: facebook.com/MonicaGentaEd Twiiter: twitter.com/monicagentaed

Teachers, would you rather have more sick days or more personal days? I’m sure you have LOTS of opinions and lots of conditional questions before you answer that controversial, difficult question. Well, what if we could use would you rather as an awesome way to equip kids with the skills they need in the future? In this week’s episode of the This Teacher Life Podcast, we’re tackling one of the most important questions educators face: how do we prepare students of all ages for success in college, careers, and life? We dive into strategies, tips, and real-world advice for helping students develop the skills and mindset they need to thrive, no matter where they are in their educational journey. But we’re doing it with a twist! This isn’t your typical talk about test scores and lesson plans. Instead, we’re remixing a classic game, using it as a fun and interactive tool to spark engaging discussions about crucial life skills like: listening, compassion, empathy, reflection, and more! From decision-making to adaptability, we’ll uncover how even the simplest games can be powerful teaching moments. Tune in to hear how to use these creative approaches to make a lasting impact on students and help them tackle the challenges of tomorrow’s world. Episode Notes:  Get 180 Full SEL Lessons for Advisory and Morning Meeting- Save Your Plan Time:  monicagenta.com/180SEL Needing Some Awesome PD for Your School? Let’s Connect:  monicagenta.com/PD Connect with Monica on social media: Instagram: instagram.com/monicagentaed/ TikTok: tiktok.com/@monicagentaed Facebook: facebook.com/MonicaGentaEd Twiiter: twitter.com/monicagentaed

Teacher Appreciation Week is the perfect time to show educators just how much they mean to our schools and communities. In this week’s episode of The This Teacher Life, we share six super simple yet meaningful ideas to celebrate and honor teachers during this special week. Whether you’re a parent, administrator, or fellow educator, you’ll find easy and thoughtful ways to spread gratitude, uplift your colleagues, and make a lasting impact. Tune in for creative suggestions that go beyond the usual treats, and discover how small acts of appreciation can make a big difference in a teacher’s day. Episode Notes:  Get Copies of 180 Days of Awesome & Other Awesome Books Here: monicagenta.com/books Needing Some Awesome PD for Your School? Let’s Connect:  monicagenta.com/PD Get a free PDF copy of Monica’s Book Crushing It For Kids Here: monicagenta.com/freebook Connect with Monica on social media: Instagram: instagram.com/monicagentaed/ TikTok: tiktok.com/@monicagentaed Facebook: facebook.com/MonicaGentaEd Twiiter: twitter.com/monicagentaed

Students changing grade levels, changing teachers, and changing buildings can be hard. That is because change is hard! But, when we are proactive about putting plans into place change can be super exciting for kids. If you are looking for ideas on how to level-up your upcoming orientation or strategies’ on how to make your upcoming open-house less stressful, this episode is for you. This Teacher Life episode is packs with hacks on how to host events that decrease fear and frustrations for parents and increase smiles and successes for students. I guarantee by the end you will be SO excited to open the doors for your next school event! Episode Notes:  180 Full SEL Lessons for Advisory and Morning Meeting- Save Your Plan Time:  monicagenta.com/180SEL Get a free PDF copy of Monica’s Book Crushing It For Kids Here: monicagenta.com/freebook Needing Some Awesome PD for Your School? Let’s Connect:  monicagenta.com/PD Connect with Monica on social media: Instagram: instagram.com/monicagentaed/ TikTok: tiktok.com/@monicagentaed Facebook: facebook.com/MonicaGentaEd Twiiter: twitter.com/monicagentaed

To apply for the job opening or not to apply, that is the question at this point in the year and at this point in education. This is a tough question that nearly every educator faces at some point—do you stay rooted in the classroom, focusing solely on content delivery, or do you pursue leadership roles for broader impact? We’ll explore the pros and cons of both paths and challenge the assumptions about what it means to truly make a difference in education. Also hear from special guest Jack Berckemeyer and Monica on what they have done in the past and what they are doing now and how they came to those decisions. And get ready to hear full transparency about NOT getting hired, NOT passing tests, and NOT feeling good about it. Whether you’re a classroom teacher, an aspiring leader, or someone just trying to figure out where you stand, this episode is for you. Tune in, and let’s unpack where you fall in the ever-evolving world of education! Want AWESOME PD for Your School for Next Year? Let’s Make it Happen  monicagenta.com/PD Find Out More About Jack Berckemeyer Here:  jackberckemeyer.com/ Get a free PDF copy of Monica’s Book Crushing It For Kids Here: monicagenta.com/freebook Connect with Monica on social media: Instagram: instagram.com/monicagentaed/ TikTok: tiktok.com/@monicagentaed Facebook: facebook.com/MonicaGentaEd Twiiter: twitter.com/monicagentaed

Get ready to roll with laughter and learning in this fun-filled episode. This idea is shaking up the typical classroom routine with a Yahtzee dice challenge that’s sure to make your students take a chance on changing behaviors in a good way! Join us as we reveal how to set up a competitive game that not only scores big on fun but also encourages positive behaviors and cuts down on the stress for you, the teacher. From rolling dice to rolling in the good vibes, this episode of the This Teacher Life is packed with tips, tricks, and a whole lot of game-changing ideas to keep your classroom engaged, motivated, and having a blast. Whether you’re a Yahtzee pro or a total beginner, we’ve got all the steps to make this a winning strategy for you and your students. Tune in, and let’s make learning a Lotzee fun! Episode Notes:  Last Call to Join the Crushing It for Kids Course and Earn Up to 15 Hours of PD Credit:  monicagenta.com/courses Needing Some Awesome PD for Your School? Let’s Connect:  monicagenta.com/PD Get a free PDF copy of Monica’s Book Crushing It For Kids Here: monicagenta.com/freebook Connect with Monica on social media: Instagram: instagram.com/monicagentaed/ TikTok: tiktok.com/@monicagentaed Facebook: facebook.com/MonicaGentaEd Twiiter: twitter.com/monicagentaed

What if you could throw a party in your classroom everyday? And this party wouldn’t be any work, it wouldn’t create chaos, and the party wouldn’t cost anything. Would you want to be a part of it? In this week’s episode of the This Teacher Life podcast I explain how all kids can be a part of a party, they just have to listen. This simple idea has caused 100% of students to listen and that means they are learning, because listening is a sign of engagement! What a teacher win! Want one hint on what the idea involves? A bell. Episode Notes:  Want TONS more ideas like this? Join the Crushing It for Kids Course and Earn Up to 15 Hours of PD Credit:  monicagenta.com/courses Needing Some Awesome PD for Your School? Let’s Connect:  monicagenta.com/PD Get a free PDF copy of Monica’s Book Crushing It For Kids Here: monicagenta.com/freebook Connect with Monica on social media: Instagram: instagram.com/monicagentaed/ TikTok: tiktok.com/@monicagentaed Facebook: facebook.com/MonicaGentaEd Twiiter: twitter.com/monicagentaed

What if I told you Doritos could be so dynamic in your classroom and you wouldn’t even need to buy a bag!? In this week’s fun and unexpected episode of the The This Teacher life podcast , we dive into the power of humor, creativity, and dynamic discussion in the classroom! We explore how a simple bag of Doritos can unlock laughter and enhance student engagement in ways you’ve never imagined. From rigor and relationships t to encouraging creative thinking, Doritos can be the perfect catalyst for conversation and impactful lessons. We’ll discuss unconventional teaching strategies, share real-life classroom examples, and break down how incorporating playfulness and surprise into your teaching style can lead to better learning outcomes, especially for social-emotional learning! Get ready to see your classroom curriculum in a whole new light simply by asking this…. Episode Notes:  Get 180 Full SEL Lessons for Advisory and Morning Meeting- Save Your Plan Time:  monicagenta.com/180SEL Crush it for Kids in April with This Virtual Course Filled with TONS of Simple Ideas: monicagenta.com/courses Needing Some Awesome PD for Your School? Let’s Connect:  monicagenta.com/PD Connect with Monica on social media: Instagram: instagram.com/monicagentaed/ TikTok: tiktok.com/@monicagentaed Facebook: facebook.com/MonicaGentaEd Twiiter: twitter.com/monicagentaed

What is the difference between an MVP and an MPP? Curious what this means and how it can create conversation in your classroom? I’ve got you covered! In this episode of the This Teacher Life podcast, we explore how one simple question can spark meaningful engagement and foster a positive, emotionally connected classroom environment. We’ll discuss how this strategy can be a game-changer for fostering relationships, promoting self-reflection, and improving classroom dynamics. Learn how to integrate this powerful, simple lesson into your classroom and create a space where students feel seen, heard, and eager to contribute. This episode offers practical tips for teachers looking to make SEL a core part of their teaching approach and transform their classroom into a thriving, empathetic community. You can be the MVT after trying this idea! Episode Notes:  Get 180 FULL SEL Lessons to Engage Your Students Here: monicagenta.com/180SEL Get a free PDF copy of Monica’s Book Crushing It For Kids Here: monicagenta.com/freebook Needing Some Awesome PD for Your School? Let’s Connect:  monicagenta.com/PD Connect with Monica on social media: Instagram: instagram.com/monicagentaed/ TikTok: tiktok.com/@monicagentaed Facebook: facebook.com/MonicaGentaEd Twiiter: twitter.com/monicagentaed