Alabama K–2 educator, national presenter, and curriculum author Keri Brown discusses strategies for supporting students in the math classroom. While Keri focuses on math in the episode, many of her takeaways can be applied to all subjects. Keri breaks down the power of small-group instruction, the value of multisensory hands-on manipulatives, and the role of intervention. She also explains how to help students who may already be struggling feel comfortable and confident talking about math. Classroom Insider Eric Cross then joins Ana to reinforce the importance of implementing a routine in the classroom.

Show notes:

• Instagram: @enchantedkindergarden
• Website: www.enchantedkindergarden.com
• Read Keri's blog
• Follow us on Instagram
• Subscribe to Beyond My Years
• Connect with Ana Torres
• Connect with Eric Cross

Quotes:

"When you see the light bulb come on in a kid and I'm like, Ah this is why [I teach]." —Keri Brown

"Sometimes it is hard. You're like, 'Why do I do this? The kids are this, the parents are this.' But then, you get that sweet note." —Keri Brown

"We start small with just talking to them, helping them figure out how to have a conversation about math. They can talk about everything else, but we have to teach them how to talk about math. We have to give them the words, give them the tools." —Keri Brown

"Predictable routines really help students feel safe because they know what's going to happen." —Eric Cross

"It's impactful to spend that little extra time saying, 'Let me build some relationships and show these babies how to be students in my classroom.'" —Ana Torres

Our guest this week, Neysa Olivares-Torres, breaks down the process of finding and developing your own personal teaching style. Neysa details how she landed on her “firm-but-fair" approach before sharing tips for other educators trying to develop their authentic teaching style. Neysa and Ana also discuss how finding—and embodying—your teaching style can reduce classroom behavior challenges. Our beloved Classroom Insider, Eric Cross, then joins Ana to share how he carved out his personal teaching style, “the warm demander.”

Show notes:

• Connect with Neysa Olivares-Torres on LinkedIn
• Read the "Achieving student growth in middle school" district success story
• Subscribe to Beyond My Years: https://amplify.com/beyond-my-years
• Follow us on Instagram: @amplify.education
• Connect with Eric Cross: https://www.ericcross.org/
• Connect with Ana Torres: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anayansi-ana-torres-m-ed-26a10654/

Quotes:

"Understand that a teaching style is not just [something] you find once and then that's it, right? It's ever evolving; it's always in progress; and its not one size fits all." –Neysa Olivares-Torres

"Great teaching is just like cooking, right? You never really stop learning, adjusting, and reflecting because our students keep evolving. And so we should, also." —Neysa Olivares-Torres

"My style came, really, with experience, with time, and with observing other teachers." —Neysa Olivares-Torres

"It's important to make sure that it feels like a partnership with your students, that we are equal partners in learning." —Neysa Olivares-Torres

"When I did show up as my authentic self, it made such an impact in my classroom." —Ana Torres

"Look at your strengths, your personality, and your values, and then build your classroom approach based on that." —Eric Cross

Tina Boogren, Ph.D., joins Ana Torres, not only to discuss how it’s completely normal for first-year teachers (and even some veterans) to experience disillusionment, but also to offer tactics for overcoming those feelings. Tina and Ana kick off this episode by explaining Ellen Moir's “The Phases of First-Year Teaching," which outlines the emotional stages new teachers move through. They discuss how teachers have to name their feelings to tame their feelings, the difference between stress and burnout, and the importance of giving ourselves grace and avoiding comparison with others. Tina also details her three research-backed strategies for self-care: gratitude, altruism, and laughter. Finally, Classroom Insider Eric Cross joins Ana to share takeaways from the interview, including how and why to ask for help, even if it’s just so you can take a small break.

Show notes:

• Connect with Tina Boogren:
  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-tina-boogren
  • Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thboogren.bsky.social
  • X: https://x.com/thboogren
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/selfcareforeducators/
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thboogren
  • Website: https://www.solutiontree.com/tina-h-boogren.html
  • Podcast: https://www.selfcareforeducators.com/
• Resources:
  • Read The New Teacher Center’s “Phases of First-Year Teaching.”
  • Read The Maslach Burnout Inventory.
• Subscribe to Beyond My Years
• Follow us on Instagram @amplify.education
• Connect with Eric Cross: https://www.ericcross.org/
• Connect with Ana Torres: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anayansi-ana-torres-m-ed-26a10654/

Quotes:

“It's teeny tiny little things. When you combine those together, you are tapping into that brain research that's giving our brain a different assignment and looking for the positive. And we will find it.” —Tina Boogren, Ph.D.

“I always say it's an ‘and’; it's not an ‘or.’ It's not instruction or self-care.” —Tina Boogren, Ph.D.

”It's those small wins that we look over. If we're not looking for them, we can miss them, and we just keep thinking, ‘I'm not as good as that person.’” —Tina Boogren, Ph.D.

“It's vulnerable but it's necessary to be able to honor yourself and say, ‘I need help. I need support.’” —Ana Torres

“Sometimes your day is just teaching someone a life skill…and hopefully that's going to get them to learning.” —Eric Cross

“ Whatever I'm feeling is not just impacting me, even though I want to think it is, or that I’m masking it. I know that if I'm not at my A game, it's impacting my students.” —Eric Cross