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Back-to-School Middle School ELA Bundle

Back-to-school season is here, and middle school ELA teachers everywhere are looking for ways to start strong. The first weeks of school set the tone for the year—students are adjusting to new routines, expectations, and challenges, while teachers are working hard to build a classroom community and establish consistency. That’s where having the right resources…

Summer Won’t Fix Your Teacher Burnout! But this Might…

Let’s be honest—by the time the school year ends, many teachers are running on fumes. We dream of summer as our great escape. And while a few weeks of sleeping in, beach days, and not hearing a single bell ring can offer temporary relief… it’s often not enough. Because teacher burnout isn’t just about being…

End-of-Year Activities for Middle School Students

The end is in sight! We are nearly there! I think teachers and parents should start a movement to rename the month of May to “May-hem.” It’s such a busy few weeks as we wrap up testing, celebrate graduations and advancements, have awards ceremonies, spirit weeks, field trips, and more! To take some of the…

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113. How Teachers Can Feel More Joy – Raising the Emotional Baseline After Burnout The Next Level Teacher Podcast

Episode 113: How Teachers Can Feel More Joy: Raising Your Emotional Baseline After BurnoutSummer break gives teachers a much-needed chance to rest—but what if feeling better requires more than simply stepping away from the classroom?In this episode, Brenna explores why so many educators operate from a baseline of stress, overwhelm, and emotional exhaustion—and why joy can sometimes feel surprisingly unfamiliar.You'll learn how your brain becomes comfortable with familiar emotions (even uncomfortable ones), why happiness isn't a switch you can flip, and how practicing joy can gradually raise your emotional baseline.If you've been wondering why it's so hard to feel genuinely happy—even during summer break—this episode is for you.In This Episode You'll Learn:💠 Why stress becomes the default emotional state for many teachers  💠 How your brain prefers familiar emotions over better-feeling ones  💠 Why joy is a skill that can be practiced  💠 A simple exercise to increase your capacity for positive emotions  💠 The connection between thoughts, emotions, and emotional resilience  💠 Practical ways to create more joy this summer and beyond Whether you're recovering from burnout or simply wanting to enjoy life more fully, this episode will help you begin building a healthier emotional baseline.Related Episodes:The 50-50 PrincipleSummer Break Will Not Cure Teacher BurnoutWhy Teachers Don't Feel Better After a Break
  1. 113. How Teachers Can Feel More Joy – Raising the Emotional Baseline After Burnout
  2. 112. How to Stop Overthinking: 3 Ways Teachers Can Manage Anxiety and Worry
  3. 111. Teacher Burnout Recovery: Why Your Identity Needs More than Teaching
  4. 110. (ENCORE) How Laughter Can Help with Teacher Burnout
  5. 109. One Strategy to Help Teacher Stop Overextending Themselves

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