Needing something SUPER fun and SUPER simple to make December sweeter and also less stressful? In this week’s episode of the This Teacher Life podcast, we’re sharing a really dumb idea that’s so simple, it might just work wonders for your school’s culture this December! What’s the secret? A calendar. That’s right—this humble tool can spark excitement, foster connection, and bring a sense of community to your classroom or school. We’re talking about turning the final month of the year into something dynamic and engaging with just a few creative twists. Tune in as we walk through this fun, unconventional approach that doesn’t require expensive materials or elaborate plans—just a chocolate calendar and some creative thinking. We’ll dive into how to use this tool to boost morale, increase student engagement, and end the year on a high note. Whether you’re a teacher looking for a new way to bring energy to your classroom or an administrator seeking to boost school spirit, this episode is packed with practical tips to make December the most memorable month of the school year. Episode Notes:  Get TONS of Relationship Building Ideas in Rooted Classroom Course: monicagenta.com/courses 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

Classroom games are a great way to build relationships with kids and create student engagement. But sometimes those games can be complicated, take a ton of prep, and can get chaotic. What if I told you there was a SUPER simple game that is easy to implement, takes practically no time to prep, and creates connection rather than chaos. Would you play that game with students? In this week’s episode of the This Teacher Life podcast I breakdown a really fun and easy holiday game that can transform into a game show in the matter of seconds. Not only that, it will create dynamic discussions and is a create way to celebrate differences, traditions, and trends. I promise you will be SO Thankful for this classroom game! Episode Notes:  Get TONS of Relationship Building Ideas in Rooted Classroom Course: monicagenta.com/courses 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 Twitter: twitter.com/monicagentaed

Chronic absenteeism can feel both overwhelming and annoying because we understand there is SO much more to the story. But what if I told you there are some silly and significant things we can do to combat it? In this weeks episode of This Teacher Life, we’re showing you how something as simple as a potato can have a BIG impact on your school’s attendance! Tune in as we explore 9 creative and fun ways to boost attendance that don’t require fancy resources—just a little imagination and a whole lot of enthusiasm. From quirky potato-themed incentives to engaging activities that motivate students to show up every day, you’ll get practical ideas that are easy to implement and guaranteed to bring excitement to your school. If you’re looking for fresh ways to keep students engaged and present, this episode is packed with inspiration that can change the game at your school. Episode Notes:  The Rooted Classroom Course Filled with TONS of Ideas for Relationship Building with Staff & Students: monicagenta.com/courses Want some Awesome PD or Consulting at Your School? Let’s Make it Happen:  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

Want to boost student achievement data, but it feels way to huge to actually move the needle? What if I told you there was an easy way to boost learning data and it’s by focusing on something totally separate? In this week’s episode of This Teacher Life podcast, we’re bringing some fun and friendly competition to your school with an unexpected twist—a potato! Discover how something as simple as a spud can completely transform your school’s attendance game. We’re diving into creative attendance competitions that will get students excited to come to school and actively participate. From toy-themed incentives to exciting challenges that keep students motivated, this episode is packed with unique, hands-on ideas to make attendance more engaging and enjoyable. Whether you’re looking to reward consistency or encourage team spirit, you’ll walk away with a treasure trove of strategies to spice up your school. Get ready for tons of inspiration and practical ideas that will make showing up to school an adventure! Episode Notes:  Get TONS of Relationship Building Ideas in Rooted Classroom Course: monicagenta.com/courses 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

Do staff and students have huge amounts of success in your school? In this week’s episode of This Teacher Life we’re diving into smart, simple strategies that turn group work into real collaboration. You’ll get classroom-tested ideas to help kids communicate, problem-solve, and share responsibilities — while keeping the chaos (and the glue) under control. From quick teamwork games to routines that build trust and accountability, this episode gives you everything you need to make “working together” something students actually look forward to. Because let’s face it — teamwork isn’t just a skill for school… it’s a survival skill for life (and sometimes for laminating).

Have you ever taught in two different shoes on accident? Have you ever gotten home from school only to realize you taught all day with an unknown child’s throw-up down the side of your shirt? In this hilarious and candid episode of This Teacher Life, we dive into the unspoken, yet very real signs that it’s time to hang up your grading pen (because do we even use pens to grade anymore?) Special guests, Jack Berckemeyer and Rachael McCoy share their funniest, most relatable moments in education. If you’ve ever thought about walking away (or found yourself laughing at the chaos that comes with teaching), this episode is for you. Tune in for a raw and unfiltered conversation about the ups, downs, and those silly moments that make teachers question their sanity—guaranteed to have you laughing out loud! Get ready for a mix of humor, truth bombs, and a whole lot of teacher talk in this fun, no-holds-barred episode won’t want to miss this! Episode Notes:  Get Signed up for the 365 Days of Awesome Course- Celebrating Every Day of This Year:  monicagenta.com/365ofawesome Check out the Book 365 Days of Awesome: monicagenta.com/365-2 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

Finding balance between teaching life and home life can feel impossible! But what if one small shift could make it easier and more satisfying? In this week’s episode of This Teacher Life, we uncover one powerful idea that helps teachers in their personal life so they can be their best in professional life! If you’ve been searching for a realistic way to balance teaching with family, friends, fun, and all the essential pillars of life, you are going to love this episode! Episode Notes:  Get Signed up for the 365 Days of Awesome Course- Celebrating Every Day of This Year:  monicagenta.com/365ofawesome Check out the Book 365 Days of Awesome: monicagenta.com/365-2 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

Sometimes the best lessons are the ones that are the easiest…. and just a little corny. In this week’s episode of This Teacher Life, we dive into one classroom activity that is a powerful way to engage students, spark meaningful conversations, and create lasting connections. The best part? It’s simple to try, doesn’t take any prep, and I promise it’s NOT “cornfusing” to implement. Get ready to bring some smiles and big learning moments to your classroom with this delightfully effective idea, perfect for morning meeting, advisory, homeroom, or SEL time. 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/

If you use file folders, worksheets, competitions, or quieting techniques in your classroom, this episode is for you! And spoiler alert…. none of those are bad things! But the dialogue in this week’s episode of the This Teacher Life podcast will get you thinking differently about each of them. Here we dive into the 4 things every teacher should promise not to do—but let’s be real, we probably do them. This silly episode has special guests Jack Berckemeyer and Rachael McCoy to explore those unspoken habits, practices, and behaviors that sneak into our classrooms, despite our best intentions. Tune in for a candid conversation, insightful advice, and a little laughter as we unpack the everyday realities of teaching. Don’t miss out—this episode might just challenge the way you approach your classroom this year! Episode Notes:  Get TONS of Awesome Classroom Lessons, Resources, and Activities Here:  monicagenta.com/shop 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

Is your school culture feeling a little…blah? Is your school culture awesome and you are wanting to level it up even more? In this episode of This Teacher Life, we’re diving into a simple but powerful idea that’s bringing joy, surprise, and connection back to school staffs everywhere: Secret Pals! Learn how this easy-to-implement tradition can boost morale, strengthen team bonds, and make your campus a place teachers want to come to every day. We’ll break down how it works, share fun examples, and give you tips to get it started at your own school—without adding more stress to your plate. If you’re ready to sprinkle a little magic into your staff culture, this one’s for you! Episode Notes:  LAST CALL to Register for the Full Awesome Academy-Earn 90 Hours of PD Credit:  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  

Ready to flip the script on school stress by remixing a VERY common thing that happens with students? In this week’s energizing episode of the This Teacher Life, we’re diving into three powerful “F-words” that every classroom and campus should embrace this year. Don’t worry — they’re all school appropriate  — but they pack a serious punch when it comes to boosting fun, friends, and funds in your school! Whether you’re a teacher, admin, or school support staff, you’ll walk away with practical strategies to increase fun, reduce frustration, and foster an environment where everybody wins! Tune in for: The 3 F-words that can change your school year (for real) How to implement them in any grade level Simple mindset shifts that make school routines more sustainable and satisfying Grab your coffee, press play, and let’s make this school year your best one yet. Episode Notes:  Make this School Year AWESOME? Check out the Awesome Academy-Earn 90 Hours of PD Credit:  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

Let’s be real teachers—there’s a huge difference between a worksheet and a “worksh*t”. One of those is about authentic learning, amazing feedback, and active engagement. The other is about busy work, creating frustration, and a time vampire. The good news is… worksheets CAN be an amazing thing IF we use them correctly. In this episode, we’re cutting through the clutter and breaking down five simple yet strategic ways to evaluate the paper (or digital!) tasks you’re handing out. Whether you teach elementary or high school, you’ll walk away with practical tips, reflective questions, and a fresh lens for designing or choosing activities that actually move the learning forward. Spoiler alert: the information in this episode will actually save you SO much teacher time too! Episode Notes:  Make this School Year AWESOME? Check out the Awesome Academy-Earn 90 Hours of PD Credit:  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

Teaching is tough—but it doesn’t have to feel impossible! If you are ready to kick off the school year with less stress and more joy- I’ve for 6 ideas for you. These aren’t overwhelming, complicated strategies—just small shifts that bring big results in your classroom and for your own happiness as an educator. From boosting student engagement, to setting boundaries that protect your energy, to creating classroom moments that actually feel fun again—you’ll walk away with ideas you can try immediately. If you’re ready to make this year not just manageable, but meaningful, this episode is your guide. Episode Notes:  Make this School Year AWESOME? Check out the Awesome Academy-Earn 90 Hours of PD Credit:  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

Welcome back to a brand-new season! We’re kicking things off with a powerful, practical strategy to boost student engagement, motivation, and classroom culture—all with a little help from the iconic game of Plinko. In this week’s episode of the This Teacher Life, you’ll learn how to turn a simple competition into a classroom climate game-changer. Discover step-by-step ideas for implementing a custom Plinko board in your teaching routine, tips for aligning it with academic and behavior goals, and creative ways to make it fun, fair, and effective for all grade levels. Whether you’re a seasoned educator or just starting out, this episode will give you everything you need to spark joy and build connection from day one. Get ready to bring the excitement—and results—of game shows into your classroom! Want TONS more Awesome Ideas? Join the Awesome Academy and Earn Up to 90 Hours of PD Credit:  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 Here is a Digital Board You Can Use:  games.washingtonpost.com/games/price-is-right-plinkoarkadium.com/games/price-is-right-plinko/ Connect with Monica on social media: Instagram: instagram.com/monicagentaed/ TikTok: tiktok.com/@monicagentaed Facebook: facebook.com/MonicaGentaEd Twiiter: twitter.com/monicagentaed

Really dumb ideas can be SO dynamic! But why share “dumb” ideas? Because SPOILER ALERT… they work! I think ideas that take no prep, require no lesson plan, and cost nothing are exactly the kind of thing we are looking for this school year. In this week’s episode of the This Teacher Life podcast I explain a super simple strategy that kids have declared as the GOAT- Greatest of All Time. And you can use this in ANY subject area, remix it in so many fun ways, and it takes literally no time to implement. Curious what it is? Take a listen and I promise you won’t regret it! Episode Notes:  Want TONS more Awesome Ideas? Join the Awesome Academy and Earn Up to 90 Hours of PD Credit:  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

How are you currently handling the stress, emotions, and frustrations of education? How are you currently handling the celebrations, smiles, and successes of education? And maybe the biggest, best question yet, how can we balance those two sets of very different emotions? In this week’s episode of the This Teacher Life podcast we dive into 2 unpopular teacher opinions about teaching being “easy” and what “good teaching” really looks like. The ideas packed in here about routines, results, and ruts are really going to blow your mind and shed some light on the simplicity of schools and how we can have our best year yet. This is a don’t miss episode for sure! Episode Notes:  Join the Awesome Academy Fun, Flexible Teacher Courses Get Signed Up Today: 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

Want this school year to be your best UNO yet? Sometimes things like classroom management and behavior management cam bog us down. But what if I told you this year can totally be flipped over in a good way?! What if there was one simple way to increase participation, decrease disrespect, get 100% of students organized, and have SO much fun. And all you need for it is a deck of Uno cards? This is not too good to be true and I’m confident after you listen to this week’s episode of the This Teacher Life podcast you will be so flipping excited! Episode Notes:  Earn up to 90 Hours of PD Credit in 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

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