Episodes

18 hours ago
18 hours ago
Welcome to The Joyous Classroom, a podcast dedicated to educators passionate about fostering a positive learning environment. Join veteran teachers Brandy and Angela as they share practical tips and insights to help you establish effective routines, teach essential procedures, and build a nurturing classroom community. Discover strategies to create a culture of consistency, connection, and calm from the very first weeks of school. Learn how to model and teach key procedures, engage students through community-building activities, and prioritize social-emotional learning. Whether you're a seasoned teacher or new to the classroom, this episode offers inspiring and actionable advice to make your teaching experience more joyous and fulfilling. Tune in and transform your classroom into a place where students and teachers thrive together.
Routines & Procedures BOOK LINK

Sunday Aug 03, 2025
Sunday Aug 03, 2025
In this enlightening episode of "The Joyous Classroom," Angela and Brandy dive deep into the importance of teacher self-care, especially during the hectic back-to-school season. They discuss simple, yet effective ways educators can take care of themselves without sacrificing much time or resources. From starting your day with intentionality to setting healthy boundaries, this episode is packed with practical tips that are easy to implement in your daily routine.
Learn how micro-moments can add up to significant changes and why gratitude is a game-changer for maintaining a positive outlook. Join Angela and Brandy as they share their personal anecdotes and collective wisdom from over 60 years in education. Plus, discover how self-care can be infused throughout your day, understand the power of setting boundaries, and find ways to end your day filled with gratitude and hope.

Sunday Jul 27, 2025
Sunday Jul 27, 2025
Welcome to The Joyous Classroom, Episode 10, where veteran educators Angela and Brandy help teachers navigate the overwhelming back-to-school season with heart, humor, and practical advice. Join them as they share tips on resetting your mindset, preparing with purpose, and embracing grace during this busy time.In this episode, discover how to find joy and purpose without the pressure for perfection, and learn mindset shifts and time-saving strategies to help you feel more prepared. Whether you're in denial or deep into your to-do list, "The Joyous Classroom" offers encouragement, actionable advice, and a reminder that readiness is about mindset, not just materials.Tune in and draw inspiration from their conversation, anecdotes, and the community of listeners from around the world. Remember, the classroom is powerful because you're showing up joyfully and authentically, one step at a time.

Tuesday Jul 22, 2025
Tuesday Jul 22, 2025
Welcome to The Joyous Classroom, a podcast crafted for passionate educators by two veteran teachers with a collective experience of over 60 years in the field. In this episode, we delve into the valuable advice and insights shared by our own Facebook group members, aimed at helping both new and seasoned teachers create a more joyful and effective classroom environment.
Join us as we explore top tips on nurturing student relationships, embracing flexibility, and maintaining a welcoming classroom atmosphere. From humorous jokes to serious discussions on professional growth, this episode is filled with practical wisdom and personal experiences that every educator can relate to.
Tune in to catch the heartfelt advice that promises to inspire and guide you toward building a classroom where joy is a shared experience.
Top 20 PDF Link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-mEgFpAnFO10oboDKXtna-zwK00jqQ5PdbtXo4F_6GE/edit?usp=sharing

Sunday Jul 13, 2025
Sunday Jul 13, 2025
Join veteran educators Angela and Brandy in this exciting episode of "The Joyous Classroom" as they unravel eight common myths surrounding Tier 1 instruction. Discover what Tier 1 truly entails beyond the buzzwords of RTI and MTSS meetings, and learn how it serves as the bedrock of effective education for all students.
From differentiation to engagement and behavior management, this episode covers practical strategies to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment. With insights on using "hot data," fostering active discussion, and engaging students right from the start, you'll leave equipped with actionable tips to enrich your teaching practice.
Tune in to explore how intentional planning and responsive teaching can transform your classroom and get access to a downloadable framework in the show notes. Perfect for educators seeking to elevate their Tier 1 strategies, this episode is a must-listen for those committed to making every lesson count.
PDF: 8 Myths of Tier 1 Instruction

Friday Jul 04, 2025
Friday Jul 04, 2025
Welcome to an exciting episode of The Joyous Classroom, where veteran educators Angela and Brandy share their experiences and insights from the Get Your Teach On conference in Dallas, Texas. With over 6,500 attendees from around the globe, this national event brought teachers, leaders, and educators of all kinds together for a celebration of learning and growth.
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Gaylord Texan Resort, the conference was a remarkable blend of educational sessions, concerts, and inspiring speakers. Our hosts delve into the sessions they attended, highlighting practical tips on data-driven instruction and innovative teaching strategies like Chris Pomboyno's '3-2-1' system, and the impactful keynote speeches by educators and celebrities alike.
Join Angela and Brandy as they recount unforgettable moments from musical performances by Joe Jonas and others, to engaging workshops that emphasized high-quality education for every student, every lesson, every time. Whether it’s LaNesha Tabb's writing techniques or Joanne Miller's creative classroom celebrations, this episode captures the essence of a teaching conference that truly values educators and equips them with exciting, actionable ideas.

Sunday Jun 22, 2025
Sunday Jun 22, 2025
Welcome to the Joyous Classroom podcast, where veteran educators Angela and Brandy share their passion for teaching and learning. In this episode, join them as they dive into the highlights and key takeaways from the recent Elementary Technology Conference in Galveston, Texas. Featuring insights from guests Gwen Sharp, Tyler Johnson, and Jennifer Mitchell, this episode covers innovative approaches to integrating technology in education, from pre-K coding adventures to digital citizenship. Whether you're an educator looking to refresh your teaching strategies or simply interested in the latest educational trends, this episode has something for everyone.
4 Corners Match:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zrJ-MABptenn81K4UhYXt_499wmFpx1E/view?usp=drivesdk
Picture Books for Digital Literacy:
https://sites.google.com/view/soniasdigitalworldbook?usp=sharing
Flippity: build vocab digitally
https://flippity.net/
NY Times Connections:
https://blog.tcea.org/connections-games-classroom/
Emoji Kitchen:
https://blog.google/products/android/feeling-all-the-feels-theres-an-emoji-sticker-for-that/

Sunday Jun 15, 2025
Sunday Jun 15, 2025
Welcome to The Joyous Classroom, where veteran educators Angela and Brandy, alongside their guest Eliza Rudston, explore effective strategies for teaching students with autism. In this episode, Eliza, an experienced teacher and author of 'Confidently Teach Students with Autism', shares her insights on creating empathetic and inclusive classrooms.
The conversation delves into practical strategies for teachers, such as using visual aids, managing sensory needs, and the importance of fostering understanding among students. Eliza emphasizes the significance of flexibility & consistency, the need for empathy, and the role of differentiation in promoting equity in education.
Listeners will discover actionable tips for building strong relationships with students and parents, advocating for inclusivity, and preparing for a new school year. Don't miss out on this insightful discussion that aims to transform classrooms into spaces where every student can thrive.Amazon Link: Confidently Teach Students with Autism

Wednesday Jun 11, 2025
Wednesday Jun 11, 2025
In this episode of The Joyous Classroom, veteran educators Angela and Brandy tackle a pressing concern for teachers: the high cost of professional development (PD). They explore the challenges faced by educators in accessing valuable PD due to limited funds and share innovative and affordable solutions.
Listeners will discover various strategies to access quality PD without breaking the bank, including peer-led workshops, collaborations with local universities, and in-house learning walks. Angela and Brandy provide a wealth of ideas to foster continuous learning and professional growth in a cost-effective manner.
Join them as they discuss the importance of hands-on learning, community partnerships, and creative ways to fulfill PD requirements while building a stronger educational environment. Plus, get excited about their upcoming Lunch and Learn event, designed to bring fun and learning together in a unique summer experience. Don't miss this insightful episode full of tips to create a more joyous classroom!
Register for our Local LUNCH & LEARN Bite-Sized PD on Friday, June 20th: Lite Lunch, A Little Learning, AND LOTS of FUN! Registration Link: https://stan.store/TheJoyousClassroom/p/lunch--learn-start-strong--build-community-

Sunday Jun 01, 2025
Sunday Jun 01, 2025
Welcome to The Joyous Classroom, a podcast for passionate educators led by seasoned teachers Angela and Brandy. With a combined 60+ years of experience, they delve into why they choose to keep teaching, sharing their passion and wisdom along the way. This episode explores their unique journey in education, their motivation to inspire, and how they continue to learn and grow. Be a part of their vibrant community, aimed at connecting, engaging, and bringing joy to educators everywhere. Join us as we celebrate the journey of teaching, learning, and finding joy in the classroom.
Join us at our LUNCH & LEARN: Start Strong--10 Activities to Build Community & Increase EngagementJoin us in Lufkin, Texas from 10-2 on Friday, June 20th for THE BEST summer PD you'll ever have! This event is brought to you by The Joyous Classroom founders, Angela & Brandy, actual classroom teachers who know what educators want and need. During this PD, you'll....
*Laugh & Learn on a budget
*Enjoy a Lite Lunch
*Leave with a Certificate of Attendance
*Receive a FANTASTIC SWAG Bag!
*Aaaand....Connect with other educators
Invite your teacher bestie and register today because space is LIMITED to 40 educators only.
Register Here: https://stan.store/TheJoyousClassroom/p/lunch--learn-start-strong--build-community-