The Joyous Classroom

When Classrooms Become Stages: Teaching as Live Theater

Veteran teachers and community thespians pull back the curtain on the surprising connections between teaching and live theater — presence, improvisation, empathy, and collaboration — sharing stories from rehearsals, moments of hilarity & flexibility from live productions, and the importance of listening and collaboration.
Hear practical tips, joyful anecdotes, and how bringing performance, storytelling, and teamwork into the classroom can deepen student engagement, build empathy, and create positive classroom communities. 
Our guests today include TaKisha Kegler, Elise Kimball, and Penny Tatum, fellow castmates, educators, and friends. 

Positive Parent Communication--Building Partnerships that Can Transform Your Year

In this episode of The Joyous Classroom, veteran teachers Angela and Brandy explain how intentional positive communication with families can transform your school year. They emphasize starting early to build trust so parents are more receptive when challenges arise.
It's short and to the point, because they are in the midst of practicing for their community play which opens in just two weeks. They are both starring in The Savannah Sipping Society and right now they are in the final weeks of long days and evenings with extra and much longer practice times.
Practical tips include quick positive phone calls in the first two weeks, weekly emails or texts, photo updates, positive postcards, and a simple post‑it note routine to celebrate small wins. Start small, be consistent, and enjoy the partnerships you build with parents that lesson the stresses that might arise later. 

Teacher Tired; Surviving The Beginning of the Year: Part 5 of Our Back to School Series

Angela and Brandy candidly discuss the special exhaustion of the early weeks of being back at school—migraines, tech issues, drills, extra duties, and decision fatigue—and remind teachers they are not alone.
They share simple, realistic recovery tips like five-minute resets, lowering weekday expectations, and learning to say no, encouraging listeners to protect their energy and find joy in small wins.

The Science Behind Building Rapport: Part 4 of Our Back to School Series

This episode explains why greeting students at the door matters and reviews the neuroscience behind rapport—dopamine for motivation and oxytocin for safety—plus research showing long-term benefits like reduced aggression and improved engagement.
Hosts share practical actions (assess, address, respond, request, tell), the 5-to-1 positive-to-corrective interaction ratio, and a simple takeaway: start each day with warmth, a student’s name, and a quick connection to set the tone for learning.
The Science Behind Building Rapport: The How's & Whys

Routines & Procedures; Part 3 of our Back to School Series

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

Teacher Self-Care: Part 2 of our Back to School Series

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.

Conquering Back-to-School Anxiety

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.

From Novice to Pro: 20 Classroom Secrets Shared by Teachers

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

Busting Myths About Tier 1 Instruction: Unveiling the Truth

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
 

Conference Chronicles: Highlights from Get Your Teach On Nat'l Conference in Dallas, Texas

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.