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🎙️ After 100+ episodes, I'm distilling EVERYTHING into one powerful episode. These 10 truths will transform your teaching career from surviving to thriving. Save this episode. Share it with every teacher you know. This is the one that changes everything. 🌟

In this episode, Grace shares the 10 most critical pieces of advice she wishes she'd known when she started teaching—and the lessons that took her years to learn the hard way. Whether you're a brand new teacher or a 20-year veteran, these truths will help you create a sustainable, joyful teaching career.

✨ #1: Your Energy > Your Lesson Plans Self-care isn't selfish—it's the foundation of great teaching. Your calm, consistent presence matters more than perfect Pinterest-worthy activities.

💪 #2: No One Is Coming to Save You The only person who can transform your teaching experience is YOU. Learn the boundary-setting and communication skills they never taught in teacher training.

🎯 #3: You Always Have a Choice Stop saying "I have no choice." You might not like your options, but denying you have them is disempowering. Focus on what you CAN control.

🚫 #4: Nobody Is Indispensable Don't sacrifice your health because you think the school can't function without you. (Spoiler: Your job will be posted on EDJOIN by 3 PM if you quit today.)

🤐 #5: Not Everyone Is Your Friend Be careful what you share and with whom. Protect your peace and privacy—especially in the age of social media.

⚽ #6: Don't Catch Every Ball Drama, complaints, and other people's battles will constantly come your way. Learn to "validate and bounce" instead of getting dragged in.

❤️ #7: You Can't Be All Things to All Students You cannot care more than everyone else in a student's life. Focus your energy where it will make the most impact.

👤 #8: Teaching Isn't Your Whole Identity You are a human first, teacher second. Cultivate interests and relationships outside the schoolhouse or risk burnout.

📉 #9: LESS Is More Do less, talk less, hold onto less. Not everything urgent is important. Learn to prioritize ruthlessly and make peace with "good enough."

🚷 #10: Ditch the Comparison Game Stop comparing your messy Tuesday to someone else's filtered Instagra

➡️ To get your FREE 🎁 PDF Guide The Professional Teacher's Guide to Saying "No" visit: www.gracestevens.com/sayno

Want to truly thrive in teaching without sacrificing your personal life?
Check out my signature on-demand self-study course, Balance Your Teacher Life. Complete details here: www.gracestevens.com/balance

📘 My latest (and greatest!) book:
The Empowered Teacher Toolkit
Check out the best-selling Positive Mindset Habits for Teachers book here
Beat Teacher Burnout with Better Boundaries book here

My TPT Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/grace-stevens-happy-classrooms

Wanna get social?
https://www.tiktok.com/@gracestevensteacher
https://www.facebook.com/GraceStevensTeacher
https://www.Instagram.com/gracestevensteacher

Old school: Website : www.GraceStevens.com (courses, blog & freebies!)

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What if one text message could save a student's life? In this powerful episode, Grace sits down with Iuri Mellow, co-founder of School Pulse, to explore a revolutionary mental health support system that's preventing tragedies in schools across America. After 7 students died by suicide in his Utah community, social worker and best-selling author, Iuri created a solution that gives students anonymous access to trained counselors via text—before and after school, 7 days a week.

⚠️ Content Warning: Brief discussion of suicidal/homicidal ideation in youth

💡 Episode Highlights

What School Pulse Offers:

• 📱 Live text-based counseling support for students (grades 6-12)
• 🆓 Free 22-topic video library (absenteeism, anxiety, vaping, grief, and more)
• 🔒 Anonymous, confidential student access to trained professionals
• ✉️ Weekly positive psychology content sent via text and email
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Parent involvement and transparency built-in

Why Teachers Need This:

• Removes the burden of being "unlicensed therapists"
• Low-lift, high-impact support system
• Multiplies school counseling capacity without adding workload
• Click-and-play resources requiring zero training
• Ridiculously affordable for schools

The Game-Changer:

• 80% of student engagement is positive conversations
• Less than 3% student opt-out rate
• Success story at minute 45-47 that will blow your mind
• Has prevented homicidal ideation, self-harm, and more
• Students stay connected even after graduating

🔗 Resources

Website: schoolpulse.org
Free Video Library: https://schoolpulse.org/student-success/

**All video content accessible without email signup

🎯 Bottom Line

Teachers can't do it all—and they shouldn't have to. This episode offers hope and practical solutions for supporting student mental health without adding to educator burnout.

➡️ To get your FREE 🎁 PDF Guide The Professional Teacher's Guide to Saying "No" visit: www.gracestevens.com/sayno

Want to truly thrive in teaching without sacrificing your personal life?
Check out my signature on-demand self-study course, Balance Your Teacher Life. Complete details here: www.gracestevens.com/balance

📘 My latest (and greatest!) book:
The Empowered Teacher Toolkit
Check out the best-selling Positive Mindset Habits for Teachers book here
Beat Teacher Burnout with Better Boundaries book here

My TPT Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/grace-stevens-happy-classrooms

Wanna get social?
https://www.tiktok.com/@gracestevensteacher
https://www.facebook.com/GraceStevensTeacher
https://www.Instagram.com/gracestevensteacher

Old school: Website : www.GraceStevens.com (courses, blog & freebies!)

Send us a text

In this candid episode, educator and author Grace Stevens shares an unconventional perspective: why mandating her own book for campus-wide studies might do more harm than good. She explores the psychology behind teacher resistance to mandatory professional development, the difference between gifts and assignments, and offers practical alternatives that respect teacher autonomy while genuinely supporting wellbeing and reducing burnout.

Key Points

📚 The Assignment vs. Gift Problem - When administrators mandate books for staff, even well-intentioned resources can feel like just another compliance checkbox rather than genuine support

🚫 Avoiding Toxic Positivity - Books about mindset and positivity can backfire with already overwhelmed teachers, coming across as tone-deaf rather than helpful, especially when mandated from above

✅ Teacher Autonomy Matters - Self-determination theory applies to educators too—teachers need choice and voice in their professional development, not just mandates

🎯 When Book Studies Work - Book studies are most effective when teachers choose to participate, when multiple options are offered, or when integrated into teacher credential programs where context is appropriate

💝 Better Gift Alternatives - Journals and personal reflection tools make excellent gifts for Teacher Appreciation Week or new staff without the pressure of mandatory reading or discussion

🔄 Systemic Change Over Symbolic Gestures - Real support for teacher wellbeing requires systemic changes, not just book recommendations that can feel like lip service

⚠️ Reading the Room - Administrators should survey staff needs and interests before selecting professional development materials—what works for one campus may not work for another

🎓 Teacher College Success - Pre-service teacher programs are ideal settings for books on burnout prevention and boundary-setting, as students are already in learning mode and need these foundational skills

Administrators interested in empowering teachers with real skills to help combat burnout and overwhelm are invited to watch a 5-minute video at this link:

➡️ To get your FREE 🎁 PDF Guide The Professional Teacher's Guide to Saying "No" visit: www.gracestevens.com/sayno

Want to truly thrive in teaching without sacrificing your personal life?
Check out my signature on-demand self-study course, Balance Your Teacher Life. Complete details here: www.gracestevens.com/balance

📘 My latest (and greatest!) book:
The Empowered Teacher Toolkit
Check out the best-selling Positive Mindset Habits for Teachers book here
Beat Teacher Burnout with Better Boundaries book here

My TPT Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/grace-stevens-happy-classrooms

Wanna get social?
https://www.tiktok.com/@gracestevensteacher
https://www.facebook.com/GraceStevensTeacher
https://www.Instagram.com/gracestevensteacher

Old school: Website : www.GraceStevens.com (courses, blog & freebies!)