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That voice in your head saying "I've invested too much to quit now"? It's lying to you.

Summer is the perfect time to identify what's keeping you stuck - and it's probably not what you think.

What's Really Keeping You Trapped 🔍

The Perfect Lesson Plan Prison 📖

Why that Gold Rush unit you spent years perfecting might be choking the life out of your classroom

The Toxic School Trap 🏫

How tenure and "years invested" keep teachers miserable in environments that are destroying their wellbeing

The Struggling Student Spiral 💔

The painful truth about overcommitting to students who aren't progressing (and why it's hurting everyone)

The Superhero Teacher Identity Crisis 🦸‍♀️

What happens when your need to be "the teacher who does everything" becomes your prison

The Question That Changes Everything 💡

"Who would you be if you let that story go?"

This isn't just about your classroom - it's about the limiting stories keeping you stuck in relationships, hobbies, and life decisions.

Why This Matters Right Now ⏰

Every hour you spend watering dead plants is time stolen from nurturing what could actually bloom in your life.

Your master's degree isn't a prison sentence. Your years of service don't have to keep you miserable.

Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is walk away.

🎧 Ready to break free? Listen now and discover the 7 ways this trap shows up for teachers - plus the one mindset shift that changes everything.

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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In this episode, Grace Stevens dives deep into Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and reveals why scripted curricula often fall flat. She shares real classroom observations that expose the gap between checking boxes and authentic emotional intelligence building. This episode provides actionable strategies for teachers to develop genuine EQ skills in themselves and their students without adding to their already overwhelming workload.

🎯 Key Takeaways

❌ What's NOT Working:

• Scripted SEL curricula that feel like checkbox exercises
• Reflection worksheets that require CBT training teachers don't have
• 40+ emotion posters that overwhelm even adults
• Performative approaches that don't build real classroom community

✅ What DOES Work:

• Authentic modeling of emotional intelligence
• Stop, breathe, ask strategy for overwhelm
• Name it to tame it - improving emotional vocabulary
• Emotional check-ins that are genuine, not scripted
• Perspective taking exercises that build empathy

Listen now and learn how to authentically model and teach emotional intelligence, even if you don't have a designated "SEL block."

To automatically receive the free resources that accompany this episode, sign up for Grace's bi-weekly newsletter. The easiest way is to download her free guide to saying "no" without guilt and ditch your least favorite adjunct duty at this link 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

Episode Summary

You made it through another school year! 🎉 But summer break doesn't automatically fix teacher burnout. Host Grace Stevens shares 4 proven strategies to help teachers truly disconnect, recover, and prepare for renewal during summer break.

🔑 Key Takeaways

Strategy #1: Create a Closing Ritual ✅

• Stop, Start, Continue Reflection (30 minutes)
  • 🛑 STOP: What drained your energy without results?
  • ➡️ START: New approaches you want to try
  • ✅ CONTINUE: What worked well this year
• Set an "August Problem" date - no school thoughts until then!
• Embrace the clean slate opportunity teachers have each year

Strategy #2: Complete the Stress Cycle 🧘‍♀️

Teaching = constant assault on your nervous system. Your body needs intentional recovery:

• 💤 Sleep without alarms
• 💧 Hydrate properly (no more classroom dehydration!)
• 🚶‍♀️ Move your body (walking, stretching, yoga)
• 🎨 Create (quilting, painting, writing)
• 👥 Socialize with non-teacher friends

Strategy #3: Triage Your Summer To-Do List 📝

Your list is too long (we know it is!). Apply medical triage principles:

• 🚨 Must Do: Critical & time-sensitive only
• 💭 Nice to Do: Not urgent
• 🤝 Delegate: Stop doing everything yourself
• ❌ Eliminate: Some things don't need doing

Pro Tip: Listen to Episode 50 for setting boundaries with family who think you're "free all summer"

Strategy #4: Rebuild Your Identity Outside Teaching 🌱

Remember who you are beyond the classroom:

• List 5 things you love doing (non-teaching related)
• Challenge: List 5 things you love about yourself (not related to serving others)
• Reconnect with neglected hobbies and interests
• Read books that aren't about education!

Key takeaway: Remember: August is coming whether you worry about it or not - you might as well enjoy your summer! 🌞

#TeacherBurnout #SummerRecovery #TeacherWellness #EducatorSelfCare #TeacherLife

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!)