Planning Strategies
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EP 179 I Don’t Have Time to Plan—What Do I Do?
Welcome, educators! 💛 Before we get started, I want to share some amazing resources I’ve created to support you in the classroom. 👉 To learn more and download engaging, scaffolded lessons, visit: myadventuresinesl.com/store Now let’s talk about something every ESL teacher feels at some point… planning overwhelms. You Are Not Alone — And You Are Not Failing If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, stretched thin, or like there simply aren’t enough hours in the day to plan the way you want to, I need you to hear this first: You are not alone.And you are not failing. Every ESL teacher I know goes through seasons where planning feels impossible — not…
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EP 177 3 Time-Management Mistakes ESL Teachers Make (and How to Stop Them)
Welcome, educators. Before we dive in, I want to take a moment to acknowledge you. If you’re reading this during your planning period, late in the evening, or while mentally reviewing tomorrow’s lessons—you’re not alone. This time of year can feel especially heavy. Lesson plans, grading, assessments, data tracking, compliance folders, meetings, emails, and the constant pressure to keep instruction engaging often collide all at once. And if you’ve found yourself staying late after school or bringing work home—again—just to feel caught up, I see you. I’ve been there too. Before we go any further, here’s what you need to hear: you are doing an incredible job. You’re showing up…
- Checklists and Processes, Classroom Strategies, Curriculum, Lesson Ideas, Planning Strategies, Reflections
EP175 From Planning as Chore to Thinking as Design: A Mindset Shift for ESL Teachers
One of the biggest challenges ESL teachers face isn’t teaching the content—it’s finding the right materials to teach it well. If you’ve ever spent an entire planning period sifting through websites, scrolling past mismatched activities, or downloading resources that looked good but didn’t actually support your lesson, you know exactly how draining the search can be. You want something aligned. Something clear. Something your multilingual learners can truly thrive with. And most importantly—you want something you can use today without spending hours tweaking and adjusting. The good news? There are practical ways to cut down your search time and dramatically improve the quality of the resources you choose. Below, I’m…
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EP 174 3 Smart Ways to Find High-Quality ESL Resources Fast
If you’ve ever spent hours scrolling through Pinterest, Teachers Pay Teachers, or random websites trying to find the “perfect” ESL resource — only to end up with too many tabs open and nothing that really fits your students — you’re not alone. Every ESL teacher has been there. You want something engaging, aligned to your goals, and easy to use… but instead, you find yourself questioning: Here’s the truth: finding the right ESL resources shouldn’t take hours — it just takes a strategy. In this post, we’ll walk through three smart ways to find high-quality ESL resources fast, so you can spend less time searching and more time teaching. Why…
- Classroom Strategies, Curriculum, Distance Learning, Lesson Ideas, Newcomers, Planning Strategies, Teaching Strategies
Ep. 173 Myth: You Can’t Teach Multiple Levels Effectively – Why That’s Not True
Teaching English learners across multiple language levels can feel like an impossible task. You have newcomers who are just learning to greet others, intermediate students ready for sentence building, and advanced learners eager to refine their writing — all sitting in the same classroom. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Every ESL teacher has faced that moment of wondering, “How do I meet everyone’s needs without creating five different lesson plans?” Here’s the good news: teaching multiple language levels is absolutely possible — and it doesn’t have to drain you. With the right mindset and systems, you can create an inclusive classroom where every student thrives, no matter their…
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Ep. 170 Where do I Start? Tips to get you started
Welcome back, amazing teachers! 🎉 The beginning of the school year is here, and if you’re anything like me, you know it can feel like a whirlwind. Between screening new students, managing schedules, creating lessons, writing language plans, and juggling everything else on your plate—it’s a lot! But here’s the good news: you don’t have to navigate it alone. In today’s episode, I’m going to share practical tips and strategies to help you get off to a strong start this school year. My goal is to take some of that overwhelm off your shoulders so you can step into your classroom feeling more confident, organized, and ready to support your…
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Ep. 169 Effective Organization Tips
Hey there, amazing ESL teachers! 🎉 It’s a brand-new school year, and I know you are already pouring your heart into creating a classroom where your students feel safe, supported, and excited to learn. These first weeks can feel like a whirlwind—but the routines you’re building and the connections you’re making are setting the tone for the entire year. You’re not just teaching English—you’re opening doors, building confidence, and creating a space where every student knows they belong. So keep showing up, keep smiling, and remember—you’re doing incredible work that matters every single day. And because I know you’re working hard to keep everything running smoothly, today we’re diving into…
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Ep. 168 First Two Weeks of School
Hey there ESL teachers! Before we jump into today’s episode about what to expect during those first two weeks of school, I want to make sure you’re signed up for my FREE professional development: 3 Simple & Powerful Secrets to a Successful School Year. In this training, I’ll be sharing practical strategies to help you feel confident, prepared, and ready to take on the school year—without the overwhelm. You’ll learn how to simplify your planning, get clear on your goals, and start the year with intention. ✨ And yes—you’ll also receive a PD certificate for attending! 👉🏽 Grab your spot now at myadventuresinesl.com/planning Before we move on, I just want…
- Checklists and Processes, Classroom Strategies, Curriculum, Distance Learning, Lesson Ideas, Newcomers, Planning Strategies, Professional Development
Ep. 167 Mixed Groups? How to Prepare and Plan
Welcome educators! Before we get started, I want to share the amazing resources I have available. To learn more and download some engaging resources, go to myadventuresinesl.com/store. I just want to take a moment to remind you: the work you’re doing matters. The time you’re investing right now—planning, preparing, dreaming—is planting seeds for a smoother, more intentional school year. Even if it’s just a few small steps at a time, it counts. You are showing up not only for your students but also for yourself, and that is something to be proud of. So take a breath, give yourself some credit, and know that you are not alone in this.…
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EP 166 Creating Systems for the New Year
Welcome educators! Before we get started, I want to share the amazing resources I have available. To learn more and download some engaging resources, go to myadventuresinesl.com/storeI just want to take a moment to remind you: the work you’re doing matters. The time you’re investing right now—planning, preparing, dreaming—is planting seeds for a smoother, more intentional school year. Even if it’s just a few small steps at a time, it counts. You are showing up not only for your students but also for yourself, and that is something to be proud of. So take a breath, give yourself some credit, and know that you are not alone in this. You’re…
