In the Teach 4 the Heart podcast, Linda Kardamis shares ideas and inspiration to help you overcome your teaching challenges and make a lasting difference in your students’ lives. Designed for Christian teachers in both public and private schools, Teach 4 the Heart strives to present every discussion from a Biblical perspective. Season 1 will discuss classroom management. Future season's topics TBA but will likely include work/life balance, how our faith should affect our teaching, and more.
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343: How to Handle Difficult Circumstances Through Lament
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17:28Lament is the means God gives us to navigate suffering and trials--but how do we engage with God through lament as teachers? How does lament set us up for healing? Listen in as we talk about how lament can help us navigate difficulties and griefs both large and small. Get notes + links at http://teach4theheart.com/343…
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342: What To Do When Your Class Won't Stay In Their Seats
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15:59LEARN MORE at http://teach4theheart.com/342 Sitting through a class period can be hard for students. Getting up and moving around too much can be distracting. How do you get your class to stay seated? Linda shares in this episode some classroom management help for your class that wants to move. Resources/Links Mentioned: Consequence Ideas For Every…
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News: Pray & Plan Planner 2025-26 Open for Pre-Order!
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4:43Pre-order your Pray & Plan planner at www.teach4theheart.com/planner Pray & Plan is a planner that helps Christian teachers prioritize what matters most - at home, at school, and in their spiritual walk! Get all the details & pre-order yours today at www.teach4theheart.com/planner.By Linda Kardamis | Educational Consultant & Founder of Teach 4 the Heart
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341: 7 Planning Habits to Save Time & Simplify Your Schedule
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17:01LEARN MORE at http://teach4theheart.com/341 Finding balance as a teacher can be so hard. But there are teachers thriving out there! Listen in as Linda shares easy but powerful habits you can cultivate to save time and simplify your schedule right now! 00:00 Introduction to Intentional Planning 01:51 1. Pray Over How We Spend Our Time 03:15 2. Strat…
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LEARN MORE at http://teach4theheart.com/340 Grading can be one of the most time-consuming parts of being a teacher. We have to grade things! But what if there were strategies to help us grade more efficiently? Or even be more strategic about what to grade? Get back some time with these tips from Linda on saving time when grading. 00:00 The Importan…
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LEARN MORE at http://teach4theheart.com/339 We often hear that we should avoid negative people, and there is some truth in that. How do we balance loving our neighbor and not getting sucked into a spiral of negativity? What does the Bible say about how to treat our neighbors, even the negative ones? 00:00 Navigating Negativity in Teaching 04:40 The…
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338: The Best Way to Handle Student Arguing
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21:02LEARN MORE: http://teach4theheart.com/ Students can be ready to argue over the big and small things in our classrooms. How should we, as teachers, respond with grace and authority? Listen in as Linda shares how to navigate arguing in your classroom. Check out our Hope Renewed course for encouragement: http://teach4theheart.com/hoperenewed Reduce Di…
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337: My Students Think I'm Mean. Now What?
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18:12LEARN MORE: http://teach4theheart.com/337 Have you ever been surprised to hear students say that you are a mean teacher? Are you worried you might actually be mean? Listen in as Linda helps us know if we actually are mean, and how to navigate students' perception of us with grace. 00:00 Introduction to Teaching Challenges 01:29 Assessing Our Behavi…
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336: For the Frustrated Teacher: Help for Knowing What to Tackle First
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17:45LEARN MORE + GET COUPON CODES AT http://teach4theheart.com/336 Teaching can be overwhelming and frustrating. From burnout, to needing better time management, to circumstances we cannot control, it can be hard to pinpoint exactly what to work on first. Listen in as Linda help us identify our needs and leads us in working on what we need to overcome …
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335: How to Stop Feeling Defeated & Teach with Hope Instead
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21:24LEARN MORE: http://teach4theheart.com/335 Do you ever feel exhausted from the endless expectations & emotional toll of teaching? Are you being bombarded by constant negativity that makes it hard to stay positive? Do you feel defeated & maybe even find yourself daydreaming about quitting? Join us as we dive into Scripture-based solutions that reach …
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334: Who Are You? How Identity Affects Our Response to Difficult Circumstances
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17:52We are teachers. But our identity is so much more than that. When we tie our worth to doing a good job, or our students doing a good job, it creates problems for us. Listen in as Linda shares how to lean in to our true identity in the Christ from the classroom to the rest of our lives. Get notes + links at http://teach4theheart.com/334 00:00 Findin…
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333: How to Honor God as a Christian Teacher in a Public School
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21:30We live in a time where being a Christian teacher in a public school setting can be very challenging. How do we share Christ and honor God when the expectations for us push back against our faith? Join us for a conversation with a Christian teacher about his experience following Jesus while working in a public school. 00:00 Introduction to Teaching…
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332: The #1 Mistake Teachers Make with Procedures
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17:42Thinking through procedures is a lot of work. Teaching those procedures is even more! But what happens when we don't spend time and energy on procedures? Listen in as Linda shares why not prioritizing procedures will sabotage your classroom management. 00:00 The Importance of Classroom Procedures 05:10 Creating Effective Procedures 11:44 Teaching a…
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331: What to Do When You're Dreading Going Back to School
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15:39Returning to school after any long break can come with a lot of hard feelings: anxiety, overwhelm, even dread. But re-entering the classroom doesn't have to be so bad. Listen to this episode of encouragement for teachers as they get ready to go back to school after a break! Get notes + links at http://teach4theheart.com/331 00:00 Reconnecting with …
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330: 30 Things Teachers Can STOP Doing to Save Time
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18:20As teachers, we're always having more and more added to our plates - but do we ever stop to take anything off? Discover thirty ideas of things you can stop doing (or at least do less often) to take back some time! Get notes + links at http://teach4theheart.com/330 00:00 Balancing the Teacher's Load 03:09 Strategies for Reducing Workload 05:54 Doing…
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329: 10 Mistakes that Can Derail Your Classroom Management
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21:59None of us got into teaching because we couldn't wait to deal with discipline issues. Nonetheless, classroom management can seriously make or break our ability to be effective as teachers. Listen as we explore 10 common mistakes that can totally derail our classroom management (and how to fix them). Get notes + links at http://teach4theheart.com/32…
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328: The Power of Clear Expectations: How to Clarify and Communicate Them
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17:32Sometimes students just don't seem to get what we want them to do and how they need to behave. Where is the disconnect? Listen in as Linda shares tips for setting clearer expectations in your classroom and see how your classroom changes! Get notes + links at http://teach4theheart.com/328 00:00 Clarifying Expectations in Classroom Management 11:21 C…
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327: Helping Students Build Their Identity in Christ
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21:27Kids and teens face so many challenges around identity that parents and teachers don't always feel qualified to help them understand. Founder and Executive Director of Fieldstone Counseling, Jonathan Holmes, shares strategies outlined in his new book, Grounded in Grace, that will help teachers and parents encourage students to find their identity i…
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326: How to Manage Constant Chatter in Your Classroom
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16:45Nothing gets in the way of learning quite like constant chatter in a classroom. It can be challenging to get students to stop talking so much. Linda shares her strategies for managing a chatty class and reducing disruptions so you can actually teach. Get notes + links at http://teach4theheart.com/326 00:00 Introduction to Classroom Challenges 01:52…
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325: Classroom Management Strategies that Work: An Intro to Whole Brain Teaching
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41:00Every teacher faces challenges with classroom management and creating a classroom where students thrive. Whole Brain Teaching is one of the world's premier instructional systems. Relying on research-based strategies to successfully engage all students, Chris Biffle shares how using Whole Brain Teaching can make your classroom the best place for eve…
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324: Motivating Students to Care about Learning
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56:21Are you struggling with student apathy or a general lack of motivation? Listen to this Rise Up Summit session from 2023 as motivation expert Dave Stuart Jr. shares the key factors that affect student motivation and how we as teachers can inspire our students to not only do the work but genuinely care about it. Check out our Rise Up Summit for free …
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323: Collaborative Learning: Best Practices to Make Group Work Successful
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24:01Having students work in groups can be difficult for them and for you. But working collaboratively is an important way to help students develop compassion, learn more deeply, and be ready to work in their future profession. Listen in as we share the best tips for group work and reasons behind having students collaborate from our community of teacher…
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322: How to Rise Above a Toxic Work Environment
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38:15A toxic work environment can infect every area of your life if you let it! But God hasn't abandoned you in this situation. He has a plan for growing you and using you to shine His light (remember, it can shine all the brighter in the dark). Listen to this session from our Rise Up Summit 2023 for practical help and encouragement as you seek to inter…
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321: How to Take Learning Outdoors and Improve Mental Health
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26:30Do you feel drained by the end of the school day? What about your students? Outdoor learning is a game-changer for any classroom. Watch student behavior and even your own mental health improve! Learn how to cover your curriculum while getting your students outside with podcast guest Shannon McLeod. Get notes + links at http://teach4theheart.com/321…
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320: Why Bad Student Behavior Doesn't Mean You're A Bad Teacher
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22:22When students misbehave, it can feel like you've failed as a teacher. But the only thing in your control is your response to their behavior. Listen in as Linda shares how to let go of what you can't control and embrace what you can in the classroom, so you can be confident when handling student misbehavior. Get notes + links at http://teach4thehear…
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319: Just Try Something! Small Steps to Innovate in Your Classroom
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26:38Innovation can sound overwhelming. Who has the time? But innovation doesn't have to be a giant project. In fact, some innovation begins so small you could try something new tomorrow without hours of planning! Listen in as Karly and Linda talk about ways innovating without overhauling. Get notes + links at http://teach4theheart.com/319…
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318: Tips for Better Communication with Parents
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23:14Communication between a students families and their teachers is challenging--there can be misunderstanding and unrealistic expectations on both sides. So how do we do better with the time we have? Join us for a special episode with a teacher and a parent who share their experiences communicating successfully! Get notes + links + extra tips at http:…
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317: Caught, Not Taught: Immersing Your Students in a Biblical Worldview
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21:49We want to let Scripture guide how we think, feel, and act in our daily lives, and in our classrooms. It can be challenging to sort through what is biblical and what is cultural. Roger Erdvig shares some practical strategies for immersing our classrooms in a worldview that honors God and begin to see school as a place to live and learn. Get notes +…
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316: How to Be More Consistent with Classroom Behavior Issues
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22:26It can be so challenging to be consistent when dealing with behavior issues. But when we let something to one day and then blow up over it the next, we're inadvertently contributing to the chaos rather than calming it. Thankfully, being consistent doesn't have to be as hard as we think. Listen as Linda shares how you can be more consistent in your …
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315: Am I Too Nice? How to be Kind Without Losing Control of the Classroom
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19:14As a teacher, do people think you are too nice or too strict? How do you balance compassion, kindness, and also maintain your authority? Being firm doesn't mean you are not kind, and being kind doesn't mean you let go of control of your classroom. Listen in as Linda shares how to balance being kind and firm. Get notes + links at www.teach4theheart.…
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314: 3 Christian Book Fairs that are Great Scholastic Alternatives
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20:47These days book fairs can be problematic. The quality of books seems to be going down, and cultural differences over what is appropriate for kids increases. Scholastic, the most popular book fair, faces increasing controversy about their books and are no longer reliable for some schools. Listen in as we share our favorite alternative Christian book…
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313: How to Positively Impact the Teacher Culture at Your School
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30:04The culture at a school can be difficult to navigate. Cliques, tense relationships with administration, negativity--these can all make the already hard work of teaching extra hard, and sometimes lonely. Listen in as Linda and Karly share about how to care about your fellow educators and make a difference at your school. Get notes + links at https:/…
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312: 5 Elements of an Effective Classroom Management Plan
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22:24Does your classroom sometimes feel as if it slipping out of your control? Do you feel overwhelmed by student behavior? Managing a classroom effectively is not easy, but there are simple steps you can take to get things under control. Listen in as Linda shares the five parts of an effective classroom management plan. Get notes + links at https://tea…
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BONUS Behind the Scenes: Lessons Learned from Creating Pray & Plan
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29:23In this special bonus episode, Linda takes you behind-the-scenes and shares some of the story behind the popular Pray & Plan teacher planner. Listen as Linda discusses the ups, the downs, and the lessons she's learned in between. Interested in Pray & Plan? Check out the teacher planner at www.teach4theheart.com/planner.…
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311: Meaningful End-of-Year Activities to Upgrade the Last Days of School
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15:07The end of the year can be so hard to plan. How do we keep learning? How do we celebrate and end well? Listen in as we share ideas from teachers like you for end-of-year activities that make the best use of that time. Get the notes and links at www.teach4theheart.com/311By Linda Kardamis in partnership with The Herzog Foundation
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310: Diffusing Tense Situations in the Classroom with Pocket Phrases
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19:39Teaching is full of unexpected situations, and it can be hard to respond to every one with the same calm and consistency. You can help yourself be ready for anything by developing and using Pocket Phrases. Listen in to find out what they are, how to use them, and why they might be the next best tool in your classroom management tool belt. Get notes…
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309: Make Learning Memorable with Tech (and Without Overwhelm)
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22:37We live in a culture that requires technology in the classroom, but it can be overwhelming to navigate the many types available. Which technologies do I use? How do I use them? How much is too much technology? Matt from Ditch That Textbook joins us to clear the way and help us teach meaningfully with technology, or as his book title puts it--Tech L…
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Pray & Plan is a planner designed specifically for Christian teachers to help you welcome God into your planning and prioritize what matters most - both at home, at school, and in your spiritual walk. Find out all about Pray & Plan and orders your copy at www.teach4theheart.com/planner.By Linda Kardamis | Educational Consultant & Founder of Teach 4 the Heart
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308: How to Love Your Students through Classroom Management
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26:40Our students can be the best and hardest part of teaching. But the way we manage our classrooms can reflect the character of Christ to them, even in a public school. Linda shares some ways we can think about classroom management as a way to be more Christ-like and encourage our students to do the same. Get the notes and links at www.teach4theheart.…
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307: Handling AI in the Classroom: AI Ethics for Education
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47:09Does Artificial Intelligence bring up more questions than it can answer? How do we handle it responsibly and wisely in our classrooms? Vicki Davis has answers and encouragement for teachers wondering about AI ethics. Get notes & links at www.teach4theheart.com/307.By Linda Kardamis in partnership with The Herzog Foundation
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306: 8 Favorite Teacher Resources You Won’t Want to Miss!
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21:14Staying up to date on the best resources out there can be challenging. Figuring our which resources are a good fit for your needs can be hard, too. Teach 4 the Heart has gathered our team's favorite resources to share with so you can grow as a Christian and as a Teacher! www.teach4theheart.com/306By Linda Kardamis in partnership with The Herzog Foundation
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305: Words for the Weary: Encouraging Prayers to Keep Teachers Connected with Christ
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23:17Teaching is a stressful job, and can feel overwhelming. It can be hard to stay calm and keep going in the midst of the school day. But one simple practice can help us to look to Christ for encouragement: prayer. Sheila Quinn Delony joins us to share encouraging prayers she has written just for teachers like you in her book "This Year, Lord" that wi…
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304: Teacher Talk: Best Classroom Consequences Ideas
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20:41Finding meaningful consequences to support classroom control and discipline can be challenging. But there are simple, effective ideas out there. Listen in as members of the Teach 4 the Heart Community share their best ideas about meaningful consequences in any classroom! Get the notes and links at www.teach4theheart.com/304…
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It can be hard to find joy and have fun in the everyday grind of teaching. With all the pressures teachers face, how do we prioritize joy and play in the limited time we have in the classroom? Caitlin Lore joins us today to share fun activities for a classroom that help keep joy a part of teaching for teachers and students of all ages. Get the note…
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News: NEW Free Training: Classroom Management Answers
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4:08Join us for the NEW free training Classroom Management Answers where you'll discover 6 simple strategies to reduce disruptions and rebuild respect. Get all the details & sign up at www.teach4theheart.com/training.By Linda Kardamis | Educational Consultant & Founder of Teach 4 the Heart
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302: Simple Ways to Relieve Decision Fatigue
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25:44Teachers make thousands of decisions a day—no wonder we have decision fatigue! But what if there are some simple ways to lighten the load? Join Linda and Karly as they discuss rhythms in teaching that help relieve the decision fatigue and cultivate classrooms where teachers and students thrive. Get the notes and links at www.teach4theheart.com/302…
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301: Reaching Students Across the Generation Gap
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31:18Sometimes the generation gap between us and our students feels too wide to cross. Why is it so hard to connect with the younger generation right now? Join us to hear advice from Val O'Brien on how we can reach students meaningfully and build relationships across generations. Get the notes and links at www.teach4theheart.com/301…
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Bad Advice 05: "If It's Too Hard, You Need to Get Out!"
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21:55Do you remember in the book of Job when Job's friends told him he must be doing something wrong to have these bad things happen to him? If you've been in a similar situation, you know how these negative ideas can cloud your judgement. The bad advice we are discussing in this week's episode is: "If it's too hard, you need to get out!" Sometimes thos…
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False dichotomies are one of society's favorite lies and worst pieces of advice. We have been sold the lie that we have to affirm someone to prove our love for them and that if we are not affirming, then we are hating. This episode of the Teach 4 the Heart Podcast presents another solution: to love without affirming. And, though many people believe…
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Bad Advice 03: "Check Your Religion at the Door"
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23:23We at Teach 4 the Heart have heard this week's bad advice A LOT. We get a lot of comments and feedback from people who say, "Check your religion at the door when you enter the classroom." We don't agree. For Christians, our faith isn't something we "put on" and "put off." Our beliefs are part of us. Even if we aren't directly sharing our faith, it …
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