Podcast · Learning

This Teacher Life

by Monica Genta · English · Learning

A weekly podcast for teachers full of tips and tricks, stories and strategies, celebrations and struggles, all from the real life we are living every day. Welcome to This Teacher Life with Monica Genta.

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 28 min
Latest: 11 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

11 Oct 2026 · 28 min

1 Classroom Idea that Will Solve All Problems in the Morning AND It’s a Blast (Full Lesson Details Included)

In this episode, we’re diving into one simple classroom idea that can completely transform your mornings—yes, really. If your mornings with students feel chaotic, disengaged, disconnected, or just plain exhausting, this is the reset your classroom needs. This strategy is easy to implement, incredibly fun for students, and designed to build instant engagement, strengthen classroom community, and set a positive tone for the entire day. The best part? It doesn’t require any prep—and your students will love it. We break down the full lesson step-by-step, so you can start using it immediately.…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

4 Oct 2026 · 27 min
How to Host the Easiest, Most Effective Parent-Teacher Conferences Ever (And All You Need Are Raisins!?)
Do you get 100% attendance at your parent teacher conference? Do you get 100% of people engaged at the table during those conferences? I’ve got an idea that can make BOTH of those happen. And the best part these conferences will create LESS work and LESS stress in your teacher life. Sometimes in order to make parent-teacher conferences between, we just need to remix them with raisins! Because this year, we can all be hosting raisin reunions. Are you ready to find out more on how to host the best conferences of your career? You are in the right place! Episode Links: Resource Bundle For Raisin…
27 Sep 2026 · 29 min
6 Things Teachers, Principals, & Educators Need to Normalize This School Year (And They Are REALLY Simple)
This school year doesn’t need more shiny initiatives or complicated systems. It needs a few simple things done consistently . In this episode, we’re breaking down 6 things teachers, principals, and educators need to normalize this school year to protect their energy, support student well-being, and actually enjoy their work again. None of these are revolutionary. All of them are realistic. And every single one can make your day feel lighter starting tomorrow. We’re talking about: Setting boundaries without guilt Letting go of perfection Making room for rest (yes, even during the school day)…
20 Sep 2026 · 20 min
1 Super Successful Idea for Your School- The Passport for Participation: A Fun Way to Get Families More Involved in Your Classroom & School Community
Family engagement can feel like one of those things schools are constantly trying to improve—but getting families to actually show up and participate can be a whole different story! In this week’s episode of the This Teacher Life Podcast, I’m sharing one super successful idea that can help increase parent participation and get more families involved in your classroom and school community: The Passport for Participation! This simple, fun, and interactive idea gives families a reason to attend school events, stay connected, and become more involved throughout the year. Whether your school…
13 Sep 2026 · 18 min
The 1 Idea That Your School Absolutely NEEDS This Year (Teachers This Will be Your FAVORITE Thing)
What if one simple idea could completely change how supported you and all the teachers in your school feel this year? In this week’s episode of the This Teacher Life podcast, I’m sharing the 1 idea your school absolutely NEEDS—and yes, it just might become your favorite thing too. We’re breaking down how a Favorite Things Google Slide deck can be used all year long to surprise, encourage, and uplift teachers exactly when they need it most. From random “you’ve got this” moments to meaningful morale boosts during the toughest weeks of the year, this easy-to-set-up system makes it simple to…
6 Sep 2026 · 30 min
5 Simple & Strategic Ways to Determine if You are Using Worksh*ts or Worksheets In Your Classroom
Let’s be real teachers—there’s a huge difference between a worksheet and a “worksh*t”. One of those is about authentic learning, amazing feedback, and active engagement. The other is about busy work, creating frustration, and a time vampire. The good news is… worksheets CAN be an amazing thing IF we use them correctly. In this episode, we’re cutting through the clutter and breaking down five simple yet strategic ways to evaluate the paper (or digital!) tasks you’re handing out. Whether you teach elementary or high school, you’ll walk away with practical tips, reflective questions, and a…
30 Aug 2026 · 39 min
How to Create an Amazing Classroom Climate Using a Simple Competition with The Game Plinko (Summer Replay Episode)
If you want a powerful, practical strategy to boost student engagement, motivation, and classroom culture THIS is it! All with a little help from the iconic game of Plinko. In this week’s episode of the This Teacher Life, you’ll learn how to turn a simple competition into a classroom climate game-changer. Discover step-by-step ideas for implementing a custom Plinko board in your teaching routine, tips for aligning it with academic and behavior goals, and creative ways to make it fun, fair, and effective for all grade levels. Whether you’re a seasoned educator or just starting out, this…
23 Aug 2026 · 29 min
UNO Classroom Idea that Will Make Your Students WILD-In a Good Way (Summer Replay Episode)
Looking for ONE classroom idea that could make your school year awesome? You are in the right place. In this episode we will take a deck of Uno cards and show you how to: increase student motivation, decrease problematic behaviors, boost classroom camaraderie, and create SO much fun. Literally all you need to implement this super simple, but super effective idea is a deck of uno cards and a classroom of kids. I promise you will want to implement this idea immediately! Episode Notes: Check out These Fun, Flexible Teacher Courses for Official PD Credit: monicagenta.com/courses Needing Some…
16 Aug 2026 · 29 min
The BEST Behavior Management System for Schools that is SO Simple- Using the 3 Cs (Summer Replay Episode)
We know as teachers that classroom management is essential, but we also understand that it can be very difficult. Sometimes students are defiant. Sometimes students don’t want to work. Sometimes students are antsy and energetic. Sometimes this causes stress and struggles in school. But what if there was a simple solution to create a classroom where things were both predictable and positive? In this week’s episode of the This Teacher Life we tackle all of this and more to help get your classroom culture headed in the right direction from the whole year! Episode Notes: A Whole Bundle of…
9 Aug 2026 · 25 min
THIS Classroom Management Idea is EXACTLY What We Teachers Need To Start The School Year (Summer Replay Episode)
Last year was your classroom a tornado of disorganized, disrespectful, or disengaged students? Is your teacher heart currently a tsunami of frustration, fear, or freaking stressed? If you said YES to any of that I hear you. And I have the exact strategy to solve it! In this episode of the This Teacher Life podcast I share a super simple classroom management hack that will make the start of this school year awesome. I’m confident you will be clapping and praising the profession when you try this hack with your students! Episode Notes: Classroom Management and Behavior Management Bundle:…
2 Aug 2026 · 35 min
A Classroom Management Idea that Feels like a Game Show- Spinning and Winning- REMIX! (Summer Replay Episode)
Want students to be prepared for class? This episode is for you! Want students to listen in class? This episode is for you? Wants students to have respectful attitudes? This episode is for you! Want students to have charged Chromebooks? This episode is for you! Creating classroom competitions is one of the easiest, most engaging, most beneficial ways to help manage a classroom and it can be SO fun for us as teachers too. In this week’s episode of This Teacher Life I explain how you can transform your classroom into a game show and spoiler alert- this takes NO extra time, NO extra effort, and…
26 Jul 2026 · 41 min
How a Deck of UNO Cards Can FLIP Your Classroom Into Something AWESOME This School Year (Summer Replay Episode)
Want this school year to be your best UNO yet? Sometimes things like classroom management and behavior management cam bog us down. But what if I told you this year can totally be flipped over in a good way?! What if there was one simple way to increase participation, decrease disrespect, get 100% of students organized, and have SO much fun. And all you need for it is a deck of Uno cards? This is not too good to be true and I’m confident after you listen to this week’s episode of the This Teacher Life podcast you will be so flipping excited! Episode Notes: Earn up to 90 Hours of PD Credit in…
19 Jul 2026 · 28 min
Really Dumb Classroom Management Strategy Using Only a Pen!? (Summer Replay Episode)
Sometimes the silliest ideas end up being the most strategic ideas! So let me ask you, how is classroom management going in your teacher life right now? Are students getting disorganized? Are students struggling to keep their hands to themselves? Are students simply not turning in work? If you are looking for a solution to solve common teacher problems you are in the right place. On this week’s episode of the This Teacher Life podcast we dive into one of the dumbest things I’ve ever done, but the good news is… it TOTALLY works! It takes no time to prep because all you need is a pen! Trust…
12 Jul 2026 · 31 min
1 Class Idea That Gets Students ROLLING In the Right Direction-A Dynamic Class Competition (Summer Replay Episode)
Is there a behavior or classroom expectation that drives you crazy? Would you like to increase student motivation and decrease problems with students? Do you want to add a little bit of fun while also creating organized, effective, and engaged kids? If you said YES to any (or all) of those things then you are in the right place! And all you need for this idea is a dice. Seriously! Get everything “rolling” in the right direction for your school and your students with this simple, but significant class competition. Find out all the details right here, right now! Episode Links: Check out the…
5 Jul 2026 · 31 min
The 1 Classroom Management Strategy That Will Change Everything-Seriously! (Summer Replay Episode)
Spoiler alert: I am sharing an idea that has created a MAJOR decrease in classroom issues. The term “classroom management” is thrown around a lot. We had whole classes dedicated to it in undergrad. Our principals talk about it in our evaluations. And these days some teachers are even saying we need to “ditch it.” Some educators believe that classroom management “isn’t needed” if we just have classroom respect. What do you think? Well, in this episode I give my 2 cents on classroom management AND dish out my all time FAVORITE idea on how I manage my own students. And all you need is a deck of…
28 Jun 2026 · 22 min
How to MOTIVATE Kids (Using Just a Door), How to Get Kids Quiet FAST, and How to ENGAGE Kids Staring at the Wall (Summer Replay Episode)
Do you have a door to your classroom? If so, I’ve got an engaging idea for you! Do you want to keep kids quiet at the right times? If so, I’ve got an engaging idea for you. Do you want students engaging rather than staring at the wall? Of course you do! So, I’ve for an engaging idea for you. 3 ideas will come your way in this episode that is all about being a Game Changer for kids. If you are looking for ways to boost student engagement and increase student motivation, this episode is for you! Episode Links: Get Your Copy of Battle Brackets Right Here: monicagenta.com/brackets Sign Up for…
21 Jun 2026 · 31 min
4 Habits That Will Take Your Teacher Game to New Levels (Summer Replay Episode)
Tired of creating resolutions that don’t last more than a few days? Feeling like your new year’s goals never get off the ground? If you are truly ready for this year to be different then this episode is for you. We will dive into 4 small habits that will set your morning up for total success so you can have an incredible day in the classroom. These 4 habits will make you a better teacher because they will impact your whole day on a positive level. Get ready to be mind-blown on how easy these ideas are to implement too. Episode Notes: Get your copy of 180 Days of Awesome-Relationships:…
14 Jun 2026 · 35 min
2 Biggest Things Causing Stress in Schools: Apathy & Attendance with Special Guest Jack Berckemeyer (Best Episode Replay)
Needing or wanting 3 extremely easy and practical solutions to solve today’s problems in schools? In this week’s episode of the This Teacher Life podcast, we tackle two of the biggest stressors teachers face—apathy and attendance—and how they’re affecting classrooms everywhere. From students who just don’t seem to care, to the endless challenges of getting them to show up, we’ll explore practical solutions that can make a real difference. Tune in for fresh, fun ideas to boost engagement, increase attendance, and make your school days a whole lot smoother! And spoiler alert… this idea DOES…
7 Jun 2026 · 18 min
You Can’t Make This Sh*t Up! Crazy Stuff That Has Been Said in Schools (Get Ready to LAUGH)- (Summer Replay Episode)
Sometimes the best thing we can do in schools is laugh. Parents, students, and fellow teachers will say something or ask a question and then our jaw drops to the floor. “Did you really just say that?” “Did that really just happen?” Yes… yes it did! Come take a listen to this episode where I will share hilarious, ridiculous things that have actually been said or done in schools. You won’t be able to get through this 20 minutes without cracking up and thinking, “Yep! that sounds familiar.” Episode Notes: Make Your Summer Reading AWESOME with These Books: https://monicagenta.com/books Needing…
31 May 2026 · 32 min
3 Funny & Real Reasons Why Teachers SHOULD Take a Mental Health Sick Day (And Leave the Guilt & Fear Behind)
Let’s be honest—teachers are absolute pros at showing up for everyone else… but not always for themselves. In this episode of the This Teacher Life podcast, we’re breaking down three hilarious but totally real reasons why it’s time to take that mental health sick day—without the guilt, the fear, or the “but what about my sub plans?” panic spiral. From the chaos that happens when you try to “power through,” to the magic of doing absolutely nothing for your sanity, this one’s a mix of laughs, truth, and much-needed permission to rest. Because sometimes the most productive thing you can do is……
24 May 2026 · 21 min
Principals Are You Accidently Making This Massive Mistake At Your School? Be Proactive About Your Plan With This Simple Solution
Principals & School Leaders! What if all that effort… all those initiatives… all that time spent solving school problems… is actually leading your staff and students right back to where they started? In this week’s episode of This Teacher Life, we unpack a frustrating (and very real) cycle many school unknowingly fall into— putting out fires, reacting to issues, and chasing quick fixes that feel productive in the moment… but ultimately create a loop of déjà vu year after year. If you’ve ever felt like your staff is working hard but not moving forward, or that the same challenges keep…
17 May 2026 · 17 min
How Teachers Can Use YouTube to Our Advantage and Bring SO Much Fun & Connection to the Classroom
In a world where students are constantly watching, scrolling, and engaging with video… what if we stopped fighting it—and started using it to our advantage? In this week’s episode of the This Teacher Life, we’re diving into how teachers can harness the power of YouTube to create more fun, deeper connection, and meaningful engagement in the classroom—without adding more to your already full plate. You’ll discover simple, practical ways to use videos intentionally (not just as filler), how to turn everyday content into powerful teaching moments, and how to meet students where they already are…
10 May 2026 · 26 min
4 Ideas to Get All Teachers, Staff, & Students on the Same Page and Create Real Change for Your School (You Are Going to Want to Bookmark This)
Are all the teachers in your school, hallway, or team on the same page figuratively AND literally? Probably not! And that’s ok! But in this week’s episode of the This Teacher Life podcast, I’m breaking down four fun, realistic, and actually effective ways to help with that! I’ll talk about how to move beyond the same old staff-meeting book club and instead create shared learning experiences that: Get teachers, staff, and students aligned around common goals Build buy-in instead of burnout Make professional learning feel engaging, collaborative, and doable Translate directly into better…
3 May 2026 · 17 min
1 Really Easy Classroom Idea to End the School Year on a Good Note(card)
Looking for a meaningful but low-prep activity to wrap up the school year? In this week’s episode of the This Teacher Life, we’re sharing one super simple idea that can leave a lasting impact: having your students write letters to their future selves. It’s reflective, personal, and powerful—plus, it’s easy to implement, even during the busy final days of school. Tune in to hear how to introduce the activity, creative ways to store or return the letters, and why this could be your new favorite year-end tradition. Episode Notes: 180 Fully Planned SEL Lessons to Save You Teacher Time:…
26 Apr 2026 · 22 min
How 1 Activity Got 100% of Students Discussing, Debating, and Dialoguing on a REALLY Important Topic
Want to spark real, meaningful conversations in your classroom—conversations that matter now and in your students’ futures? In this week’s episode of This Teacher Life, we break down one powerful activity that got every single student engaged in discussion, debate, and dialogue around a question they’ll face someday: What makes a job a “good” job? From values and money to purpose and happiness, this lesson opens the door to critical thinking and future-focused reflection. It’s easy to set up, adaptable for any grade level, and guaranteed to get students talking. Episode Notes: 180 Fully…
19 Apr 2026 · 26 min
The 1 Classroom Game that is Going to INCREASE Student’s Turning in High Quality Work AND INCREASE Effective Communication in Your Classroom (And All You Need is a Box)
Tired of chasing missing assignments and feeling like your classroom communication is a game of telephone? In this week’s episode of the This Teacher Life podcast, we’re unpacking the one simple classroom game that dramatically boosts students’ willingness to turn in high-quality work and strengthens effective communication — and yes, all you need is a box. You’ll learn: Why this low-prep game works so well for student accountability How it naturally improves peer-to-peer and student-to-teacher communication The psychology behind why students care more about the quality of their work when…
12 Apr 2026 · 25 min
How to Get Students HIGHLY Engaged with 1 Simple Question… Would You Try This?
What if one simple question could instantly boost participation, spark real conversations, and pull even your most disengaged students into the lesson? In this episode, we’re breaking down how a single, strategic question can transform the energy of your classroom—and no, this isn’t your typical lesson. You’ll learn how to use intentional “Would You Rather” remixes to build critical thinking, student voice, and meaningful discussion (without wasting precious class time). We’ll walk through: Why engagement isn’t about being louder or more entertaining How to remix “Would You Rather” questions…
5 Apr 2026 · 25 min
6 Super Simple and Special Ideas to Celebrate Principal Appreciation Day in May
Ready to shower your principal with some well-deserved love? In this playful and practical episode of This Teacher life, we’re serving up 6 super simple and special ways to celebrate your school leader like a rock star! From quick class surprises to heartfelt group efforts, these ideas are low-stress, high-impact, and guaranteed to bring a smile to your principal’s face. Whether you’ve got a full week to plan or just one day, we’ve got you covered. Let’s make Principal Appreciation Day unforgettable—and fun! Episode Notes: Last Call to Join the Crushing It for Kids Course and Earn Up to 15…
29 Mar 2026 · 34 min
Classroom Yahtzee: A Fun Competition That Boosts Positive Behavior & Lowers Teacher Stress
Get ready to roll with laughter and learning in this fun-filled episode. This idea is shaking up the typical classroom routine with a Yahtzee dice challenge that’s sure to make your students take a chance on changing behaviors in a good way! Join us as we reveal how to set up a competitive game that not only scores big on fun but also encourages positive behaviors and cuts down on the stress for you, the teacher. From rolling dice to rolling in the good vibes, this episode of the This Teacher Life is packed with tips, tricks, and a whole lot of game-changing ideas to keep your classroom…
22 Mar 2026 · 24 min
5 Simple Ways To End This School on a Good Note (And NOT Feel Crushed By the Classroom)
It’s easy for us, as teachers, to feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and honestly… crushed by the classroom at this point in the year. But it doesn’t have to end that way. In this week’s episode of the This Teacher Life podcast, we’re talking about 5 Simple Ways to End This School Year on a Good Note—without burning out , using the powerful (and easy-to-remember) acronym CRUSH . Each letter in CRUSH represents one of the five most important areas of education that truly matter as the year wraps up—far beyond test scores, checklists, or last-minute chaos. These are simple shifts you can make right…

About This Teacher Life

This Teacher Life is a English learning podcast from Monica Genta. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Monica Genta
Language: English
Category: Learning
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 28 min
Latest episode: 11 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1477926278

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