Teach 4 the Heart

Linda Kardamis | Educational Consultant & Founder of Teach 4 the Heart

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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571 episodes
Updated Saturday

Episodes571

Newest first

Apr 7, 2025 · 17 min
341: 7 Planning Habits to Save Time & Simplify Your Schedule
LEARN 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. Strategically Schedule Work Time 04:39 3. Plan Weekly To-Dos with Intentionality 07:12 4. Prioritize Daily Tasks 09:22 5. Regularly Reevaluate To-Do Lists 11:45 6. Develop Good Habits 13:20 7. Color Code for Efficient Planning 14:27 Recap + Extra Resources Resources mentioned: Planner: http://teach4theheart.com/planner Planner Reveal Party: http://teach4theheart.com/party 4T System: https://teach4theheart.com/tame-to-do-list-teacher/ If you liked this episode, check out our Answers series where we share responses to questions on classroom, management, balance, and more! https://teach4theheart.com/answers/
Mar 24, 2025 · 25 min
340: 8 Best Grading Tips to Save Time
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 Importance of Grading 02:50 Strategies for Effective Grading 06:08 Prioritizing Grading Tasks 09:02 Feedback and Correction Techniques 12:51 Using Forms for Efficient Feedback 14:38 Batch Grading for Efficiency 16:28 Maximizing Small Time Slots 17:52 Scheduling Grading Retreats 21:40 Empowering Students to Self-Grade Free Training! 5 Time-Saving Practices to Stop Feeling Overwhelmed: http://teach4theheart.com/savetime If you liked this episode, check out episode 302 Simple Ways to Relieve Decision Fatigue at http://teach4theheart.com/302
Mar 17, 2025 · 24 min
339: Should We Avoid Negative People?
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 Dangers of Negativity 08:27 Engaging with Negative People 11:52 Finding Balance in Relationships 16:00 The Role of Prayer and Guidance 19:29 Practical Strategies for Managing Negativity Join Hope Renewed for more encouragement! http://teach4theheart.com/hoperenewed Tim Lane article mentioned: https://www.ccef.org/helping-difficult-people-your-church If you liked this episode, check out episode 305: Words for the Weary: Encouraging Prayers to Keep Teachers Connected with Christ at http://teach4theheart.com/305
Mar 10, 2025 · 21 min
338: The Best Way to Handle Student Arguing
LEARN 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 Disruptions with this free training: http://teach4theheart.com/free Need more classroom management help? CM101: http://teach4theheart.com/cm101 00:00 Understanding Student Arguing 12:19 Processing Arguments Internally 19:51 Practical Strategies for Handling Arguments If you liked this episode, check out episode 308: How To Love Your Students Through Classroom Management at http://teach4theheart.com/308
Feb 24, 2025 · 18 min
337: My Students Think I'm Mean. Now What?
LEARN 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 Behavior: Are We Being Mean? 09:07 Handling Accusations of Meanness 11:01 Building Relationships with Students 15:03 Recap and Resources for Teachers Herzog trainings: http://teach4theheart.com/herzogretreats Struggling with classroom management? FREE training: How to Reduce Disruptions so You Can Actually Teach: www.teach4theheart.com/free or join CM101 teach4theheart.com/CM101 code: PODCAST20 to save 20% Struggling with discouragement? Hope Renewed! www.teach4theheart.com/hoperenewed (use code PODCAST20 to save 20%)
Feb 17, 2025 · 17 min
336: For the Frustrated Teacher: Help for Knowing What to Tackle First
LEARN 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 frustration as teachers. 00:00 Overcoming Overwhelm in Teaching 02:51 Identifying Key Frustrations 06:11 Understanding Control in Challenges 09:05 Finding Solutions and Resources 11:55 Practical Tools for Teachers Resources Mentioned: Hope Renewed: Stop feeling defeated & face each day with hope! http://teach4theheart.com/hoperenewed Classroom Management 101: http://teach4theheart.com/cm101 Reclaim Your Time: http://teach4theheart.com/reclaim If you liked this episode, check out Speaking Truth to Our Souls When Teaching is Tough at https://teach4theheart.com/speak-truth-podcast
Feb 10, 2025 · 21 min
335: How to Stop Feeling Defeated & Teach with Hope Instead
LEARN 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 far beyond "self-care" in this mini version of our upcoming Hope Renewed course! 00:00 Finding Hope in Teaching Challenges 02:52 The Limitations of Self-Care 06:09 Trusting God Amidst Difficult Circumstances 08:59 Knowing, Trusting, and Relying on God--https://www.truthforlife.org/thestory/ 14:13 Introducing the Hope Renewed Program 18:00 Practical Steps to Renew Hope Struggling with discouragement? Get your Hope Renewed! Our new, full training is available at www.teach4theheart.com/hoperenewed
Jan 27, 2025 · 17 min
334: Who Are You? How Identity Affects Our Response to Difficult Circumstances
We 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 Finding Identity in Christ 07:18 The Impact of Identity on Teaching 15:46 Practical Steps to Secure Identity If you liked this episode, check out Episode 327: Helping Students Build Their Identity in Christ at https://teach4theheart.com/327
Jan 20, 2025 · 21 min
333: How to Honor God as a Christian Teacher in a Public School
We 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 with Faith 02:51 Navigating Improvement Plans in Education 06:09 Sharing the Gospel in Public Schools 09:10 Building Relationships Through Faith 11:52 Encouragement for Teachers Facing Challenges 14:47 Trusting God's Sovereignty in Education Get notes + links at http://teach4theheart.com/333 For more encouragement, check out our series Answers for Your Top Teaching Questions at http://teach4theheart.com/answers
Jan 13, 2025 · 17 min
332: The #1 Mistake Teachers Make with Procedures
Thinking 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 and Reinforcing Procedures Get notes + links at http://teach4theheart.com/332 If you found this episode helpful, check out episode 315: Am I Too Nice? How to be Kind Without Losing Control of the Classroom at https://teach4theheart.com/315
Dec 30, 2024 · 15 min
331: What to Do When You're Dreading Going Back to School
Returning 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 Purpose After Break 06:10 The Power of Prayer and Gratitude 11:48 Resources for Renewed Passion in Teaching For more encouragement, listen to Episode 190, Overcoming Anxiety as a Christian Teacher at https://teach4theheart.com/overcome-anxiety-christian-teacher/
Dec 9, 2024 · 18 min
330: 30 Things Teachers Can STOP Doing to Save Time
As 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 Less: Trimming Tasks 09:10 Transferring Responsibilities 12:10 Practical Examples of Delegation 14:57 Experimenting with New Approaches If you enjoyed this episode, check out 6 Time-Saving Principles to Achieve Work-Life Balance: https://teach4theheart.com/147 For more support and encouragement, check out Teach 4 the Heart+ Membership: https://teach4theheart.com/plus/
Dec 2, 2024 · 21 min
329: 10 Mistakes that Can Derail Your Classroom Management
None 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/329 00:00 Introduction to Classroom Management Challenges 01:29 The Kind vs. Strict Dilemma 03:44 Addressing Small Issues Before They Escalate 05:38 The Importance of Clear Procedures 07:57 Setting Clear Expectations for Behavior 09:51 Logical Consequences in the Classroom 10:49 The Dangers of Bailing Students Out 11:57 Building Relationships with Students 13:46 Encouraging Positive Behavior 14:43 Focusing on What You Can Control 17:32 The Necessity of Having a Plan If you enjoyed this episode, check out Episode 318: Tips for Better Communication with Parents at https://teach4theheart.com/318 For more help with Classroom Management, check out our training course, Classroom Management 101: https://teach4theheart.com/cm101
Nov 18, 2024 · 17 min
328: The Power of Clear Expectations: How to Clarify and Communicate Them
Sometimes 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 Communicating Expectations to Students If you enjoyed this episode, check out episode 316: How to be More Consistent With Classroom Behavior Issues: https://teach4theheart.com/managing-a-classroom-consistently/ For more encouragement, check out our free training: How to Reduce Disruptions at https://teach4theheart.com/free
Nov 11, 2024 · 21 min
327: Helping Students Build Their Identity in Christ
Kids 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 in God's grace. 01:20 Jonathan Holmes' Background and Motivation for Writing about Identity 03:11 Identity Struggles in Academics, Sports, and More 09:49 Reinforcing a Grace-Centered Perspective in Christian Schools 15:02 Pointing Students Towards a Deeper Identity in Public Schools Read the blog version or transcript at http://teach4theheart.com/327 Links + Other Episodes Grounded in Grace book: https://newgrowthpress.com/new-releases/upcoming-books/grounded-in-grace-helping-kids-build-their-identity-in-christ/ Fieldstone Counseling: https://fieldstonecounseling.org/ Past episodes with Jonathan that you might like: Gender Identity Part 1: https://teach4theheart.com/Christian-educators-gender-identity/ Gender Identity Part 2: https://teach4theheart.com/gender-identity-christian-educator/ Reshaping Identity Issues w/ the Gospel: https://teach4theheart.com/identity/
Nov 4, 2024 · 16 min
326: How to Manage Constant Chatter in Your Classroom
Nothing 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 Understanding Chatter and Blurting 04:42 Implementing a Warning System 09:49 Adapting the System for Individual Needs 12:38 Building Confidence and Consistency 14:47 Conclusion and Additional Resources Classroom Management 101: https://teach4theheart.com/cm101 Free Training: How to Reduce Disruptions so You Can Actually Teach: http://teach4theheart.com/free If you liked this episode, check out episode 316: How to Be More Consistent with Classroom Behavior Issues at https://teach4theheart.com/316
Oct 28, 2024 · 41 min
325: Classroom Management Strategies that Work: An Intro to Whole Brain Teaching
Every 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 every student to learn. Listen in to this episode from our most recent Rise Up Summit. Get notes + links at http://teach4theheart.com/325 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:06 Engaging the Whole Brain: Whole Brain Teaching 05:48 Superimprover: Turning the Classroom into a Living Video Game 08:56 Mastering Classroom Management with Whole Brain Teaching Rules 11:53 Smooth Transitions: The Three P's and Gamifying Instruction 16:12 Adapting Whole Brain Teaching for Different Grade Levels
Oct 14, 2024 · 56 min
324: Motivating Students to Care about Learning
Are 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 at https://riseupchristianeducators.com/ Get more info + links from this episode at http://teach4theheart.com/324 00:00 Introduction to Student Motivation 02:06 The Role of Love in Education 12:17 Understanding Student Beliefs 17:11 Building Teacher Credibility 27:50 The Eternal Value of Students 28:23 The Unique Challenges of Today's Students 29:51 Building Genuine Connections with Students 35:55 Overcoming Personal Biases in Teaching 39:42 The Power of Prayer in Education 41:40 The Peter Effect: Teacher Passion and Student Engagement 49:41 The Importance of Teacher Credibility If you liked this episode check out episode 303: Adding Joy + Play to Any Classroom at https://teach4theheart.com/303
Sep 30, 2024 · 24 min
323: Collaborative Learning: Best Practices to Make Group Work Successful
Having 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 teachers. Get notes + links at http://teach4theheart.com/323 00:00Introduction: The Integration of Teaching and Faith 01:51The Spiritual Side of Group Work 05:29Practical Tips for Successful Group Work 12:25Implementing Group Work: Using Sentence Starters and Defining Roles 17:40Recommended Resources for Cooperative Learning Structures 19:42Conclusion: The Value of Group Work in the Classroom If you liked this episode, check out episode 319: Just Try Something! Small Steps to Innovate in Your Classroom at https://teach4theheart.com/319
Sep 23, 2024 · 38 min
322: How to Rise Above a Toxic Work Environment
A 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 interact wisely. You'll also learn how to guard your heart and mind in the midst of an unhealthy work situation so bitterness and frustration don't become your norm. Get notes + links at http://teach4theheart.com/322