I'm Doing The Best I Can | That Teacher Life Ep 31 

Please continue to do the vlogs they have become apart of my weekend routine. Your bubbly personality always puts me in a good mood.

I love your videos, you are a great teacher too. You stay up very late so your kids have a fun and engaging lesson, you stay up till 1am, get to school, and stay after school till 7pm! Always remember, you kids will always love you no matter who you are and what you do.

Every time I need a productivity boost for work, I come back and binge your old videos. It’s perfect motivation!

Yay for my Saturday morning ritual of watching your videos!

Can you show us in your next vlog how you make your teachers pay teachers products? It will help me out a lot!!

Enjoyed this video and laughed about the PTA night. It never fails you spend hours getting the classroom ready for parents and only one parent shows up. I'm in an inner city school and same things happens. At least you have parent volunteers. Bought your freedom quilt packet. I can't get through Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt without crying. Also, got your word work packet and the Black History Math. Thanks for all you do. It makes my day easier.

Your videos are helping me cope with the stress of my upcoming student teaching experience. I'm excited to have found you as a resource for all of the lesson planning I need to get done. Definitely going to visit your TPT store soon!!

I'm doing a rewatch, and I'm loving that she suggests listening to podcasts when she now hosts one XD

I must be honest, it took me a while to get used to your videos and man oh man do I appreciate your personality. Like yourself, I am not a morning person lol so I totally get it! Keep the videos coming, they have become apart of my weekend routine. Awesome job. I love your honesty.

Please, please continue with your vlogs! I watch daily for your great tips and inspiration!

Literally look forward each and every week for these videoss

My Saturday wouldn't be complete without your uploads! I love these vlogs!

You have become part of my Saturday morning me-time ritual! Coffee, wind chimes on the balcony, and nearly an hour of That Teacher Life??? ❤👍❤👍❤ Finding your vlogs has renewed my passion for teaching; thank you! I'd LOVE to see a Get Ready with Me: Teacher Edition! Ya know, since you have so much time in the mornings. 😂 Seriously, though - I love seeing others' morning routines because mine is a struggle! I AM NOT a morning person, either. I have students starting at an ungodly 7:00 am!!! Being rushed in the morning ruins my (and their) entire day. I've needed to set my alarm for 5:00 lately to get there by 6:45. It's only a ten minute commute. :/ I need to see how you get ready in 10 minutes!!!

I love the vlogs. I want to be an elementary school teacher and I want to see what the real experience is like. I've actually learned a lot from you vlogs. ❤️

Do not stop vlogging!! You have inspired me to make my own channel. Thank you for being so amazing!!

Please continue to post your vlogs! You have been such an inspiration to me since I started watching. I have four years experience in kindergarten and this is my first year in second grade. The struggles are REAL! I admire all that you do, you inspire me so much, and remind me of the passion I hold for education even when I feel like a failure at times. Thank you😍

I really enjoy your vlogs! It's great to know that we all have successes and failures, that we all experience such joys in teaching and days where everything is falling apart and also that no matter how much we plan and prep, the work is never done! Keep doing what you are doing! 😀

What I personally do is take a picture of any messes then go over it in morning meeting.

Thank you!!! Choices and the consequence.

Yes please continue these vlogs I look forward to them and you're an inspiration to me 😊

Watching your vlogs, I feel like I know you, not just as a teacher, but as a person I could have coffee and chill time on a Saturday morning. If I could, I would help you out every day that you need it. You are an amazing teacher, in my opinion, I am very proud of you for making through every week like a champ. You Go Teacher!

6:50 IS really early- it's just about the time I have to leave for work. 😑 Our elementary school starts at 7:50 am. I like to be there by 7:30. In the winter it's much harder to leave in the morning without the sun being out. I've been teaching for 15 years and have learned a lot since being the fresh-out-of-college teacher my first year. I wish I had it together back then like some of you "newer" teachers do! 💗 I plan on Thursdays for the week ahead. Then, on Fridays I make anchor charts, copies, change my job chart, etc. I actually look forward to Monday instead of feeling overwhelmed like I once did. 😊

You are such an Awesome teacher! 😄

Just changed my major to Early Childhood Education. This helps me be prepared for what I'm going to face lol.

Not even interested in teaching at all but your vlogs are all I watch lately!

these vlogs have become part of my Saturday mornings! love them!

I keep a wax warmer on my self behind my desk and it helps keep my room smelling so good! And it's fun to change the scents up with the seasons

I get up at 5 am. My school starts at 7:30 and I live 45 minutes away. I don't know how you stay up so late! I can barely keep my eyes open past 8:00!

I am a high school student in a teacher cadet course and i start my field experience next week and all of your videos have been so helpful and inspiring!

I'm not a teacher, nor am I on track to be one, but your personality puts me in a good mood and inspires me to be productive! Thank you for sharing ❤️

Have you tried having your kids make goals? I recently had them make goals (some behavior, some academic/work habits.) They're on the side of their desks and we reflect on them each afternoon for 3 mins. If they reached their goal that day they give themselves a check. after 5 checks, we send them home so they can celebrate at home and they declare a new one. Its been very helpful in holding themselves much more accountable for those things that we have to harp on all the time. Just a thought. :)

Please, PLEASE continue to do these Vlogs! I love watching you and learning from you! I'm going to be a first year teacher next year and your channel has been so helpful and informative for me!

My daughter and I LOOOVVEEEE your channel :) She is 9. Her fav part of this episode is when you are showing the snowmen completed and we see the one that is a disaster! LMAOOOOO we laughed and laughed! Even paused it to laugh some more at that kid's art :) We loveeee your channel :) She is going to 4th grade and she looks forward to seeing what you do with your kids :) I am a teacher and you have inspired me to be the change I want to see. Also, Mailcall in the near future :) THANK YOU FOR ALLL YOU DO!!!!!!

❤ you are such a good teacher! Even is you don’t stay late you will get it done! Love

Please continue! I'm a first year teacher and I look forward to Saturday when you upload! Your videos make me feel better about teaching!!!

I love your vlogs! It's comforting to know that someone else is experiencing similar events, issues, and being overwhelmed at times. Being a night owl also, I do understand the lethargy you experience with TOO much sleep. LOL! Thanks for sharing and inspiring.

I too am very busy being a grade 3 teacher, father of two, and a husband! But I make time to chill and watch your videos! You do a wonderful job!

Love your videos..have learned alot and watch them continously! Thanks

I love your craftivities you do. I wish I could come up with some for middle school. Enjoyed video. You are very candid.

So glad you commented on fluff vs. content! Many parents (at least in my area) are drawn towards the "fluff". Just because a teacher makes her room pretty and does fun craftivities doesn't mean the students are learning what they should be. As the saying goes...don't judge a book by its cover! I'm looking forward to your vlogs on this subject.😊

I completely agree about the content vs cute in some TPT products. Hope you can possibly make ones that can be adapted to Kindergarten.

My old Elementary school used read works all the time now I am a freshman in High School and we do everything electronically

Please continue your vlogs! I am definitely using your second grade experience and organization as a guide. I've been teaching preK for the past 3 years and I am about to venture into the Elementary grades. Can't wait for your portfolio video. Btw, props for going to the gym so consistently. I powerlifted for a few years with my fiance, but I've decided I am just not that committed to training as much as I need to. Now I just do overall fitness programs. I still love the three main lifts though! I'm so glad I ran into your channel!! :)

As always, I love your vlogs! I'd love to know what you're doing for Valentine's Day and 100th day in the classroom. You have the best ideas!!

Favorite part of my weekend->These vlogs

I love watching your Vlogs. I always learn something new - even after 34 years of teaching - and I thoroughly enjoy your bubbly personality. I find that I am MORE exhausted when it is mental, rather than physical. I suppose because physical can be aided by resting your body, but it is almost impossible to rest your mind unless you are sleeping. Even then I am sure my mind is subconsciously thinking about school. I know I should probably learn some form of meditation but haven't done so yet.

You're literally my goals I just started college majoring in elementary education and you keep reminding me why I'm doing this

I love your videos. Im a teacher, teaching 1st grade for the 1st time. I taught 3's and prek before. So this is a new experience for me. Been feeling so burnt out lately but its nice to see another teacher share their experiences. Not sure how long I will teach for. Not trying to get politicial but lately been feeling like "its too much" lol. I have a hard time managing the work load and having a normal life. Not just revolving around teaching. But its nice to see your vlogs. Keep up the great work.

Omg you and I are the same person haha! I've never seen someone who literally says all the things I think about every day teaching. We work so hard and I think it's awesome that you put it out there for everyone to see through your perspective. Laughed so hard at the popcorn. Literally me like 3 times a week!

I love your weekly teacher vlogs! As long as you keep doing them I'll keep watching them! By the way did you like Dunkin Donuts new coffee flavors?

As an Australian Secondary (high school) teacher, I really enjoy your vlogs!

YES!!!!!!!!!!!! Please continue doing vlogs, I look forward to them every weekend!!!!!! You are an inspiration. If you ever figure out why you are so tired, let me know, lol. I have been teaching for ten years....and I have been exhausted ever since. Teacher of 23 first graders, and mother of three. My work NEVER ends!!

wooohoooo GO Patriots!!! winning the Super Bowl!

Please keep doing these! You are such an inspiration to me! ❤️

Thank you so much for these vlogs. They are like my morning episode to watch with coffee. I'm a sub teacher and these are such s good insight. :D

Michelle you are a excellent person though I am not a teacher myself by any means yes I help my cousins with homework sometimes but are used to love your positivity in your blogs that is what I need to get going for the day and you provide that every week

These videos are life. I look forward to watching these every week! Also I get up at 6 and make it to school by 7 everyday. I like having a long time to get ready to start lol

Love the blogs. Especially that they are up on Sundays because it motivates me for Monday! THANKS!

Twin usually have grateful attitude towards teachers I’m a twin last year me and her had the same teachers we were the best kids our teachers said

Yessss! Please continue these vlog!!!!!

That would happen to me as a kiddo as well. The good kids who practically never cause trouble are the ones who show up for PTA meetings. LOL Also, If kids have been absent and have make up work , does that make them stay inside for recess ? It sounds like the weather there is trying to be like Texas' weather LOL . We get freezing rain/sleet/ice probably 85% of the time when we get any winter precip.

I love these!!!

What you said about craftivity prep taking forever...so true!! I spent 2 hours the other night prepping a president's day craftivity

Teaching is exhausting and staying until 7:00 for parents is draining. It is normal to be tired. I enjoy your vlogs.

Keep filming. It's nice to know other teachers experience the same things and emotions that I do.

Our kids start coming in at 7:35, and the bell rings at 8. I HAVE to get there 6:30-6:45. I teach Kindergarten and I need that time for myself to get prepared because as soon as they come in it is legit showtime. I usually wake up at 5:30. After 3 years I'm used to it now lol!

I watch all your vids and love them! Sorry I do sometimes forget to hit Like, but please keep filming for this PreK teacher in school to become an elementary teacher!

Love your videos! Please keep doing them. You are great.

I love your vlogs!! Please keep doing them, I find them so relatable and encouraging

You could use the emoji die for a mood writing pice where your students have to write a mood piece based on what emoji they get! just an idea! I am 14, and so am in high school, I really want to be a primary school teacher when I grow up. You really inspire me to work hard to reach this aspiration xx Thank-you

I enjoy these blogs so much as a future teacher!! please continue!! :)

I love these vlogs!!!!!

Hi! I am a HS Science teacher and I recently found your vlogs. I am pleased to see I'm not the only crazy teacher who stays at school late and goes to bed late (2 am ) every night.

If you're having a problem with sleeping, you might try getting an app for your phone like Sleep Cycle (or any other) that monitors your movements while sleeping. Based on that, it can figure out when you are in deep sleep and when you are in light sleep, and it will recalculate your alarm so that it wakes you up at the lightest part in your cycle. It always makes me feel more rested. In addition, you can review the data to learn more about when/why you aren't sleeping well. In addition, you feel so tired because you need to catch up on your sleep deficit!

You are wonderful! Absolutely wonderful!

I don't know if you have one or not but one of co-teachers has a mini paper cutter and it's amazing. Whenever I have a bunch to cut, I peek into her room and ask if I can borrow it. I've found you can cut about 4 at a time and it's super quick and easy.

Small great things is a great read. Love Jodi Picoult, shes such a great storyteller

love these vlogs so much! :) also loved the way you filmed the time lapses :)

Thanks Erica for your videos

Please continue to vlog. I really enjoy them. I'm considering lateral entry teaching in NC.

About which one to get mad with? I would talk to them at the same time.

I literally love watching your blog on a Sunday night before I go to work Monday here in Australia. Thank you so much! You are so like me as a teacher :). Feel the same about craftivity. Love it, but stresses me out :)

I absolutely LOVE your vlogs! You are so inspiring and you motivate me so much :-)

Great job teaching. I enjoyed experiencing your week with you. I have even shared some one your experiences especially this week with my students! Charlana S.

I don't actually understand why I love these videos so much lol (I'm the Michael who emailed you btw)

Keep them coming I love the Vlogs

We get our list of courses that we have to take on July 1. I watch for the email and then I do all of them in one day. Done. While it's playing I'm doing other things. Then take the quizzes.

Love your videos! Look forward to them every weekend :)

I needed this video. Thanks!!

I love your blogs!! U resort down to earth and hilarious!

that last snowman! I died lol

I look forward to your vlogs every week!!! :)

Woke up early so I could watch this!

I LOVE these vlogs!! I just wait and wait for them to pop up! i think they have become a part of me! 😂

Girl maybe you're tired because you're not getting enough sleep! I go to bed at 9 and was up at 7 lol!

Instead of giving a stand alone spelling test each week you could think about assessing their spelling during their regular writing pieces. I no longer give stand alone spelling tests. I grade their spelling as we work during the week. The words are in context and I know if they're using them or not. I tell them that all sight words we've learned count as well as new words we're learning. Just a thought from an old teacher.

im dying at that last snowman!!!!

I have to wake up at 5:15 everyday because I have to travel 40 minutes to get to work and I normally get there 30 minutes before I'm suppose to be there. Rather get my work done in the morning then stay longer and risk getting stuck in traffic...

That man at the dunkin donuts taking your order sounded like billy

I wake up at 5:30 every morning to GO TO SCHOOL AS A STUDENT!!!!!! even though.... I am SOOOO sorry for you dealing with your kids in the classroom