The Time-Crunched Teacher

33. Making Music Make Sense (With Music Teacher, Mr. E)

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 15:00:00 -0700

In today’s episode, we welcome our esteemed colleague and music educator, Mr. Jason Erece. Beyond his exceptional musical talents, "Mr. E" possesses a rare gift for classroom management and authentic student connection. Join us as he shares his journey into music education and pulls back the curtain on the thoughtful, nuanced procedures that make his classroom so intentional and successful.

Here’s what we’re diving into today:

How to actually become a music teacher (the educational roadmap)
The step-by-step classroom routine Mr. E uses to keep things running smoothly
A deep dive into behavior tracking, rewards, and the philosophy behind consequences
Plus, a surprising personal story and life experience from Mr. E

⏰ Want even more time-saving tips? Then check out Mariel’s YouTube Channel: The Time-Crunched Teacher.

🍎 Do you have a classroom story you’d like us to feature in an upcoming episode? Send us an email at podcast@TheTimeCrunchedTeacher.com. We also love hearing from you, so please send us your feedback or requests for future show topics. We read every email and comment, so thank you for taking the time to reach out to us.

Note: We take pride in offering you an ad-free listening experience. If you'd like to support our mission of providing value over profits, please consider subscribing to our podcast and leaving a review. Thank you for joining a community of educators who have helped each other become recognized for their talent, professionalism, and passion!

32. You Don't Need a Pinterest Perfect Classroom!

Sun, 03 Aug 2025 08:00:00 -0700

In today's episode we discuss why you don't need to spend 3 (unpaid!) days setting up your classroom to be an effective teacher. We grant you the permission to spend just enough time making sure the space is safe, tidy, and welcoming for your students. We also talk about what we do instead of focusing on decor.

🔗 LINKS MENTIONED:
1.) Back to School Routines and Procedures (VIDEO)
2.) Back to School Routines and Procedures (TEMPLATE)
3.) What I Do Before Setting Up My Classroom (VIDEO)
4.) Mariel’s Budget-Friendly Classroom Setup (VIDEO)
5.) Emergency Sub Plans (VIDEO)
6.) Back to School Playlist (VIDEOS)

31. You Shall Not Pass! (All About Hall Passes)

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 05:00:00 -0800

Hall passes are just one of those things you need to have as a classroom teacher. But did you know that there are the right (and wrong) types of passes? We know, because we've used all the wrong ones (and, sadly, found them discarded on the bathroom floor - gross). Join 5th grade teacher, Mariel Desrosier, and 3rd grade teacher, Stephanie Hedgpeth-Lopez, as they share all the best and worst types of hall passes to get you through the school year.

This episode’s topics include:

Mariel's favorite bathroom passes
Why eveyone loves a good landyard
How lamination is the way to go
"Errand Passes" (a.k.a. forced break passes)

30. Our 2025 Classroom Resolutions!

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 05:00:00 -0800

It’s time for our 2025 Classroom Resolutions Show! Not really. Because Mariel spends most of the time complaining about why she doesn’t like resolutions. But we still pass on some helpful tips despite being curmudgeons about it.

This episode’s topics include:

Stephanie’s resolutions about grading systems, organizing materials, and meeting students where they are
Mariel’s resolutions about test taking strategies and why she’s doubling down on reading

LINKS MENTIONED:

29. Grading the Week: State Testing, Fire Drills, and Hiding From Elopers

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 15:00:00 -0800

We’ve decided to start a new segment called “Grading the Week,” where we share the passes and fails of our day-to-day experiences as classroom teachers. Join 5th grade teacher, Mariel Desrosier, and 3rd grade teacher, Stephanie Hedgpeth-Lopez, as we recount the joys of state testing, fire drills in the rain and what an eloper really is.

28. Do You Have a Buddy Class?

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 21:00:00 -0800

Why don’t you have a buddy class yet?! Okay, that’s a little dramatic. But seriously, it’s the greatest thing ever. Listen along as Mariel and Stephanie figured out how to rig the system so they could hang out MORE at work. Oh, and help the children build community at the same time.

This episode’s topics include:

What is a buddy class?
Setting up your buddy classes
Fun buddy class activities
Classroom management strategies during buddy class time
Benefits of the buddy class system

Today’s classroom story includes how having the “cool buddy” can be the best ego boost ever.

27. Teacher Salaries and Contracts

Sat, 28 Sep 2024 19:00:00 -0700

The good news about public school salary charts is that they are often made public. The bad news is that that doesn’t mean you know how to read them. We are here to help! Listen along as 5th grade teacher, Mariel Desrosier, and 3rd grade teacher, Stephanie Hedgpeth-Lopez, explain the ins and outs of public school teacher salaries and contracts.

This episode’s topics include:

How to read a salary chart and what to ask when you’re getting hired
How benefits factor into your salary
How to move up the salary chart (make more money!)
How transferring districts or schools could affect your salary
How to supplement your income legally ;)

LINKS MENTIONED:

Fresno’s Salary Chart
Sacramento’s Salary Chart

26. Mariel and Stephanie's Summer 2024 Plans!

Sun, 28 Jul 2024 18:00:00 -0700

Normally we like to share topics that help teachers. Today we share all the ridiculous things we’re doing this summer. Hopefully our niche hobbies help you lean into the summer break and “turn off” from school tasks. If this is your first episode with us, I’m so sorry. ;)

This episode’s topics include:

Poultry stories
Stephanie cheats and does summer PD
Mariel boozes it up as a wine snob
How to learn new info through stories
Stephanie shares how the Dear America series probably shouldn’t be a kid book
Why gatekeeping a hobby is not cool

25. Why I don't post regularly...

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 11:00:00 -0700

I know, my episode posting schedule is chaotic. Here's why.

24. What I do instead of classroom jobs

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 09:00:00 -0700

Sick of all the time it takes to create classroom jobs and teach the kids? Me too. Welcome to the wonderful world of the Star Student. Seriously, it’s the easiest way to get things done in the classroom.

This episode’s topics include:

Why I don’t do classroom jobs anymore
Why the Star Student is the real MVP

LINKS MENTIONED:

*Editable* Star Student Template
Classroom video that shows how I set up the Star Student board

23. P.E. Games (For when you don't want to teach P.E.)

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0800

Teaching PE can be super fun….or incredibly soul-sucking. A lot of that depends on whether or not the kids actually enjoy playing the games you come up with. Listen along as 3rd grade teacher, Stephanie Hedgpeth-Lopez, and 5th grade teacher, Mariel Desrosier, talk about the games that students actually like. We’ll share tried and true crowd pleasers, along with what games we pull out of the bag when we’re not feeling particularly motivated to teach PE.

This episode’s topics include:

The specific games that we know kids love
How to make sure everyone is involved - even at different skill levels
What to do when there are disagreements

Games Mentioned:

Castle Ball
Tic-Tac-Toe Chairs
Waspital
Old School Recess Games
Watch Your Back Tag
Find Something That Is….
Clean Your Room
Volcanoes and Ice Cream Cones
Head, Shoulders, Knees, Cone!

LINKS MENTIONED:

Today’s classroom story includes how Mariel’s selective hearing inadvertently shamed a kid and how Stephanie has been teaching long enough that she forgets what she’s taught.

Video version of this podcast episode (YouTube)
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22. Making Math Centers Manageable

Tue, 02 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0800

How in the world do teachers run math centers? How do you have time to prepare them? How do you control everyone else when you're working with just one group? Well, the time-crunched teachers are here to help! Join 3rd grade teacher, Stephanie Hedgpeth-Lopez, and 5th grade teacher, Mariel Desrosier, as we walk you through everything you need to know about running and managing elementary math centers. Not only do we explain our exact process, but we also share how to do it on the cheap by using free and inexpensive resources to get started right away.

This episode’s topics include:

Why math centers?
Math block times and how to divide them up
Student groupings
Mariel and Stephanie’s specific math centers
Center classroom management

LINKS MENTIONED:

Susan Jones Teaching: YouTube
Online Math Games for Technology Center: Khan Kids, Prodigy, XtraMath
Math Focused Board Games: Adsumudi, Proof!, Prime Climb
Video version of this podcast episode: YouTube
Email us! podcast@TheTimeCrunchedTeacher.com

Today’s classroom story includes how Mariel’s class dominated in the classroom challenge and how Stephanie discovered that the apple can fall very far from the tree for one of her students.
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21. The Student Check-In System That Actually Works

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0800

Today I’m sharing the weekly check-in system that allows me to know what’s going on with each of my students in an incredibly efficient way. It requires minimal work on the teacher’s part so that you can spend your time supporting your students instead of chasing down information.

This episode’s topics include:

How to solicit background info on your students so that you can have a sense of where they’re coming from
My automated check-in system I use to get a pulse on how they’re doing each week

LINKS MENTIONED:

Questions on my “Trusted Adult” form:

Student First and Last Name
Having a trusted adult at school is very important. A trusted adult is someone who you feel safe with and is easy to talk to. They are also someone who you feel comfortable going to if you need help with something. Please check everyone that you feel is a trusted adult for you at school.
List teacher and faculty names including their titles. Be sure it is a CHECKBOX so they can include more than one. Be sure to also include: “No one - I don’t have a trusted adult at school.”

Weekly Check-In Form:

Student First and Last Name
Use emojis for pre-readers with captions that say things like: sad, not great, okay, good, fantastic, etc. I wouldn’t choose more than about 6 so there aren’t too many options.
How was your week?
What is one thing that went well?
What is one thing you would like changed?
Is there anything going on I need to know?

Today’s classroom story includes some cute form responses from students and then I go on a tangent about walnuts.

20. How to Use a School Vacation Break as a Classroom Reset

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0800

We all need a break, and sometimes coming back from a school vacation is the perfect time to plan a reset for your classroom. Join 3rd grade teacher, Stephanie Hedgpeth-Lopez, and 5th grade teacher, Mariel Desrosier, as we discuss how to come back from a break ready to start something new! (While also keeping things the same...don't worry, we explain what we mean by that.)

This episode’s topics include:

Activities to do before a break/vacation
What not to do when you come back
How to use a school break as a classroom reset

The book Stephanie mentioned is How I Spent My Summer Vacation by Mark Teague.

Today’s classroom stories include Stephanie’s favorite DIY’d gifts and how Mariel’s intuition saved a student from a mortifying gift-giving experience.

19. Survival Stuff (Teacher Survival Kits and Back Up Lesson Activities)

Tue, 12 Sep 2023 05:00:00 -0700

Sometimes it’s the little things that can make the biggest difference in a teacher’s world. Join 3rd grade teacher Stephanie Hedgpeth-Lopez and 5th grade teacher Mariel Desrosier as we share everything we include in our “survival kits.” This not only includes physical objects like the “good Kleenex” and shelf stable food, but it also includes those last minute games and activities that make perfect time fillers for when class doesn’t go quite as planned.

This episode’s topics include:

Supplies we include in our survival kit or back up bag
No cost time filler activities that are actually enjoyable for students
An incredible tangent that involves why November 1 is the perfect PD day

Today’s classroom stories include why kids in France also bite, and how everyone except Mariel knows about corn ice cream. Also, Mariel explains s’mores to Argentinians and Stephanie shares thoughts about the Halloween hangover.

18. Email Templates for Teachers

Tue, 29 Aug 2023 05:00:00 -0700

One of my productivity rules is, “If you have to write it twice, create a template.” And email writing is no exception. In today’s episode I go over exactly how to create an email template and the types of templates I use as an elementary school teacher.

This episode’s topics include:

Step-by-step instructions for enabling templates in Gmail
Template examples and how I use them

LINKS MENTIONED:

Email processing podcast (Apple Podcasts): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/4-email-productivity-for-everyone-who-hates-email/id1662178054?i=1000591736381

Email processing video (YouTube): https://youtu.be/JV_HrVtftDc

Today’s classroom story is about the importance of teaching students how to email their teacher.

17. Class Rewards That Don't Cost Money

Tue, 15 Aug 2023 05:00:00 -0700

You know what's better than giving kids rewards? Giving kids free rewards. Join 3rd grade teacher Stephanie Hedgpeth-Lopez, and 5th grade teacher Mariel Desrosier as we share our favorite cheap and free class rewards.

This episode’s topics include:

Free choice activities
Silly group rewards
Building community through rewards
Student acknowledgement (especially in cursive)
Whole class rewards
Being the special messenger
Ways to show student achievement

We also get sidetracked about the best ways to clean up after children.

Today’s classroom story is about a drive by bageling.

16. Back to School Night Basics: Your Guide to an Awesome Event!

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 05:00:00 -0700

Many teachers have told us that Back to School Night is one of the most stressful nights of the year. Something about presenting to adults, opposed to a room full of children, can shake even the best of us. But do not fear - Mariel and Stephanie are here to help you plan your best Back to School Night yet! Not only will our tips help guide you through the exact items to include in your presentation, but we’ll also share our sneaky hints to help you get ahead on other tasks like building rapport with families and setting yourself up for success at conferences.

This episode’s topics include:

An overview of what to expect at Back to School Night
Exactly what Stephanie and Mariel include in their presentations
How to get volunteers to sign up for important events
Fun and memorable ways to end the evening

LINKS MENTIONED:

How to Make a Welcome Video for Students (Video): https://youtu.be/yD0pSlDiCXA
Family Letter to the Teacher (Video/Template): https://youtu.be/YphgYJKYhd4
Recording a Teacher Read Aloud with QR Code (Video/Template): https://youtu.be/HPl-C55gKf0

Today’s classroom story is how Mariel channels her inner club bouncer on Back to School Night.

15. What you REALLY need to have ready for the first day of school...and what you don't

Tue, 18 Jul 2023 05:00:00 -0700

As teachers, we love the first day of school, but there is soooo much to do. Join 3rd grade teacher Stephanie Hedgpeth-Lopez, and 5th grade teachers Leanna Garcia and Mariel Desrosier as we share exactly how we prepare our classrooms and materials for the first day of school. We’ll not only explain our exact process for setting up the classroom, but we’ll also be sharing our prior mistakes and what we no longer waste our time doing.

This episode’s topics include:

How to get your classroom space physically ready
Which materials need to be prepared during the teacher work week
How each of us begins the first day of school with the students

LINKS MENTIONED:

Emergency sub plans (Video): https://youtu.be/gTwRtSaBAO8

High frequency high five (Video): https://youtu.be/GzIs5xZdldc

First night’s homework (Video): https://youtu.be/YphgYJKYhd4

Birthday envelope (Video): https://youtu.be/0VAZhTTJ36k

Playworks Game - Shipwreck (Link): https://www.playworks.org/game-library/shipwreck/

Today’s classroom stories include why Mariel never makes bus passes and how Stephanie discovered a phallic phonics lesson. We’ll also hear from Leanna about the importance of honoring student identity on the first day.

14. Battle of the Brackets: Worst School Supplies

Mon, 03 Jul 2023 11:00:00 -0700

Today's episode is a very special recording of the podcast. In celebration of our summer break, I came up with a ridiculous game called "Battle of the Brackets." We pick a topic (like worst school supplies) and create a set of playoff brackets where we argue each item head to head until we've declared a winner for: The Worst School Supply Ever.

Western Conference:
1. Safety scissors vs. mechanical pencils
2. Bottle glue vs. mini pencil sharpeners

Eastern Conference:
1. Cheap crayons vs. school paper towels
2. Pens with caps vs. glitter
WINNER!

Today's entire episode is a classroom story. ;)

13. How to Build a Thrifted Capsule Wardrobe for Teachers

Thu, 22 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0700

If you’ve ever wanted to look into your closet and LOVE the items you see, then this is the episode for you! Today I go into the step by step process I used to create my awesome capsule wardrobe from scratch, all on a teacher’s budget.

This episode’s topics include:

What is a capsule wardrobe?
Why thrifted?
How to define your personal style
Purging items you don’t need
How to thrift shop like a pro
Taking care of clothing items
What luxury items I splurge on

LINKS MENTIONED:

Alyssa’s Video on The 3 Word Rule to Find Your Personal Style: https://youtu.be/eb-BmiVqp-I. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Alyssa’s channel. 💗

Today’s classroom story involves my invisible little black dress.

12. First Year Teacher Mistakes (With Special Guests Stephanie and Melissa)

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0700

Everyone remembers their first year teaching mistakes - and the Lunch Bunch is no exception. Join 3rd grade teacher Stephanie Hedgpeth-Lopez, Technology Coach Melissa Shaw, and 2nd grade teacher Mariel Desrosier as we regale our tales as first year teachers. But more importantly, we share exactly what we would have done differently if we had the chance to do it again.

This episode’s topics include:

Deciding what’s most important
How to ask for help
Reaching out to parents
Leaving at the end of the contract day
How to give yourself a little grace

LINKS MENTIONED:
Emergency Sub Plans (Video): https://youtu.be/gTwRtSaBAO8

Today’s classroom stories include Mariel’s mister mister experience, Stephanie’s nickname for Richard, and Melissa’s swan thong song.

11. Lunch Bunch (With Special Guests Cailin and The Stephanies)

Thu, 25 May 2023 05:00:00 -0700

Lunch Bunch in the house! Today’s guests include art teacher Cailin Nygren, librarian Stephanie Simms, and 3rd grade teacher Stephanie Hedgpeth-Lopez. Join our spirited Would You Rather? Game - teacher edition. Get ready for some real world teaching advice, including why we would choose head lice over birthday cupcakes.

Today’s classroom stories include Stephanie’s slip slip, Mariel’s 2nd grade nail salon, and Cailin’s lesson about the power of super glue and butt cheeks. Mrs. Simms keeps us wholesome with an adorable student misnomer.

10. Productivity Systems for Around the House

Thu, 11 May 2023 05:00:00 -0700

Usually I talk about teaching. Today I’m sharing my favorite time-saving tricks for around the house. Because who wants to spend the day cleaning up after a bunch of kids only to have to come home and clean up after your own? ;)

This episode’s topics include:

How I learned to love doing laundry without involving alcohol
Why deciding what’s for dinner is the hardest part about being an adult
How not to look like an episode of Hoarders
Timers aren’t just for athletes

LINKS MENTIONED:
Example of my grocery list organized by aisle - pdf

Today’s classroom story is about the time I broke into my house on Back to School Night.

9. Last Week of School Activities That Aren't a Nightmare to Plan

Fri, 28 Apr 2023 05:00:00 -0700

It's the end of the year, your brain is toast, the kids' brains are toast, you don't need something complicated or expensive to do. Don't worry, I've got you.

This episode’s topics include:

Activities disguised as teaching
Ridiculous games
Making memories

LINKS MENTIONED:

Today’s classroom story is about how every teacher needs the "Connect 4 Kid."

8. Hidden Chrome Features That Will Make Your Life Easier

Tue, 28 Mar 2023 05:00:00 -0700

Google Chrome has some amazing features that can save you time and up your productivity. In today’s episode I share some of my favorite features that will make your life easier.

This episode’s topics include:

Bookmark folders that allow you to open all your bookmarks at once
Creating icon-only bookmarks to fit more on your bookmarks bar
Sending links to highlighted text on a website
How to quickly open a closed browser tab

LINKS MENTIONED:

Bookmark Folders (Video)
Icon-Only Bookmarks Bar (Video)

Today’s classroom story is about a little 3rd grade swear bear and some naughty words.

7. From Deep in Debt to an 850 Credit Score (All on a Teacher's Salary)

Thu, 09 Feb 2023 05:00:00 -0800

When I first started teaching, I was deep in credit card debt and my credit score had tanked. Then, I married my husband and we merged our debt along with our households. So how did a young, broke married couple dig their way out and end up debt free with an 850 credit score? Listen along as I share the journey of how we learned how to be fiscally savvy - all on a teacher’s budget.

This episode’s topics include:

Taking an honest look at your money
Budgeting basics
Secrets to lowering your credit card debt
It’s going to be okay

Today's classroom story is why I don't do YouTube Shorts.

6. "Make Me Feel Important." - Your Students

Thu, 26 Jan 2023 05:00:00 -0800

Today’s episode includes all the little ways you can make your students feel seen and heard. Because every student is wearing a little invisible sign that says, “Make me feel important.”

This episode’s topics include:

Little surprises (that are cheap or don’t cost any money)
One-on-one time for each student
What to do when it gets hard
De-escalation techniques for upset children

LINKS MENTIONED:

Student Birthday Card Activity (Video)
Whole Class Reward (Video)

Today’s classroom story involves how a small choice made a big impact in a student’s life.

5. Things I'm No Longer Doing in 2023 + BONUS: My Favorite Classroom Story of the Year

Thu, 12 Jan 2023 05:00:00 -0800

As a time-crunched teacher, there are a lot of choices you need to make in order to prioritize what’s important to you. And what was important for me this year was to only work contract hours. But in order to make that happen, I needed to make some changes. Today I discuss the things I’m no longer doing in 2023 and what I’m doing instead.

Incidentally, it was raining when I recorded this episode so you get a bonus ASMR soundtrack too. ;)

This episode’s topics include:

Things I’m no longer spending my money on
Things I’m no longer spending my time on
Things I’m no longer giving my energy to

LINKS MENTIONED:

Today’s classroom story is about why I have trust issues with plastic Easter eggs.

4. Email Productivity for Everyone Who Hates Email

Fri, 30 Dec 2022 13:00:00 -0800

Have you ever wanted to be able to get through all your emails without sacrificing your prep period? Then listen along as I walk you through the exact steps I use to process all of my emails in under 10 minutes and end the day with the elusive INBOX ZERO.

This episode’s topics include:

How to process your email as efficiently as possible
The only email folders you’re ever going to need
How to calendar your time so that everything gets done

Today’s classroom story is about the nicest rudest thing a parent has ever said to me.

3. Tips for Student Teachers (Our Favorite Type of Student!)

Thu, 29 Dec 2022 13:00:00 -0800

Entering a teacher credentialing program can be incredibly exciting, but it can also be very overwhelming. Listen along as I walk you through the do’s and don'ts of navigating your credentialing program.

This episode’s topics include:

Types of teaching credentials and certifications
Jobs you can work while you’re still in school
Advice for what to do during your program
Tips for getting hired right out of school

LINKS MENTIONED:

Today’s classroom story involves a kinder teacher and why I might not want to talk about Deadwood any more.

2. Time-Saving Classroom Setup and Organization Hacks

Wed, 28 Dec 2022 13:00:00 -0800

In this episode I go through all of my favorite quick tips and cheap hacks to setting up your classroom at the beginning of the school year. These systems allow me to get my ENTIRE classroom ready for the year in under 2 hours. That's right, I hide out the rest of the time and eat snacks. ;)

This episode's topics include:

Technology that doesn't involved hiding TPT invoices from your spouse
Organization systems (aka keeping crap out of sight)
Decor or how to make your classroom look great without having to make everything shiplap and messy cursive

LINKS MENTIONED:

Today's classroom story is about the most time-wasting activity I've ever done and how an entire class laughed at me on the first day of school.

1. The Only To-Do List You'll Ever Need

Tue, 27 Dec 2022 13:00:00 -0800

Stop cluttering your desk with sticky notes! Today's episode is a step-by-step tutorial of how I use Google Tasks Lists to create the ultimate To-Do List. This is one of my absolute favorite teacher productivity tips! Perfect for busy teachers looking to increate their time management and get things DONE.

In this episode I explain:

How to set up a Google Tasks List
How to prioritize your to-do list items
Scheduling tips to get everything done

LINKS MENTIONED:

Today's classroom story involves a group of kids who can't imagine why anyone would marry me.

Who is The Time-Crunched Teacher?

Mon, 26 Dec 2022 13:00:00 -0800

Welcome to The Time-Crunched Teacher Podcast! We know what it feels like to try and fit everything into your contract hours. Which is exactly why we created this podcast - to save you time.