How to Be a Happier Teacher: 8 Proven Habits That Actually Work in the Classroom

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In This Episode: 🎧 Grace shares 8 powerful habits that can transform your teaching experience and help you become that "offensively cheerful" teacher who stays calm even when chaos strikes.

The 8 Happy Habits: 🌟

1. Set Healthy Boundaries 🚧 
   • Protect your energy like it's $24,000 a day
   • It's okay to disappoint people sometimes
2. Prioritize Relationships Over Perfection 💝 
   • Use the "2-10 Rule" (2 minutes for 10 days with struggling students)
   • Create student shoutout circles
   • Build inside jokes and laugh with your students
3. Practice Micro Moments of Calm 🧘‍♀️ 
   • Try "Starfish Breathing" (trace your hand while breathing)
   • Use hallway resets (pause at doors, one mindful breath)
   • Create calm classroom environments with soft music/lighting
4. Stay Organized with Simple Systems 📚 
   • Remember: "You don't rise to your goals, you fall to your systems"
   • Delegate routines to students (they're more capable than you think!)
   • Have daily reset routines before leaving
5. Reframe Your Challenges 🔄 
   • Apply growth mindset to yourself, not just students
   • See behavior issues as opportunities to reteach
   • Model mistakes and problem-solving
6. Celebrate the Small Wins 🎉 
   • Write down 3 best parts of your day before leaving
   • Use a "joy jar" in your classroom
   • Tune your radar to good stuff, not annoyances
7. Separate Your Worth from Your Work 👤 
   • Be a complete person beyond just "teacher"
   • Schedule non-negotiable time for YOUR interests
8. Run Your Own Race 🏃‍♀️ 
   • Stop comparing yourself to Pinterest perfection
   • Stay out of staff room drama that doesn't concern you
   • Protect your peace at all costs

Key Takeaway: 💡 Don't try all 8 habits at once! Pick one, make it routine, then add another. Happiness can be synthesized - it's a skill you can learn!

Resources Mentioned: 🔗

• Happy Classroom Habits Course

Back to school special 2025/6 Beat Teacher Burnout with Better Boundaries Course is everything you need to thrive in the upcoming school year. LIMITED TIME: Use code BBB27 at checkout for a special discount.

Want to truly thrive in teaching without sacrificing your personal life?
Check out my signature on-demand self-study course, Balance Your Teacher Life. Complete details here: www.gracestevens.com/balance

📘 My latest (and greatest!) book:
The Empowered Teacher Toolkit
Check out the best-selling Positive Mindset Habits for Teachers book here
Beat Teacher Burnout with Better Boundaries book here

My TPT Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/grace-stevens-happy-classrooms

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