logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2024
22m 56s

Unconventional Commencement Speeches: In...

Grace Stevens
About this episode

Send us a text

Are you a stressed-out teacher looking for inspiration? 🌟 This episode of the Balance Your Teacher Life podcast takes an unexpected turn, diving into graduation speeches that will make you laugh, think, and maybe even roll your eyes. But most importantly, it'll remind you why you became an educator in the first place.

🎙️ Episode Highlights:

  • The viral "Bill Gates" graduation speech that wasn't 🤯
  • 11 brutally honest rules for life that every student (and teacher) should hear 📝
  • The truth behind the viral list and its actual author 🕵️‍♀️
  • Jim Carrey's surprisingly profound commencement address 🎭
  • The five words that could change your students' lives (and yours too!) 💖

🧠 Key Takeaways for Educators:

  1. Fact-checking is crucial, even for inspiring content 🔍
  2. Validation for the struggles of teaching and parenting teens 🤝
  3. The most valuable currency in life: how you make others feel ❤️
  4. Choosing love over fear in your classroom and life 🌈
  5. The importance of mindful connections: "Mind who you hang with" 👥

💡 Quotable Moments:

"Your energy teaches more than your lesson plans." - Grace Stevens

"You are ready and able to do beautiful things in this world." - Jim Carrey

🚀 Action Step for Teachers:

Reflect on the people you surround yourself with. Are they lifting you up or bringing you down? Remember, minding who you hang with is crucial for maintaining your energy and passion as an educator.

🎧 Listen Now:

Don't miss this empowering episode that will remind you of your worth as an educator and inspire you to create positive change in your classroom and life. Click play and let's balance your teacher life together! 💪🏻📚

To join us this summer, www.gracestevens.com/balance - ACT FAST - only 30 seats available!

Want PD that teachers crave and actually use? Have your administrator visit www.gracestevens.com/admins

Want to truly thrive in teaching without sacrificing your personal life?
Check out my signature on-demand course, Balance Your Teacher Life. You can go the self-study route or join a cohort with group coaching for Summer 2025.

Check out all the 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

Wanna get social?
https://www.tiktok.com/@gracestevensteacher
https://www.facebook.com/GraceStevensTeacher
https://www.Instagram.com/gracestevensteacher

Old school: Website : www.GraceStevens.com (courses, blog & freebies!)

Up next
Yesterday
Supporting Student Mental Health & SEL with Iuri Melo of School Pulse
Send us a textWhat if one text message could save a student's life? In this powerful episode, Grace sits down with Iuri Mellow, co-founder of School Pulse, to explore a revolutionary mental health support system that's preventing tragedies in schools across America. After 7 stude ... Show More
53m 54s
Sep 30
Teacher Wellness Done Wrong: When Teacher Book Studies Add Stress Not Support
Send us a textWhy Campus-Wide Book Studies Might Backfire (And What to Do Instead)In this candid episode, educator and author Grace Stevens shares an unconventional perspective: why mandating her own book for campus-wide studies might do more harm than good. She explores the psyc ... Show More
26m 10s
Sep 9
Teacher Burnout, Stress & Mental Health: 17 Red Flags
Send us a textIn this episode of the Teacher Self-Care and Life Balance Podcast, we’re diving deep into a topic every educator needs to hear: the warning signs that you need stronger, healthier boundaries.If you’ve been feeling exhausted, resentful, or like teaching is bleeding i ... Show More
26m 10s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2023
2. 7 Habits of a Highly Effective Teacher
What habits make great teachers successful? We have thought long and hard and listed 7 habits that we believe highly effective teachers share and engage in. Let’s do this… The 7 Habits of a Highly Effective Teacher:They use their time efficientlyThey plan ahead and know where the ... Show More
25m 17s
Dec 2024
62. Practical Tips for Thriving in the Classroom
We are so excited to share this special replay episode of Ashleigh’s interview on The Teacher Approved Podcast with Emily and Heidi! We had a great conversation about supporting new teachers and how veteran educators can play a key role in helping them thrive. In this conversatio ... Show More
31m 11s
Sep 5
the ULTIMATE back to school guide | mindset glow up, friendships, routines + study hacks
[ad] This is a paid advertisement by BetterHelp.Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/selfobsessed and get on your way to being your best self. this isn’t your average back-to-school advice video — this is the ULTIMATE Back-to-School Guide 2025 to help you glow up your mind ... Show More
21m 3s
Jul 2024
38. Get Your Time Back With These 7 Teacher Time-saving Tips
Have you ever been sitting around the staffroom table and caught yourself saying, ‘There just isn’t enough time'?  It is no secret that teachers are time-poor.  Today, we are discussing time-saving tips, tricks, and hacks that have worked for us over the years. Some of them ... Show More
19m 24s
Dec 2024
63. 7 Game-Changing Time Management Strategies for Teachers
We know that as a teacher, time is one of your most valuable resources. That’s why, in this episode, we’re diving into practical strategies to help you reclaim your time so you can focus on what really matters: teaching and connecting with your students. From organisation hacks t ... Show More
20m 42s
Jan 2024
12. Worries to Wins: Overcome the 5 Top Worries of New Teachers
Teaching is an exciting ride, but it comes with its fair share of worries, especially for newcomers. From connecting with students to balancing work and life, these concerns can be daunting.New teachers often grapple with common worries that can impact their confidence in and out ... Show More
29m 24s
Sep 2024
Habits for School Counselor Hustle
Ready to Tame the School Year Chaos? In this episode of School for School Counselors Podcast, host Steph Johnson dives into the power of building habits that stick—even in the whirlwind of school counseling life. Discover how to manage your ever-growing to-do list using James Cle ... Show More
28m 23s
Aug 2024
how to get out of a SLUMP + get your life together: habits + mindset tips to stay motivated/positive
MY CLOTHING COLLECTION IS LIVE!!!🎀 https://acaso.live/collections/brianna For limited time you can get 10% off when you buy both pieces of the set🥹💗 so excited for it to be your’s!!! We’ve ALL fallen victim to the SLUMP at one point: low energy, little motivation, & poor habit ... Show More
43m 50s
Jan 2025
'it girl' guide: how to be productive | discipline, healthy habits + THAT GIRL motivation
How to Be Productive - Productivity Habits Backed by Psychology! Welcome to Week 3 of the Glow Up 90 Series! Each week, we dive into actionable tips to help you glow up mentally, physically, and emotionally. This episode is your ultimate guide to mastering productivity and becomi ... Show More
18m 50s
Sep 2024
A Surprising Secret Weapon Against Chronic School Counselor Stress
Are you tired of feeling overwhelmed and burnt out as a school counselor? Discover game-changing strategies to not only manage- but also thrive- amidst the unique stressors you face daily. Join me, Steph Johnson, on the School for School Counselors Podcast as we navigate the comp ... Show More
31 m