About The Teaching Toolbox - A Podcast for Middle School Teachers
The Teaching Toolbox podcast is the ultimate resource for upper elementary and middle school teachers seeking time-tested strategies and ideas. With knowledgeable teacher guests, this podcast offers invaluable teaching tips and strategies that are sure to enhance your classroom experience. Tune in for expert advice from Brittany and Ellie on everything from lesson planning to classroom management. With over 50 years of teaching experience between them, they have the knowledge, expertise, and real-life know-how to get through any classroom day.
Publisher
Brittany Naujok & Ellie Nixon, Podcast for Middle School Teachers
We’ve covered a lot in our 100 episodes, but now in our third season, we have decided to take a break, to re-energize, re-focus, and re-evaluate.
We hope you’ve enjoyed listening, and that if you want to hear more, you reach out and let us know.
30 Sept 2025
99. Avoiding Perfectionism
Today, we’re unpacking how perfectionism shows up in our work, what it costs us, and how to aim for purposeful progress instead of polished perfection. Because your students don’t need perfect—they need present.
Topics Discussed
How Perfectionism Shows Up in Teaching (and Why It’s a Problem)
Why Middle School Teachers Are Especially Prone to Perfectionism
Practical Mindset Shifts and Strategies to Let Go of Perfectionism
Please subscribe on your favorite platform so you don’t miss an episode. Whether it’s Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/4aQnaSlyPWS7BUmefOpHAE), Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-teaching-toolbox-a-podcast-for-middle-school-teachers/id1708462661), Google Podcasts (https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5jYXB0aXZhdGUuZm0vdGVhY2hpbmctdG9vbGJveC1wb2RjYXN0Lw?sa=X&ved=0CAMQ4aUDahcKEwjo7_bnxsaBAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQNg), or some other listening app, we encourage you to take a moment to subscribe to The Teaching Toolbox. And if you feel so inclined, we would love a review at Apple or Spotify to help other listeners find us just like you did.
This episode may contain affiliate links.
Amazon links are affiliate links from Brittany Naujok and The Colorado Classroom, LLC®. I earn a small amount from your clicks on these links.
Let’s Connect
To stay up to date with episodes, check out our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/theteachingtoolboxpodcast) or follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/teachingtoolboxpodcast/).
Join Brittany’s 6th Grade Teacher Success (https://www.facebook.com/groups/6thgradeteachersuccess) group on Facebook.
Join Ellie’s Middle School Math Chats (https://www.facebook.com/groups/cognitivecardiomathchats) group on Facebook.
Brittany’s resources can be found on her website (https://www.thecoloradoclassroom.com/shop) or on TPT (https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Colorado-Classroom).
Ellie’s resources can be found on her website (https://cognitivecardiomath.com/shop/) or on TPT (https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Cognitive-Cardio-Math).
Reach out to share your ideas for future episodes on our podcast website (https://teachingtoolboxpodcast.com/contact/).
https://teachingtoolboxpodcast.com/contact/ (https://teachingtoolboxpodcast.com/contact/)
Mentioned in this episode:
Back to School Support
If you’ve hit a hiccup this Back to School, I have the resources to get you back on track. From labels for all your teacher drawers, to relationship building cards, to a review of rules and the why behind them, or maybe just a pair and share tool to get you going faster each day. Check out my Back to School category on The Colorado Classroom at TPT to help you get on your way.
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/the-colorado-classroom/category-back-to-school-1441616
23 Sept 2025
98. When Behavior Strategies Don't Work
We’ve all been there—you're using your go-to behavior strategy... maybe proximity, a private redirection, or a behavior chart—and the student either ignores it, rolls their eyes, or doubles down.
It’s frustrating for sure. And it’s happening more often. Traditional classroom management tools are no longer effective with some middle school students.
So what do you do when the old systems don’t cut it?
Topics Discussed
Why Traditional Behavior Strategies Might Not Work Anymore
What To Try When Traditional Strategies Aren’t Working
Preventative Moves That Shift the Culture Long Term
Resources
Brittany’s Tools for Classroom Norms & Check-Ins:
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Back-to-School-Rules-and-Regulations-Lesson-Plan-Print-and-Digital-1331085 (https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Back-to-School-Rules-and-Regulations-Lesson-Plan-Print-and-Digital-1331085)
https://thecoloradoclassroom.com/mental-health-check-in (https://thecoloradoclassroom.com/mental-health-check-in)
Related Episodes
Episode 57: Stress Management Techniques (for students and teachers)
Episode 1: Establishing a Positive Classroom Culture in Your Classroom.
Please subscribe on your favorite platform so you don’t miss an episode. Whether it’s Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/4aQnaSlyPWS7BUmefOpHAE), Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-teaching-toolbox-a-podcast-for-middle-school-teachers/id1708462661), Google Podcasts (https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5jYXB0aXZhdGUuZm0vdGVhY2hpbmctdG9vbGJveC1wb2RjYXN0Lw?sa=X&ved=0CAMQ4aUDahcKEwjo7_bnxsaBAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQNg), or some other listening app, we encourage you to take a moment to subscribe to The Teaching Toolbox. And if you feel so inclined, we would love a review at Apple or Spotify to help other listeners find us just like you did.
This episode may contain affiliate links.
Amazon links are affiliate links from Brittany Naujok and The Colorado Classroom, LLC®. I earn a small amount from your clicks on these links.
Let’s Connect
To stay up to date with episodes, check out our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/theteachingtoolboxpodcast) or follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/teachingtoolboxpodcast/).
Join Brittany’s 6th Grade Teacher Success (https://www.facebook.com/groups/6thgradeteachersuccess) group on Facebook.
Join Ellie’s Middle School Math Chats (https://www.facebook.com/groups/cognitivecardiomathchats) group on Facebook.
Brittany’s resources can be found on her website (https://www.thecoloradoclassroom.com/shop) or on TPT (https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Colorado-Classroom).
Ellie’s resources can be found on her website (https://cognitivecardiomath.com/shop/) or on TPT (https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Cognitive-Cardio-Math).
Reach out to share your ideas for future episodes
Who has been a guest on The Teaching Toolbox - A Podcast for Middle School Teachers
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
TINA KOLLEY
Ellie Kryczka
Leah Cleary
ANDREA
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
9 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 71 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
97
Social presence
91
YouTube
0
Engagement
68
Contact The Teaching Toolbox - A Podcast for Middle School Teachers
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of The Teaching Toolbox - A Podcast for Middle School Teachers?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
