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I am so excited about today's guest, Heather Bookstaver! With over 33 years of experience, Heather is a true veteran of the classroom and a second-generation teacher who’s been teaching in the very same district where she grew up. We talk about her incredible journey—teaching alongside her parents and even her spouse—and how she’s navigated some tough personal challenges, including beating cancer during COVID.

Despite it all, Heather has completely reimagined how she approaches teaching, putting a huge emphasis on social-emotional learning (SEL). In this episode, Heather shares how she’s creating warm, supportive classroom environments, the role of SEL in helping students regulate their emotions, and her experience with programs like the Positivity Project.

Heather’s insights will inspire you to prioritize your students' emotional wellness and rethink what it means to really connect with them. You’ll walk away feeling empowered to create a classroom where students feel seen, heard, and supported. You won’t want to miss this conversation—it’s heartfelt, motivating, and full of practical tips that you can bring right into your classroom tomorrow!

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:34 Heather's Background and Teaching Journey

02:24 Impact of COVID and Cancer on Teaching

04:04 Changes in Students Post-COVID

05:20 Adapting Teaching Practices for SEL

07:33 Implementing Yoga and Mindfulness

10:06 Exploring the Positivity Project

12:19 Building a Positive Classroom Community

23:43 Teacher Self-Care and SEL

27:05 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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