Helping Teachers Thrive

DESCRIPTION:
In this episode of Helping Teachers Thrive, Tem shares a practical 5-step pathway to help secondary teachers prepare students for exams. Many students can answer questions successfully in lessons but freeze or lose marks when similar questions are worded differently in the exam. Tem walks through a clear sequence you can use in lessons that focuses on building flexible knowledge so students can unpick unfamiliar question wording and apply what they know across different contexts. This episode is ideal for teachers who want practical strategies that strengthen student confidence, reduce exam pressure, and increase the chance of securing higher grades.
If you would like to enquire about trauma-informed training, please contact Tem at tem@helpingteachersthrive.com or book a call: https://calendly.com/tem-helpingteachersthrive/60
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Students often know the content but struggle when exam questions are worded differently from those practised in class.
Vary the question types and contexts for the same content so students become confident tackling unfamiliar wording in the actual exam.
The full pathway can be run in part of a lesson and repeated as needed.
Go to The Helping Teachers Thrive Hub to unlock exclusive content, strengthen your skills and access resources to help level up and thrive in your teaching career (link in valuable resources section below)
BEST MOMENTS:
“They can secure their knowledge and they’ve applied it… but then when it comes to the exam, the questions just throw them off.”
“Provide different exam questions to the same content so that they know that whatever question they see in the exam, it won’t throw them off.”
“The key thing for this is that you model an answer to an exam question and then give them a completely different exam question”
“By doing this, it will help your students to strengthen that knowledge so when they sit down in the exam, they’re going to be more confident.”
VALUABLE RESOURCES:
https://patreon.com/thehelpingteachersthrivehub?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink
EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT:
The Power Of Positive School Cultures With Dr Jim Van Allan
ABOUT THE HOST:
Since embarking on her teaching journey in 2009, Tem has been on a mission to empower students to reach their fullest potential. Specialising as a Secondary Physical Education Teacher, Tem also has experience in Special Educational Needs (SEN) as a class teacher in an SEN provision. With an unwavering commitment to helping students become the best versions of themselves, Tem believes in the power of education to shape not just academic prowess, but character and resilience. Having mentored numerous teachers throughout her career, she is not only shaping young minds but also nurturing the growth of those who guide them.
ABOUT THE SHOW:
The podcast for teachers of many years, trainee teachers or Early Career Teachers (ECTs). Join Tem as she delves into the diverse world of teaching, offering valuable insights, tips, and advice on a variety of teaching strategies to help teachers thrive as classroom practitioners.
CONNECT & CONTACT:
Email: tem@helpingteachersthrive.com
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/temsteachingtips
Instagram: instagram.com/temsteachingtips
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tem-ezimokhai-23306a263
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DESCRIPTION:
In this episode of Helping Teachers Thrive, Tem shares practical advice for trainee teachers who want to make the most of their training year, build stronger evidence for qualifying as a teacher and stand out to schools. She explains why initiative is the quality heads of department look for most, how to spot problems and bring solutions, and why you shouldn’t wait for your teaching timetable to increase before taking the lead in lessons. Tem also covers getting involved in parents’ evenings, taking ownership of lesson planning, and using online communities and colleagues for support. A motivating guide for any PGCE, School Direct or other initial teacher training (ITT) trainee who wants to progress in their career, and possibly secure a role at their placement school.
To get free access to MagicSchool Plus for lesson planning, resources and to complete administrative tasks with ease saving you hours, just use the following code and link before the deadline:
Code: FallEducatorMagic
Link to Redeem: https://app.magicschool.ai/redeem
Expires on December 31, 2026
If you would like to enquire about trauma-informed training, please contact Tem at tem@helpingteachersthrive.com or book a call: https://calendly.com/tem-helpingteachersthrive/60
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Using your initiative is the quality heads of department and mentors notice most.
Teaching early means earlier feedback and more evidence to support your qualification and help you stand out.
Attend parents’ evening, even when you’re not expected to.
Take the lead on lesson planning rather than waiting to be given resources or slides, then ask your mentor or observer to review your plan.
Use online communities, YouTube, social media and other trainees to find ideas, and observe experienced teachers to strengthen your subject knowledge.
Showing leadership skills early can open doors, including leadership roles and employment at your training school.
BEST MOMENTS:
“Use your initiative and spot the things that need to be done.”
“Who cares? Give it a go. Just give it a go and try your best.”
“Working collaboratively is huge in schools.”
“When you’re in school, do everything that you can to make yourself stand out.”
“You need to be the one that actually plans the lesson yourself.”
VALUABLE RESOURCES:
https://patreon.com/thehelpingteachersthrivehub?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink
EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT:
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/get-september-ready-masterclass-series-de-escalation/id1681843058?i=1000788550687
ABOUT THE HOST:
Since embarking on her teaching journey in 2009, Tem has been on a mission to empower students to reach their fullest potential. Specialising as a Secondary Physical Education Teacher, Tem also has experience in Special Educational Needs (SEN) as a class teacher in an SEN provision. With an unwavering commitment to helping students become the best versions of themselves, Tem believes in the power of education to shape not just academic prowess, but character and resilience. Having mentored numerous teachers throughout her career, she is not only shaping young minds but also nurturing the growth of those who guide them.
ABOUT THE SHOW:
The podcast for teachers of many years, trainee teachers or Early Career Teachers (ECTs). Join Tem as she delves into the diverse world of teaching, offering valuable insights, tips, and advice on a variety of teaching strategies to help teachers thrive as classroom practitioners.
CONNECT & CONTACT:
Email: tem@helpingteachersthrive.com
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/temsteachingtips
Instagram: instagram.com/temsteachingtips
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tem-ezimokhai-23306a263
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DESCRIPTION:
In this episode of Helping Teachers Thrive, Tem reflects on a heartfelt thank-you card from a student that captures the heart of her work: creating classrooms where learning feels fun and exciting, where students know their teacher will never give up on them, and where school feels like home. She explains why psychological safety is the foundation of real learning, how mutual respect and consistent support help students lower their guard, and why trauma-informed practice benefits both children and teachers by reducing overwhelm and burnout. A warm reminder of the quiet, powerful impact teachers make every day.
To get free access to MagicSchool Plus for lesson planning, resources and to complete administrative tasks with ease saving you hours, just use the following code and link before the deadline:
Code: FallEducatorMagic
Link to Redeem: https://app.magicschool.ai/redeem
Expires on December 31, 2026
If you'd like to listen to the Q&A sessions at the end of the webinars in the Get Ready For September Master class Series, head on over to The Helping Teachers Thrive Hub where you will be able to access to full recording (link is in the valuable resources section below).
If you would like to enquire about trauma-informed training, please contact Tem at tem@helpingteachersthrive.com or book a call: https://calendly.com/tem-helpingteachersthrive/60
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Students thrive when they feel safe, supported and know their teacher has their back.
A calm, respectful classroom culture allows students to lower their guard and focus on learning.
Making learning fun and exciting while holding high expectations builds lasting trust.
Trauma-informed practice helps teachers understand behaviour more clearly and protects their own wellbeing.
The quiet impact of never giving up on students is often the most powerful thing we do.
BEST MOMENTS:
"Thank you for always making learning fun and exciting. You never give up on us, even if we are having a hard time… You make school feel like home."
"I want to create an environment where my students feel safe and supported, where they can come to me and get the advice and support that they need."
"If they feel safe in the environment, they're not going to have their guard up. They're not going to be triggered… Their mind won't be wandering on those things and they won't be able to focus on their lessons."
"That is how a student learns and thrives - when they feel safe and supported."
VALUABLE RESOURCES:
https://patreon.com/thehelpingteachersthrivehub?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink
EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT:
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-end-of-year-message-every-teacher-and/id1681843058?i=1000773950419
ABOUT THE HOST:
Since embarking on her teaching journey in 2009, Tem has been on a mission to empower students to reach their fullest potential. Specialising as a Secondary Physical Education Teacher, Tem also has experience in Special Educational Needs (SEN) as a class teacher in an SEN provision. With an unwavering commitment to helping students become the best versions of themselves, Tem believes in the power of education to shape not just academic prowess, but character and resilience. Having mentored numerous teachers throughout her career, she is not only shaping young minds but also nurturing the growth of those who guide them.
ABOUT THE SHOW:
The podcast for teachers of many years, trainee teachers or Early Career Teachers (ECTs). Join Tem as she delves into the diverse world of teaching, offering valuable insights, tips, and advice on a variety of teaching strategies to help teachers thrive as classroom practitioners.
CONNECT & CONTACT:
Email: tem@helpingteachersthrive.com
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/temsteachingtips
Instagram: instagram.com/temsteachingtips
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tem-ezimokhai-23306a263
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DESCRIPTION:
In this episode of Helping Teachers Thrive, Tem shares practical strategies for effective lesson planning so teachers can start the new academic year prepared, confident and free from overwhelm. She explains how to plan to the top for high attainers, build in progressive challenge tasks, use simple scaffolds that work for everyone, structuring lessons clearly and keeping planning efficient by using simple tools. Tem also covers student self- and peer-assessment to cut marking, incorporating technology, movement activities, and the golden rule: keep it simple so you protect your wellbeing and avoid burnout.
To get free access to MagicSchool Plus for lesson planning, resources and to complete administrative tasks with ease saving you hours, just use the following code and link before the deadline:
Code: FallEducatorMagic
Link to Redeem: https://app.magicschool.ai/redeem
Expires on December 31, 2026
If you would like to enquire about trauma-informed training, please contact Tem at tem@helpingteachersthrive.com or book a call: https://calendly.com/tem-helpingteachersthrive/60
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Keep planning simple (KISS) - never spend hours on a single one-hour lesson.
Plan to the top first: design progressive activities for high attainers, then scaffold down for others.
Include a clear starter with sentence starters and word banks, plus a “challenge yourself” task for early finishers.
Use student self-assessment and peer-marking to dramatically reduce your marking workload.
Build a logical sequence of activities that feed into each other and include quick formative checks.
Pre-plan 3-5 guided questions so you always have prompts ready to deepen understanding.
Give students choice in how they present their work to increase engagement and autonomy.
Share resources with colleagues and use technology to save time and support learners.
BEST MOMENTS:
"If you're spending three, four, five hours planning a single lesson, that's too much… In that four or five hours, you can plan multiple lessons."
"Plan to the top. Plan with those high students in mind first… so that they don't get stalled in your lessons."
"Keep it simple. Kiss is how I remember it. Keep it simple."
"We need to reduce our workload. Get your students to mark their own starter activity… rather than having to mark it yourself."
"Do not overcomplicate it, please. That's the worst thing we can do as teachers."
VALUABLE RESOURCES:
https://patreon.com/thehelpingteachersthrivehub?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink
EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT:
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/how-to-mark-smarter-and-faster-9-top-tips-for-teachers/id1681843058?i=1000660967214
ABOUT THE HOST:
Since embarking on her teaching journey in 2009, Tem has been on a mission to empower students to reach their fullest potential. Specialising as a Secondary Physical Education Teacher, Tem also has experience in Special Educational Needs (SEN) as a class teacher in an SEN provision. With an unwavering commitment to helping students become the best versions of themselves, Tem believes in the power of education to shape not just academic prowess, but character and resilience. Having mentored numerous teachers throughout her career, she is not only shaping young minds but also nurturing the growth of those who guide them.
ABOUT THE SHOW:
The podcast for teachers of many years, trainee teachers or Early Career Teachers (ECTs). Join Tem as she delves into the diverse world of teaching, offering valuable insights, tips, and advice on a variety of teaching strategies to help teachers thrive as classroom practitioners.
CONNECT & CONTACT:
Email: tem@helpingteachersthrive.com
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/temsteachingtips
Instagram: instagram.com/temsteachingtips
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tem-ezimokhai-23306a263
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DESCRIPTION:
In this episode of Helping Teachers Thrive, Tem explains adaptive teaching and scaffolding - practical ways to support a wide range of learners in one lesson without creating multiple lesson plans. She shows how planning to the top (for high attainers) then scaffolding down in the moment reduces workload while helping every student access the learning. Tem shares clear techniques including modelling, breaking tasks into smaller steps, guided questioning, sentence starters, word banks, fill-the-gaps, mini whiteboards, and subtle traffic-light cards, plus the early warning signs that a student is struggling so you can step in quickly.
If you would like to enquire about trauma-informed training, please contact Tem at tem@helpingteachersthrive.com or book a call: https://calendly.com/tem-helpingteachersthrive/60
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Plan one lesson to the top (for high attainers) then scaffold down - it is far easier than planning multiple versions.
Guided questioning starts simple for the whole class then builds, targeting higher-order questions to students who can handle them.
Quick formative checks let you see who needs support without interrupting flow.
Remove scaffolds gradually as students gain confidence - the goal is independence, not permanent support.
Watch for early signs of struggle and intervene early.
Adaptive teaching reduces workload and prevents the overwhelm of planning five different lessons for one class.
BEST MOMENTS:
"Adaptive teaching… is planning a lesson, but then adapting how we deliver our instructions, how we respond to students… rather than rigidly sticking to our plan."
"Plan your lessons with the top students in mind so that you can then scaffold to support those students that are lower attainers."
"It's a lot easier in teaching to go from the top and work your way down in lessons than to have to think on the spot and build it up."
"The key is really to remove those scaffolds as you move forwards… by the end of the lesson they might not need any of those scaffolds anymore."
"Don't ever feel afraid to just stop and reteach. If the majority of students just don't understand… stop and reteach."
VALUABLE RESOURCES:
https://patreon.com/thehelpingteachersthrivehub?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink
EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT:
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/3-key-insights-to-thrive-in-the-teaching-profession/id1681843058?i=1000685230447
ABOUT THE HOST:
Since embarking on her teaching journey in 2009, Tem has been on a mission to empower students to reach their fullest potential. Specialising as a Secondary Physical Education Teacher, Tem also has experience in Special Educational Needs (SEN) as a class teacher in an SEN provision. With an unwavering commitment to helping students become the best versions of themselves, Tem believes in the power of education to shape not just academic prowess, but character and resilience. Having mentored numerous teachers throughout her career, she is not only shaping young minds but also nurturing the growth of those who guide them.
ABOUT THE SHOW:
The podcast for teachers of many years, trainee teachers or Early Career Teachers (ECTs). Join Tem as she delves into the diverse world of teaching, offering valuable insights, tips, and advice on a variety of teaching strategies to help teachers thrive as classroom practitioners.
CONNECT & CONTACT:
Email: tem@helpingteachersthrive.com
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/temsteachingtips
Instagram: instagram.com/temsteachingtips
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tem-ezimokhai-23306a263
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.