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From Classroom to Coaching: A New Chapter

After eighteen years in the classroom, I packed up my baskets of books, my anchor charts, and all the tiny treasures that made my room feel like home. Then I did something I never thought I’d do—but always wanted to.
I stepped out of the classroom and into a brand-new role as an instructional coach.

It’s only been a month and I’m still finding my footing. If I’m being honest- that footing is very wobbly at best. I’m learning new acronyms, new systems, and new ways to support teachers who are balancing more than ever. I’ve caught myself reaching for a read-aloud or a stack of math manipulatives more than once—old habits die hard!

But underneath all the newness is something deeply familiar: my love for teachers and for the incredible work that happens in classrooms every single day.

Why I’m Writing Again

When I first started Coffee Teach Repeat, my focus was social-emotional learning and creating resources to help teachers build strong classroom communities. Those ideas still sit at the heart of everything I do.

Now, though, I’m looking through a new lens.
I see know how much teachers give, how hard they work to meet expectations that keep changing, and how much they deserve advocates who understand what it really feels like to teach right now.

That’s why I’m bringing the blog back—not as a “how-to” guide from an expert (because I’m no expert) , but as a reflection journal from a learner.
A place to share what I’m discovering as I move from classroom teacher to instructional coach, and hopefully to offer a little encouragement along the way.

What to Expect in This Series

Over the next few months, I’ll be writing a series called From Classroom to Coaching.
Each post will explore one part of this transition—what I’m learning, what I’m missing, and what I’m realizing about how to truly support teachers.

My hope is that these posts make you feel seen, whether you’re still in the classroom, leading one, or somewhere in between. And who knows- maybe I can offer some great advice or resources along the way.

For the Teachers Reading This

You’re the reason I’m here.
You’re the heart of every story, strategy, and reflection I’ll share.

If no one’s told you lately: your work matters. You matter.
And there are people—like me—cheering you on from right down the hall.

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Helping Students Manage Big Feelings: Free SEL Calm-Down Toolkit

If you’ve ever had a student burst into tears over a broken pencil or get so frustrated they can’t keep working, you know this truth:
Kids need tools to handle big feelings.

Social-emotional learning (SEL) is more than a buzzword—it’s an essential part of building a positive, supportive classroom. When students learn how to recognize emotions and use calming strategies, they feel safer, more confident, and ready to learn.

Today, I want to share some of my favorite ways to teach SEL skills in the classroom—and give you a free printable toolkit you can start using right away.

💛 Why Teaching Self-Regulation Matters

Self-regulation is a skill that takes time (and practice) to develop. Even adults sometimes struggle to pause and think before reacting!

When we teach students how to:
✅ Notice what they’re feeling
✅ Name their emotions
✅ Choose a healthy way to cope

…we’re setting them up for success far beyond the classroom.

🌟 3 Simple Strategies to Help Students Self-Regulate

Here are a few techniques I’ve used with my students over the years:

1️⃣ Feelings Check-Ins
Start the day or a lesson by asking students to share how they’re feeling. This can be as simple as pointing to an emoji chart or writing a feeling word on a sticky note.

2️⃣ Calm-Down Corners
Create a cozy space with tools students can use when they feel overwhelmed—like stress balls, breathing cards, or reflection sheets.

3️⃣ Reflection Time
After big emotions, give kids a chance to think about what happened and what might help next time. This can turn a difficult moment into a learning opportunity.

✨ Grab Your Free SEL Mini Toolkit

To help you get started, I’ve created a FREE printable SEL Mini Toolkit with:

✅ A Feelings Check-In Sheet
✅ Calming Strategy Cards
✅ A Reflection Page

These printables are perfect for calm-down corners, morning meetings, or one-on-one support.

👉 subscribepage.io/hm89J8

🌱 More SEL Resources

If you find these helpful, be sure to explore my other SEL resources for K–3 classrooms, including scenario cards, daily check-ins, and more.

Together, we can make social-emotional learning an everyday part of our classrooms—and help kids build skills that will serve them for life.

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Must-Have SEL Printables for Your Calm Down Corner

As teachers, we know that helping students identify and manage their emotions is just as important as academics. But finding simple, ready-to-use tools to support social-emotional learning (SEL) can feel overwhelming.

Today, I’m sharing two of my favorite printable SEL resources that make it easy to create a calm, connected classroom: the Feelings Check-In Tool Kit and the Calming Strategy Menus.

1. Feelings Check-In Tool Kit

This resource is designed to help K–3 students name and share how they’re feeling in simple, developmentally appropriate ways.

What’s Included:
✅ 1–5 Feelings Scale
✅ Weather & Animal-themed check-ins
✅ Sentence starter page
✅ Teacher guide with ideas for use

These printable pages are perfect for:
✨ Morning meetings
✨ Calm down corners
✨ One-on-one check-ins
✨ Counseling sessions

Teachers have told me their students love the variety of visuals—especially the weather and animal options!

👉 Check it out on TPT here.

2. Calming Strategy Choice Boards and Mini Menus

Once students have identified how they feel, it helps to give them concrete strategies to self-regulate. The Calming Strategy Menus are printable posters that guide kids through simple calming techniques.

What You’ll Find Inside:
✅ A large visual choice board of 9 calming strategies
✅ 3 mini-menus focusing on:

  • Breathing exercises
  • Movement strategies
  • Mindfulness activities
    ✅ A teacher guide with suggestions for classroom use

You can display the menus in your calm down corner or print individual copies for students.

👉 See the resource here.

Ideas for Using These Tools Together

  • Start the day with a check-in so students can share how they feel.
  • Help them pick a calming strategy if they’re dysregulated.
  • Use the sentence starters as a journaling prompt or reflection activity.
  • Keep copies handy for transitions or times when emotions run high.

🌟 Ready to Get Started?

Both resources are designed to save you time and support your students in building lifelong SEL skills.

✨ Explore them on TPT:

If you have any questions or want ideas for implementation, feel free to comment below or reach out—I’d love to hear how you use them in your classroom!

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My Go-To Tool for Supporting Emotional Regulation in the Classroom

Teaching emotional regulation is just as important as teaching reading or math — especially in the early grades. I created these SEL strategy cards to give students concrete, visual tools to help manage their feelings when emotions start to take over.

Whether they’re feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, or just need a moment to reset, these cards help guide students to use calming strategies independently.

💡 What’s Inside the SEL Strategy Cards Set

This printable resource includes:

  • ✅ calming strategies in student-friendly language
  • ✅ Categories like breathing, movement, visualization, and positive self-talk
  • ✅ A calm, clean design with hand-drawn style icons
  • ✅ An instruction page to help you introduce the cards with confidence

🧺 How I Use Them in My Classroom

I introduce the cards during our class meetings and model how to use them. We role-play different scenarios and talk about how each strategy helps. Once students are familiar, I place the cards in our Calm Down Corner along with a few quiet tools like crayons, stress balls, and a timer.

The best part? Students now know what to do when they need a moment — and they don’t need to ask me for help every time.

🏫 Other Ways to Use These Cards:

  • ✅ Morning meetings or SEL mini-lessons
  • ✅ Small group counseling
  • ✅ Pre-teaching strategies before a tough test or transition
  • ✅ Substitute or independent work time SEL centers

📥 Grab Your Set of SEL Cards

You can grab the full set of SEL Strategy Cards for Kids in my Teachers Pay Teachers store.

👉 Click here to get the SEL cards on TPT!

Just print, laminate, and use them all year long to support your students’ emotional growth.

📌 Save This for Later

Pin the image below to your SEL or classroom management board so you don’t forget it!


📌 Check out my Pinterest Page for more SEL strategies

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Join the List

🎉 Get a Free Student Self-Reflection Form

Want a simple, effective way to help your students take ownership of their actions and reflect on their choices?

Sign up below to get instant access to my free printable Self-Reflection Form—perfect for calm-down corners, SEL check-ins, and restorative practices.

I’ll also be sharing things like:
✔️ Classroom-ready freebies
✔️ Practical teaching ideas
✔️ Resources to help your classroom feel like a home away from home

👇 Just enter your info below and I’ll send it right to your inbox!

🎉 Get Your Free Student Self-Reflection Form

Help your students build emotional awareness and take ownership of their choices with this simple, printable reflection form. It’s perfect for calm-down corners, behavior check-ins, or restorative conversations.

Prefer a plain link? Click here to grab it

**Since we are just getting to know each other, you might need to check your spam folder if you don’t receive the reflection form to your inbox.

Thanks!

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Hi, I’m Jenny – teacher, mentor, and joyful realist….

Hi, I’m Jenny – teacher, mentor, and joyful realist.

I’ve spent the last 20 years in elementary classrooms—teaching, learning, laughing, and (let’s be honest) crying into my coffee more times than I can count. Whether you’re just starting out or feeling burnt out, you’re in the right place.

I created coffee.TEACH.repeat. to be a virtual teacher’s lounge where you’ll find real talk, fresh ideas, and reminders of why you started teaching in the first place. This space is part pep talk, part toolbox, and always brewed with love (and probably caffeine).

Here, I share:

  • Classroom management tips that actually work
  • Lesson ideas that engage your students and your heart
  • Practical advice for new teachers finding their footing
  • Style and supply finds for feeling confident and comfortable in the classroom
  • Encouragement for those tough days when you’re questioning everything

If you’re a passionate educator who’s ready to ditch the burnout and find joy in teaching again—you’ve found your people.

Let’s refill that cup and rekindle the fire—together.

☕
Jenny