Ep 223: How to Get Involved

New Teacher Talk welcomes Abby Bartle, a fourth-year English teacher at Oswego High School in Oswego, Illinois, for an honest conversation about getting involved in your school community without running yourself into the ground. Hosted by Dr. Anna Quinzio-Zafran and Dr. Beth Wilkins, this episode is full of practical guidance from someone who has done a lot, running the school website, coaching, sponsoring clubs, tutoring, volunteering, and finishing a master's degree, and has learned where the limits need to be. Abby walks through the many doors into school involvement, from coaching and sponsoring activities to simply showing up at student events like games, musicals, and poetry slams. She makes the case for committees and PLCs as a way to grow fast, sharing how joining a curriculum-rewrite committee in her first year became the best professional decision she made, even though it took time to find her voice among veteran teachers. She talks candidly about mentorship on both sides of the relationship, the realities of pursuing a master's degree, and how she funded hers through coaching. Throughout, she keeps returning to one idea: say yes on purpose, and protect the time that keeps you whole. Abby’s Teacher-instagram account: @teaching_with_ms_b What you will take away: How to find coaching, club, and committee openings, and when to volunteer your way in instead Why attending student events is one of the simplest relationship-building moves you can make How committees and PLCs accelerate your growth alongside experienced colleagues Making the most of mentorship, formal or informal, and eventually mentoring others Practical thinking on a master's degree, from salary caps to summer classes A burnout reset: name what is mandatory, what you enjoy, and what eats the most time, then adjust If this episode gave you permission to be more intentional, or there is a topic you want us to cover next, leave us a review. We read every one, and your feedback shapes future episodes. #NewTeacherTalk #NewTeacherSupport #TeacherBurnout #SchoolInvolvement #TeacherMentorship #PLC #FirstYearTeacher #WorkLifeBalance #TeacherCommunity #IntentionalTeaching