Amanda Jane Kipnis, Specialized Academic Instruction Teacher at San Altos Elementary School in California, joins this episode to discuss juggling the many responsibilities of an educator. She talks about why it's critical to build relationships first, and how she makes her classroom a place her students want to be. Amanda also shares why it's so important to get to know students' families and learn about students' interests. She closes out by sharing resources she's found helpful for teachers interested in growing professionally.