Enjoy Teaching Again | Elementary, Teacher Burnout, Student Behavior, SEL, Classroom Management

Elizabeth M. Peterson - Teacher, Arts Integration Specialist & Creative SEL Consultant
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Do you feel like teaching just isn’t fun anymore? Does classroom management feel like you’re playing a game of whack-a-mole? Do you wish you could clone little Betsy - the only student in class who exudes joy and stays engaged while learning? Ever feel like shutting your door and going off script just so you can teach in a way that you know your students need? You’re not alone—and you’ve just found your people. (YAY!) In this podcast, you’ll find real solutions to bring joy back to teaching, create a caring classroom, and finally find some balance between school and home. Teaching doesn’t have to feel like you’re in survival mode. Here, you’ll discover creative learning strategies that engage your students, practical ways to build a connected and caring classroom culture, and mindset shifts that help you take back control of your own classroom. If you’re ready to stop drowning in scripted lessons, behavior struggles, and the Daily Teacher Drain—and start teaching with creativity, confidence, and purpose—you’re in the right place! Hey there, I’m Elizabeth, a teacher since 1999, a mentor, consultant, arts integration specialist and creator of SEAL: Social-Emotional Artistic Learning. Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand how creativity can transform a classroom—not just for our students, but for us teachers, too! I’ve always leaned into creative teaching strategies to build relationships, engage students, and keep myself loving what I do—even on the toughest days. (And, let’s face it - there are some tough days!) I’ve worked with teachers who are exhausted, stuck in survival mode, and struggling with behavior issues that drain their energy. But when you start tapping into your own creativity—using the arts to connect with students, to bring meaning into lessons, and to shift the classroom dynamic—something changes. The stress eases. The engagement rises. The joy returns. That’s what I want for you. If you’re ready to finally enjoy teaching again—to create a calm, connected classroom, engage your students in meaningful learning, and reclaim your personal time—WELCOME – this is the podcast for you. My solutions are simple, effective, and built to inspire the teacher—because you don’t need more on your plate, you just need what works. So go find your coffee (it’s around here somewhere), grab your favorite pen, take a deep breath, and get ready to Enjoy Teaching Again! More Resources: ✨ Join the Teacher Community: www.theinspiredclassroom.com/community ✨ Learn more about SEAL: www.theinspiredclassroom.com/seal ✨ Sign up for my FREE Class: www.theinspiredclassroom.com/class ✨ Contact: support@theinspiredclassroom.com ✨ Visit my website: www.theinspiredclassroom.com

  1. 2d ago

    158 | Student Behavior Is the #1 Crisis in Teaching Right Now. Here's What Teachers Can Do

    If you've ever wondered whether student behavior is harder now than it used to be — the data has an answer. In this episode I'm sharing two more findings from 2025 and 2026 that confirm what teachers across the country have been feeling. And these aren't fringe numbers. This is the profession speaking.   I'll walk you through what the data is actually pointing at — and why the answer isn't just more behavior management strategies. It's a foundation shift. Connection, Regulation, and Engagement — the three legs of Your Classroom's Tripod — are what behavior has been pointing at this whole time.   By the end you'll have a simple three-step plan to claim the data, name your leg, and decide what to do about it.   ~Elizabeth   Mentioned in This Episode: Devon's Story: 145 | Stop Redirecting Your Students - It Just Doesn't Work Anymore   ✨ The Classroom Reset – The online course that helps you improve student behaviors, increase engagement and support students' SEL, so that you can enjoy teaching again. Learn more and enroll here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/reset   Sources: RAND Corporation (2026). State of the American Teacher Survey. NEA (2025). "The Survey Says: We're at a Crisis Point." Love & Logic summary: loveandlogic.com/blogs/our-blog/teacher-burnout-classroom-management EAB District Leadership Forum (2019), as cited by Gormley et al., University of Nebraska-Lincoln.   Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast   Become an Inspired Classroom Insider by joining our email list. You'll get real solutions to calm classroom behaviors delivered to your inbox each week! https://theinspiredclassroom.com/insider   💬 Let’s keep this conversation going! (There's so much to talk about!) Come join our free Inspired Classroom Community where creative, passionate teachers connect, share ideas, and cheer each other on. It’s your safe space to be inspired, supported, and reminded you’re not in this alone. 👉 theinspiredclassroom.com/community     ✨ Connect with me! Find me on LinkedIn: elizapeterson Follow & DM me on Facebook @theinspiredclassroom Follow & DM me on Instagram @theinspiredclassroom Watch & Subscribe on YouTube @theinspiredclassroom

  2. 6d ago

    157 | 2 Things Standing Between You and a Classroom That Runs Smoothly (And It's Not What You Think)

    In this episode I’m naming the two things that actually stand between teachers and a classroom that runs smoothly — and neither of them is more information. Because information was never the problem. You know how to teach.  You have the strategies, the activities and the know how.  So... what's missing?? There's a reason why strategies stop working by October.  And a reason why your frustration grows instead of subsides.  Let's have to real talk today, shall we? By the end you’ll have a simple three-step way to name your own gap and decide what to do about it before Sunday. ~Elizabeth   Mentioned in This Episode: ✨ The Classroom Reset – The online course that helps you improve student behaviors, increase engagement and support students' SEL, so that you can enjoy teaching again.  Our "Challenge Sale" is going on now through SUNDAY!  Be sure to get in while we have over $600 in bonuses and savings happening!  https://theinspiredclassroom.com/yes    Become an Inspired Classroom Insider by joining our email list. You'll get real solutions to calm classroom behaviors delivered to your inbox each week! https://theinspiredclassroom.com/insider   Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast   💬 Let’s keep this conversation going! (There's so much to talk about!) Come join our free Inspired Classroom Community where creative, passionate teachers connect, share ideas, and cheer each other on. It’s your safe space to be inspired, supported, and reminded you’re not in this alone. 👉 theinspiredclassroom.com/community     ✨ Connect with me! Find me on LinkedIn: elizapeterson Follow & DM me on Facebook @theinspiredclassroom Follow & DM me on Instagram @theinspiredclassroom Watch & Subscribe on YouTube @theinspiredclassroom

  3. Jul 21

    156 | You're Losing 14.5 Days a School Year to Student Behavior. The Research Is Telling Us Something.

    What if the research confirmed that you’re losing the equivalent of 14.5 school days every year — not to planning or grading, but to managing disruptive student behavior? In this episode, I’m walking through what the data actually says — including a University of Nebraska-Lincoln study that sent trained observers into real classrooms to measure the time and financial cost of behavior management. The findings are striking and worth talking about. I’ll also share what the research says happens when effective classroom management strategies are in place — and it’s not just about reducing behavior. It’s about improving student engagement, academic performance, social-emotional skills, and yes, getting more of your teaching time back. ~Elizabeth   Mentioned in This Episode:   The Classroom Tripod is discussed here: 148 | What a Calm Classroom Actually Looks Like (It's Not What You've Been Sold)   Behavior management time statistic based on research reported by Gormley, M. J., Overfield, R. A., Spradlin, C., Scanlan, L., & Sheridan, S. M., University of Nebraska-Lincoln, citing EAB District Leadership Forum (2019), Breaking Bad Behavior: The Rise of Classroom Disruptions in Early Grades and How Districts Are Responding. Additional source: Jonson, A. & Witte, A. L. (2025). Reducing Classroom Disruptive Behaviors to Improve Academic Performance: An NeMTSS Research Brief. University of Nebraska-Lincoln. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/349570451_The_Time_and_Cost_of_Classroom_Behavior_Management https://nemtss.unl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/25-Reducing-Student-Disruptive-Behaviors.pdf   Are you ready to jump into The Classroom RESET course? It's the natural next step to improving student behavior and getting those 14.5 days back! Let's do this! https://theinspiredclassroom.com/yes     Have a question? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast The Classroom Reset course: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/reset Inspired Classroom Insider: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/insider Free community: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/community   Connect with Elizabeth: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizapeterson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theinspiredclassroom Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theinspiredclassroom/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/theinspiredclassroom

  4. Jul 17

    155 | Does Student Behavior Steal Your Teacher Joy? A Classroom RESET Challenge Preview

    The Classroom RESET Challenge starts July 21st, and in this episode I'm walking you through exactly what three days together is going to look like so that you can improve student behavior to eliminate teacher burnout! Come for three days. Leave with more than you came with. And if you want to go further — The Classroom Reset course will be there when you're ready. Save your spot — it's free, PD hours are available, and the replay comes to you if you can't make it live: theinspiredclassroom.com/challenge I cannot wait.   Mentioned in This Episode: The Classroom RESET Challenge (free, July 21-23, 2026): https://theinspiredclassroom.com/challenge   Join me for a free, live 3-day challenge built for teachers who already know how to teach and are ready to walk into this school year with an actual plan for student behavior — not just hope. 📅 Tuesday–Thursday, July 21–23, 2026 🕠 5:30pm PST / 6:30pm MST / 7:30pm CST / 8:30pm EST ⏱️ One-hour workshop each day 🎓 PD hours available 📼 Can't make it live? No problem — replays go out after each session. workshops ~ community ~ prizes ~ FUN!   ✨ The Classroom Reset – The online course that helps you improve student behaviors, increase engagement and support students' SEL, so that you can enjoy teaching again. Learn more and enroll here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/reset     Connect with Elizabeth: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizapeterson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theinspiredclassroom Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theinspiredclassroom/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/theinspiredclassroom

  5. Jul 14

    154 | No Time for One More Thing? The 5-Minute Classroom Management Fix Every Teacher Already Has Time For

    If "I don't have time for one more thing" is the thought that keeps you from trying anything new in your classroom, I want you to hear this one before school starts.   In this episode, I'm sharing some of my favorite classroom management tips — not because they're clever or complicated, but because every single one of them fits inside time you already have. We talk about three small, specific moves that address Connection, Regulation, and Engagement without adding a single extra minute to your day.   I'll also share what shifted for me when I stopped looking for what I could add and started looking at what I could redirect — and why the first five minutes of class might be the most important classroom management tip nobody talks about.   By the end, you'll have a simple three-step plan to find the moments in your day that are already there — and give them one clear job.   And if you want to dig deeper into more strategies like these, join me at The Classroom RESET Challenge — three days, one hour a day, completely free, July 21st–23rd. On Day 2 I do a live micro-engagement demo that shows you exactly what this can look like in your classroom. PD hours available.   Save your spot: theinspiredclassroom.com/challenge   ~Elizabeth   Mentioned in This Episode: Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast   Join The Classroom RESET Challenge (free, July 21-23): theinspiredclassroom.com/challenge   Ready to take it all the way? The Classroom Reset course is where we take everything in this episode and build it into a full, supported RESET plan for your classroom. You know how to teach - now let's make sure your classroom and your students are ready! Learn more and enroll at https://theinspiredclassroom.com/reset   Become an Inspired Classroom Insider: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/insider   Free community: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/community   Connect with Elizabeth: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizapeterson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theinspiredclassroom Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theinspiredclassroom/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/theinspiredclassroom

  6. Jul 10

    153 | Tired of Student Behavior Strategies That Stop Working? Here's Why It Keeps Happening (And What to Do)

    If you've ever tried a new classroom behavior management strategy, watched it work for a week or two, and then felt it completely fall apart — this episode is for you. I'm breaking down why strategies stop working, and why it almost never has anything to do with the quality of the strategy itself. The real issue is usually where you're aiming. When you're managing the symptom (the behavior) instead of the source, things will unravel every time — no matter how good the strategy is. I want to walk you through why behavior is always pointing at something underneath, how Your Classroom's Tripod helps you figure out exactly what that is, and what changes when your energy is finally going to the right place. By the end, you'll have a simple three-step plan to carry into fall (or next week) so you stop managing the same thing over and over — and start actually changing it.   And if you want to do this live with me, I'd love for you to join The Classroom RESET Challenge — three days, one hour a day, completely free, July 21st–23rd. We'll work through improving student behavior without clip charts or consequences, preventing burnout, and creating a classroom you actually love. PD hours included.   Save your spot: theinspiredclassroom.com/challenge Can't wait to see you there! ~Elizabeth   Mentioned in This Episode: Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast   Join The Classroom RESET Challenge (free, July 21-23): theinspiredclassroom.com/challenge   Ready to take it all the way? The Classroom Reset course is where we take everything in this episode and build it into a full, supported RESET plan for your classroom. You know how to teach - now let's make sure your classroom and your students are ready! Learn more and enroll at https://theinspiredclassroom.com/reset     Become an Inspired Classroom Insider: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/insider   Free community: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/community   Connect with Elizabeth: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizapeterson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theinspiredclassroom Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theinspiredclassroom/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/theinspiredclassroom

  7. Jul 7

    152 | The Truth About Lack of Student Effort in Your Classroom

    If you've ever thought "they just aren't trying" about a student in your class, I want you to hear this one before you step foot back into school. In this episode, I'm challenging a belief I've held myself — and one I hear from teachers constantly — that a checked-out, unmotivated-looking student is simply choosing not to try. What I've come to realize, in my own classroom and in working with teachers everywhere, is that what looks like a lack of effort is often a lack of access. I'll walk you through why that shift matters, how it connects to Engagement and what to actually do differently with the student you're picturing right now. By the end, you'll be equipped with a simple three-step process to catch yourself before making any assumptions...and how to be the teacher that kids has been needing for so long! ~Elizabeth   Mentioned in This Episode: Join me this July 21-23, 2026 for the Classroom RESET Challenge. Learn how to improve student behaviors to eliminate teacher burnout! Go to https://theinspiredclassroom.com/challenge to reserve your FREE spot!     Other Resources: Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast   ✨ The Classroom Reset – The online course that helps you improve student behaviors, increase engagement and support students' SEL, so that you can enjoy teaching again. Learn more and enroll here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/reset   Become an Inspired Classroom Insider by joining our email list. You'll get real solutions to calm classroom behaviors delivered to your inbox each week! https://theinspiredclassroom.com/insider   💬 Let’s keep this conversation going! (There's so much to talk about!) Come join our free Inspired Classroom Community where creative, passionate teachers connect, share ideas, and cheer each other on. It’s your safe space to be inspired, supported, and reminded you’re not in this alone. 👉 theinspiredclassroom.com/community     ✨ Connect with me! Find me on LinkedIn: elizapeterson Follow & DM me on Facebook @theinspiredclassroom Follow & DM me on Instagram @theinspiredclassroom Watch & Subscribe on YouTube @theinspiredclassroom

  8. Jul 3

    151 | Exhausted, Burned Out...or Is It Something More? What Every Teacher Needs to Know (with Lori Owens)

    Have you ever wondered if you're just exhausted...or if it's something more? In this episode, I'm joined by PTSD expert and resilience trainer Lori Owens as we talk about a question I think so many teachers are asking themselves: How do I know if I'm simply exhaused, burned out—or if my nervous system is trying to tell me something more? You'll hear practical, teacher-friendly strategies to help you recognize the signs of burnout, regulate stress during the school day, and create healthier boundaries so you can care for your students without sacrificing yourself. If you've been feeling emotionally drained, dreading Monday mornings, or wondering why a weekend never seems to be enough, this conversation is for you.   ~Elizabeth   Mentioned in This Episode: Lori's free Boundary-Setting Worksheet: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/podcast   Coaching discount: Use code GUEST10 for 10% off your first coaching session with Lori.   Join me this July 21-23, 2026 for the Classroom RESET Challenge. Learn how to improve student behaviors to eliminate teacher burnout! Go to https://theinspiredclassroom.com/challenge to reserve your FREE spot!     Other Resources: Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast   ✨ The Classroom Reset – The online course that helps you improve student behaviors, increase engagement and support students' SEL, so that you can enjoy teaching again. Learn more and enroll here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/reset   Become an Inspired Classroom Insider by joining our email list. You'll get real solutions to calm classroom behaviors delivered to your inbox each week! https://theinspiredclassroom.com/insider   💬 Let’s keep this conversation going! (There's so much to talk about!) Come join our free Inspired Classroom Community where creative, passionate teachers connect, share ideas, and cheer each other on. It’s your safe space to be inspired, supported, and reminded you’re not in this alone. 👉 theinspiredclassroom.com/community     ✨ Connect with me! Find me on LinkedIn: elizapeterson Follow & DM me on Facebook @theinspiredclassroom Follow & DM me on Instagram @theinspiredclassroom Watch & Subscribe on YouTube @theinspiredclassroom

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Do you feel like teaching just isn’t fun anymore? Does classroom management feel like you’re playing a game of whack-a-mole? Do you wish you could clone little Betsy - the only student in class who exudes joy and stays engaged while learning? Ever feel like shutting your door and going off script just so you can teach in a way that you know your students need? You’re not alone—and you’ve just found your people. (YAY!) In this podcast, you’ll find real solutions to bring joy back to teaching, create a caring classroom, and finally find some balance between school and home. Teaching doesn’t have to feel like you’re in survival mode. Here, you’ll discover creative learning strategies that engage your students, practical ways to build a connected and caring classroom culture, and mindset shifts that help you take back control of your own classroom. If you’re ready to stop drowning in scripted lessons, behavior struggles, and the Daily Teacher Drain—and start teaching with creativity, confidence, and purpose—you’re in the right place! Hey there, I’m Elizabeth, a teacher since 1999, a mentor, consultant, arts integration specialist and creator of SEAL: Social-Emotional Artistic Learning. Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand how creativity can transform a classroom—not just for our students, but for us teachers, too! I’ve always leaned into creative teaching strategies to build relationships, engage students, and keep myself loving what I do—even on the toughest days. (And, let’s face it - there are some tough days!) I’ve worked with teachers who are exhausted, stuck in survival mode, and struggling with behavior issues that drain their energy. But when you start tapping into your own creativity—using the arts to connect with students, to bring meaning into lessons, and to shift the classroom dynamic—something changes. The stress eases. The engagement rises. The joy returns. That’s what I want for you. If you’re ready to finally enjoy teaching again—to create a calm, connected classroom, engage your students in meaningful learning, and reclaim your personal time—WELCOME – this is the podcast for you. My solutions are simple, effective, and built to inspire the teacher—because you don’t need more on your plate, you just need what works. So go find your coffee (it’s around here somewhere), grab your favorite pen, take a deep breath, and get ready to Enjoy Teaching Again! More Resources: ✨ Join the Teacher Community: www.theinspiredclassroom.com/community ✨ Learn more about SEAL: www.theinspiredclassroom.com/seal ✨ Sign up for my FREE Class: www.theinspiredclassroom.com/class ✨ Contact: support@theinspiredclassroom.com ✨ Visit my website: www.theinspiredclassroom.com

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