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. 1d ago

    165 | Your Classroom Setup Matters More Than You Think: 5 Spaces That Support SEL and Belonging

    I'm setting up my classroom this week — in a new, bigger space (with windows!!!) — and it's got me rethinking decisions I've made the same way for years. Setting up your classroom isn't just about deciding where the desks, bookshelves, and supplies will go. Your physical classroom can actually support students' social-emotional learning, regulation, and sense of belonging. So today, I'm sharing 5 simple spaces you can create—or rethink—in your classroom that communicate to students that they are seen and valued. If you're setting up your classroom right now or wondering how to make your space work a little more for your students and you (instead of simply making it look nice), this episode will give you practical ideas you can put into place right away. You just may see your classroom setup a little differently—and hopefully realize that you don't need a bigger budget or a perfectly decorated classroom to create more calm, connection, and belonging.   Let's get into it together. ~Elizabeth   Mentioned in This Episode:   63 | Is Your Calm-Down Corner Even Working? The Mistakes Teachers Make—and How to Fix Them   Create Your Own BREAK BOX System in Your Classroom!   Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast   Want to take the ideas from this episode a little deeper? Grab the free RESET Roadmap! https://theinspiredclassroom.com/roadmap   OR, jump right in and join The Classroom RESET! Learn more and enroll: 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

  2. 4d ago

    164 | Could You Be THAT Teacher? How Connection Can Change a Student’s School Experience

    Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can give a student isn't another strategy, intervention, or behavior consequence. Sometimes, it's simply being the adult who sees them, knows them, and is genuinely glad they're there. In this episode, I’m talking about the incredible power of a teacher-student connection—not just for students who struggle with behavior or have challenges at home, but for every child in our classrooms. If you're exhausted from managing behavior, trying to reach certain students, or wondering whether your efforts are actually making a difference, this episode will give you a different way to think about connection. You’re already a good teacher. And sometimes, simply being THAT teacher who is glad a child is there is more powerful than you realize. ~Elizabeth   Mentioned in This Episode: Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast   Ready to move beyond quick behavior fixes and create a classroom rooted in calm, connection, and creativity, I'd love to invite you into The Classroom RESET. You don't need a new initiative. You need a RESET—and you don't have to figure it out alone. Learn more and enroll: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/reset   Check out the entire Classroom RESET Framework in this free Roadmap: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/roadmap    Become an Inspired Classroom Insider: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/insider   Join our Community of Creative Teachers! 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

  3. Aug 14

    163 | Is Teaching Still Worth It in 2026?

    Have you ever found yourself typing “I quit teaching” into Google late at night? With the behavior challenges, burnout, increasing demands, and everything else teachers are carrying right now, it’s understandable to wonder: Is teaching still worth it? In this episode, I’m taking a different look at that question. I’ll share a deeply personal story about my mom, a teacher who once tried to talk me out of becoming a teacher—and something I learned after she passed away that changed the way I think about the impact we have on our students. I’ll also talk about why surviving the school day isn’t enough, how connection and creative learning can help us create something more meaningful in our classrooms, and why your impact may be much bigger than you can see right now. If you’re exhausted, discouraged, or wondering whether all of this is still worth it, this episode is for you. In this episode, I’ll help you: Reframe the question of whether teaching is “worth it” Recognize the impact you may be having even when you don’t see it Think differently about connection, creativity, and student engagement Start noticing the small moments that remind you why you became a teacher   ~Elizabeth   Mentioned in This Episode:   Article about my mom and her impact: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/2019/07/starfish-in-the-hospital/   Join me at the Overnight Teacher Art Retreat! Learn more here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/retreat   ✨ 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   Grab the RESET Roadmap that takes you through all 5 steps of the framework that leads to improved student behavior and more teacher joy!! https://theinspiredclassroom.com/roadmap   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

  4. Aug 11

    162 | Teacher Art Retreats Are Back!

    What if your professional development actually left you feeling inspired, energized, and excited to get back to your classroom? After years of teaching through screens, Zoom meetings, packed schedules, and increasing demands, I’m bringing my Teacher Art Retreats back—and I couldn’t be more excited. In this episode, I’m sharing what the Overnight Teacher Art Retreat actually is, why I decided the time was right to bring it back, and what makes this kind of teacher-centered professional development so different. I’ll take you behind the scenes of the retreat experience, share why teachers have returned to these retreats again and again, and help you decide whether this is the kind of experience you’ve been craving. This isn’t just about learning another strategy for your students. It’s about making time for you to create, connect, recharge, and remember why you love being an educator. The January 2027 Overnight Teacher Art Retreat 📅 January 22–23, 2027 (Friday evening through Saturday) 📍 Essex Woods, Essex, Massachusetts 🎨 Hands-on, arts-based professional development 🏡 Overnight retreat experience 🍽️ Meals and materials included 📚 12 hours of PD credit 🎓 Optional graduate credit available There are only 25 spots, so if something in you just lit up hearing the words teacher retreat, go check it out. Save your spot here: theinspiredclassroom.com/retreat I would absolutely love to see you there. ❤️ ~Elizabeth   Mentioned in This Episode:   Join me at the Overnight Teacher Art Retreat! Learn more here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/retreat   ✨ 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   Grab the RESET Roadmap that takes you through all 5 steps of the framework that leads to improved student behavior and more teacher joy!! https://theinspiredclassroom.com/roadmap   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

  5. Aug 7

    161 | Classroom Set-Up for Calm and Student Belonging

    We've all done it — scrolled through classroom set up pictures online and felt that mix of inspired and overwhelmed. Well, whether your classroom looks like it could be in a magazine or not, there are some things that can be added to make sure your environment fosters calm and belonging.   So, in this episode, I'm sharing a few specific things I actually put in my own room every year to do just that!   ~Elizabeth   Mentioned in This Episode: 63 | Is Your Calm-Down Corner Even Working? The Mistakes Teachers Make—and How to Fix Them The Break Box — Calm Down Strategies for Classroom Management: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Calm-Down-Strategies-for-Classroom-Management-The-Break-Box-10348201   Grab the RESET Roadmap that takes you through all 5 steps of the framework that leads to improved student behavior and more teacher joy!! https://theinspiredclassroom.com/roadmap   Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast   ✨ https://theinspiredclassroom.com/the-classroom-reset-sp1 – 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. 👉 https://theinspiredclassroom.com/community     ✨ Connect with me! Find me on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizapeterson/ Follow & DM me onhttps://www.facebook.com/theinspiredclassroom Follow & DM me on https://www.instagram.com/theinspiredclassroom/https://www.facebook.com/theinspiredclassroom Watch & Subscribe onhttps://www.youtube.com/theinspiredclassroomhttps://www.facebook.com/theinspiredclassroom

  6. Aug 4

    160 | Why Classroom Rules Fail (Even When Students Know Them)

    It's the first week of school, and if you're like most teachers, your rules are already created, even if it's just in your mind. You're ready to establish clear expectations, get your students on board and be ready to implement consequences when needed.   But before you do that, listen in. Today, I'm sharing why rules alone might not be enough to get you through the year — and what actually needs to happen underneath it.   I'll share the exact process I use to build a classroom contract with my students and a bonus question I love asking students that can make this even more effective.   This is the type of work that shifts behavior from "don't do this" to "I am a learner."   Plus I'll leave you with a simple action plan — RULE — to help you carry this into your own classroom this week. Let's build something that lasts past October!   ~Elizabeth   Mentioned in This Episode: Article: How to Create a Classroom Contract With Your Students (and not for them)   Grab the RESET Roadmap that takes you through all 5 steps of the framework that leads to improved student behavior and more teacher joy!! https://theinspiredclassroom.com/roadmap   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

  7. Jul 31

    159 | Stop Saving Creativity for Friday — It Could Be the Most Powerful Classroom Management Tool You Have

    Many teachers have gotten stuck thinking creativity is something you add when there’s time. Let's flip that — because creativity can actually reduce behavioral escalation, increase student engagement, and help YOU reconnect with your joy. It's not a bonus... it's a foundation.   I’ll walk you through what happens in a student’s nervous system when you bring movement, storytelling, or visual response into your classroom — and why it addresses all three legs of Your Classroom’s Tripod at once. I’ll also talk about what creativity does for teachers, not just students — because reconnecting with the joy of creative teaching is one of the most underrated antidotes to the Daily Teacher Drain.   And by the end, you’ll have the END Framework — a simple three-step structure that takes 60 seconds and can go at the close of any lesson, any day, any subject.   ~Elizabeth   Mentioned in This Episode: Grab the RESET Roadmap that takes you through all 5 steps of the framework that leads to improved student behavior and more teacher joy!! https://theinspiredclassroom.com/roadmap     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 28

    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

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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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