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. 17H AGO

    126 | Feel Behind on Curriculum Pacing? You just may need to hear this.

    Ever feel like you’re constantly behind on your curriculum pacing guide . . . no matter how hard you try to keep up? I’m sharing a truth that many caring, creative teachers quietly wrestle with: the pressure to follow every lesson exactly as written—even when your students need something different. If you’ve ever: Paused a lesson to reteach or go deeper Given students extra time to truly understand Felt guilty for not “keeping pace” with others …let's talk. It's time to trust your professional judgment again—without losing sight of the content your students need.   ~Elizabeth   Mentioned in This Episode: Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast   Let's face it: You don't need a new curriculum to teach, you need a RESET! Come join us and take that first step toward teaching with more clarity and confidence. 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 min

  2. 3D AGO

    125 | 3 Ways to Support Your Students Without Cramming Before State Testing

    Are you feeling the pressure to cram in every last bit of content before testing… while also trying to keep your students calm, focused, and ready? Or maybe you're ready to just throw your hands up and walk away... You’re not alone and this episode will help you find some middle ground—so you can support your students and feel better in your teaching. This episode will help you: Refocus on what actually matters Support your students in a more meaningful way Approach testing season with more calm, clarity, and confidence Let's do this!   ~Elizabeth   Mentioned in This Episode: Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast   If you’re ready to stop bouncing between cramming and giving up, and start teaching with intention, I want to support you. Inside The Classroom RESET, we focus on creating calm, connected classrooms where both you and your students can thrive—even during testing season. Come join us and take that first step toward teaching with more clarity and confidence. 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

    14 min

  3. APR 3

    124 | Struggling with Teacher Autonomy? How to Stay Creative in the Classroom Even with a Scripted Curriculum

    Ever feel like your creativity has to take a backseat to your curriculum? In this episode, I’m sharing a conversation I had with Erin Sponaugle on her podcast. It is an honest conversation about teacher autonomy, creativity in the classroom, and the pressure of scripted curriculum. If you’ve ever felt like you know what your students need—but don’t feel like you have the freedom to do it—this one is for you. We’re diving into how to stay creative even when the expectations feel rigid, and how small, intentional shifts can help you reconnect with your teaching and your students… without breaking the rules or adding more to your plate. Because here’s the truth: creativity isn’t extra—it’s essential. And when you start to reclaim even a little bit of autonomy, you can enjoy teaching again.   ~Elizabeth   Mentioned in This Episode: Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast   ✨ The Classroom Reset – A 6-month RESET experience to help you reconnect with your students, calm behaviors, and enjoy teaching again.  Visit theinspiredclassroom.com/reset to learn more about The Classroom Reset. It’s like your dream PD day—but no sub plans, no stress, and everything applies directly to your classroom.     💬 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

    33 min

  4. MAR 31

    123 | Struggling with Teacher Burnout? How to Take Back Control When the Pressure Is On

    With high stakes testing, parent conferences, observations, curriculum demands and spring student behavior, this time of year can feel like a LOT… and let’s be honest, the pressure is coming from every direction. If you’ve been feeling the weight of it all and wondering if you’re heading straight toward teacher burnout, this episode is for you. I’m sharing what’s really causing that overwhelming pressure (hint: it’s not because you’re not doing enough), why so many teachers get stuck in the burnout cycle, and most importantly—how you can start taking back control in simple, practical ways that actually work in your real classroom. Because here’s the truth: you can’t control everything happening around you… but you can control what’s happening inside your classroom—and that’s where everything begins to shift. If you’re ready to stop just “pushing through” and start feeling more calm, confident, and in control again—you’re in the right place.   ~Elizabeth   Mentioned in This Episode: Episode 61 |Let it Out Before You Burnout! This One Teacher Relationship is the Key    Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast   Ready to stop the burnout cycle? Visit theinspiredclassroom.com/reset to learn more about The Classroom Reset. It’s like a spa day for your teacher soul—but with a strategy that transforms your classroom. 📍 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

    19 min

  5. MAR 27

    122 | She Almost Didn’t Show Up… But the Students Gave Her a Reason to Stay

    In this short episode, I share a real classroom story—one that reminded me (and will remind you, too) that even on the days we don’t feel like showing up, something meaningful can still happen. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, questioning your impact, or stuck in the Daily Teacher Drain, this is a reminder that what you’re doing matters, and that joy in teaching isn’t gone… it’s just waiting to be noticed again. And if you’re ready for more of those moments—more connection, more calm, more joy in your classroom—I want to invite you to take the next step with me inside The Classroom Reset. This is where we take these kinds of experiences and make them part of your everyday teaching life with simple, creative, teacher-centered strategies that truly work. ~Elizabeth   Other Resources: Do YOU a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast   ✨ The Classroom Reset – If you’re tired of managing behavior and ready to prevent it instead, I would love to support you inside The Classroom Reset. Learn more and enroll here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/reset   💬 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 min

  6. MAR 25 ·  BONUS

    Giveaway! This Teacher Got Clarity in 30 Minutes—Now It’s Your Turn

    What could 30 minutes of real support do for you? For one teacher, she was able to walk away feeling lighter, clearer, and ready to move forward with confidence. That’s the power of coaching. And now… it’s your turn. 💛 I’m celebrating this amazing community by giving away THREE coaching prize packs—and you could be one of the winners!   🎁 What You’ll Win: ✨ A 30-minute 1:1 coaching call with me ✨ A $25 Amazon gift card (because you deserve a treat!) ✨ 10% off everything in my TpT store   📝 How to Enter: Step 1: Leave a positive review of the Enjoy Teaching Again podcast. (If you've already done that, then share your favorite episode!) Step 2: Post a screenshot of your review or share inside our Facebook community 👉 theinspiredclassroom.com/community Step 3: Use the hashtag #giveaway so I can find your entry!   ⏰ Entries close: March 26, 2026 (Thursday) at midnight 🎉 Winners announced: March 27 inside the Inspiring Teachers Facebook Community 👉 theinspiredclassroom.com/community   💛 If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or just unsure what your next step is—this is your chance to get personalized support from someone who’s in the classroom, coaches other teachers and truly gets it. In our 30 minutes together, we can talk through: Student behavior challenges Creative lesson ideas Classroom management strategies Setting boundaries Or honestly… anything that’s been weighing on you I can't wait to schedule these calls!! ~Elizabeth     Do YOU a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast   ✨ 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 min

  7. MAR 24

    121 | 3 Ways to Feel Less Like a Referee and More Like a Teacher

    Do you ever feel like you’re spending more time managing behavior than actually teaching? Like you’re constantly redirecting, correcting, and putting out fires… and by the end of the day, you’re completely drained? In this episode, I’m diving into why so many of us feel stuck in “referee mode”—and more importantly, what we can do about it. Because here’s the truth: It’s not about needing better behavior management strategies. It’s about what’s happening underneath the behavior. ~Elizabeth   Mentioned in This Episode: Do YOU a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast   ✨ The Classroom Reset – If you’re tired of managing behavior and ready to prevent it instead, I would love to support you inside The Classroom Reset. Learn more and enroll here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/reset   💬 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

    15 min

  8. MAR 20

    120 | Why Student Apathy Isn’t Always Laziness: The Story of One Student Who Proved Me Wrong

    Have you ever looked at a student and thought, “They just don’t care”? In this episode, I share a story about a student in my math class who seemed completely checked out. He came in late, wandered around, asked for snacks and bathroom breaks, and eventually put his head down on the desk like nothing in class mattered. From the outside, it looked like student apathy. But what I discovered changed the way I approached him—and it slowly changed his engagement in class too. If you’ve been feeling frustrated by students who don’t participate, refuse to work, or seem like they’ve completely checked out, this conversation will remind you of something important: Teachers have real influence in their classrooms. And sometimes the smallest things can begin to turn things around.   ~Elizabeth   Mentioned in This Episode: Episode 119: Student Apathy Is Getting Worse (What Teachers Can Do)   💛 The Inspired Classroom Community If this episode resonated with you, come continue the conversation inside our free teacher community. It’s a space for caring, creative teachers who want support, fresh ideas, and encouragement from others who truly understand classroom life. Join us here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/community     Do YOU a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast   ✨ The Classroom Reset – If you’re tired of managing behavior and ready to prevent it instead, I would love to support you inside The Classroom Reset. Learn more and enroll here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/reset   💬 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

    13 min
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About

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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