Enjoy Teaching Again | Elementary, Teacher Burnout, Learning Styles, 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. 5D AGO

    74 | 3 Ways Prayer Can Help You Find Peace in Teaching

    This one’s from the heart. In this episode, I’m opening up about something we don’t talk about enough as teachers—prayer. Not affirmations, not manifesting… but quiet, intentional moments with God, asking for strength, direction, and peace in your teaching day. I’ll share some real-life moments where I had no choice but to let go and lean on prayer—and how that changed everything for me. We’ll also explore 3 simple ways you can begin (or return to) a practice of prayer that supports your heart and mind as a teacher, no matter what kind of school you work in. If you’ve been feeling emotionally drained, overwhelmed by behaviors, or just flat-out unsure how you’re going to make it through the school year—this is for you. You don’t have to carry it all alone. Let’s talk about how prayer can help you enjoy teaching again. ~Elizabeth   Mentioned in This Episode: 🌟 Join me and a community of caring, creative teachers to reflect, realign, and reignite your joy in teaching inside The Classroom Reset Group Coaching Program. It’s like turning down the noise of school stress—but turning up the volume on your calling.   💬 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

  2. AUG 19

    73 | 3 Ways to Stop Student Behavior Problems Before They Start

    It’s easy to get swept up in setting up a beautiful classroom—name tags, motivational posters, organized bins—but none of that really solves behavior issues, does it?   In this episode, I’m sharing 3 meaningful and practical ways to support student behavior before things spiral. These strategies are proactive, teacher-centered, and rooted in connection—not compliance. If you're already bracing for blurting, refusal, or meltdowns this year, this one’s for you.   ~Elizabeth   Mentioned in This Episode: 🌟 Want to experience the calm and connection in your classroom again? You will inside The Classroom Reset Group Coaching Program. It’s like your dream PD day—but no sub plans, no stress, and everything applies directly to your classroom.   Want my favorite pencil sharpener? (The one I mention in the show?) Go HERE!   63 | Is Your Calm-Down Corner Even Working? The Mistakes Teachers Make—and How to Fix Them   57 | From Morning Chaos to Classroom Calm - 3 Teacher-Tested Approaches   ✨ 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

    22 min

  3. AUG 12

    72 | Why Teacher Relaxation Is the Secret to Better Student Behavior

    What if your calm was actually your most effective behavior strategy?   In this episode, we’re flipping the script on traditional behavior management and talking about how intentional teacher relaxation can shift the emotional tone of your classroom—for the better.   Whether you’re already back at school or clinging to those final days of summer—this one’s for you.   If your classroom has felt a little chaotic, your students are dysregulated, and you’re wondering how to calm things down without a behavior chart explosion… this episode will give you a fresh, empowering (and teacher-centered!) perspective.   ~Elizabeth   Mentioned in This Episode: 🌟 Join me and a community of caring, creative teachers to reflect, realign, and reignite your joy in teaching inside The Classroom Reset Group Coaching Program. It’s like a weekend getaway with your favorite teacher friends—but you come back with a real plan.   52 | Why Being a Superhero Teacher is Wrecking Your Passion for Teaching   50 | Want to Use Music in the Classroom? 6 Easy Steps to Making it a Success!   63 | Is Your Calm-Down Corner Even Working? The Mistakes Teachers Make—and How to Fix Them    Want to use my BREAK Box in your classroom? Click HERE!     ✨ 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

    23 min

  4. AUG 5

    71 | AI in the Classroom: What Teachers Need to Know (and Why It Matters Now) Interview with Kristina Peterson

    This week, I’m sitting down with my very first guest—Kristina Peterson, high school English teacher and co-author of the book AI in the Writing Workshop: Finding the Write Balance. We’re diving into one of the biggest topics in education today: artificial intelligence. From ethical concerns to creative opportunities, I'm asking the real questions about how AI is changing our classrooms—and how we can respond with clarity, confidence, and care. Whether you’re curious, cautious, or feeling totally overwhelmed by the tech wave, this conversation will leave you feeling more grounded in your role as a teacher and more equipped to help your students navigate AI with intention.   Big ideas we cover: What AI is really doing in our classrooms How to use it ethically and creatively The teacher’s role in guiding students through this shift Practical ways to engage with AI at any grade level   ~Elizabeth   Mentioned in This Episode: If this episode gets your wheels turning (and I think it will!), go check out Kristina's book! AI in the Writing Workshop: Finding the Write Balance   🌟 Join me and a community of caring, creative teachers to reflect, realign, and reignite your joy in teaching inside The Classroom Reset Group Coaching Program. It’s like a spa day for your teacher soul—but with a strategy that transforms your classroom. 📍 theinspiredclassroom.com/reset   ✨ 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   More about Kristina! Kristina Peterson has been teaching high school English in Exeter, NH since 2008. She holds a Master of Arts in Teaching and has served the educational community as Secretary for the New Hampshire Council of Teachers of English (NHCTE) since 2017. Kristina also teaches in the University of New Hampshire’s Learning Through Teaching program, as well as in their Literacy Institute and Writers Academy. Her first book, AI in the Writing Workshop: Finding the Write Balance (Heinemann, 2025), was co-authored with her teaching partner, Dennis Magliozzi. The book explores AI as a thought partner, research companion, and writing tool, while addressing the ethical complexities and instructional opportunities AI presents in today’s classrooms. In addition to her classroom work, Kristina regularly contributes to publications such as Education Week, California English, and English Journal. She is the co-developer of Arts in Action, winner of the 2023 New Hampshire Governor's Arts Education Award, and co-founder of Bookshelf Diversity, a statewide grant initiative that provides teachers with diverse books for their classrooms. Kristina also designs and delivers AI literacy training for law enforcement professionals. Whether supporting K–12 educators, higher education faculty, or law enforcement, she combines research-based practice with real-world insight and an engaging approach to help others navigate—and harness—the power of AI responsibly.   Find her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristina-peterson-617525262/

    47 min

  5. JUL 29

    70 | Too Much Tech in Your Classroom? How to Reclaim Meaningful Engagement

    Let’s talk about the tech elephant in the classroom. 🐘 We’ve got Chromebooks, smart boards, digital tools—and yet, we’re still battling student disengagement and behavior issues. In this episode, I’m sharing why too much screen time might be affecting your students more than you think, and what you can actually do to bring back connection, creativity, and calm. If you’ve ever looked around your classroom and thought, “What happened to real learning?”—this one’s for you. We’ll walk through 3 simple, creative strategies you can start using today that support your students’ engagement, behavior, and emotional regulation—without tossing tech out the window. This episode is especially for the teacher who’s ready to take back control in a world of digital distraction.   ~Elizabeth   Mentioned in This Episode: 🌟 The Classroom Reset Group Coaching Program – Join me, Elizabeth and a community of caring, creative teachers to reflect, realign, and reignite your joy in teaching. 📍 theinspiredclassroom.com/reset   ✨ 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

    18 min

  6. JUL 22

    69 | Not Quite Burned Out Yet ...But Not Excited Either? Every teacher needs to hear this.

    Ever find yourself wondering, “I still love teaching… but this is really hard!" Maybe you're quite not burned out—but you're definitely not energized either. In this episode, I’m opening up a conversation for those of us caught in that messy middle. We’ll talk about what this almost-burnout zone really feels like, why so many teachers land here, and what you can actually do to feel better—before burnout completely takes over. You’ll hear: How to recognize the signs of low motivation The biggest struggle teachers face Four doable ways to reignite your motivation and joy A heartfelt invitation into something that could really help 💛 Ready for the next step? Join me inside The Classroom Reset—my 6-month group coaching program to help you calm behaviors, bring back creativity, and finally enjoy teaching again. 👉 theinspiredclassroom.com/reset   ~Elizabeth   Mentioned in This Episode: 🌟 The Classroom Reset Group Coaching Program – Join Elizabeth and a community of caring, creative teachers to reflect, realign, and reignite your joy in teaching. 📍 theinspiredclassroom.com/reset   Ready to stop the burnout cycle? Visit theinspiredclassroom.com/reset to learn more about The Classroom Reset and join us before our "RESET CHALLENGE" enrollment closes on July 27, 2025!     ✨ 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

  7. JUL 15

    68 | Dreading Back to School? How to Recover, Reset & Still Enjoy What's Left of Summer

    Is that back-to-school dread already creeping in? 😩 You're not alone—and you're definitely not doing anything wrong. In this episode, I share how you can balance true rest and a gentle reset before the new school year hits.   We’ll talk about what to do instead of pretending school doesn’t exist (because spoiler: that doesn’t actually help), and how to ease into August feeling grounded, inspired, and even—dare I say—excited. I’m also giving you a peek into a few of my own favorite summer rituals (hello, Air Supply concert + henna on the beach 🎶🌊), and how you can create your own.   Whether you’re fully vegging out or scrolling Pinterest in a panic—this episode will help you reset your mindset, take back control, and enter the next school year with more clarity and calm.   ~Elizabeth   Mentioned in This Episode: 👉 Sign up for the FREE Classroom Reset Challenge (July 22 & 23, 2025) theinspiredclassroom.com/challenge   ✨ 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

    12 min

  8. JUL 10 · BONUS

    When You’re Crying on the Couch After School… teacher burnout!

    Let’s be real—have you ever come home after school and just collapsed on the couch? You’re not lazy. You’re not broken. You’re just getting burned out. Let me share with you one of my own experiences with burnout—and why it led me to create something new: The Classroom Reset Challenge. This free, 2-day experience is for teachers who are ready for a real reset—not another strategy to pile on top of everything else. This challenge isn’t about “self-care” clichés. It’s about practical, creative tools that make your classroom easier to manage—and your job more sustainable. What can you expect? Two 1-hour live Zoom workshops (with replays!) The 3 strategies that reduce behavior issues and burnout Community support and shared experiences Door prizes, giveaways, and teacher-centered creativity to make it fun (because, summer) 🗓️ Happening July 22 & 23 💻 Can’t come live? No worries—replays will be available! 🎟️ But you must register to get access → TheInspiredClassroom.com/challenge If you’re ready to feel good about teaching again, come join us. Let’s take the challenge—together. 💛 ~Elizabeth   Mentioned in This Episode: 👉 Join me for the FREE Classroom Reset Challenge (July 22–23, 2025) theinspiredclassroom.com/challenge   ✨ 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 min
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5
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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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