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

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

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

By: 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.comCopyright 2024 All rights reserved Personal Development Personal Success
Episodes
  • 94 | The #1 Thing Failing Teachers—and What to Do about It

    94 | The #1 Thing Failing Teachers—and What to Do about It
    Dec 26 2025

    Can we talk about professional development for a minute?

    Or more specifically: assigned professional development. You know the kind—sessions chosen for you, not by you… that leave you nodding politely but learning nothing that actually helps with the realities of YOUR classroom.

    If you’ve ever thought “This doesn’t apply to me” while sitting through yet another district-mandated PD, you’re not alone—and you’re definitely not wrong. In fact, this kind of PD could be contributing to your burnout.

    But don’t worry—I’ve got a better way: teacher-centered PD It's essential for creative educators like you because it allows you to reclaim your autonomy can reignite your passion for teaching, inspire your creativity, and actually solve real problems like student behavior, lack of connection, and classroom overwhelm.

    Oh—and BIG NEWS:

    For the first time ever, I’ve opened up my Vault of Teacher-Centered Workshops—bite-sized, inspiring PD experiences you can do on your own time. Head to theinspiredclassroom.com/pd and use code DEC10 to save 10% before the vault closes at the end of December!

    Let’s do this—you deserve PD that fuels your creativity and supports the teacher you actually are.

    ~Elizabeth

    Mentioned in This Episode:

    ✨ The Vault of Teacher-Centered Workshops – Short, inspiring PD designed to support YOU

    Including:

    The One Word Workshop

    Reignite Your Passion For Teaching

    Self-Care Solutions

    Virtual Teacher Art Retreat - includes 10+ arts integration workshops!

    Use code DEC10 to save 10%

    Only available through December!

    👉 theinspiredclassroom.com/pd

    💬 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
    Show More Show Less
    5 mins
  • 93 | 8 Reflective Questions to Reignite Your Teaching Spark

    93 | 8 Reflective Questions to Reignite Your Teaching Spark
    Dec 23 2025

    Before we jump into the new year, I’m inviting you to slow down and reflect. In this episode, I’m sharing 8 powerful questions that have helped me (and other teachers like you) reconnect with what really matters in the classroom—and in life.

    These questions aren’t about setting goals or fixing everything overnight. They’re about tuning into your inner teacher voice, rediscovering what lights you up, and choosing a path forward that feels aligned, not assigned.

    If you’ve felt stretched thin, burned out, or just “off” this year, this conversation will help you pause, reflect, and reignite your spark.

    ~Elizabeth

    Mentioned in This Episode:

    ✨ The Vault of Teacher-Centered Workshops – Short, inspiring PD designed to support YOU

    Including:

    The One Word Workshop

    Reignite Your Passion For Teaching

    Self-Care Solutions

    Virtual Teacher Art Retreat - includes 10+ arts integration workshops!

    Use code DEC10 to save 10%

    Only available through December!

    👉 theinspiredclassroom.com/pd

    💬 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
    Show More Show Less
    17 mins
  • 92 | My December Tradition That Builds Relationships—and Improves Classroom Behavior

    92 | My December Tradition That Builds Relationships—and Improves Classroom Behavior
    Dec 18 2025

    If you’ve ever wondered how to build real connection with your students (especially the tricky ones), or if you’ve felt like student behavior is pulling you away from the joy of teaching, this episode is for you.

    Here’s the thing: when we bring ourselves—our stories, our passions—into the classroom, everything changes. Students lean in, relationships grow stronger, and behavior starts to shift in powerful ways.

    I can't wait to share how this worked for me over the years.

    ~Elizabeth

    Mentioned in This Episode:

    The Vault of Teacher-Centered Workshops

    Available only in December! This special collection includes creative, teacher-centered workshops on using music in the classroom, building stronger relationships, calming behavior, and infusing more YOU into your teaching.

    Each one is PD-certified—so you can invest in yourself and earn PD hours while doing it!

    👉 Go to the Vault now https://theinspiredclassroom.com/pd

    💬 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
    Show More Show Less
    11 mins
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