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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
Episodes
2 hours ago
2 hours ago
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
5 days ago
5 days ago
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
7 days ago
7 days ago
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:
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Student behavior challenges
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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
Tuesday Mar 24, 2026
Tuesday Mar 24, 2026
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
Friday Mar 20, 2026
Friday Mar 20, 2026
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
Tuesday Mar 17, 2026
Tuesday Mar 17, 2026
Have you been feeling the weight of student apathy in your classroom lately?
You know the signs…
Students who won’t start their work.
Students who complain about everything.
Students who seem completely checked out.
It’s easy to assume they just don’t care.
But in this episode, I share a different perspective: student apathy is often a sign of disconnection.
When students don’t feel connected, they naturally disengage.
The good news? There are some simple shifts teachers can make that start rebuilding those connections.
In this episode, I walk you through three practical ways to reconnect students so engagement becomes easier and student apathy starts to fade away.
If you're feeling discouraged by students who seem like they just don’t care, this will help you rethink what might actually be happening—and give you some ideas you can try right away.
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode:
Episode 108: For Teachers Who Dread Partner Work: Let’s Talk Student Relationships
Episode 84: Promote Empathy and Kindness in the Classroom with this Formula!
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
Friday Mar 13, 2026
Friday Mar 13, 2026
Teacher are tired, but that doesn't mean you don't care.
Teachers are frustrated, but that doesn't mean you want to give up.
Over and over again, I hear that teachers are searching... searching for fresh ideas and inspiration, support and connection with other educators and a positive space in the middle of a challenging profession.
Well, what if that actually existed??
In this episode, I talk about how we can build something better together.
Because teaching shouldn’t feel like survival mode.
If you’ve been craving inspiration, encouragement, and real conversations with other educators who get it, this episode is for you.
~Elizabeth
Join the Community
If this conversation resonates with you, I’d love to invite you into the community where these conversations are happening every day.
Come connect with other teachers who are working to create calmer, more engaging classrooms together.
👉 Join the community here: theinspiredclassroom.com/community
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
💬 We just RELAUNCHED our amazing community of Creative Teachers Building Calm & Engaged Classrooms. Let’s keep this conversation going! (There's so much to talk about!) Join us here:
👉 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
Tuesday Mar 10, 2026
Tuesday Mar 10, 2026
Does your classroom feel out of control… again?
If it feels like student behaviors keep resurfacing week after week, you’re not imagining it—and you’re definitely not alone.
In this episode, I’m talking about why classrooms can start to feel like constant storm season and the deeper reason behavior problems keep regenerating, even when you’re doing all the “right” things.
I’ll walk you through a simple 5-step Micro Reset you can use to pause and begin rebuilding the kind of classroom culture that actually supports calm and cooperation.
If you’re tired of putting out behavior fires all day, this episode will help you start shifting the atmosphere in your classroom.
~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
💬 We just RELAUNCHED our amazing community of Creative Teachers Building Calm & Engaged Classrooms. Let’s keep this conversation going! (There's so much to talk about!) Join us here:
👉 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