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

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

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

93 | 8 Reflective Questions to Reignite Your Teaching Spark

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

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

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

91 | Can Music Fix Classroom Behavior? 3 Ways to Use It with Purpose

Music isn’t just a mood-booster—it’s a classroom management tool, a community builder, and a creative way to support your students' emotional regulation. (And it doesn’t take hours to implement!)

In this episode, I’m sharing the 3 ways you can listen to music in the classroom —ones that go beyond background noise and actually help build connection, improve focus, and support better behavior.

 

~Elizabeth

 

Mentioned in This Episode:

The Vault of Teacher-Centered Workshops – PD that actually inspires you (open only through December!)

➡️ https://theinspiredclassroom.com/pd

🎁 Use code DEC10 at checkout to save 10%

Head into winter break with a new mindset, a few music-powered strategies, and the inspiration you’ve been craving.

 

Workshops Mentioned that are in The VAULT:

➡️ https://theinspiredclassroom.com/pd

Bring Music into Your Curriculum includes Inspired by Listening Book

Build Relationship through SEAL: Social-Emotional Artistic Learning

Celebrate Beethoven in the Classroom (theinspiredclassroom.com/shop)

 

➡️ Become an INSIDER! Come join my free Inspired Classroom Newsletter where you'll discover creative learning strategies, engage your students, and take back control of your own classroom. https://theinspiredclassroom.com/insider

 

 

 

✨ 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

90 | Who Said Student Learning Has to Be Neat? Creativity Is Supposed to Be Messy

Let’s talk about messy projects—you know, the glue-in-your-hair, paint-on-the-desk, “what is this even supposed to be?” kind of mess. It's all good...

Learning isn’t supposed to be tidy all the time, and when we focus on the process over the product, we give our students something deeper than just a cute final result—we give them a real, memorable learning experience.

If you’ve been avoiding those creative projects because they feel like “too much,” this episode is just want you need to hear.

 

~Elizabeth

 

Mentioned in This Episode:

The Vault of Teacher-Centered Workshops – PD that actually inspires you (open only through December!)

➡️ https://theinspiredclassroom.com/pd

🎁 Use code DEC10 at checkout to save 10%

Head into winter break with a new mindset, a few creative strategies, and the inspiration you’ve been craving.

 

Workshops Mentioned that are in The VAULT:

Virtual Teacher Art Retreat - including 10+ workshops in arts integration!

Friendly Friday Framework

 

➡️ Become an INSIDER! Come join my free Inspired Classroom Newsletter where you'll discover creative learning strategies, engage your students, and take back control of your own classroom. https://theinspiredclassroom.com/insider

 

 

✨ 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

89 | Why Teacher Burnout Isn’t Your Fault (and What’s Actually Causing It) Interview with Erin Sponaugle

Let’s be honest—burnout is real, and it’s affecting amazing teachers like you every single day. In this episode, I sit down with Erin Sponaugle, a 23-year teaching veteran and author of the book Teachaholic to talk about why burnout happens… and why it’s not your fault.

We chat about what’s draining your energy in the classroom (spoiler: it’s not just the kids), what’s missing from most PD, and how to start building real boundaries that protect your creativity and well-being. This one’s full of heart, truth, and a whole lot of encouragement for teachers who are ready to stop surviving and start enjoying teaching again.

If you’ve been questioning how long you can keep doing this, feeling like you’re failing when really the system is failing you—this episode will help you feel seen, understood, and empowered to make a shift.

And hey—Erin also interviewed me on her podcast this week! Go listen to our conversation on Next Chapter for Teachers after this one.

 

🔗 Links Mentioned

1. Erin’s book: Teachaholic (Available on Amazon)

2. Erin’s podcast: Next Chapter for Teachers Podcast

3. The Vault of Teacher-Centered PD Workshops (open only in December!): theinspiredclassroom.com/pd

4. Use code DEC10 to save 10%

 

School PD isn’t cutting it—and you know it. This December, grab PD that gets you. Workshops inside the Vault are short, practical, and designed for real teachers with real classrooms. Check it out at theinspiredclassroom.com/pd and use code DEC10 to save 10%.

 

✨ 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

88 | Student Behavior in December? 5 Sanity-Saving Ideas that Actually Work

December in the classroom can feel like trying to teach in the middle of a snow globe—glitter everywhere, chaos swirling, and you're just trying to make it to break with your sanity (and your classroom) intact.

In this episode, I’m sharing 5 simple, actually doable strategies to help you handle behavior issues and keep your students engaged while also giving yourself space to breathe.

We’ll talk about:

• Sanity-saving ideas that don’t require hours of prep

• Simple crafts, music, and community-building activities

• Incentives and classroom games that keep students motivated

• A "little-known" December holiday that I've celebrated since I started teaching

• And a clever little MOVIE trick that’ll save your last-day plans!

Ready to make December a little more fun, calm, and connected? Tune in and walk away with practical ideas you can use tomorrow.

 

Resources Mentioned:

• 🎶 Celebrate Beethoven in the Classroom: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/shop

• 📽️ My Simple Holiday Origami Tutorial: YouTube Channel https://youtu.be/861BP7ThVGw?si=gbDYLSVDQz4Gp4kT

 

✨ Time to GET INSPIRED!

If December’s got you running on peppermint mochas and pure adrenaline, it’s time to gift yourself something better—PD that actually helps. The Vault is open, friend. Let’s make this the season you choose YOU. 👉 Go to https://theinspiredclassroom.com/pd

 

The Vault of Teacher-Centered Workshops is open for December only!

This is your chance to grab PD hours while learning things that actually help with student behavior, SEL, and bringing creativity back—on your terms.

🎁 Use code DEC10 to save 10%

 

 

 

✨ 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

Stop Being Student-Centered (and Rediscover the Teacher You Love to Be!)

This bonus episode is a little different—and a little bold.

I’m talking about something that might go against what we’ve always been told as teachers: being too student-centered. (Yep. I said it.)

If you’re feeling burned out, uninspired, or like the PD you’re “supposed to” do just doesn’t hit the mark—this episode is for you!

We’ll explore why so much professional development leaves us depleted instead of inspired, and how taking back control of your learning can actually make you feel like a whole, creative teacher again.

✨ Plus, I share a special opportunity that's only available this month:
The Vault of Teacher-Centered Workshops is open now through December!

Go to https://theinspiredclassroom.com/pd and use code DEC10 to get 10% off ALL workshops.

These short, practical, creative sessions are exactly what we need—especially when the usual PD isn’t cutting it.

So if you’re ready to put yourself back at the center of your teaching… press play.

~Elizabeth 

✨ 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