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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
Tuesday Aug 05, 2025
Tuesday Aug 05, 2025
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:
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What AI is really doing in our classrooms
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How to use it ethically and creatively
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The teacher’s role in guiding students through this shift
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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/
Tuesday Jul 29, 2025
Tuesday Jul 29, 2025
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
Tuesday Jul 22, 2025
Tuesday Jul 22, 2025
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:
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How to recognize the signs of low motivation
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The biggest struggle teachers face
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Four doable ways to reignite your motivation and joy
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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
Tuesday Jul 15, 2025
Tuesday Jul 15, 2025
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
Tuesday Jul 08, 2025
Tuesday Jul 08, 2025
In this episode, I’m diving into something we need to talk about—burnout. Real burnout. The kind that leaves you drained, dreading the school day, and wondering if this is what teaching is supposed to feel like.
But here's the truth: you can love teaching again. And in this episode, I’ll share the three classroom game-changers that can actually help eliminate that heavy burnout feeling—without adding more to your plate.
If you're feeling overwhelmed, uninspired, or just plain tired of the chaos, this is your reset moment. Let’s talk about how creating a caring classroom culture, using creative SEL strategies, and bringing the arts back into learning can restore calm and joy—for you and your students.
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode:
👉 Join me for the FREE Classroom Reset Challenge (July 22–23, 2025)
theinspiredclassroom.com/challenge
66 | Frustrated with Student Behaviors? 3 Things That Will Actually Improve Your Classroom Climate
✨ 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 Jul 01, 2025
Tuesday Jul 01, 2025
If behavior charts, clip systems, and pom-pom jars aren’t cutting it anymore, this episode is for you. I’m diving into why these strategies often fall short in today’s classrooms and what actually works to improve student behavior in real, lasting ways.
We’ll explore three powerful contributors to better behavior: building a caring classroom culture, supporting social-emotional learning, and engaging students through creativity and the arts.
These aren’t extra things to add to your plate—they’re practical shifts that make a huge impact (and bring back the joy of teaching!)
If you're ready to create a calmer, more connected classroom where your students and you can thrive, you’ll want to tune in.
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode:
👉 Join me for the FREE Classroom Reset Challenge (July 22–23, 2025)
You’ll get live trainings, real strategies, and fun surprises along the way.
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
Tuesday Jun 24, 2025
Tuesday Jun 24, 2025
Let’s be real—so much of the PD we sit through leaves us feeling… uninspired. I’ve been there too, nodding along, taking notes, and wondering if any of it will actually stick.
In this episode, I’m sharing the 5 key questions you need to ask in order to figure out if the professional development you're signed up for is truly teacher-centered—and why that matters so much.
If you’re feeling tired of PD that talks at you instead of with you, this episode will help you take your power back and invest in something that fuels your passion for teaching.
~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
Tuesday Jun 17, 2025
Tuesday Jun 17, 2025
Feeling torn between rest, reflection, and planning over summer break? In this episode, I share the reality behind what will work if you want a little of each. Rethinking what that looks like might be the key to recovering from burnout and walking into the fall feeling refreshed, not frazzled. I'll share own summer rhythms, give practical and personal ideas for creating a restorative routine, and share three powerful ways to reset your energy, creativity, and classroom culture—all without sacrificing your hard-earned break.
If you're tired of starting every school year already exhausted, this episode is your gentle invitation to try something new. You'll walk away with mindset shifts and realistic ideas to take control of your summer so it actually serves you—not just your classroom.
~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 early bird enrollment closes on June 24, 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