Claim OwnershipEnjoy Teaching Again | Elementary, Teacher Burnout, Student Behavior, SEL, Classroom Management
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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
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
115 Episodes
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Before you walk into your classroom today, what if you paused for just three minutes...and prayed?
In this episode, I’m sharing a simple 3-minute prayer practice you can use before you even leave your car and walk into the school — not to fix your students, not to magically erase behavior challenges — but to steady yourself.
If you’re tired of walking into school already bracing for battle… this episode will help you reset your heart before you even reset your classroom.
~Elizabeth
Not Even Mentioned in This Episode:
You were called to this work for a reason. And you don’t have to rely on your own strength to do it well. Take the first step. Pray first. Then teach. And if you need support, I’m here.
Come join me inside The Classroom RESET. It’s the easier path to calm, connection, and confidence.
📍 theinspiredclassroom.com/reset
Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast
💬 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
Testing week can feel like a tidal wave of pressure — for our students and for us. If you’ve ever found yourself pushing harder, printing one more practice test, or telling students “Don't worry. They're really testing to make sure I'm doing my job,” this episode is for you.
In today’s conversation, I’m sharing three common testing week mistakes teachers make — and what to do instead to create a calmer classroom, reduce student anxiety, and protect your own nervous system during test prep season.
Testing season can often leave you feeling overwhelmed, overstimulated, and responsible for everything, but this episode will help you reset your mindset and approach so you can lead with clarity instead of panic.
Because testing pressure is real — but it doesn’t have to run the show.
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode:
Mathapalooza! https://theinspiredclassroom.com/2015/04/mathapalooza/
Visualization with Athletes
https://www.verywellfit.com/visualization-techniques-for-athletes-3119438
Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast
✨ The Classroom Reset – Inside this 6-month RESET experience we focus on proactive behavior strategies, calm classroom routines, and creative systems that make the whole year feel more manageable — not just testing week.
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
A number of years ago, I had a fourth grader who could not stay focused during independent math work.
She wasn’t defiant.
She wasn’t lazy.
She just didn’t know how to get herself back on track.
And that experience completely changed how I think about off-task behavior.
In this episode, I share her story, the powerful lesson it taught me and doable shift you can start using immediately.
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode:
50 | Want to Use Music in the Classroom? 6 Easy Steps to Making it a Success!
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/50-want-to-use-music-in-the-classroom-6-easy-steps-to/id1662280027?i=1000701682147
110 | Testing Season Stress? How to Regulate Your Classroom Nervous System Before Test Day
If Cindy’s story made you think, “Some of my students need this,” I want you to know — this is just one small shift.
Inside The Classroom RESET, we identify one reset that will make the biggest difference in your classroom… and then we build from there.
📍 theinspiredclassroom.com/reset
Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast
💬 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
Testing season has a way of turning even the calmest classroom upside down.
That's why today, I’m talking about the nervous system and how much it applies to our classrooms — especially this time of year.
If you’re feeling the pressure to cram curriculum, rearrange schedules, pause creative subjects, and just “get through” the standardized test… you are not alone. And your students feel it too.
In this episode, I’ll walk you through:
What the nervous system actually is (in simple, practical terms)
Why behavior often spikes during testing season
Why practicing regulation before test day matters
Three simple, classroom-ready strategies you can start using tomorrow (including drawing, soundtracking, stretching, and breathing)
This isn’t about adding more to your plate.
It’s about creating calm on purpose.
If you want students who are focused and steady during testing, it starts now — with small, predictable regulation practices that support both you and your class.
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode:
50 | Want to Use Music in the Classroom? 6 Easy Steps to Making it a Success!
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/50-want-to-use-music-in-the-classroom-6-easy-steps-to/id1662280027?i=1000701682147
Soft Starts (resource) - Transition Activities for Social-Emotional Learning SEL https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Soft-Starts-Transition-Activities-for-Social-Emotional-Learning-SEL-9097051
Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast
✨ The Classroom Reset – A 6-month RESET experience to help you reconnect with your students, calm behaviors, and enjoy teaching again.
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
Have you ever taught a kindness lesson only to see the same rude behavior show up days later?
Ya... me too!
In this episode, I talk about why kindness activities don’t always lead to lasting behavior change and what students actually need in order to develop kindness in real, everyday moments. We’ll look at how classroom environment and culture play a much bigger role than one-off lessons—and why this shift can lead to calmer behavior and fewer social disruptions.
I share real classroom stories and simple, practical ways teachers can support kindness every day.
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode:
Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast
If you’re tired of correcting tone, managing hurt feelings, and feeling like kindness “isn’t sticking,” I invite you to check out The Classroom RESET—a supportive, teacher-centered way to build a caring classroom culture that improves behavior over time.
Learn more and enroll here: https://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
Do you tense up every time it’s time for partner work or group work?
The hurt feelings, the drama, the behavior issues—it can make even the best lesson feel exhausting.
In this episode, I’m talking about student-to-student relationships and why they play a much bigger role in classroom behavior than we often realize. While teacher–student relationships matter, peer-to-peer relationships are often the missing piece behind stressful group work, exclusion, and social conflict.
If you’re tired of managing group work drama and want your classroom to run more smoothly, this episode will help you rethink what’s really going on—and where to focus your energy.
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode:
Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast
✨ The Classroom Reset – A 6-month RESET experience to help you reconnect with your students, calm behaviors, and enjoy teaching again.
Learn more and enroll here: https://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
If math time in your classroom feels scattered, off-task, or frustrating, this episode is for you. Today, I’m sharing simple math engagement strategies that help students focus, make sense of word problems, and truly understand what numbers represent. You’ll hear about my favorite strategy for math and I'll share how these engagement ideas help improve student behavior, reduce confusion, and make math feel more manageable for everyone.
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode:
✨ Want guided support using engagement to improve behavior and understanding? The Classroom Reset walks you step-by-step through engagement strategies that help students regulate, connect, and learn — so teaching feels better again. Learn more at 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
If your students feel disengaged, off-task, or restless, this episode is for you. I’m sharing how simple classroom engagement ideas can make a real difference in student behavior, focus, and understanding.
I’ll take you inside a real classroom story and show you how engagement isn’t about entertaining students — it’s one of the most effective classroom management tools we have. You’ll hear how small, creative shifts can help students better understand content while reducing power struggles and daily frustration.
If you’re tired of constantly redirecting behavior or re-teaching the same concepts, this episode will help you see engagement in a new, calmer, more effective way.
~Elizabeth
✨ Want support putting this into practice? Inside The Classroom Reset, I guide you through proven engagement strategies that improve behavior, build connection, and help you enjoy teaching again — without doing it alone. Learn more and join us at theinspiredclassroom.com/reset.
Interested in a Strategy Call? We can discuss engagement strategies that truly fit your students and help bring content to life. I’d love to think it through with you. https://theinspiredclassroom.com/strategy
Ask a Question and get it answered on the podcast! Go to https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast, scroll and find the button to press record!
💬 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
Student behaviors is the number 1 thing teachers tell me their struggling with. So today, I want to share the #1 secret that will help. Can you guess what it is?
Take a moment, think and then press play!
Inside I'll share the secret and then 3 ways to put it into practice so that you can improve student behaviors in your classroom.
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode:
57 | From Morning Chaos to Classroom Calm - 3 Teacher-Tested Approaches
Behavior Blueprint: Grab all the resources, videos, templates and tools you need today to Navigate Disruptive Behaviors with 100% Confidence! Go to https://theinspiredclassroom.com/behavior
Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast
Want to experience the calm and connection in your classroom again? You will inside The Classroom Reset Group Coaching Program.
💬 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
Do you deal with extreme student behaviors? Or how about those behaviors that aren't extreme, but just constant (and annoying!) They disrupt the flow of a lesson, disrupt the classroom environment and take time away from your teaching and your students' learning!
Well, if that is frustrating to you, then this episode will be very helpful. I'm sharing the 5 steps to navigate disruptive behaviors so that you can improve student behaviors.
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode:
Behavior Blueprint: Grab all the resources, videos, templates and tools you need today to Navigate Disruptive Behaviors with 100% Confidence! Go to https://theinspiredclassroom.com/behavior
Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast
Want to experience the calm and connection in your classroom again? You will inside The Classroom Reset Group Coaching Program.
💬 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
Sometimes you might just wonder: Am I really making a difference in my classroom? Am I really making an impact on my students?
Well, I'm here to set the record straight with a little story about a boy who walks through my classroom multiple times a day. I can't wait to tell you all about it!
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode:
✨ The Classroom Reset – A 6-month RESET experience to help you reconnect with your students, calm behaviors, and enjoy teaching again.
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 @thein
Teaching is tough. There's no doubt about it and yet... here you are coming back day after day, year after year. There's a reason. In fact, I would dare to say there are 3 really great reasons for you to stay in this amazing, (even if sometimes draining) profession.
Ready to explore? Take a listen!
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode:
✨ The Classroom Reset – A 6-month RESET experience to help you reconnect with your students, calm behaviors, and enjoy teaching again.
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
Teaching can feel harder than it used to — even when you love it and know you’re good at what you do. In this episode, I’m talking directly to the experienced, caring teacher who feels exhausted, disconnected, and unsure why classroom behavior and engagement feel so off right now.
I share the story of a teacher I call Carol — a teacher who loves her students, feels the pressure of scripted curriculum, and is wondering if she can keep doing this for another 5, 10 or 15+ years. If any part of that sounds familiar, this episode is for you.
We’ll talk about why another initiative or program isn’t the answer — and why The Classroom RESET might be. I’ll explain what it really means to reset your classroom through culture, engagement, and social-emotional learning, and how support (not more effort) is often the missing piece.
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode:
Get The Classroom Reset and receive personalized 1:1 support as you thoughtfully reset your classroom culture and move from managing behavior to building connection with care and creativity!
Go to 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
If the idea of “another course” makes you feel tired before you even start, this episode is for you.
In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly what The Classroom RESET is — and what it’s not. I talk honestly about why so many courses and programs leave teachers feeling overwhelmed, behind, or alone, and why support (not more content) is often what experienced, caring teachers are really missing.
You’ll hear how The Classroom RESET is structured, why it’s designed as a guided reset experience with ongoing support, and who it’s meant for. If you love teaching but feel like your classroom needs calm, connection, and clarity again, this episode will help you decide if TCR is the right next step for you.
I hope this inspires you today. 💛
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode:
Get The Classroom Reset and receive personalized 1:1 support as you thoughtfully reset your classroom culture and move from managing behavior to building connection with care and creativity!
Go to 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
You care deeply about your students—but if classroom behavior still feels heavy, exhausting, or harder than it should be, this episode is for you.
Today, we’re going deep...and getting real.
This is a reflective conversation about classroom culture—not the posters on your wall, but how your students actually feel when they walk through your door. I’m sharing real stories from my own classroom, thoughtful questions to help you pause and reflect, and a few simple strategies that can begin shifting behavior by strengthening connection and belonging.
If you’re tired of putting out fires, managing instead of teaching, or wondering why your caring heart doesn’t always translate into calm behavior—this episode will help you see what might be missing and what’s possible instead.
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode:
Get The Classroom Reset and receive personalized 1:1 support as you thoughtfully reset your classroom culture and move from managing behavior to building connection with care and creativity!
Go to 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
Yep—I said it to my class: “I want you to fail.”
Their jaws dropped. But what happened next turned into one of the most meaningful classroom moments we've had all year.
In this episode, I’m sharing a quick story about how I used a surprising statement to encourage risk-taking and help my students actually embrace struggle as part of learning. Because here’s the truth: we tell kids that mistakes are how we learn, but are we showing them that it’s safe to try?
If your students are hesitant, checked out, or terrified of getting the answer wrong—and if your classroom doesn’t quite feel like the safe space you wish it could be—this one’s for you.
You’ll walk away with:
One powerful phrase you can use this week to shift your classroom energy.
Encouragement to let go of perfection—for you and your students.
A reminder that rebuilding your classroom culture is possible—and you don’t have to do it alone.
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode:
✨ The Classroom Reset – A 6-month RESET experience to help you reconnect with your students, calm behaviors, and enjoy teaching again.
👉 Ready to build a classroom culture where risk-taking and growth actually happen? Check out The Classroom Reset and join us today:
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
Teaching has seasons—and your classroom plan needs to move with them. In this episode, I’m talking about why revisiting your RESET plan is just as important as creating it in the first place.
I’m sharing what I’ve noticed as teachers inside The Classroom Reset begin their scheduled check-ins after completing the framework—and how powerful it is to pause, reflect, and decide what comes next instead of pushing through on autopilot.
Inside this episode, I’ll walk you through:
The most natural times during the school year to revisit your RESET plan
Three simple ways to reflect on what’s now part of who you are as a teacher, what got pushed aside, and what still needs support
How to move forward with intention—without starting over or feeling behind
If you’ve ever written goals at the beginning of the year and wondered where they went, this episode will help you reconnect to them with clarity and confidence.
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode:
If you’re realizing that what you really need isn’t more ideas—but support implementing the ones that matter most—I’d love to invite you into The Classroom Reset. It’s where we build, revisit, and refine your RESET plan together with coaching and personalized support so you don’t have to guess what comes next.
Visit theinspiredclassroom.com/reset for all the info and to enroll.
💬 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
In this episode, I’m joined by Christine Devane, author of Elephant Beach, a book that follows a shy girl who slowly comes out of her shell. Together we talk about what shyness really is (and isn’t), how participation doesn’t always have to look like speaking out loud, and how you can thoughtfully support your shy students.
If you’ve ever worried about the students who rarely raise their hands…
If you’ve felt unsure whether to call on them or leave them alone…
Or if you’ve sensed that your shy students are engaged but just not in the way school typically expects—this episode is for you.
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode:
You can purchase your copy of Elephant Beach by following the link on my "Elizabeth Recommends" page: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/elizabeth-recommends/
You can find Christine onInstagram: @stined13
Want to experience the calm and connection in your classroom again? You will inside The Classroom Reset Course.
And new starting this month - you get Personalized 1:1 Support when you enroll! Want to learn more? Go to 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
More about Christine ~
Christine Devane grew up in North Andover, Massachusetts, and graduated from Merrimack College in 2006 with a degree in English and a minor in Elementary Education. She went on to earn her master’s in Elementary Education from Merrimack in 2008. Over the next 13 years, Christine taught at St. Augustine Elementary in Andover and Plympton Elementary in Waltham. She now lives in Wilmington with her husband, John, their three children—Joey, Nick, and Adeline— and their dog, Sophie. Christine has also volunteered and taught English in Costa Rica, and she is an active member of the SCBWI, regularly attending conferences in New York City and Springfield.
✨ 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
The New Year can be exciting, but walking back into school can be a mix of anticipation, overwhelm, and lack of inspiration. You’re not alone. In this episode, I’m sharing three powerful steps that will help you leave burnout behind and head into the new year feeling reignited—not just as a teacher, but as a creative, capable human being.
You deserve to start a new year with more than a feeling you need to survive. There's a better, more inspiring way to head back to school in January (or even next week!) without burning out in the process.
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode:
The Vault of Teacher-Centered Workshops — packed with inspiring PD for YOU (self-care, arts integration, classroom culture, and more).
We are in the LAST DAYS of getting into the VAULT of teacher-centered workshops, including:
The Behavior Blueprint
The One Word Workshop
Reignite Your Passion For Teaching
Self-Care Solutions
Virtual Teacher Art Retreat - includes 10+ arts integration workshops!
Grab your workshops 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
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
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