Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Enjoy Teaching Again | Elementary, Teacher Burnout, Student Behavior, SEL, Classroom Management
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 178 | 5 Signs Holiday Excitement Is Taking Over Your Classroom (And What to Do) | 03 nov. 2026 | 00:18:57 | |
November can be exciting — and exhausting! Between days off, schedule changes, Thanksgiving, and the countdown to winter break, classroom behavior can start to feel harder to manage. In this episode, I’m sharing 5 signs holiday excitement is taking over your classroom and practical classroom management strategies to help you get ahead of it. You’ll learn how to make transitions smoother, help students settle back in after days off, give their excitement a place to go, and protect your own energy when your patience is running low. Plus, I’ll walk you through a simple four-step plan you can start tonight, so you can bring more calm, connection, and joy into the weeks ahead. Let's go!! ~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode: Grab the free RESET Roadmap: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/roadmap
Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast
https://theinspiredclassroom.com/the-classroom-reset-sp1 Learn more and enroll: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/reset
Become an Inspired Classroom Insider: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/insider
Free community: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/community
Connect with Elizabeth: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizapeterson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theinspiredclassroom | |||
| 177 | Why Classroom Management Gets Worse When You’re Exhausted (And How to Fix It) | 27 oct. 2026 | 00:23:57 | |
Have you ever noticed that classroom management feels SO much harder when you're exhausted? When you're running on empty, it's harder to stay patient, think clearly, and bring the creativity that keeps students engaged. And when engagement drops, challenging behaviors can rise. Today I'm sharing why your own energy matters more than you might think, why another behavior chart may not be the answer, and how creativity can help you and your students find more calm and connection. I'll also walk you through my simple CALM action plan with practical ideas you can start using this week — without adding a ton of prep to your already-full plate. Because you don't need to be a perfect teacher. You deserve to feel more like yourself again, and when you are able to do that, your classroom can benefit too!
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode:
🎨 Ready to refuel your creativity? Join me for the Overnight Teacher Art Retreat, January 22–23, 2027, in beautiful Essex, Massachusetts. Come away with fresh ideas, renewed energy, and space to reconnect with the creative teacher inside you. 👉 Learn more and save your spot: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/retreat
Other Resources:
Grab the free RESET Roadmap that takes you through all 5 steps of the framework that leads to improved student behavior and more teacher joy!! https://theinspiredclassroom.com/roadmap
Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast
✨ https://theinspiredclassroom.com/the-classroom-reset-sp1 – The online course that helps you improve student behaviors, increase engagement and support students' SEL, so that you can 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. 👉 https://theinspiredclassroom.com/community
✨ Connect with me! Find me on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizapeterson/ Follow & DM me onhttps://www.facebook.com/theinspiredclassroom Follow & DM me on https://www.instagram.com/theinspiredclassroom/https://www.facebook.com/theinspiredclassroom Watch & Subscribe on https://www.youtube.com/theinspiredclassroomhttps://www.facebook.com/theinspiredclassroom | |||
| 176 | Teacher Burnout: How to Get Your Creativity Back When School Takes It Away | 20 oct. 2026 | 00:32:08 | |
The first time I held a scripted teacher's manual, it felt wrong in every way. (My team and I really did stand in front of our students and read from it.) In this episode, I'm talking about a different cause of teacher burnout: What happens when scripted curriculum, pacing guides, and endless mandates leave no room for your own creativity. If you've been wondering where the creative teacher you used to be went, this one is for you. I'll share why that creative spark isn't a bonus but the very thing that refuels you, and what it can cost when it stays buried. You'll hear stories from teachers who found their passion again, and I'll walk you through a simple four-step plan you can start this week. I'll also tell you about the overnight Teacher Art Retreat I'm hosting this January in Essex, Massachusetts — a night away to make things with your hands, be the learner for once, and head back to your classroom renewed. Check out what the Overnight Teacher Art Retreat is by going here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/retreat
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode:
Grab the free RESET Roadmap that takes you through all 5 steps of the framework that leads to improved student behavior and more teacher joy!! https://theinspiredclassroom.com/roadmap
Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast
✨ https://theinspiredclassroom.com/the-classroom-reset-sp1 – The online course that helps you improve student behaviors, increase engagement and support students' SEL, so that you can 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. 👉 https://theinspiredclassroom.com/community
✨ Connect with me! Find me on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizapeterson/ Follow & DM me onhttps://www.facebook.com/theinspiredclassroom Follow & DM me onhttps://www.instagram.com/theinspiredclassroom/https://www.facebook.com/theinspiredclassroom Watch & Subscribe onhttps://www.youtube.com/theinspiredclassroomhttps://www.facebook.com/theinspiredclassroom | |||
| 175 | One Trusted Adult: What It Really Means to Build Relationships with Students (Interview with Brooklyn Raney) | 13 oct. 2026 | 00:53:28 | |
What does it really mean to be a trusted adult for your students? In this episode, I’m joined by Brooklyn Raney, author of One Trusted Adult: Building Relationships That Inspire Achievement and Success, for a conversation about one of the most important things we can offer our students: meaningful relationships with trustworthy adults. But being a trusted adult doesn't mean you have to be everyone's person. Brooklyn explains why the goal is to help students build a whole “bench” of trusted adults—and how teachers can become one of those people by being accessible, boundaried, and caring. We also talk about why building these relationships is especially important for elementary teachers, how technology has changed the way educators think about student relationships, and why healthy boundaries actually help build trust rather than getting in the way of it. In this episode, we’ll talk about:
If you’ve ever wondered how to build stronger relationships with your students while still maintaining appropriate boundaries, I think you’ll get a lot from this conversation. ~Elizabeth Mentioned in This Episode: Learn more about Brooklyn and her work: https://www.onetrustedadult.com/ One Trusted Adult: Building Relationships That Inspire Achievement and Success by Brooklyn Raney
Grab the free RESET Roadmap that takes you through all 5 steps of the framework that leads to improved student behavior and more teacher joy!! https://theinspiredclassroom.com/roadmap
Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast
✨ The Classroom Reset – The online course that helps you improve student behaviors, increase engagement and support students' SEL, so that you can 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 | |||
| 174 | How to Teach with Empathy Even When Student Behavior is Hard | 06 oct. 2026 | 00:17:40 | |
When you're dealing with student behavior all day, it's easy to feel frustrated, depleted, even defeated — and in the middle of all that, it's easy to forget the student in front of you is a human being with something going on underneath. Today, I'm sharing three student stories that I experienced just last week! The one who never speaks up because they're surrounded by classmates who seem to know it all. The one who shut down in the corner of the room And the one in the hoodie sitting quietly and seems angry the whole class. Sometimes we approach the situation in the wrong way (like I did in my own classroom), but there are ways to turn it around! When you give yourself the opportunity to pause and RESET, great things can happen both for your kids and for you. I can't wait to share more with you in today's episode.
~Elizabeth Mentioned in This Episode: 98 | I Told My Students, “I Want You to Fail” – Here's What Happened Next
Grab the free RESET Roadmap that takes you through all 5 steps of the framework that leads to improved student behavior and more teacher joy!! https://theinspiredclassroom.com/roadmap
Are you ready for some Teacher-Centered PD?? Come check out what's in store for you at the Overnight Teacher Art Retreat! https://theinspiredclassroom.com/retreat
✨ The Classroom Reset – The online course that helps you improve student behaviors, increase engagement and support students' SEL, so that you can enjoy teaching again. Learn more and enroll here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/reset
Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast
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 | |||
| 173 | 5 Myths About Teacher Burnout — And What You Actually Need to Recover | 29 sept. 2026 | 00:19:44 | |
Let's bust five myths about teacher burnout and the recovery from burnout — the myths that keep good, tired teachers stuck including the idea that burnout is simply inevitable. (Spoiler - it's not!) Because after so many years in education, I've learned that recovery isn't just about doing less or removing yourself from the classroom. It's about having protected time to intentionally step away from what's draining you and reconnect with something that fills you back up. And for me, that includes a little creativity! In this episode, we'll talk about:
If you've been wondering whether you can actually feel that spark again — I hope this episode gives you a reason to believe you can. ~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode: Your Oxygen Mask (article) https://theinspiredclassroom.com/2011/06/put-your-oxygen-mask-on-first/
Setting Boundaries (podcast trilogy) https://theinspiredclassroom.com/2026/09/setting-boundaries/
Stop Being Student-Centered (article and video) https://theinspiredclassroom.com/2021/05/stop-being-student-centered/
The Overnight Teacher Art Retreat! Learn more here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/retreat
Other Resources:
Grab the free RESET Roadmap that takes you through all 5 steps of the framework that leads to improved student behavior and more teacher joy!! https://theinspiredclassroom.com/roadmap
Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast
✨ The Classroom Reset – The online course that helps you improve student behaviors, increase engagement and support students' SEL, so that you can 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 | |||
| 172 | The Real Reason Group Work Falls Apart (And the Fix Most Teachers Miss) | 22 sept. 2026 | 00:16:26 | |
You set up group work with the best intentions. You create a solid task, explain the directions, assign roles, and maybe even make a rubric. Then five minutes in, one student is doing all the work, another has checked out, and the room is suddenly buzzing with unrelated chatter. If you've ever thought, Why does group work always turn into this?—you're not alone. In this episode, I'm sharing the real reason group work can fall apart, and it has less to do with your assignment or your grouping strategy than you might think. The missing piece is often the peer relationships underneath the group. When students don't know or trust one another, even a well-designed group task can create tension, disengagement, and behavior issues. But when students have opportunities to genuinely connect with their peers, something changes. They're more patient, more willing to work together, and more accountable to one another—not just to you or the assignment. I'll share why I used to focus so much on better group structures and strategic grouping, what I eventually realized was missing, and how intentionally building peer relationships can make group work smoother and more rewarding. You'll also get three simple steps you can use to start strengthening those relationships before your next academic group task. If group work has become something you dread—or something you avoid because you know how quickly it can turn into managing behavior—this episode will give you a different way to look at the problem.
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode: Want to learn more about Friendly Friday? Go to this article here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/2017/02/friendly-friday-notes-sel-activity-for-your-students/
💬 Grab the silly debate questions inside 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
Grab the free RESET Roadmap that takes you through all 5 steps of the framework that leads to improved student behavior and more teacher joy!! https://theinspiredclassroom.com/roadmap
Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast
✨ The Classroom Reset – The online course that helps you improve student behaviors, increase engagement and support students' SEL, so that you can 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
✨ 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 | |||
| 171 | The Back-to-School Honeymoon Is Over: What to Do When Behavior Starts Slipping | 15 sept. 2026 | 00:11:37 | |
The first few weeks of school can feel pretty good. Kids are polite, routines are fresh, and everyone is still figuring each other out. Then…the honeymoon ends. If behaviors are starting to pop up, don't panic. It doesn't mean your year is headed in the wrong direction. It means the newness is wearing off—and your real classroom culture is beginning to take shape. In this episode, I’m talking about what happens when that early-school-year calm starts to disappear and how to figure out what your students need next. We’ll look at three important areas—connection, regulation, and engagement—and how each one can affect what you're seeing in your classroom. I’ll also walk you through my simple Classroom Tripod Check-In so you can identify which area needs attention and take one proactive step before behaviors start to tip. If you're thinking, “Things were going so well. What happened?” this episode will help you stop seeing those early behavior changes as a warning sign—and start seeing them as useful information. You'll leave with a simple way to identify where to focus your energy without trying to fix everything at once. ~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode:
Grab the free RESET Roadmap that takes you through all 5 steps of the framework that leads to improved student behavior and more teacher joy!! https://theinspiredclassroom.com/roadmap
Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast
✨ The Classroom Reset – The online course that helps you improve student behaviors, increase engagement and support students' SEL, so that you can 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 | |||
| 170 | 3 Classroom Power Struggles You're Losing Without Realizing It | 08 sept. 2026 | 00:21:54 | |
You’re not trying to get into power struggles with your students. But sometimes, they happen before you even realize what’s going on. In this episode, I’m sharing three common—and often invisible—power struggles that can quietly show up in your classroom. More importantly, we’ll talk about what you can do to step out of the struggle while protecting the relationship. If you’ve ever found yourself arguing with a student and suddenly thought, “Wait...how did we get here?” this episode will help you recognize those moments earlier and respond differently. You’ll walk away with a simple action plan to help you stay calm, step out of the power struggle, and follow up in a way that builds connection instead of wearing it down. Because this isn’t about winning the argument. It’s about keeping your authority and winning the relationship.
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode:
Grab the free RESET Roadmap that takes you through all 5 steps of the framework that leads to improved student behavior and more teacher joy!! https://theinspiredclassroom.com/roadmap
Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast
✨ The Classroom Reset – The online course that helps you improve student behaviors, increase engagement and support students' SEL, so that you can 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 | |||
| 169 | The Redirection Script That Actually Works for Student Behavior Issues | 04 sept. 2026 | 00:16:49 | |
Most redirection sounds like a warning — and kids can tell. AND that can often backfire, especially when the redirection doesn't even work. If you've ever tried to redirect a student only to have to do it again 5 minutes later, this one is for you! In this episode, I'm giving you the exact four-part redirection script to use for student behavior issues. When I use it in my classroom, it works! (And when I forget to use it... well, you know... I'm just repeating myself a few minutes later. Plus, I'll share the most important part of making any redirection effective. (You probably already know this in your gut, but a reminder every now and again can't hurt!)
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode:
Grab the free RESET Roadmap that takes you through all 5 steps of the framework that leads to improved student behavior and more teacher joy!! https://theinspiredclassroom.com/roadmap
Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast
✨ The Classroom Reset – The online course that helps you improve student behaviors, increase engagement and support students' SEL, so that you can 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 | |||
| 168 | Addressing Student Behaviors with Tools, Not Rules (Interview with Claudia Bertolone-Smith and Marlene Moyer) | 01 sept. 2026 | 00:34:09 | |
What if the students who challenge us the most aren't asking us to fix their behavior — they're asking us to see past it? In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Claudia Bertolone-Smith and Marlene Moyer, authors of Tools Not Rules: Developing Self-Regulation for Improved Student Behavior in Grades K–8. Claudia brings 24 years of elementary teaching experience and now trains pre-service teachers as an associate professor of mathematics education. Marlene has 22 years teaching grades 5–7 and now works as a mentor teacher. We talk about the idea at the heart of their book — that behavior is a symptom, not the underlying issue — and what it actually looks like to separate a student from their behavior without letting anything slide. Claudia and Marlene share the real classroom strategies that came out of their own team-teaching experience, including their "magic fuzzy numbers" approach to shifting a whole class's dynamic, and a star chart method built around noticing the positive things about a struggling student. We also get into a moment that hit close to home for Claudia, and how this approach helps students choose different behaviors without ever being made to feel small. If you've got a student this year who feels defined by their hardest moments, this conversation is for you. ~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode:
Learn more about Claudia and Marlene's book at toolsnotrules.com.
Grab the free RESET Roadmap that takes you through all 5 steps of the framework that leads to improved student behavior and more teacher joy!! https://theinspiredclassroom.com/roadmap
Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast
✨ The Classroom Reset – The online course that helps you improve student behaviors, increase engagement and support students' SEL, so that you can 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 | |||
| 167 | Students Getting into Trouble? Why Kids Choose Negative Attention Over None | 28 août 2026 | 00:20:07 | |
Have you ever had a student who keeps doing the exact thing that gets them in trouble — even after they've told you they don't want to? This episode is about that kind of student behavior. We'll look at why some students need that negative attention and how to bridge those students from seeking negative attention to being a well-regulated student. I'll walk you through exactly how to bridge that gap and what to look out for in the process. Let's go! ~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode: Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast
Want to take the ideas from this episode a little deeper? Grab the free RESET Roadmap! https://theinspiredclassroom.com/roadmap
OR, jump right in and join The Classroom RESET! Learn more and enroll: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/reset
Become an Inspired Classroom Insider: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/insider
Free community: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/community
Connect with Elizabeth: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizapeterson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theinspiredclassroom | |||
| 166 | Why Consequences Aren't Changing Student Behavior (And What Actually Does) | 25 août 2026 | 00:20:48 | |
I used to think that if I just found the right consequence, my classroom would finally calm down. But in many cases that's actually backwards. In this episode, I'm breaking down the three real reasons consequences keep failing — even when we're consistent and even when we're fair. And I'll share a tool that will help you look at student behaviors in a different way so that consequences don't need to be your constant go-to. If you've ever felt like you're giving the same consequence to the same student over and over with nothing changing, this episode is for you.
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode:
Grab the RESET Roadmap that takes you through all 5 steps of the framework that leads to improved student behavior and more teacher joy!! https://theinspiredclassroom.com/roadmap
Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast
✨ The Classroom Reset – The online course that helps you improve student behaviors, increase engagement and support students' SEL, so that you can 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 | |||
| 165 | Your Classroom Setup Matters More Than You Think: 5 Spaces That Support SEL and Belonging | 21 août 2026 | 00:19:42 | |
I'm setting up my classroom this week — in a new, bigger space (with windows!!!) — and it's got me rethinking decisions I've made the same way for years. Setting up your classroom isn't just about deciding where the desks, bookshelves, and supplies will go. Your physical classroom can actually support students' social-emotional learning, regulation, and sense of belonging. So today, I'm sharing 5 simple spaces you can create—or rethink—in your classroom that communicate to students that they are seen and valued. If you're setting up your classroom right now or wondering how to make your space work a little more for your students and you (instead of simply making it look nice), this episode will give you practical ideas you can put into place right away. You just may see your classroom setup a little differently—and hopefully realize that you don't need a bigger budget or a perfectly decorated classroom to create more calm, connection, and belonging.
Let's get into it together. ~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode:
63 | Is Your Calm-Down Corner Even Working? The Mistakes Teachers Make—and How to Fix Them
Create Your Own BREAK BOX System in Your Classroom!
Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast
Want to take the ideas from this episode a little deeper? Grab the free RESET Roadmap! https://theinspiredclassroom.com/roadmap
OR, jump right in and join The Classroom RESET! Learn more and enroll: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/reset
Become an Inspired Classroom Insider: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/insider
Free community: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/community
Connect with Elizabeth: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizapeterson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theinspiredclassroom | |||
| 164 | Could You Be THAT Teacher? How Connection Can Change a Student’s School Experience | 18 août 2026 | 00:15:57 | |
Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can give a student isn't another strategy, intervention, or behavior consequence. Sometimes, it's simply being the adult who sees them, knows them, and is genuinely glad they're there. In this episode, I’m talking about the incredible power of a teacher-student connection—not just for students who struggle with behavior or have challenges at home, but for every child in our classrooms. If you're exhausted from managing behavior, trying to reach certain students, or wondering whether your efforts are actually making a difference, this episode will give you a different way to think about connection. You’re already a good teacher. And sometimes, simply being THAT teacher who is glad a child is there is more powerful than you realize. ~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode: Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast
Ready to move beyond quick behavior fixes and create a classroom rooted in calm, connection, and creativity, I'd love to invite you into The Classroom RESET. You don't need a new initiative. You need a RESET—and you don't have to figure it out alone. Learn more and enroll: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/reset
Check out the entire Classroom RESET Framework in this free Roadmap: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/roadmap
Become an Inspired Classroom Insider: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/insider
Join our Community of Creative Teachers! https://theinspiredclassroom.com/community
Connect with Elizabeth: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizapeterson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theinspiredclassroom | |||
| 163 | Is Teaching Still Worth It in 2026? | 14 août 2026 | 00:12:49 | |
Have you ever found yourself typing “I quit teaching” into Google late at night? With the behavior challenges, burnout, increasing demands, and everything else teachers are carrying right now, it’s understandable to wonder: Is teaching still worth it? In this episode, I’m taking a different look at that question. I’ll share a deeply personal story about my mom, a teacher who once tried to talk me out of becoming a teacher—and something I learned after she passed away that changed the way I think about the impact we have on our students. I’ll also talk about why surviving the school day isn’t enough, how connection and creative learning can help us create something more meaningful in our classrooms, and why your impact may be much bigger than you can see right now. If you’re exhausted, discouraged, or wondering whether all of this is still worth it, this episode is for you. In this episode, I’ll help you:
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode:
Article about my mom and her impact: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/2019/07/starfish-in-the-hospital/
Join me at the Overnight Teacher Art Retreat! Learn more here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/retreat
✨ The Classroom Reset – The online course that helps you improve student behaviors, increase engagement and support students' SEL, so that you can enjoy teaching again. Learn more and enroll here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/reset
Grab the RESET Roadmap that takes you through all 5 steps of the framework that leads to improved student behavior and more teacher joy!! https://theinspiredclassroom.com/roadmap
Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast
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 | |||
| 162 | Teacher Art Retreats Are Back! | 11 août 2026 | 00:22:55 | |
What if your professional development actually left you feeling inspired, energized, and excited to get back to your classroom? After years of teaching through screens, Zoom meetings, packed schedules, and increasing demands, I’m bringing my Teacher Art Retreats back—and I couldn’t be more excited. In this episode, I’m sharing what the Overnight Teacher Art Retreat actually is, why I decided the time was right to bring it back, and what makes this kind of teacher-centered professional development so different. I’ll take you behind the scenes of the retreat experience, share why teachers have returned to these retreats again and again, and help you decide whether this is the kind of experience you’ve been craving. This isn’t just about learning another strategy for your students. It’s about making time for you to create, connect, recharge, and remember why you love being an educator. The January 2027 Overnight Teacher Art Retreat📅 January 22–23, 2027 (Friday evening through Saturday) 📍 Essex Woods, Essex, Massachusetts 🎨 Hands-on, arts-based professional development 🏡 Overnight retreat experience 🍽️ Meals and materials included 📚 12 hours of PD credit 🎓 Optional graduate credit available There are only 25 spots, so if something in you just lit up hearing the words teacher retreat, go check it out. Save your spot here: theinspiredclassroom.com/retreat I would absolutely love to see you there. ❤️ ~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode:
Join me at the Overnight Teacher Art Retreat! Learn more here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/retreat
✨ The Classroom Reset – The online course that helps you improve student behaviors, increase engagement and support students' SEL, so that you can enjoy teaching again. Learn more and enroll here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/reset
Grab the RESET Roadmap that takes you through all 5 steps of the framework that leads to improved student behavior and more teacher joy!! https://theinspiredclassroom.com/roadmap
Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast
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 | |||
| 161 | Classroom Set-Up for Calm and Student Belonging | 07 août 2026 | 00:13:23 | |
We've all done it — scrolled through classroom set up pictures online and felt that mix of inspired and overwhelmed. Well, whether your classroom looks like it could be in a magazine or not, there are some things that can be added to make sure your environment fosters calm and belonging.
So, in this episode, I'm sharing a few specific things I actually put in my own room every year to do just that!
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode: 63 | Is Your Calm-Down Corner Even Working? The Mistakes Teachers Make—and How to Fix ThemThe Break Box — Calm Down Strategies for Classroom Management: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Calm-Down-Strategies-for-Classroom-Management-The-Break-Box-10348201
Grab the RESET Roadmap that takes you through all 5 steps of the framework that leads to improved student behavior and more teacher joy!! https://theinspiredclassroom.com/roadmap
Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast
✨ https://theinspiredclassroom.com/the-classroom-reset-sp1 – The online course that helps you improve student behaviors, increase engagement and support students' SEL, so that you can 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. 👉 https://theinspiredclassroom.com/community
✨ Connect with me! Find me on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizapeterson/ Follow & DM me onhttps://www.facebook.com/theinspiredclassroom Follow & DM me on https://www.instagram.com/theinspiredclassroom/https://www.facebook.com/theinspiredclassroom Watch & Subscribe onhttps://www.youtube.com/theinspiredclassroomhttps://www.facebook.com/theinspiredclassroom | |||
| 160 | Why Classroom Rules Fail (Even When Students Know Them) | 04 août 2026 | 00:20:09 | |
It's the first week of school, and if you're like most teachers, your rules are already created, even if it's just in your mind. You're ready to establish clear expectations, get your students on board and be ready to implement consequences when needed.
But before you do that, listen in. Today, I'm sharing why rules alone might not be enough to get you through the year — and what actually needs to happen underneath it.
I'll share the exact process I use to build a classroom contract with my students and a bonus question I love asking students that can make this even more effective.
This is the type of work that shifts behavior from "don't do this" to "I am a learner."
Plus I'll leave you with a simple action plan — RULE — to help you carry this into your own classroom this week. Let's build something that lasts past October!
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode: Article: How to Create a Classroom Contract With Your Students (and not for them)
Grab the RESET Roadmap that takes you through all 5 steps of the framework that leads to improved student behavior and more teacher joy!! https://theinspiredclassroom.com/roadmap
Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast
✨ The Classroom Reset – The online course that helps you improve student behaviors, increase engagement and support students' SEL, so that you can 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 | |||
| 159 | Stop Saving Creativity for Friday — It Could Be the Most Powerful Classroom Management Tool You Have | 31 juil. 2026 | 00:17:34 | |
Many teachers have gotten stuck thinking creativity is something you add when there’s time. Let's flip that — because creativity can actually reduce behavioral escalation, increase student engagement, and help YOU reconnect with your joy. It's not a bonus... it's a foundation.
I’ll walk you through what happens in a student’s nervous system when you bring movement, storytelling, or visual response into your classroom — and why it addresses all three legs of Your Classroom’s Tripod at once. I’ll also talk about what creativity does for teachers, not just students — because reconnecting with the joy of creative teaching is one of the most underrated antidotes to the Daily Teacher Drain.
And by the end, you’ll have the END Framework — a simple three-step structure that takes 60 seconds and can go at the close of any lesson, any day, any subject.
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode: Grab the RESET Roadmap that takes you through all 5 steps of the framework that leads to improved student behavior and more teacher joy!! https://theinspiredclassroom.com/roadmap
Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast
✨ The Classroom Reset – The online course that helps you improve student behaviors, increase engagement and support students' SEL, so that you can 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 | |||
| 158 | Student Behavior Is the #1 Crisis in Teaching Right Now. Here's What Teachers Can Do | 28 juil. 2026 | 00:20:43 | |
If you've ever wondered whether student behavior is harder now than it used to be — the data has an answer. In this episode I'm sharing two more findings from 2025 and 2026 that confirm what teachers across the country have been feeling. And these aren't fringe numbers. This is the profession speaking.
I'll walk you through what the data is actually pointing at — and why the answer isn't just more behavior management strategies. It's a foundation shift. Connection, Regulation, and Engagement — the three legs of Your Classroom's Tripod — are what behavior has been pointing at this whole time.
By the end you'll have a simple three-step plan to claim the data, name your leg, and decide what to do about it.
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode: Devon's Story: 145 | Stop Redirecting Your Students - It Just Doesn't Work Anymore
✨ The Classroom Reset – The online course that helps you improve student behaviors, increase engagement and support students' SEL, so that you can enjoy teaching again. Learn more and enroll here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/reset
Sources:
Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast
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 | |||
| 157 | 2 Things Standing Between You and a Classroom That Runs Smoothly (And It's Not What You Think) | 24 juil. 2026 | 00:22:55 | |
In this episode I’m naming the two things that actually stand between teachers and a classroom that runs smoothly — and neither of them is more information. Because information was never the problem. You know how to teach. You have the strategies, the activities and the know how. So... what's missing?? There's a reason why strategies stop working by October. And a reason why your frustration grows instead of subsides. Let's have to real talk today, shall we? By the end you’ll have a simple three-step way to name your own gap and decide what to do about it before Sunday. ~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode: ✨ The Classroom Reset – The online course that helps you improve student behaviors, increase engagement and support students' SEL, so that you can enjoy teaching again. Our "Challenge Sale" is going on now through SUNDAY! Be sure to get in while we have over $600 in bonuses and savings happening! https://theinspiredclassroom.com/yes
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
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 | |||
| 156 | You're Losing 14.5 Days a School Year to Student Behavior. The Research Is Telling Us Something. | 21 juil. 2026 | 00:18:21 | |
What if the research confirmed that you’re losing the equivalent of 14.5 school days every year — not to planning or grading, but to managing disruptive student behavior? In this episode, I’m walking through what the data actually says — including a University of Nebraska-Lincoln study that sent trained observers into real classrooms to measure the time and financial cost of behavior management. The findings are striking and worth talking about. I’ll also share what the research says happens when effective classroom management strategies are in place — and it’s not just about reducing behavior. It’s about improving student engagement, academic performance, social-emotional skills, and yes, getting more of your teaching time back. ~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode:
The Classroom Tripod is discussed here: 148 | What a Calm Classroom Actually Looks Like (It's Not What You've Been Sold)
Behavior management time statistic based on research reported by Gormley, M. J., Overfield, R. A., Spradlin, C., Scanlan, L., & Sheridan, S. M., University of Nebraska-Lincoln, citing EAB District Leadership Forum (2019), Breaking Bad Behavior: The Rise of Classroom Disruptions in Early Grades and How Districts Are Responding. Additional source: Jonson, A. & Witte, A. L. (2025). Reducing Classroom Disruptive Behaviors to Improve Academic Performance: An NeMTSS Research Brief. University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Are you ready to jump into The Classroom RESET course? It's the natural next step to improving student behavior and getting those 14.5 days back! Let's do this! https://theinspiredclassroom.com/yes
Have a question? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast The Classroom Reset course: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/reset Inspired Classroom Insider: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/insider Free community: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/community
Connect with Elizabeth: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizapeterson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theinspiredclassroom | |||
| 155 | Does Student Behavior Steal Your Teacher Joy? A Classroom RESET Challenge Preview | 17 juil. 2026 | 00:12:05 | |
The Classroom RESET Challenge starts July 21st, and in this episode I'm walking you through exactly what three days together is going to look like so that you can improve student behavior to eliminate teacher burnout! Come for three days. Leave with more than you came with. And if you want to go further — The Classroom Reset course will be there when you're ready. Save your spot — it's free, PD hours are available, and the replay comes to you if you can't make it live: theinspiredclassroom.com/challenge I cannot wait.
Mentioned in This Episode: The Classroom RESET Challenge (free, July 21-23, 2026): https://theinspiredclassroom.com/challenge Join me for a free, live 3-day challenge built for teachers who already know how to teach and are ready to walk into this school year with an actual plan for student behavior — not just hope. 📅 Tuesday–Thursday, July 21–23, 2026 🕠 5:30pm PST / 6:30pm MST / 7:30pm CST / 8:30pm EST ⏱️ One-hour workshop each day 🎓 PD hours available 📼 Can't make it live? No problem — replays go out after each session. workshops ~ community ~ prizes ~ FUN!
✨ The Classroom Reset – The online course that helps you improve student behaviors, increase engagement and support students' SEL, so that you can enjoy teaching again. Learn more and enroll here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/reset
Connect with Elizabeth: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizapeterson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theinspiredclassroom | |||
| 154 | No Time for One More Thing? The 5-Minute Classroom Management Fix Every Teacher Already Has Time For | 14 juil. 2026 | 00:16:21 | |
If "I don't have time for one more thing" is the thought that keeps you from trying anything new in your classroom, I want you to hear this one before school starts.
In this episode, I'm sharing some of my favorite classroom management tips — not because they're clever or complicated, but because every single one of them fits inside time you already have. We talk about three small, specific moves that address Connection, Regulation, and Engagement without adding a single extra minute to your day.
I'll also share what shifted for me when I stopped looking for what I could add and started looking at what I could redirect — and why the first five minutes of class might be the most important classroom management tip nobody talks about.
By the end, you'll have a simple three-step plan to find the moments in your day that are already there — and give them one clear job.
And if you want to dig deeper into more strategies like these, join me at The Classroom RESET Challenge — three days, one hour a day, completely free, July 21st–23rd. On Day 2 I do a live micro-engagement demo that shows you exactly what this can look like in your classroom. PD hours available.
Save your spot: theinspiredclassroom.com/challenge
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode: Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast
Join The Classroom RESET Challenge (free, July 21-23): theinspiredclassroom.com/challenge
Ready to take it all the way? The Classroom Reset course is where we take everything in this episode and build it into a full, supported RESET plan for your classroom. You know how to teach - now let's make sure your classroom and your students are ready! Learn more and enroll at https://theinspiredclassroom.com/reset
Become an Inspired Classroom Insider: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/insider
Free community: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/community
Connect with Elizabeth: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizapeterson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theinspiredclassroom | |||
| 153 | Tired of Student Behavior Strategies That Stop Working? Here's Why It Keeps Happening (And What to Do) | 10 juil. 2026 | 00:17:03 | |
If you've ever tried a new classroom behavior management strategy, watched it work for a week or two, and then felt it completely fall apart — this episode is for you. I'm breaking down why strategies stop working, and why it almost never has anything to do with the quality of the strategy itself. The real issue is usually where you're aiming. When you're managing the symptom (the behavior) instead of the source, things will unravel every time — no matter how good the strategy is. I want to walk you through why behavior is always pointing at something underneath, how Your Classroom's Tripod helps you figure out exactly what that is, and what changes when your energy is finally going to the right place. By the end, you'll have a simple three-step plan to carry into fall (or next week) so you stop managing the same thing over and over — and start actually changing it.
And if you want to do this live with me, I'd love for you to join The Classroom RESET Challenge — three days, one hour a day, completely free, July 21st–23rd. We'll work through improving student behavior without clip charts or consequences, preventing burnout, and creating a classroom you actually love. PD hours included.
Save your spot: theinspiredclassroom.com/challenge Can't wait to see you there! ~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode: Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast
Join The Classroom RESET Challenge (free, July 21-23): theinspiredclassroom.com/challenge
Ready to take it all the way? The Classroom Reset course is where we take everything in this episode and build it into a full, supported RESET plan for your classroom. You know how to teach - now let's make sure your classroom and your students are ready! Learn more and enroll at https://theinspiredclassroom.com/reset
Become an Inspired Classroom Insider: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/insider
Free community: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/community
Connect with Elizabeth: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizapeterson/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theinspiredclassroom | |||
| 152 | The Truth About Lack of Student Effort in Your Classroom | 07 juil. 2026 | 00:15:19 | |
If you've ever thought "they just aren't trying" about a student in your class, I want you to hear this one before you step foot back into school. In this episode, I'm challenging a belief I've held myself — and one I hear from teachers constantly — that a checked-out, unmotivated-looking student is simply choosing not to try. What I've come to realize, in my own classroom and in working with teachers everywhere, is that what looks like a lack of effort is often a lack of access. I'll walk you through why that shift matters, how it connects to Engagement and what to actually do differently with the student you're picturing right now. By the end, you'll be equipped with a simple three-step process to catch yourself before making any assumptions...and how to be the teacher that kids has been needing for so long! ~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode: Join me this July 21-23, 2026 for the Classroom RESET Challenge. Learn how to improve student behaviors to eliminate teacher burnout! Go to https://theinspiredclassroom.com/challenge to reserve your FREE spot!
Other Resources: Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast
✨ The Classroom Reset – The online course that helps you improve student behaviors, increase engagement and support students' SEL, so that you can 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 | |||
| 151 | Exhausted, Burned Out...or Is It Something More? What Every Teacher Needs to Know (with Lori Owens) | 03 juil. 2026 | 00:47:12 | |
Have you ever wondered if you're just exhausted...or if it's something more? In this episode, I'm joined by PTSD expert and resilience trainer Lori Owens as we talk about a question I think so many teachers are asking themselves: How do I know if I'm simply exhaused, burned out—or if my nervous system is trying to tell me something more? You'll hear practical, teacher-friendly strategies to help you recognize the signs of burnout, regulate stress during the school day, and create healthier boundaries so you can care for your students without sacrificing yourself. If you've been feeling emotionally drained, dreading Monday mornings, or wondering why a weekend never seems to be enough, this conversation is for you.
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode: Lori's free Boundary-Setting Worksheet: https://practicalsolutionsforptsd.com/podcast
Coaching discount: Use code GUEST10 for 10% off your first coaching session with Lori.
Join me this July 21-23, 2026 for the Classroom RESET Challenge. Learn how to improve student behaviors to eliminate teacher burnout! Go to https://theinspiredclassroom.com/challenge to reserve your FREE spot!
Other Resources: Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast
✨ The Classroom Reset – The online course that helps you improve student behaviors, increase engagement and support students' SEL, so that you can 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 | |||
| 150 | You Don't Need a Calmer School Year. You Need a Different Plan. | 30 juin 2026 | 00:16:45 | |
Summer is the perfect time to think about next school year—but if you're simply hoping next year will somehow be calmer, you're going to need to listen to this. In this episode, I'm sharing why hope alone has never fixed classroom management and the three common mistakes many of us make at the end of a difficult school year. I'll walk you through how to stop relying on luck, start learning from last year's challenges, and create a classroom management plan that actually supports the classroom you want. If you've ever caught yourself saying, "Maybe next year's class will be better," this episode will help you replace wishful thinking with a simple, intentional plan that can truly change your year.
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode: Join me this July 21-23, 2026 for the Classroom RESET Challenge. Learn how to improve student behaviors to eliminate teacher burnout! Go to https://theinspiredclassroom.com/challenge to reserve your FREE spot!
Other Resources: Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast
✨ The Classroom Reset – The online course that helps you improve student behaviors, increase engagement and support students' SEL, so that you can 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 | |||
| 149 | 3 Summer Resets Every Teacher Needs (And the One You Might Actually Skip) | 26 juin 2026 | 00:20:22 | |
If your summers sometimes end up feeling like one big runway into next school year, this one's for you. I'm sharing three resets I actually believe in for teacher summer vacation — and the one thing almost every teacher skips without even realizing it.
We'll talk about why your body needs to catch up before your to-do list does, why a real plan beats a wish every single time, and why your phone might be the biggest thing standing between you and an actual break. I'll also walk you through the one belief most of us never question and why that's exactly backwards.
Plus, by the end, you'll have three small, doable steps to make sure this summer actually feels different. You've earned a real rest. Let's make sure you actually get one.
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode: Join me this July for the Classroom Reset Challenge to improve student behavior and eliminate teacher burnout! It's FREE! https://theinspiredclassroom.com/challenge
Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast
✨ The Classroom Reset – The online course that helps you improve student behaviors, increase engagement and support students' SEL, so that you can 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 | |||
| 148 | What a Calm Classroom Actually Looks Like (It's Not What You've Been Sold) | 23 juin 2026 | 00:17:33 | |
What do you picture as a "calm classroom?" Silent rows of kids working quietly? Only the sound of pencils writing or fingers typing? That might happen every once in a while, but is that really the ultimate goal? Today I'm breaking down the real difference between a calm classroom and a quiet one, and why so many of us have been chasing the wrong picture for years. We'll talk about why calm starts with your own regulation before it ever touches student behavior, and why your best teaching memories probably weren't the silent ones. By the end, you'll learn what Your Classroom Tripod is and have a simple three-step plan to carry into fall — without overhauling everything you already do.
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode: The Cocktail Party Philosophy (blogpost): https://theinspiredclassroom.com/2011/02/conversations-in-the-classroom-the-cocktail-party-philosophy/
Ready to learn about the RESET Framework? Get your free PDF: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/roadmap
Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast
✨ The Classroom Reset – The online course that helps you improve student behaviors, increase engagement and support students' SEL, so that you can 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 | |||
| 147 | Our Students Have Changed: Attention Spans, Dopamine Hits, and What We Can Do | 19 juin 2026 | 00:21:52 | |
You know it's true... maybe you've even said it out loud: Our students have changed! Honestly, our students' brains have genuinely changed. Not because something is wrong with them — but because the world they live in has calibrated them for constant stimulation, instant rewards, and short-form everything. In this episode I talk about:
This one is for every teacher who has a student who checks out before they even start — and who is ready to understand what's actually going on underneath that.
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode:
Be sure to listen to the interview with Natayle Brown — #146 What Every ELA Teacher Needs to Know About Struggling Readers and Student Shutdown
Get your ticket to The Unstuck Literacy Conference (free! June 23–25): theinspiredclassroom.com/unstuck
Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast
✨ The Classroom Reset – If this conversation resonates with you, you'll love The Classroom Reset. Inside, you'll learn how to build the foundation that helps students feel safe enough to participate, take risks, self-regulate, and engage in learning. Because before students can succeed with our strategies, they need the conditions that make learning possible. 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 | |||
| 146 | What Every ELA Teacher Needs to Know About Struggling Readers and Student Shutdown (with Natayle Brown) | 16 juin 2026 | 00:34:46 | |
Have you ever had a student who seemed determined to avoid reading, writing, or participating at all costs? In this episode, I sit down with literacy expert and conference host Natayle Brown to discuss what's really happening when students shut down in ELA classrooms. We explore the difference between true defiance and overwhelm, why struggling readers often disengage before they even begin, and how teachers can challenge students without pushing them into shutdown. Natalie shares practical insights about attention spans, dopamine, skill deficits, student engagement, and the Zone of Proximal Development—all through the lens of helping struggling readers access grade-level learning. This is the perfect prequel to my session inside the Unstuck Literacy Conference Natayle is hosting. Be sure to register for this free conference which runs from Jun 23-25, 2026 by going to theinspiredclassroom.com/unstuck
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode: The Unstuck Literacy Conference: theinspiredclassroom.com/unstuck
Natayle's Website: https://heynatayle.com/
Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast
✨ The Classroom Reset – If this conversation resonates with you, you'll love The Classroom Reset. Inside, you'll learn how to build the foundation that helps students feel safe enough to participate, take risks, self-regulate, and engage in learning. Because before students can succeed with our strategies, they need the conditions that make learning possible. 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 | |||
| 145 | Stop Redirecting Your Students - It Just Doesn't Work Anymore | 12 juin 2026 | 00:15:32 | |
What if the behavior you're constantly redirecting isn't actually the problem? In this episode, I'm sharing the story of one of my students—a student who taught me one of the most important classroom management lessons of my career. For weeks, I responded the way many of us were taught: redirect the behavior, apply the consequence, move on. But when I finally paused and asked a different question, everything changed.
You'll discover why some student behaviors are really signals of something deeper, how one simple conversation can shift the entire dynamic of a classroom, and the three questions I now ask before jumping into a correction.
If you're exhausted from repeating yourself all day, frustrated that traditional classroom management strategies aren't working like they used to, or wondering how to create a calmer, more connected classroom without becoming a therapist, this episode is for you.
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode: Ready to take the next step? Grab my free RESET Roadmap and explore the full framework I reference in this episode. ➡️ theinspiredclassroom.com/roadmap
Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast
✨ The Classroom Reset – The online course that helps you improve student behaviors, increase engagement and support students' SEL, so that you can 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 | |||
| 144 | You Know How to Teach — But Classroom Management Sure Has Changed! | 09 juin 2026 | 00:21:07 | |
You have years of experience. You have the degree. You've put in the extra time to reach the kids who need it most. You know how to teach. So why does classroom management feel so much harder than it used to? I want to get honest about something — what every seasoned teacher deserves to hear: the reason your classroom management tools aren't working the way they used to has nothing to do with your skill as a teacher. Your students have genuinely changed. And nobody told you, retrained you, or handed you anything new to work with. Let's look at three specific things we are seeing in today's students that are different from even five years ago and return to the core of what has always worked in education — with a framework built for the classroom you're actually in right now. ~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode: Video: Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs for Teachers Free RESET Roadmap — Walk through the full RESET Framework in one place, with podcast episodes built right in: theinspiredclassroom.com/roadmap
Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Record it here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast
✨ The Classroom Reset – The online course that helps you improve student behaviors, increase engagement and support students' SEL, so that you can 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 | |||
| 143 | Why Teacher Exhaustion Keeps Coming Back: 3 Signs You're Missing What Actually Fixes It | 05 juin 2026 | 00:16:59 | |
You rest over the summer. You genuinely step away. And then September arrives — and within two weeks, you are right back in it...like you never left. If the exhaustion keeps coming back no matter what you do, this episode is for you. I'll walk you through 3 signs that what you're experiencing isn't just teacher burnout — it's what happens when you've been working without the right framework underneath you. Not a personal failure. A structural problem. Luckily, structural problems have real solutions. ~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode: Grab the whole RESET Framework in this free PDF: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/roadmap
✨ The Classroom Reset – The online course that helps you improve student behaviors, increase engagement and support students' SEL, so that you can 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 | |||
| 142 | Did the School Year Burn You Out? How Some Teachers Recover and Others Stay Exhausted | 02 juin 2026 | 00:22:33 | |
The school year is over. Summer is here! But if you're still feeling exhausted, you're not alone. In this episode, I'm sharing why summer break doesn't automatically fix teacher burnout—and why some teachers return in August feeling refreshed while others feel like they never really recovered. I'll walk you through three simple steps that can help you so more than just rest, but actually recover and be ready for the next school year. If you've ever found yourself thinking, "I need this summer to feel different," this episode is for you. Let's make this summer one that helps you truly recover so you can enjoy teaching again.
~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 – The online course that helps you improve student behaviors, increase engagement and support students' SEL, so that you can 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 | |||
| 141 | Why Teacher Friendships Matter: An Ode to My Teacher Besties | 29 mai 2026 | 00:10:12 | |
Can we just acknowledge that the end of the school year feels like one giant emotional roller coaster sometimes? In this episode, I’m sharing some personal stories about the teacher friendships that helped shape my teaching journey — the people who made hard years manageable, made me laugh when I needed it most, and reminded me I wasn’t alone. From hallway eye contact emergencies to late-night team vent sessions over nachos and gin and tonics, this episode is a love letter to the teacher besties who help us stay in this profession. If you’ve ever had a teacher friend who helped you survive a hard year, this episode will make you laugh, reflect, and maybe tear up just a little. And as you head into summer, I hope you’ll keep listening to the podcast for encouragement, support, and just enough school talk to help you feel grounded without pulling you back into overwhelm.
~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 – The online course that helps you improve student behaviors, increase engagement and support students' SEL, so that you can 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 | |||
| 140 | Exhausted After Teaching All Year? How to Land Softly into Summer Break without the Burnout | 26 mai 2026 | 00:18:48 | |
If you’re limping your way to summer break feeling emotionally exhausted, overstimulated, and one bad email away from wanting to face plant into the couch for three straight days… this episode is for you. In this episode, I’m sharing a few simple but powerful ways to transition into summer without carrying the stress, frustration, and survival mode of the school year right along with you. We’ll talk about why teachers often crash hard in June, the difference between intentional rest and avoidance, and how to start recovering before burnout convinces you teaching just isn’t for you anymore. I’ll also share my personal “Two Week Rule” for the start of summer! Because here’s the truth: You don’t need more to do. You need a RESET. And no… that doesn’t mean spending your entire summer finding new activities to try and reorganizing classroom bins at midnight. Just listen in... I want this podcast to be just enough school talk to help you feel grounded, supported, and encouraged through the summer without pulling you back into overwhelm. So make sure you subscribe and KEEP listening all summer long. And if you want extra support, encouragement, and insider updates join my insider email community here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/insider
~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 – The online course that helps you improve student behaviors, increase engagement and support students' SEL, so that you can 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 | |||
| 139 | Need a Fast Engagement Win? Try this Creative "Circles" Activity | 22 mai 2026 | 00:08:42 | |
Feeling like your students are mentally checked out lately? Need a quick way to boost engagement without adding more prep to your plate? In this short episode, I share a simple creative activity you can use at the drop of a hat with almost any age level: Circles. This easy, low-pressure activity helps students:
Most importantly, it reminds us that creativity doesn’t have to be complicated to make a BIG impact on classroom energy and student engagement. ~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode: 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 – theinspiredclassroom.com/reset It’s like your dream PD day—but no sub plans, no stress, and everything applies directly to your classroom.
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 | |||
| 138 | Stop Fighting Spring Behavior: Why Creative Engagement Helps Students Regulate, Focus, and Learn | 19 mai 2026 | 00:18:36 | |
It's May and teachers are exhausted. Students are checked out. And by this point in the school year, it can feel like you’re managing behavior more than you’re actually teaching. In this episode, I share why creativity is about so much more than art projects or “fun activities.” You’ll discover how the creative process helps students think flexibly, stay engaged, and regulate emotions — especially during the chaotic end-of-year season. If your classroom energy feels flat, frustrating, or completely fried right now, this episode will help you rethink engagement in a way that feels practical, supportive, and doable.
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in this Episode: Do you have a question for me? Record it here and I'll answer it on the podcast! https://www.videoask.com/f42f127z8
Download my free RESET Roadmap! https://theinspiredclassroom.com/roadmap
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 | |||
| 137 | What If You’re Not Burned Out from Teaching… Just Stuck? | 18 mai 2026 | 00:11:21 | |
Have you ever felt stuck in teaching—but also not quite ready to walk away from education completely? In this quick episode, I’m sharing a perspective that might completely shift how you think about burnout, frustration, and finding joy in your work again. Sometimes getting unstuck doesn’t mean quitting… sometimes it means changing how you show up in education. I’m talking about the power of trying something different, stepping into a new challenge, and giving yourself permission to evolve as an educator. If teaching has started to feel overwhelming, repetitive, or like you’re just surviving the days until the next break, this episode will give you something hopeful to think about. ~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode: Are you considering a change and want to run your thoughts by someone? Record it here: https://www.videoask.com/f42f127z8
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 | |||
| 136 | Is the Lack of Student Responsibility Driving You Crazy Too? | 15 mai 2026 | 00:17:22 | |
Ever find yourself carrying everything in your classroom? The reminders. The behavior management. The motivation. The emotional energy. The responsibility for whether students engage… or don’t. And... does it drive you crazy like it does for me? Somehow, teachers take on more of the load while students carry less and less. And while it may feel necessary—it’s also exhausting. So, let's talk about it!
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode: Check out Episode 135 | Student Effort Is Low… And It’s Burning Teachers Out
💬 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
✨ You don’t have to keep reacting to behaviors all day. Inside my course, The Classroom RESET, I’ll help you shift what’s underneath it all—so your classroom becomes calmer, more connected, and actually manageable again. You don't need a new initiative, you need a RESET! Learn more and enroll here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/reset
Have 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 | |||
| 135 | Student Effort Is Low… And It’s Burning Teachers Out | 12 mai 2026 | 00:13:55 | |
What’s draining your energy the most right now? For so many teachers, it’s not just behavior—it’s the lack of effort. The constant reminders. The students who won’t take responsibility. The feeling that you’re the one holding everything together just to get through the day. And over time… that’s exhausting. In this episode, I’m unpacking what’s really going on when student effort is low and a few small but powerful shifts to help you start changing the pattern. If you’ve ever felt like you’re managing everything instead of actually teaching, this episode will help you understand why—and what you can begin to do differently.
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode: ✨ You don’t have to keep reacting to behaviors all day. Inside my course, The Classroom RESET, I’ll help you shift what’s underneath it all—so your classroom becomes calmer, more connected, and actually manageable again. You don't need a new initiative, you need a RESET! Learn more and enroll here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/reset
👉 If you’re ready to move from reacting to behaviors to actually rebuilding a calm, engaged classroom, I’ve got something for you. Grab your free RESET Roadmap here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/roadmap
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
Have 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 | |||
| 134 | How I Made a Connection with the Toughest Kid in 7th Grade | 08 mai 2026 | 00:09:21 | |
Some students are hard to reach. And if you’ve been teaching long enough, you know exactly the kind of student I’m talking about—the one who seems completely shut down, disengaged, or like they just don’t care. In this episode, I’m sharing the story of a 7th grade student who challenged me in a way I didn’t expect. He came into my classroom with a tough exterior and very little interest in what we were doing… and for a while, nothing seemed to work. But then something shifted. And it wasn’t a big strategy or a complicated plan. It was something much simpler—and much more powerful. If you’re working with a student who feels unreachable, this story will remind you that there’s often more going on beneath the surface—and that small shifts can make a big difference. Because it’s not always about fixing behavior. ~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode: ✨ You don’t have to keep reacting to behaviors all day. Inside my course, The Classroom RESET, I’ll help you shift what’s underneath it all—so your classroom becomes calmer, more connected, and actually manageable again. You don't need a new initiative, you need a RESET! Learn more and enroll here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/reset
👉 If you’re ready to move from reacting to behaviors to actually rebuilding a calm, engaged classroom, I’ve got something for you. Grab your free RESET Roadmap here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/roadmap
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
Have 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 | |||
| 133 | From Burnout to Breakthrough: How One High School Teacher Transformed Her Classroom (INTERVIEW) | 05 mai 2026 | 00:30:45 | |
What happens when a teacher goes from feeling completely burnt out… to experiencing a true classroom transformation? In this episode, I’m sharing a powerful conversation with a high school ELA teacher who recently went through The Classroom RESET—and her story is one so many of us can relate to. At one point, she described feeling like she was in a pit of overwhelm. The challenges in her classroom felt like too much, and like so many teachers, she was trying to piece together strategies just to get through the day. But what she experienced in the course wasn’t just a collection of new ideas. 👉 It was a transformation. In our conversation, she shares:
One of the most powerful parts of this conversation is how she describes this process as a form of self-care—not because it was easy, but because it finally supported her in a way that made teaching feel better again. If you’ve been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or like nothing is really changing no matter what you try, this episode will give you a glimpse of what’s possible. Because you don’t need more random strategies. You need something that actually works.
~Elizabeth
✨ FLASH SALE: This week only (through Thursday), enrollment is open for The Classroom RESET—and it’s available at a special discounted rate with some exciting bonuses. I can’t share all the details here in the show notes, so be sure to head to the website to check it out before it closes. Go here for all the details: https://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 | |||
| 132 | It Felt Like Me vs Them: Why the Behavior Feels So Hard | 01 mai 2026 | 00:08:46 | |
Have you ever had a class that just felt… so hard?! In this episode, I’m sharing a real story from my own classroom about a group of students that challenged me in a completely different way. No matter what I tried, nothing seemed to stick—and at one point, it honestly felt like me vs. them. But what I realized changed everything. If you’ve ever found yourself questioning why one class feels so much harder than the others, this episode will help you see what might actually be going on beneath the surface—and why it’s not just about behavior. I want to help you to stop second-guessing yourself and start looking at your classroom through a new lens—one that actually leads to change.
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode: ✨ You don’t have to keep reacting to behaviors all day. Inside my course, The Classroom RESET, I’ll help you shift what’s underneath it all—so your classroom becomes calmer, more connected, and actually manageable again. You don't need a new initiative, you need a RESET! Learn more and enroll here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/reset
👉 If you’re ready to move from reacting to behaviors to actually rebuilding a calm, engaged classroom, I’ve got something for you. Grab your free RESET Roadmap here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/roadmap
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
Have 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 | |||
| 131 | Still Playing Referee? 2 Mistakes That Keep You Stuck in Behavior Mode | 28 avr. 2026 | 00:14:55 | |
If you feel like you’re constantly managing behavior instead of actually teaching… this episode is for you. Because here’s the truth: most teachers aren’t doing anything wrong—they’re just stuck in patterns that keep them reacting all day long. In this episode, I’m breaking down two common mistakes that can keep you trapped in “behavior mode”… even when you’re doing everything you know how to do. If you’ve ever thought, “Why does this keep happening?” or “Why isn’t anything working?”—this episode will help you start connecting the dots. Because once you see the pattern, you can finally start changing it.
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode: ✨ You don’t have to keep reacting to behaviors all day. Inside my course, The Classroom RESET, I’ll help you shift what’s underneath it all—so your classroom becomes calmer, more connected, and actually manageable again. You don't need a new initiative, you need a RESET! 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
Have 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 | |||
| 130 | Drowning in Student Behavior? What If That’s Not the Real Problem? | 24 avr. 2026 | 00:10:51 | |
Ever have one of those days where nothing works… and you’re left wondering what just happened? Today, I’m sharing a real classroom experience and the shift that changed how I see student behavior completely. Because what if it’s not just a behavior problem? Inside, I’ll help you:
If you’ve been feeling frustrated, reactive, or like you’re constantly putting out fires, this episode will help you take a step back and see what’s really going on underneath it all.
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode: ✨ You don’t have to keep reacting to behaviors all day. Inside my course, The Classroom RESET, I’ll help you shift what’s underneath it all—so your classroom becomes calmer, more connected, and actually manageable again. You don't need a new initiative, you need a RESET! Learn more and enroll here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/reset
👉 If you’re ready to move from reacting to behaviors to actually rebuilding a calm, engaged classroom, I’ve got something for you. Grab your free RESET Roadmap here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/roadmap
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
Have 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 | |||
| 129 | 3 Signs Your Classroom Feels Off (Even When You’re Doing Everything Right) | 21 avr. 2026 | 00:21:31 | |
If you've been feeling like you’re managing behavior more than you’re actually teaching, this episode is for you. I’m breaking down what’s really going on when your classroom feels out of control and 3 clear signs your classroom foundation might be… wobbling. If you’ve been repeating yourself all day, putting out fires, or watching engagement slip right in front of you—this episode will help you see your classroom in a whole new way. More importantly, it will show you where to start so things can begin to feel calmer, more connected, and more manageable again.
~Elizabeth
Mentioned in This Episode: ✨ You don’t have to keep reacting to behaviors all day. Inside my course, The Classroom RESET, I’ll help you shift what’s underneath it all—so your classroom becomes calmer, more connected, and actually manageable again. You don't need a new initiative, you need a RESET! Learn more and enroll here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/reset
👉 If you’re ready to move from reacting to behaviors to actually rebuilding a calm, engaged classroom, I’ve got something for you. Grab your free RESET Roadmap here: https://theinspiredclassroom.com/roadmap
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
Have 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 | |||