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

141 | Why Teacher Friendships Matter: An Ode to My Teacher Besties

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 [https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast]   ✨ The Classroom Reset [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 [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 [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 [https://theinspiredclassroom.com/community]     ✨ Connect with me! Find me on LinkedIn: elizapeterson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizapeterson/] Follow & DM me on Facebook @theinspiredclassroom [https://www.facebook.com/theinspiredclassroom] Follow & DM me on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/theinspiredclassroom/]@theinspiredclassroom [https://www.facebook.com/theinspiredclassroom] Watch & Subscribe on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/theinspiredclassroom]@theinspiredclassroom [https://www.facebook.com/theinspiredclassroom]

140 | Exhausted After Teaching All Year? How to Land Softly into Summer Break without the Burnout

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 [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 [https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast]   ✨ The Classroom Reset [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 [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 [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 [https://theinspiredclassroom.com/community]     ✨ Connect with me! Find me on LinkedIn: elizapeterson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizapeterson/] Follow & DM me on Facebook @theinspiredclassroom [https://www.facebook.com/theinspiredclassroom] Follow & DM me on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/theinspiredclassroom/]@theinspiredclassroom [https://www.facebook.com/theinspiredclassroom] Watch & Subscribe on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/theinspiredclassroom]@theinspiredclassroom [https://www.facebook.com/theinspiredclassroom]

139 | Need a Fast Engagement Win? Try this Creative "Circles" Activity

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: 1. practice flexible thinking, 2. spark creativity, 3. increase focus and participation, 4. and reconnect with learning in a fun, engaging way. 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 [https://theinspiredclassroom.com/podcast]     Want to experience the calm and connection in your classroom again? You will inside ✨ The Classroom Reset [https://theinspiredclassroom.com/the-classroom-reset-sp1] – theinspiredclassroom.com/reset [https://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 [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 [https://theinspiredclassroom.com/community]     ✨ Connect with me! Find me on LinkedIn: elizapeterson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizapeterson/] Follow & DM me on Facebook @theinspiredclassroom [https://www.facebook.com/theinspiredclassroom] Follow & DM me on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/theinspiredclassroom/]@theinspiredclassroom [https://www.facebook.com/theinspiredclassroom] Watch & Subscribe on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/theinspiredclassroom]@theinspiredclassroom [https://www.facebook.com/theinspiredclassroom]

138 | Stop Fighting Spring Behavior: Why Creative Engagement Helps Students Regulate, Focus, and Learn

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 [https://www.videoask.com/f42f127z8]   Download my free RESET Roadmap! https://theinspiredclassroom.com/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 [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 [https://theinspiredclassroom.com/community]     ✨ Connect with me! Find me on LinkedIn: elizapeterson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizapeterson/] Follow & DM me on Facebook @theinspiredclassroom [https://www.facebook.com/theinspiredclassroom] Follow & DM me on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/theinspiredclassroom/]@theinspiredclassroom [https://www.facebook.com/theinspiredclassroom] Watch & Subscribe on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/theinspiredclassroom]@theinspiredclassroom [https://www.facebook.com/theinspiredclassroom]

137 | What If You’re Not Burned Out from Teaching… Just Stuck?

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 [https://www.videoask.com/f42f127z8]   Ready to stop the burnout cycle? Visit theinspiredclassroom.com/reset [https://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 [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 [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 [https://theinspiredclassroom.com/community]     ✨ Connect with me! Find me on LinkedIn: elizapeterson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizapeterson/] Follow & DM me on Facebook @theinspiredclassroom [https://www.facebook.com/theinspiredclassroom] Follow & DM me on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/theinspiredclassroom/]@theinspiredclassroom [https://www.facebook.com/theinspiredclassroom] Watch & Subscribe on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/theinspiredclassroom]@theinspiredclassroom [https://www.facebook.com/theinspiredclassroom]