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

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

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

~Elizabeth

Mentioned in This Episode:

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

➡️ https://theinspiredclassroom.com/pd

🎁 Use code DEC10 at checkout to save 10%

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

Workshops Mentioned that are in The VAULT:

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

Friendly Friday Framework

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

✨ Connect with me!

Find me on LinkedIn: elizapeterson

Follow & DM me on Facebook @theinspiredclassroom

Follow & DM me on Instagram @theinspiredclassroom

Watch & Subscribe on YouTube @theinspiredclassroom

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

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

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

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

🔗 Links Mentioned

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

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

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

4. Use code DEC10 to save 10%

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

✨ Connect with me!

Find me on LinkedIn: elizapeterson

Follow & DM me on Facebook @theinspiredclassroom

Follow & DM me on Instagram @theinspiredclassroom

Watch & Subscribe on YouTube @theinspiredclassroom

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

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

We’ll talk about:

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

• Simple crafts, music, and community-building activities

• Incentives and classroom games that keep students motivated

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

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

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

Resources Mentioned:

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

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

✨ Time to GET INSPIRED!

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

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

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

🎁 Use code DEC10 to save 10%

✨ Connect with me!

Find me on LinkedIn: elizapeterson

Follow & DM me on Facebook @theinspiredclassroom

Follow & DM me on Instagram @theinspiredclassroom

Watch & Subscribe on YouTube @theinspiredclassroom

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

~Elizabeth

✨ Connect with me!

Find me on LinkedIn: elizapeterson

Follow & DM me on Facebook @theinspiredclassroom

Follow & DM me on Instagram @theinspiredclassroom

Watch & Subscribe on YouTube @theinspiredclassroom

I’m getting real about something most of us are dealing with (whether we admit it or not): our relationship with social media.

I’m sharing my personal story of falling out of love with social media, deleting the apps off my phone (#gasp!), and what I learned through the process. From “just checking notifications” to full-blown scrolling stupors, I’ll walk you through the small changes that made a big impact—not just on my screen time, but on my peace of mind, relationships, and ability to be more present.

I’ll also talk about what this means for us as teachers and some simple steps you can take to do your own social media detox! Because if we want our students to have healthy tech habits, we have to start modeling them ourselves.

Your time matters. And your joy matters. And I want to help you reclaim both—one scroll-free minute at a time.

~Elizabeth

Mentioned in This Episode:

Join me in a Social Media Detox over the next 30 days. There's nothing to sign up for, no workshop to attend, just follow the steps in this episode and then let me know by emailing me!!

How do you email me? If you are on my email list, just respond to any email I've sent you and tell me! If you're not on my Insider Email list yet, sign up here: theinspiredclassroom.com/insider

Ready to reset more than just your phone habits?

Join me inside The Classroom Reset, a group coaching program designed to help you reflect, reconnect with what matters, and prioritize your own well-being—so you can show up as the teacher (and human) you want to be.

It’s not just a reset for your classroom—it’s a reset for you. 💛

Go to theinspiredclassroom.com/reset

✨ Connect with me!

Find me on LinkedIn: elizapeterson

Follow & DM me on Facebook @theinspiredclassroom

Follow & DM me on Instagram @theinspiredclassroom

Watch & Subscribe on YouTube @theinspiredclassroom

Let’s be real—this season can feel like a whirlwind of behaviors, to-do lists, and burnt-out teacher brains. That’s why in this episode, I’m inviting you to take an intentional pause—a real-time gratitude break to reset your mindset and reconnect with what matters most.

Really. This episode is a mini-workshop just for YOU!

I’ll walk you through a simple and an advanced gratitude strategy you can do with me as you listen. It’s not just about good vibes—it’s about shifting how you see student behavior, how you show up in your classroom, and how you care for yourself (without adding one more thing to your plate).

This is your invitation to breathe, reflect, and remember that you have so much to be grateful for!

~Elizabeth

Mentioned in This Episode:

If today’s gratitude break helped calm your mind and lift your heart, imagine what could shift with a little more support.

Let this be your sign to not go it alone. Lean into creative, teacher-centered PD that actually fills your spirit—because you deserve to love teaching again.

It’s your safe space to be inspired, supported, and reminded you’re not in this alone.

👉 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

You know those days when student behavior feels like it’s taking over your classroom—and your peace of mind? In this episode, I’m joined by the incredible Lori Woodley-Langendorff, co-founder of All It Takes and author of SEL Muscle Mastery: 6 Tools for Building Resiliency and Connection in Schools and Communities.

Lori and I talk about what’s really going on beneath the surface of student disengagement and dysregulation, and why she calls SEL “Social-Emotional Literacy.” (Spoiler: I love that!) You’ll hear powerful insights into how we can spot the signs of student disconnection early, build trust without being a therapist, and teach emotional resilience through practical strategies—and even through how we show up as educators.

If you’re ready to support your students’ social-emotional growth and feel more grounded in your own practice, this is the conversation for you.

~Elizabeth

Mentioned in This Episode:

Learn More about Lori and her BOOK SEL Muscle Mastery!

https://www.selmuscles.com/

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

💬 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

We hear a lot about building teacher-student relationships—but what about peer-to-peer? In this episode, we're diving into why helping students form meaningful friendships may be the most important thing you do all year. You'll learn my simple Friendship Formula, how to teach it explicitly, and how it transforms your classroom culture.

Because let’s face it—students can’t learn if they don’t feel like they belong. And belonging? It starts with connection.

If your classroom feels disconnected or cliquey, this episode is for you. Discover how to foster real friendships, reduce behavior issues, and create a culture where kids show up ready to learn—and stay connected all year.

~Elizabeth

Mentioned in this Episode:

🌟 Ready to create a classroom where friendships thrive? Inside TCR, you’ll get monthly group coaching, practical strategies, and creative inspiration to help you manage behaviors, build connection, and enjoy teaching again. Visit theinspiredclassroom.com/reset to learn more about The Classroom Reset.

It’s like friendship bootcamp for your students—and a relationship refresh for your entire classroom.

💬 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