A collection of reflective thoughts on managing student behavior and learning in an urban classroom. Cover art photo provided by Doug Linstedt on Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/@douglinstedt
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Enjoy Teaching Again | Elementary, Teacher Burnout, Learning Styles, SEL, Classroom Management
Elizabeth M. Peterson - Teacher, Arts Integration Specialist & Creative SEL Consultant
Do you feel like teaching just isn’t fun anymore? Does classroom management feel like you’re playing a game of whack-a-mole? Do you wish you could clone little Betsy - the only student in class who exudes joy and stays engaged while learning? Ever feel like shutting your door and going off script just so you can teach in a way that you know your students need? You’re not alone—and you’ve just found your people. (YAY!) In this podcast, you’ll find real solutions to bring joy back to teaching, ...
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STEPPING INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION, Special Education, SPED, Special Ed, Students with Disabilities, Classroom Management
Michelle Vazquez, M.A.Ed., Special Education Teacher, Special Ed Teacher, IEP Writer, Special Education Teacher Coach
Confused with how to write IEPs (Individualized Education Plans)? Not sure how to keep track of all the data? Tired of searching for the right behavior strategies to manage your special ed. classroom? In this podcast, you will find methods to create IEP goals that students can reach, a system to collect data with your team, & know which behavior strategies will work best for your classroom. My mission is to help new sped teachers write IEPs with confidence, share ideas for classroom manageme ...
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74 | 3 Ways Prayer Can Help You Find Peace in Teaching
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15:06This one’s from the heart. In this episode, I’m opening up about something we don’t talk about enough as teachers—prayer. Not affirmations, not manifesting… but quiet, intentional moments with God, asking for strength, direction, and peace in your teaching day. I’ll share some real-life moments where I had no choice but to let go and lean on prayer…
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73 | 3 Ways to Stop Student Behavior Problems Before They Start
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21:37It’s easy to get swept up in setting up a beautiful classroom—name tags, motivational posters, organized bins—but none of that really solves behavior issues, does it? In this episode, I’m sharing 3 meaningful and practical ways to support student behavior before things spiral. These strategies are proactive, teacher-centered, and rooted in connecti…
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72 | Why Teacher Relaxation Is the Secret to Better Student Behavior
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22:44What if your calm was actually your most effective behavior strategy? In this episode, we’re flipping the script on traditional behavior management and talking about how intentional teacher relaxation can shift the emotional tone of your classroom—for the better. Whether you’re already back at school or clinging to those final days of summer—this o…
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71 | AI in the Classroom: What Teachers Need to Know (and Why It Matters Now) Interview with Kristina Peterson
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46:38This week, I’m sitting down with my very first guest—Kristina Peterson, high school English teacher and co-author of the book AI in the Writing Workshop: Finding the Write Balance. We’re diving into one of the biggest topics in education today: artificial intelligence. From ethical concerns to creative opportunities, I'm asking the real questions a…
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70 | Too Much Tech in Your Classroom? How to Reclaim Meaningful Engagement
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17:54Let’s talk about the tech elephant in the classroom. 🐘 We’ve got Chromebooks, smart boards, digital tools—and yet, we’re still battling student disengagement and behavior issues. In this episode, I’m sharing why too much screen time might be affecting your students more than you think, and what you can actually do to bring back connection, creativi…
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69 | Not Quite Burned Out Yet ...But Not Excited Either? Every teacher needs to hear this.
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14:56Ever find yourself wondering, “I still love teaching… but this is really hard!" Maybe you're quite not burned out—but you're definitely not energized either. In this episode, I’m opening up a conversation for those of us caught in that messy middle. We’ll talk about what this almost-burnout zone really feels like, why so many teachers land here, an…
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68 | Dreading Back to School? How to Recover, Reset & Still Enjoy What's Left of Summer
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12:16Is that back-to-school dread already creeping in? 😩 You're not alone—and you're definitely not doing anything wrong. In this episode, I share how you can balance true rest and a gentle reset before the new school year hits. We’ll talk about what to do instead of pretending school doesn’t exist (because spoiler: that doesn’t actually help), and how …
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Let’s be real—have you ever come home after school and just collapsed on the couch? You’re not lazy. You’re not broken. You’re just getting burned out. Let me share with you one of my own experiences with burnout—and why it led me to create something new: The Classroom Reset Challenge. This free, 2-day experience is for teachers who are ready for a…
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67 | Teaching Isn’t Supposed to Hurt: How to Reset Your Classroom and Beat Burnout
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10:52In this episode, I’m diving into something we need to talk about—burnout. Real burnout. The kind that leaves you drained, dreading the school day, and wondering if this is what teaching is supposed to feel like. But here's the truth: you can love teaching again. And in this episode, I’ll share the three classroom game-changers that can actually hel…
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Have you ever felt like you’ve tried everything to fix student behavior—but nothing seems to stick? The clip charts, the brain breaks, the calm-down corners... they help for a second, but the chaos keeps creeping in. If you’re nodding your head, friend—this episode is for you. Join me inside The Classroom Reset Challenge—a free, live 2-day workshop…
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66 | Frustrated with Student Behaviors? 3 Things That Will Actually Improve Your Classroom Climate
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13:51If behavior charts, clip systems, and pom-pom jars aren’t cutting it anymore, this episode is for you. I’m diving into why these strategies often fall short in today’s classrooms and what actually works to improve student behavior in real, lasting ways. We’ll explore three powerful contributors to better behavior: building a caring classroom cultur…
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I know what it’s like to sit through PD that leaves you with more eye-rolls than inspiration. (There. I said it!) That’s what led me to create something new: The Classroom Reset Challenge. This free, 2-day experience is for teachers who are ready for a real reset. This challenge isn’t about little hacks and “self-care” clichés. It’s about practical…
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65 | 5 Questions to Ask Before Choosing Teacher Professional Development Online
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17:36Let’s be real—so much of the PD we sit through leaves us feeling… uninspired. I’ve been there too, nodding along, taking notes, and wondering if any of it will actually stick. In this episode, I’m sharing the 5 key questions you need to ask in order to figure out if the professional development you're signed up for is truly teacher-centered—and why…
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64 | Teacher Summer Work That Fights Burnout: 3 Powerful Ideas
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24:44Feeling torn between rest, reflection, and planning over summer break? In this episode, I share the reality behind what will work if you want a little of each. Rethinking what that looks like might be the key to recovering from burnout and walking into the fall feeling refreshed, not frazzled. I'll share own summer rhythms, give practical and perso…
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63 | Is Your Calm-Down Corner Even Working? The Mistakes Teachers Make—and How to Fix Them
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22:13Ever feel like your calm-down corner is more like a timeout chair—or maybe it’s just gathering dust? In this episode, I'll share creative, teacher-tested ways to transform your calm-down corner into a powerful tool that helps students self-regulate and re-engage in learning. You’ll learn how to set it up with the right stuff, teach kids to use it, …
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62 | Sick of Your Teacher To-Do List? Here’s Why You Need a DID List Instead!
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11:43Let's flip the script on that never-ending to-do list and introduce something that’ll actually fill you up—a DID List! We’re talking all about how to reflect on what you’ve accomplished, big and small, so you can finish the school year feeling proud instead of overwhelmed. I’m sharing why making a DID List is a powerful mindset shift (especially du…
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61 | Let it Out Before You Burnout! This One Teacher Relationship is the Key
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18:33Are you tired of carrying the emotional weight that teaching brings? In this episode of Enjoy Teaching Again, I share why having a trusted venting buddy isn't just helpful—it's essential. You’ll hear real talk about what healthy venting looks like, who makes the best venting partner, and how to avoid the common traps that can turn necessary release…
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60 | Are Scripted Lessons Killing Your Creativity? 4 Creative Activities to Bring It Back—Fast.
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17:16Feeling boxed in by scripted lessons and copy-paste curriculum? You’re not alone. In this episode, I'm sharing four simple, actually doable strategies that bring creativity—and student engagement—back into your day, without piling on extra prep. 🙌 I use these strategies every week. They are tried, tested and work! We’ll cover: ✔️ How to use music t…
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59 | What’s an Underground Spirit Week—and Why Are Teachers Secretly Doing It?
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16:27Some teachers love it. Some teachers dread it. Spirit Week usually involves some crazy socks, wacky hair, and the occasional coveted Decades Day. But what if we put a twist on this and sent it… underground? This kind of Spirit Week is designed just for teachers—to build connection, creativity, and joy in a way that keeps you smiling all week. And t…
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58 | Forget the Gift! 3 Better Ways for Teachers to Celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week
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17:07This week, we’re celebrating Teacher Appreciation in a way that's a little different. While I’m all about those lunches and door prizes (can we normalize surprise snacks every month?), this episode invites you to reflect on something even more meaningful—the teachers who have impacted you. Whether it’s a colleague who lifted you up, a mentor who sh…
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57 | From Morning Chaos to Classroom Calm - 3 Teacher-Tested Approaches
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17:30What if the secret to a calmer, more connected classroom started in the first five minutes of your day? In this episode, I share simple, teacher-tested ways to set the tone for a day that flows—with less chaos and more connection. If mornings in your classroom feel rushed, noisy, or just plain off, this one’s for you. These aren't major overhauls—j…
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56 | 3 Paperless Ideas for Earth Day That Still Hit Your Standards
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16:43In this episode, I’m sharing a few of my favorite paperless swaps you can use in your lessons to celebrate Earth Day in a meaningful, creative way—without printing a single worksheet. You’ll hear ideas that work for math, ELA and science—all hands-on, tech-free, and totally doable. These are the kinds of ideas that make teaching feel fun again, whi…
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55 | Scrambling for ideas for National Poetry Month? 3 Poetry Ideas that Your Students Will Love
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17:53April is Poetry Month, and if you’re thinking “ugh, not another acrostic…” this episode is for you. I’m sharing three fresh, arts-infused poetry ideas that are simple to implement, fun for your students, and packed with SEL goodness. These strategies don’t require fancy materials, a background in poetry, or hours of prep—and they’re designed to eng…
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54 | Feeling Uninspired? How a Daffodil Reminds Us Why We Teach
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16:00Feeling burnt out? Wondering if you’ve lost your passion for teaching? In this inspiring springtime episode, I share a story rooted in daffodils: The Daffodil Principle—a powerful reminder that big change starts with one small step. Inside you’ll hear: A beautiful story that will shift your perspective Why teacher reflection matters now more than e…
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53 | Struggling with Teacher Overwhelm? 4 Ways to Defeat Teacher Burnout
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14:27You love teaching—but by the end of the day, you’re completely drained. Sound familiar? I’ve coined a name for that: The Daily Teacher Drain and I’m naming exactly what causes that daily exhaustion in today's podcast episode. (Spoiler alert: it’s more than just being “tired.”) Even better, we’ll look at how you can take simple, intentional steps to…
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