Happier Music Teacher

Burned out?  Disappointed about your productivity at home and at school?  I think a lot of happiness is about adjusting expectations.  At first that may seem like terrible news but it is great news!  I'm here to show you how I structure a typical week and set reasonable expectations for work and home. The best thank you I can receive for the book or the podcast is a positive review.  Thank you for...

Welcome new friends from SDMEA! Are you teacher tired on Friday nights?  Catching up on laundry on Saturdays?  Trying to rest and connect with family on Sunday?  We should be friends! Here is a peek behind the curtain of what a fellow music teacher prioritizes on a typical weekend.   Buy Beth's Book on F-Flat Buy Beth's Book in Paperback HMT How to Fight the Sunday Scaries Episode    

Does your typical weeknight look like mine?  If your weeknights are a blur of carpools, phone calls and an attempt at laundry and dinner, they might!  The lesson here?  Our time, particularly on weeknights, is finite. Tidy Hour Episode Buy Happier Music Teacher on F-Flat Books Buy Beth's Book on Amazon  

Wondering what an actual school day in the life of a happier music teacher looks like?  Here is a look behind the curtain at my schedule, habits and routines as a busy elementary music teacher for some inspiration as you plan your day.   Enjoyed this episode?  Leave a review or share it with a friend! SDMEA Conference Buy Beth's Book on Amazon Support Beth's Work on F-Flat Books  

As music teachers, there are habits that are good and habits that are scary!  I've been guilty of a lot of these lately so no judgment.  Today, we'll examine the scary habits so we can replace them with more nourishing habits. SDMEA Conference HMT Final Stretch Challenge Episode Buy Beth's Book on Amazon

This is the final portion of my interview with Kristin Behlmann LPC MA https://www.kristinbehlmann.com/ Please go back and listen to her earlier episodes to gain even more of her wisdom for music teachers. Today, we tackle the question of practice time as a busy educator from Facebook member Natalie and also discuss mindset shifts around excellence and time as musicians.   Buy Beth's Book on Amazo...

Welcome to the third episode with Kristin Behlmann ( https://www.kristinbehlmann.com/ ).  Today, we address mental health as an investment and reframe the discussion around self-care to self-kindness.  We also dig in to some of the biggest misconceptions arounds counseling.  If you enjoyed this episode, please share it on your socials or text it to a friend. Kind disclaimer: Kristin is a licensed...

This is the second part of my conversation with Kristin Behlmann https://www.kristinbehlmann.com/ Kristin offers therapy, coaching, & education services for musicians, music educators, and performing artists.  Today we discuss her turning point in taking mental health more seriously and she gives us a wellness hack that you're going to want to implement immediately.  Plus, we have some straigh...

You are going to love my first podcast guest, Kristin Behlmann.   From her website: She is a classically trained musician, former music educator, and licensed professional counselor in Texas. She helps musicians, music educators, and performing artists manage anxiety, perfectionism, and burnout so they can reconnect with the music and life that light them up. I think she is such a perfect fit for...

I wish that our only emotions as music teachers were positive but there are lessons in the negative ones, too.  This was a literal description of me last weekend even though I planned the episode title quite some time ago.  Listen in for some tough grace about what to do when you are feeling tired, resentful or taken for granted. My latest webinar for Musicplay is linked below. I love you.  Thank...

A little later than usual today!  If normal teaching is heavy, it is even more challenging when you are weighed down by grief or sadness.  Here is my hard-earned wisdom from some recent loss. On a much brighter note, thank you for helping the podcast surpass 10,000 downloads!  To God be the glory!   I am excited to present a webinar for Musicplayonline this Wednesday, 9.10.25, at 5:30 CST.  It is...

Being an organized music teacher doesn't have to be alphabetizing and color coding but it might!  Need some tips for digital and physical organization in your music room that don't feel like a part-time job?  Here are some of my favorites.  Of course it includes Musicplay, binders and calendar work! Sale alert!  Happier Music Teacher E-Book is on sale for 30% off on F-Flat Books on 9.2.25 (today!)...

Drowning in paper and stuff at the beginning of the school year?  Me, too.  Here are some organizational principles from a decidedly Type B+ teacher.  This doesn't have to work for your Type A colleague down the hall or be featured in a magazine spread (do they still have those?), it needs to work for you! Buy Happier Music Teacher on Amazon Support Beth and F-Flat Books

Sometimes we're so worried about getting our students and children ready for back to school that we forget to take care of ourselves.  The Music Ed with Missy Facebook group had some excellent wisdom to share for teachers preparing for back to school this summer/fall.  Back to school is a lot for teachers!  Let's prioritize being kind to ourselves during a challenging season for us and our familie...

Allow me to pray for you and your family as you return back to school.  We'll pray over your time, energy, programs, physical safety, leaders and more.

Music teachers, feeling anxious about heading back to school whenever that might be?  Here are seven questions for you to journal or reflect on to get to the root of your back to school anxiety.  Did you know that your anxiety isn't necessarily your enemy?  It may be telling you something important that you need to listen to. Beth's 9 Ways to Beat BTS Overwhelm Episode Beth's BTS Time and Money Gu...

Welcome new listeners from TCDA!   Here is your roadmap for getting along with the support staff in your building: custodians, secretaries and paraprofessionals.  Music teachers have relationships with all the stakeholders on the campus in a way that few others teachers do.  Don't forget to go back and listen to any other episodes in this "Getting Along" series that you've missed or share this wit...

Hello new friends from Musicplay! Related arts, outclass team, AMP, LAMP, GLAMP, Specials?  Whatever you call it, you are most likely part of a team at school with Art, PE, Librarians and possibly STEM or Guidance counselors.  Here are some best practices for getting along with the colleagues you work with the most frequently. See you this Friday at TCDA! Buy Beth's Book on Amazon Buy Beth's Book...

Welcome new listeners from the Musicplay Summer Symposium!  General education teachers are our allies as music teachers so we need to start acting like it!  Here are small habits you can start to make relationships with the classroom teachers on your campus smoother.  We're on the same team! Have you purchased my book?  Link below. Will I see you at TCDA?   Buy Beth's Book on Amazon Buy Beth's Boo...

Need help with one of your most important relationships at school?  Today, how to navigate getting along with the administrators to benefit your music program.  Most important takeaway today?  Your administrator is your boss and it is your job to make them look good.  Going to TCDA or the Musicplay Summer Symposium?  I'd love to meet you there! Don't forget to pick up your copy of "Happier Music T...

Join me in July for a new series on getting along with the adults at school as a music teacher.  While there is no magic pill for smooth parent/teacher relations, there are some mindset shifts that can go a long way toward harmony.  Quick tip?  The phone can be much more helpful for communication than email!   If you haven't left a review of the podcast, will you please do so?  Thank you! Buy Happ...

With limited personal time and energy as a busy music teacher, how do I choose what and who to prioritize in my personal time?  The answer is in my introduction.  Christian, wife and mother.  In that order.  Want to see how someone like you fits in the most important things?  This episode is for you.  See you at TCDA on July 25 at 4:00!  Happier Music Teacher on Amazon Happier Music Teacher on F-F...

Ever wonder how a fellow music teacher decides which extra work gets her finite time and energy?  Why are Kodaly levels and National Board Certification yeses when other worthy things are a no?  Here are a few of my litmus tests for choosing extra work such as grant writing, presenting at music education conferences and producing this podcast.  Spoiler: one of my guiding principles is if it helps...

Music teachers have a lot of ways to take on extra work.  We might assume that self-care is saying no to all opportunities but that doesn't sit well with us as high performers.  Listen in for a thorough list of what I'm saying yes, no and maybe to in this season to help you make your own decisions without overcommitment or FOMO.     Join me this Wednesday at 5:30 CST for "Yes! Musicplay Works With...

Welcome back!  Want to be on your phone less and truly recharge as a tired music teacher this summer?  Here are your rules plus a bonus rule for your children!  Let's be intentional with our time and energy this summer!  See you June 11, 2025 at 5:30 CST for my Wednesday Webinar for Musicplayonline called, "Yes, Musicplay Works for Upper Elementary Students!" Help Theresa Hoover With This Survey