Happier Music Teacher

Dreading the day you teach THAT class?  In need of some fresh inspiration on how to get through their class period with your sanity intact?  Here are a few of my tried and true tips that you can use in your classroom tomorrow to help you keep your cool when the behaviors are a little extra.  You got this!

Didn't we just finish Veterans Day?  Yes and now is the perfect time to plan ahead so that you can finish your semester and the holidays strong!  You can do this!  Also, how is your HMT Final Stretch Challenge going? Buy Beth's Book As a Gift! Join the Happier Music Teachers Facebook Group  

In this special episode, Beth shares a heartfelt prayer for every listener- particularly if you are feeling tired, overwhelmed or discouraged as a music teacher.  God loves us and hears us when we pray.

Now that we are in full performance prep season (Hello Patriotic songs, Christmas songs and Halloween songs in the same lesson!), are you stressed about your programs?  Of course you are!  Here are some of my tried and true strategies for improving your programs with minimal effort.  If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to share it with a music education friend. Veterans Day Rhyming Script TP...

Hey friend!  Are your mornings full of stress and struggle?  Do you roll up to the school hot, rushed and grumpy?  If this sounds like you, you might want to grab a notebook and pen to take notes on this episode (not while you're driving, of course!).  Here are 8 simple shifts to make any morning better! Join the Happier Music Teachers Facebook Group Buy Happier Music Teacher on Amazon Buy the Hap...

The last quarter of the calendar year can be a lot for music teachers.  Veterans Day, Holiday concerts, grading and comunity choral concerts all seem to hit at the same time!  That is why I created the Happier Music Teacher Final Stretch Challenge to encourage us to take care of ourselves without making it a part time job.  Join us in these action steps and then let us know how it is going in the...

Welcome new listeners!  What a treat to talk about implementing summer learning, whether Kodaly or Orff, into your school year with Tanya and Carrie of Music Teacher Coffee Talk!  We'll tackle whether you should "Kodaly the world" and what parts of my Kodaly Level 2 training will make it into my classroom.  This is part 2 from their main theme.  If you'd like to listen to the full episode on their...

I've been a long time listener of the Music Teacher Coffee Talk podcast.  In fact, they were one of my inspirations for starting the Happier Music Teacher podcast.  Tanya and Carrie invited me on their podcast to chat about implementing summer learning into the school year since I recently completed Level II Kodaly.  Carrie recently completed Level 1 Orff.  Both Tanya and Carrie have been long ter...

Taking better care of our health as music teachers isn't easy but it is simple.  Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good as you establish daily habits and micro-actions that improve your health.  Want to feel better today?  Quick tip: leave that Halloween candy at the store until closer to Halloween! Happier Music Teacher Book on Amazon Buy the Happier Music Teacher E-Book Join the Happier...

Hi!  Did you know there are lies that get handed down from generation to generation of music teachers that are keeping us stuck and unhappy personally and professionally?  From worthiness to hours worked, I have no filter today.  This is going to be a good episode, friends! Happier Music Teacher Book on Amazon Happier Music Teachers Facebook Group Happier Music Teacher E-book      

Are you struggling with lesson planning?  Do you feel like it is taking too much time?  It is one of our biggest pain points as busy music teachers (besides needing to pee!) In this episode, I'm excited to share some of the reasons it is taking too long to plan your lessons so you can get your time back.  Let's take control of this piece of your professional life!   Cheers to being a happier music...

Are the Labor Day scaries worse than the Sunday Scaries?  Fall may mean more stress than summer but you can be less stressed this fall!  Whether you are a band director, choir director, orchestra director or an elementary music teacher, we have more control than we think over our time management and stress levels!   Join the Happier Music Teachers Facebook Group 30% Off HMT Code: laborday Happier...

I help music teachers to be happier at home AND school.  Are your boundaries at home weak and broken?  Odds are good that you are feeling the consequences at your job, too.  From quiet hours to better division of labor, here is your go-to guide for setting some clear and kind boundaries with your family. Happier Music Teacher Book on Amazon Happier Music Teacher E-Book Join the Happier Music Teach...

Whether you call it specials, outclass, lamp or something else, our team can really make or break our daily happiness as music teachers!  A big part of keeping this professional and personal relationship working smoothly is communication.  Per usual, you can't control others but you can control yourself and your responses.  This is your guide for making this the school year that you communicate we...

Big disclaimer: I am not a health professional.  I'm the happer music teacher!  Still, we need to have a discussion at the beginning of the year around our health and wellness boundaries.  Set them now so they don't fall to the bottom of the list.  Let's have a happier, healthier new school year!  Plus, help me celebrate 5,000 podcast downloads! Happier Music Teacher Paperback on Amazon Happier Mu...

Frustrated with the amount of time and energy you spend on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok with nothing to show for it?  Me too!  Today, we'll explore healthy boundaries around social media as music teachers. Buy Happier Music Teachers Book on Amazon Buy the Happier Music Teachers E-Book Join the Happier Music Teachers Facebook Group  

Beginning of the year work for a music teacher seems like it is never done.  It will never be easy but setting limits on it will make this large project a lot more manageable.  Welcome to the attendees from the Music Constructed "Happier Music Teacher Course!" Buy the Happier Music Teacher Paperback on Amazon Buy the Happier Music Teacher E-Book on F-Flat Books Happier Music Teachers Facebook Grou...

Whether it is time or you have a month to go, here are the mindset shifts so you can decide what your time, energy and money limits are around setting up your classroom!  You have the power to choose what amount feels right for you and your students.  Join me this Wednesday for the final live session for Music Constructed.  Link below! Happier Music Teacher Course  

This is the first of a seven part series on boundaries.  Today is the boundaries that you can place on yourself to help you enjoy the end of your summer!  Let's stop burnout before it starts! Buy Happier Music Teacher on Amazon Buy Happier Music Teacher on F-Flat Books Join the Happier Music Teachers Facebook Group

Don't panic that it is July!  Don't let back to school steal your joy.  We're going to rest like it is our job this summer!  Know why?  Because arriving rested and energized is literally our job as music teachers!  I'm SO READY to meet you in person at the Happier Music Teacher course.  Sign up below! Register for the Happier Music Teacher Course LIVE! Purchase Happier Music Teacher Book on Amazon...

Hi!  I'm Beth Duhon.  I help music teachers to be happier at home and at school.  Here is Part 2 of your emotional regulation toolkit for when you are feeling grumpy!  Listen to last week's episode if you need more inspiration on kind, gentle ways to lift yourself out of a funk.  Register below to join me for the Happier Music Teacher Course starting July 10 with Music ConstructEd. Happier Music T...

Here is part one of a simple diagnostic to run on yourself when you are in a funk with no explanation.  Welcome to my friends from the Fort Bend Kodaly Institute and Musicplayonline!  Don't forget to register for the Happier Music Teacher Course through Music Constructed! Happier Music Teacher Course Registration on West Music Happier Music Teacher Paperback on Amazon Happier Music Teacher E-book...

Are you currently in an Orff or Kodaly level or starting one later this summer?  Here is some of my uncoventional advice on how to make the intense professional development of levels better so you can enjoy your time with your music teachers colleagues with less stress.  

Orff or Kodaly levels trainings are wonderful but intense!  How you care for yourself and others during this time matters.  Here are some of my current thoughts as I take care of myself and try to survive Level 2 Kodaly training.

How do you get started as a content creator in music education?  Do it scared and take a lot of messy action!  The people we all admire got started by getting started and improved by doing.  If we waited until we were perfect, we'd still be waiting! Buy a paperback copy of Happier Music Teacher Buy a digital copy of Happier Music Teacher Jessica Peresta's Advice on Being a Conference Presenter Ste...