Jessica Peresta

The Elementary Music Teacher Podcast: Music Education

Are you an elementary music teacher? Maybe you’re worn out, overwhelmed, or feel like it gets harder each year. Hi, I’m Jessica, and it’s my passion to help elementary music teachers, just like you, figure out your unique teaching style. In this podcast, I'll share helpful tips and strategies, work-home life balance tips, and mindset blocks, while helping give you the motivation you need to gain momentum in your teaching so you can continue being the music teacher rock star you already are. Come and join the Facebook community at www.facebook.com/groups/elementarymusicteachercommunity.

Author

Jessica Peresta

Category

Education

Podcast website

www.thedomesticmusician.com

Latest episode

Mar 12, 2025

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Episodes

311- A Few of My Favorite Manipulatives 12.03.2025

There are so many manipulatives you can use in the music room. In this episode, I share a few of my favorites. What does it mean to practice the art of the pause? In this episode, I dive into that and explain how you can apply this to your own life. Sign up for the ⁠Curriculum Design Workshop⁠ Grab your free ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Simplifying Lesson Planning guide.⁠⁠⁠ Sign up for ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ teacher coaching ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠ ⁠...

310- Tips and Tricks for Bucket Drumming 05.03.2025

Have you wanted to implement bucket drumming in your classroom, but you're not quite sure how to begin? In this quick tip episode, I let you know some ideas that have worked great for me. What does it mean to practice the art of the pause? In this episode, I dive into that and explain how you can apply this to your own life. Sign up for the ⁠Curriculum Design Workshop⁠ Grab your free ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Simp...

309- Growth Mindset for Kids in the Music Room 26.02.2025

We talk a lot about growth mindset, but have never discussed what exactly it means in the music room. In this episode, we'll break down how to encourage growth mindset in your students and ways to help them develop it. Sign up for the Curriculum Design Workshop Grab your free ⁠⁠⁠Simplifying Lesson Planning guide.⁠⁠ Sign up for ⁠⁠⁠⁠ teacher coaching ⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠business coaching⁠⁠⁠⁠ with Jessica. F...

308- Why I'm Not for Everyone and Why That's OK 19.02.2025

This episode is a little bit different than my normal content. But, for all of my supporters out there, I love you and am so grateful for each and everyone of you. Sign up for the Curriculum Design Workshop Grab your free ⁠⁠⁠Simplifying Lesson Planning guide.⁠⁠ Sign up for ⁠⁠⁠⁠ teacher coaching ⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠business coaching⁠⁠⁠⁠ with Jessica. Find out more about the Curriculum Design Roadmap course...

307- Practicing the Art of the Pause 12.02.2025

What does it mean to practice the art of the pause? In this episode, I dive into that and explain how you can apply this to your own life. Sign up for the Curriculum Design Workshop Grab your free ⁠⁠⁠Simplifying Lesson Planning guide.⁠⁠ Sign up for ⁠⁠⁠⁠ teacher coaching ⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠business coaching⁠⁠⁠⁠ with Jessica. Find out more about the Curriculum Design Roadmap course ⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠ Sign up for...

306- Why There Are Many Pieces to Curriculum Design 05.02.2025

There are many pieces to curriculum design. In this episode, I talk about the ins and outs to planning out a curriculum and why these different pieces matter. Sign up for the Curriculum Design Workshop Grab your free ⁠⁠⁠Simplifying Lesson Planning guide.⁠⁠ Sign up for ⁠⁠⁠⁠ teacher coaching ⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠business coaching⁠⁠⁠⁠ with Jessica. Find out more about the Curriculum Design Roadmap course ⁠⁠⁠h...

305- How to Get the Most Out of a PLC 29.01.2025

How can you get the most out of your PLC? In this episode, I talk about ways that have worked best for me and my PLC. Sign up for the ⁠Curriculum Design Workshop⁠ Grab your free ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Simplifying Lesson Planning guide.⁠⁠⁠ Sign up for ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ teacher coaching ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠business coaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with Jessica. Find out more about the Curriculum Design Roadmap course ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠⁠ Enroll in the Harmon...

304- Time Blocking and Why it Works 22.01.2025

What is time blocking and why does it work? In this episode, I break down the reasons I love time blocking so much and how it's been a game changer for me and my calendar. Sign up for the ⁠Curriculum Design Workshop⁠ Grab your free ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Simplifying Lesson Planning guide.⁠⁠⁠ Sign up for ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ teacher coaching ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠business coaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ with Jessica. Find out more about the Curriculum...

303- Dealing with Negative Co-Workers 15.01.2025

We all have dealt with negative co-workers before. It can be so hard showing up to work each day with these people around us. But, there are definitely ways to do your job effectively and efficiently while navigating working within the negativity around you. Listen in as I explain strategies that have worked well for me. Sign up for the ⁠Curriculum Design Workshop⁠ Grab your free ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Simplifying...

302- It's Not Your Job to Make Every Student Love Music Class 08.01.2025

Every student won't love music class and that's ok! In this episode, we'll explore why that's perfectly normal and how to change your thinking around this if it's affecting you in a negative way. Sign up for the ⁠⁠⁠Curriculum Design Workshop⁠⁠⁠ Grab your free ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Simplifying Lesson Planning guide.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get your copy of ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Make A Note: What You Really Need to Know About Teaching Elementary...

301- Staying Sane in this Season of Everything 11.12.2024

December is a glorious mess of holiday festivities mixed with crazy busy schedules. So, how can you stay sane in the middle of it all? Listen in as I describe what works best for me and how I fit breaks in. Sign up for the ⁠⁠Curriculum Design Workshop⁠⁠ Grab your free ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Simplifying Lesson Planning guide.⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get your copy of ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Make A Note: What You Really Need to Know About Teaching Eleme...

300- Why Trial and Error is a Good Thing 04.12.2024

We can learn a lot by the things that go right AND the things that go wrong. Through trial and error, you learn a lot about being flexible, what to do better for next time, and all about improving your leadership skills. In this episode, we'll unpack that a bit more to help you understand there are no perfect days or moments. Sign up for the ⁠Curriculum Design Workshop⁠ Grab your free ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Simplif...

299-Redefining What Curriculum Is 27.11.2024

What does the word curriculum really mean? If I told you it's not just about the stuff, but about the how and why behind it, would you believe me? In this episode, we dive into not only what curriculum is, but also what it isn't. Take a listen and let's redefine the way you might view what curriculum is. Come to the FREE Curriculum Design Workshop Enroll in the Harmony Elementary Music Teacher Mem...

298- Where I've Been Lately 20.11.2024

Where have I been the last 6 months? Listen in to find out what's been going on in my life and how I'm pivoting in my business and with this podcast. Sign up for the ⁠Curriculum Design Workshop⁠ Grab your free ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Simplifying Lesson Planning guide.⁠⁠⁠ Get your copy of ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Make A Note: What You Really Need to Know About Teaching Elementary Music⁠⁠

297- Planning Your Summer for Maximum Effectiveness 29.05.2024

This episode provides you practical advice on how to maximize the summer break. We discuss the importance of planning and scheduling activities, professional development opportunities, vacations, and even downtime. You'll also learn the benefits of balancing work and relaxation, and the importance of personalizing your summer plans based on your needs and preferences. Tune in to get fresh idea...

296- A Perspective on Teaching in my 40's 22.05.2024

In this candid episode, I share my insights and experiences of teaching music in your 40s. Drawing from my own journey, I shared very important lessons and how I've became more relaxed, learned to let go of others' opinions, and how I now view challenges as learning opportunities rather than failures. I also talk a little bit about the differences between teaching in my 20s and now, offeri...

295- What I Would Have Done Differently This School Year 15.05.2024

In this episode, I discuss the challenges and successes I've faced, my strategies for assessing students' musical understanding, and how I plan to improve my lesson planning and execution for the next school year. I also provide you with advice on self-assessment and dealing with perfectionism, emphasizing the importance of viewing mistakes as learning opportunities rather than failures. T...

294 - Jamaican Music in Orff with Javel Perriel 08.05.2024

In this episode, we delve into the rich connections between Jamaican music and the Orff approach, with our guest, Javel Perriel. Javel shares his unique journey of integrating these elements in his music teaching practice. From discussing how he uses reggae music in his Orff instruction to explaining the creation of his book, which beautifully merges STEM science, technology, engineering, and math...

293- What's Worked Well This School Year 01.05.2024

In this episode, I go a little bit anecdotal and take you on a reflective journey through this school year. Throughout the episode, I discussed strategies that worked well in my music teaching, from integrating various teaching methods to building strong relationships with students, as well as the importance of planning and how it contributes to smoother lessons and performances. This episode serv...

292- Bucket Drumming to Food Beats with Jesse Mell and Travien Bryson 24.04.2024

In this episode of The Elementary Music Teacher Podcast, we have a fun and educational chat with Jesse Mell and Travien Bryson about the awesome and effective music teaching method of bucket drumming. The discussion covers the ins and outs of their unique teaching method, using food rhythms to teach complex syncopation to beginners, and the importance of tactile learning experiences. They also exp...

291- Preparing for a Music Teaching Interview 17.04.2024

In this episode, we delve into the key aspects of preparation for a music teaching interview. From understanding how to discuss your teaching philosophies and methodologies to the importance of researching the school you're interviewing for, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Whether you're a fresh graduate or an experienced teacher looking to make a move, these strategies will...

290- Teaching in the U.S. as a Foreign Teacher with Lewis Baez 10.04.2024

In this episode, we welcome guest Lewis Baez, who shares his unique perspective and experiences teaching in the U.S. as a foreign teacher. Lewis discusses the challenges and rewards of navigating a new educational system and culture, the importance of establishing a strong support system, and the strategies he uses to effectively connect with his students. This episode provides valuable insights f...

289- Implementing What You Learn at Music Education Conferences 03.04.2024

In this episode, we talk all about implementing what you learn from music education conferences. I explore ways to effectively absorb, organize, and apply the knowledge gained from these events. The episode emphasizes the importance of reflecting on conference learnings, connecting the dots between problems and solutions, and the courage to try new ideas in the classroom. Whether you're attend...

288- Co-Teaching in the Music Room with Linzie Mullins and Betsy Carter 27.03.2024

In this episode, we are joined by Linzie Mullins and Betsy Carter to talk about the concept of co-teaching in the music room. Linzie and Betsy share their experiences, discussing how they navigate managing a large number of students, balance responsibilities, and build a productive learning environment. Whether you're co-teaching or not, this episode offers valuable insights on enhancing the l...

287- Teaching Music with the Orff Schulwerk Approach with Tiffany English 20.03.2024

In this episode, we delve into the Orff Schulwerk approach to teaching music with our guest, Tiffany English. Tiffany shares her experiences and practical advice on implementing the Orff approach, and we discuss how it can contribute to effective teaching. Tiffany also provides invaluable insights into the challenges, rewards, and strategies for incorporating students' own creativity in music...

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