The Happy Music Teacher

Have you ever stared at your packed planning binder, watched a class come in hot, and wished you had a magical lesson plan ready to go? You aren't alone! In this episode, I’m sitting down with veteran educator and author Tonnye Fletcher to rescue your prep time. We’re digging into how you can stop reinventing the wheel by using picture books as the ultimate curriculum foundation. We’ll break down...

Are you staring at a new software update with a sense of impending doom? You aren’t alone. In this episode, Jeanette sits down with Katie Argyle from Midnight Music to help you rescue your tech-stressed brain. Katie, an "accidental music tech expert," shares why age is never the real barrier to entry—it’s just a lack of time. From handling the Finale shutdown to discovering free rhythm generators...

Are you tired of sitting through six-hour professional development workshops that have absolutely nothing to do with the music room? In this episode, Jeanette sits down with Rae Hughart, the CEO and founder of the Teachers Deserve It movement. Rae shares her powerful journey from a struggling, neurodivergent learner labeled "not college-bound" to a leading educational innovator. Together, Jeanette...

Have you ever played a clear, ringing note for your students only to have them completely guess whether it was "high" or "low"? If teaching pitch direction and register is driving you a little bit crazy, you are not alone! In this episode, Jeanette unpacks why pitch is such a difficult conceptual hurdle for young brains and why you shouldn't blame yourself when it doesn't click right away. Discove...

Have you ever created a resource for your classroom because you couldn’t find what you needed anywhere else? That "problem-solving" moment is actually the birth of a business. Today, I’m joined by Monica Lopez, a former bilingual educator turned TPT coach and host of the Online Business for Teachers podcast. Monica shares how she went from zero business experience to a successful store by simply l...

Teaching music is exhausting, and some days you just need a "win" that doesn't involve hauling out instruments or setting up complex stations. In this episode, Jeanette shares her favorite no-prep music games that work in any environment—from a crowded classroom to a bus line. You’ll learn the physiological benefits of hand-clapping games, from steady beat development to emotional regulation, and...

We’ve all been there: running on fumes, doubling up classes because "they’re just singing anyway," and feeling like our only breaks happen once a year during summer vacation. But what if you didn’t have to wait for July to feel human again? I know what it’s like when the "giving heart" starts to crumble and you feel like you're just a passenger in your own classroom. Today, I’m joined by Cindy Bro...

Have you ever had that one class ? The one where the snickering, eye-rolling, and quiet meanness feel like a constant background hum? Music is a high-risk, vulnerable subject. When students don't feel safe, they won't sing, they won't dance, and they certainly won't create. In this episode, Jeanette dives into the "Music Room Bubble"— managing mean behavior in the music room and create a space whe...

Have you ever wondered how to keep the "magic" alive in your teaching year after year? Today’s guest, Matt Shea, is a master of joyful, movement-based instruction who believes that our own creativity is the best tool we bring to the classroom. From his roots as a bassoonist to his transformative experiences at the Orff Institute in Salzburg, Austria, Matt shares how he leverages children’s literat...

If your 5th graders have gone from "adorable and eager" to "too cool for school," you aren't alone. In this episode, Jeanette tackles the "5th Grade Pivot"—that moment when social survival kicks in and your go-to teaching strategies start to flop. We’re moving away from the "police officer" mindset and toward becoming a "facilitator of social energy." Jeanette shares 5 actionable strategies to hel...

What happens when two legendary music educators join forces for nearly four decades? You get a wealth of knowledge, a library of must-have resource books, and a unique perspective on co-teaching that is rarely seen in our field. In this episode, Jeanette sits down with Sandy Lantz and Gretchen Wahlberg to discuss their incredible journey from Florida classrooms to national Orff stages. They dive i...

If you’ve walked back into your classroom after spring break and felt like you’ve hit a wall, you aren't alone. Between testing season, gorgeous weather, and "May-grade" behavior, the struggle is real. In this episode, Jeanette shares her "Golden Rule" for the end of the year and how to use a "Fluffy Toolbox" to keep your students engaged while protecting your own energy. In this episode, we discu...

Does the pressure to be an "Instagram-perfect" music teacher have you feeling like you’re constantly falling short? In this episode, Jeanette welcomes back her long-time friend and colleague, Debbie O’Shea, to discuss her brand-new book, The Stalagmite Effect . Debbie shares how a simple cave analogy can transform the way we look at our careers and our lives. Instead of looking for "quick fixes,"...

Have you noticed that your upper elementary students are struggling with skills that used to be second nature? Specifically, the ability to keep a steady beat? You aren’t imagining it, and more importantly, it isn't your fault. In this episode, I dive into the "why" behind the steady beat crisis and provide a practical roadmap to fix it—even with your older students. In this episode, we cover: The...

Are you tired of feeling like you’re just "surviving" the music room? In this episode, Jeanette sits down with Pam Wilson, the founder of Harmony Classroom and the "Centers Queen," to discuss how to move from chaos to calm. With a background ranging from the Navy to desktop publishing, Pam brings a unique, systematic perspective to the elementary music world. In this episode, we discuss: The "Back...

Does a complex Orff arrangement ever give you a sense of dread? In this episode, Jeanette gives you the ultimate permission slip to ditch "Instagram-perfect" expectations and prioritize student joy over complexity. Key Takeaways: The Reality Check: Why published arrangements often don't fit the "once-a-week" teacher’s schedule. The Comparison Trap: Why a 30-second TikTok clip shouldn't define your...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Dr. Phyllis E. Johnson Porter, founder of Transformative Music Education Consulting. Together we explore how to elevate the status of music education in our schools. We discuss: The Transformative Approach: Using literature and STEAM to bridge the gap between music and other subjects like ELA and Science. Effective Lesson Planning: Why outlining your stan...

February is the "longest" short month of the year. In this episode, we tackle the reality of the mid-winter wall and provide a much-needed reality check for music educators. We dive into the 'Sick Day Guilt Trip,' the stress of writing sub plans when you’re unwell, and how to fight the discouragement that comes from the 'Valentine’s Day Extravaganza' comparison trap. Learn the 'Low-Bar Strategy' f...

Managing behavior in the music classroom presents a unique set of challenges that a standard desk-and-chair classroom just doesn't face. Between the loud instruments, the constant movement, and the sensory overload, it is easy for both students and teachers to feel overwhelmed. In this episode, I’m joined by Charlie Peck and Joshua Stamper to discuss how we can look past the disruptions and unders...

Are you tired of feeling like a failure because you can't fit a 60-minute Orff unit into your 30-minute reality? You aren't alone, and it’s time to stop the "Impossible Math" that leads straight to burnout. This week, I’m sharing my 3-step framework to help you audit your non-negotiables, filter for high-impact connection, and create a reality-based template that actually fits the clock. Imagine w...

Stop dreading sub plans! I sit down with Rob Barnett, founder of the free AI lesson planner Insta-Lesson. Rob explains how this amazing tool solves the hardest part of being a music teacher—planning time. We show you how to instantly generate a complete, editable lesson (video, slides, guides) perfect for daily teaching or your most difficult music sub plan ideas. 💠 Website: 👉 https://thehappymu...

Are you feeling more "burnt out" than "inspired" lately? You aren't alone, and it doesn't have to stay this way. This week, I’m pulling back the curtain on the simple, mindset-shifting secrets that helped me rediscover the joy in my classroom during the toughest parts of the semester. Imagine walking into your school on Monday feeling energized and connected to your students instead of just watchi...

Kick off 2026 with a plan to reduce stress! This special compilation features expert tips on how to make music teaching easier . Leaders in music education share advice on professional development, self-care boundaries, embracing imperfection, and focusing on the fun to combat burnout and keep your lessons fresh all year long. 💠 Website: 👉 https://thehappymusicteacher.com/ 💠 TikTok: 👉   /...

Elementary music teachers face immense demands. Dr. Julie Schmidt Hasson, a resilience trainer and researcher, shares the powerful, practical strategies—like Zyzo and Catch-Check-Change—that help high-impact teachers prioritize their well-being. Learn how to set and hold effective boundaries, overcome the "perfectionist monster," and focus on preventing teacher burnout so you can thrive in your cl...

Music specialist and Orff levels presenter Brielle D'Souza shares her methods for teaching the whole child. She breaks down the "why" and "how" behind her popular play-along videos, explaining how they are designed to create truly inclusive music activities that allow for easy differentiation, save teacher prep time, and keep every student engaged. -------------------------------------------------...