The Happy Music Teacher

Teaching preschool can be a joyful (and sometimes challenging) experience, but with the right tools, it can be incredibly rewarding! 🎶 In this week’s training, I’m sharing my best strategies and music activities for preschool that help you create a classroom routine to keep those little learners engaged and excited. We’ll talk about setting up a daily structure, using fun themes to guide your les...

Ever wonder how some music teachers seem to handle every challenge with ease ? In this episode of The Happy Music Teacher , Christy Clark shares her secrets to thriving amidst the chaos. Find out how one simple strategy transformed her toughest teaching days and discover the key to unlocking a supportive community that lifts you up when you need it most. We also explore the power of collaboration...

In this episode, I sit down with Happy Music Teacher Academy member Shannon Pringle to uncover how her experience in the Academy has transformed not only her classroom but also her music teacher journey. Find out how Shannon has embraced the inevitable music class chaos and turned it into a source of excitement, creativity, and deeper student engagement. She also shares why she joined the Academy,...

Lesson Plans to Help Kids Fall in Love with Music Let’s help your kiddos fall in love with music!  In this episode of The Happy Music Teacher , we dive into some engaging lesson plans to help. Picture books like Leaf Trouble by Jonathan Emmett, There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves by Lucille Colandro, and Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson will be the backbone of your fall music...

One of the biggest struggles for educators is the unique challenges elementary music teachers face. From managing large groups of students to finding ways to keep them engaged with a variety of musical activities, it can often feel overwhelming. In this episode, we’ll explore three common challenges, including classroom management, student engagement, and lesson planning, along with practical solu...

Being an elementary music teacher comes with its own set of challenges, but sometimes the biggest hurdle is our own mindset. In this episode, I talk about three common mistakes we all make: focusing too much on our own missteps, dwelling on the negatives we see in our students, and worrying about what we haven't accomplished. These habits hold us back from seeing the positive impact we have in our...

In this episode of The Happy Music Teacher , we explore 3 powerful ways to engage kids with classical music. The discussion begins with the concept of using listening maps . These visual aids help students follow along with musical pieces, making complex compositions more accessible and enjoyable . By providing a structured way to track the music, students can focus on the elements of sound and em...

✨ **New Podcast Episode Alert!** 🎧 Classical Music Activities for kids are a huge part of teaching in the elementary music classroom. 🎶 That’s why in this episode of The Happy Music Teacher , we explore creative ways to introduce classical music to students using popular media. From movie soundtracks to video games, these classical music activities for kids make classical pieces fun and relatab...

✨ **New Podcast Episode Alert!** 🎧 Let’s dive into the magical world of books for the elementary music classroom In this episode of The Happy Music Teacher podcast.  The talented Theresa Cocci is a two-time children’s book author and a music teacher, and she shares her journey of creating delightful stories centered around her dog.  She and I explore how these adorable tales can be the...

Check out these tips for music teachers who only have their students for a limited time.  In this episode of The Happy Music Teacher , we dive into a unique challenge that many music teachers face—what to do when you only see your students once a month. How can you create meaningful, engaging, and memorable music experiences under such limited circumstances? One teacher shares her personal st...

✨ **New Podcast Episode Alert!** 🎧 Children's books for music class can be powerful tools for sparking student engagement and creating memorable learning experiences. In this episode of The Happy Music Teacher , I sit down with the wonderful Bethany Main, author of Our First Day of Music . Her vibrant new book is perfect for introducing young students to the joy and excitement of music class. Ge...

In this episode of The Happy Music Teacher , I chat with Bill Henry from Mr. Henry’s Music World about his exciting new online music teacher course, Smooth Start Symphony . Bill shares how this course was specifically designed to help elementary music teachers kick off the school year with a smooth, successful start.  We dive deep into how kids thrive with structure, and Bill reveals the impo...

In this empowering episode of The Happy Music Teacher, I sit down with Grace Stevens, a teacher empowerment coach who understands the unique challenges music educators face. We dive into the realities of striving for that "dream class" and how, instead of waiting for it to magically appear, you can transform your current class into one that brings you joy and fulfillment. Grace shares practical st...

In this episode of The Happy Music Teacher , we delve into the magic of exit tickets and how they can transform your music classroom. Discover a selection of 20 creative and engaging exit ticket ideas designed to capture students' excitement and assess their understanding in fun and meaningful ways. From musical emoji drawings to rhythm claps and favorite moment reflections, these ideas will keep...

In this episode, I welcome Grace Stevens, an Educator Empowerment Coach with a rich background as a former corporate VP and a seasoned public school educator. Grace shares her journey from corporate burnout to finding fulfillment in teaching, only to encounter similar challenges in the education sector. She discusses her transition to becoming a full-time coach for educators, emphasizing the impor...

In this episode o f The Happy Music Teacher:  Music Teacher Dilemmas , we tackle the challenging situation of dealing with rehearsal disruptions caused by other teachers. Specifically, we discuss what to do when another teacher steps in uninvited and takes over your rehearsal, causing confusion and frustration. We'll explore effective strategies for addressing the situation on the spot, ensur...

In this episode, we explore my highly effective drum circle strategy tailored for students with special needs. This method, ideal for special ed music activities, offers a structured yet flexible environment where students can thrive. By integrating opportunities for student leadership, creativity, and full participation, the drum circle not only engages students but also fosters their confidence...

In this episode of The Happy Music Teacher, Jeanette addresses a heartfelt question from Jaylen Fenner, an elementary music teacher struggling with feelings of inadequacy and burnout after teaching in a low-economic district. Jalen shares the challenges of balancing life skills and social-emotional regulation with foundational music instruction. Jeanette offers compassionate and insightful advice,...

In this episode of The Happy Music Teacher, Jeanette sits down with the amazing elementary music teacher Erin Elliott to discuss the critical role of creativity and joy in music education. Erin and Jeanette chat about how important it is to lay a solid musical foundation while making the learning process fun and engaging for young students. They share practical strategies on the best way to strike...

Everyone knows that the first year of teaching is the hardest. That’s why in this episode of The Happy Music Teacher Podcast, I tackle the common struggles faced during the first year of teaching elementary music.   I explore practical tips to try for managing the unique challenges that new teachers encounter, including classroom management, battling loneliness, and overcoming the fear of mak...

Smooth Sailing to the End of the Year with Special Events In this episode of The Happy Music Teacher Podcast, we explore the transformative power of incorporating special events into the classroom routine to ease the end-of-year. We’ll talk about three ideas—Talent Share, Movie Day, and Karaoke Day—delving into how these events not only spark joy and excitement make the end of your school year fee...

Get ready to ease into the end of the school year in the elementary school music classroom!  In this episode, you'll hear 5 game-changing tips to salvage your sanity as the school year winds down.  Do Nothing New - Review, Review, Review -  I’ll tell you all about the power of revisiting familiar material to streamline your lesson planning and infuse your classroom with a sense of c...

On this episode of Music Teacher Dilemmas , we delve into  The Questions: Something I have come to notice at my school is our students give more respect to their classroom teachers than they do the “specials” teachers. I know they are spending more time with their classroom teachers but I don’t feel as a specials teacher we should be disrespected. Is this something other people deal with too?...

   In this episode of the Happy Music Teacher podcast, get ready for a world of storybooks where we're exploring seven enchanting storybooks perfect for May. These stories are not just any stories—they've got all the summer vibes and easy-to-teach music skills to wrap up the school year and set the stage for a fun-filled summer ahead.  From the magical glow of "Ella's Night Lights"...

In this episode of the Happy Music Teacher podcast, we explore the keys to unlocking time management superpowers specifically tailored for elementary music educators.  I begin by emphasizing the importance of creating a comprehensive yearly curriculum plan. Planning your year and then doing some vertical planning where you use some of the same music, storybooks, and activities will save tons...