The Inspired Classroom

Have you ever had a student who seemed completely checked out? You know the kind… Head down on the desk. Avoiding work. Finding every possible way to not engage. It’s easy to look at that student and think, “They just don’t care.” In this episode, I share the story of one of my own students this year—a student who showed all the signs of total apathy and lack of engagement in the classroom. From t...

If you're feeling unsupported in your classroom, you’re not imagining it—and you’re definitely not alone. In this episode, I’m digging into what so many teachers are experiencing: escalating student behaviors, testing pressure, parent demands… and that feeling of having to carry it all without consistent support. Today, let's name the reality and help you find your footing again. If you’ve been fe...

Ever feel like you’re constantly behind on your curriculum pacing guide . . . no matter how hard you try to keep up? I’m sharing a truth that many caring, creative teachers quietly wrestle with: the pressure to follow every lesson exactly as written—even when your students need something different. If you’ve ever: Paused a lesson to reteach or go deeper Given students extra time to truly understan...

Are you feeling the pressure to cram in every last bit of content before testing… while also trying to keep your students calm, focused, and ready? Or maybe you're ready to just throw your hands up and walk away... You’re not alone and this episode will help you find some middle ground—so you can support your students and feel better in your teaching. This episode will help you: Refocus on what ac...

Ever feel like your creativity has to take a backseat to your curriculum? In this episode, I’m sharing a conversation I had with Erin Sponaugle on her podcast. It is an honest conversation about teacher autonomy, creativity in the classroom, and the pressure of scripted curriculum. If you’ve ever felt like you know what your students need—but don’t feel like you have the freedom to do it—this one...

With high stakes testing, parent conferences, observations, curriculum demands and spring student behavior, this time of year can feel like a LOT… and let’s be honest, the pressure is coming from every direction. If you’ve been feeling the weight of it all and wondering if you’re heading straight toward teacher burnout, this episode is for you. I’m sharing what’s really causing that overwhelming p...

In this short episode, I share a real classroom story—one that reminded me (and will remind you, too) that even on the days we don’t feel like showing up, something meaningful can still happen. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, questioning your impact, or stuck in the Daily Teacher Drain, this is a reminder that what you’re doing matters, and that joy in teaching isn’t gone… it’s just waiting to...

What could 30 minutes of real support do for you? For one teacher, she was able to walk away feeling lighter, clearer, and ready to move forward with confidence. That’s the power of coaching. And now… it’s your turn. 💛 I’m celebrating this amazing community by giving away THREE coaching prize packs—and you could be one of the winners!   🎁 What You’ll Win: ✨ A 30-minute 1:1 coaching call with me...

Do you ever feel like you’re spending more time managing behavior than actually teaching? Like you’re constantly redirecting, correcting, and putting out fires… and by the end of the day, you’re completely drained? In this episode, I’m diving into why so many of us feel stuck in “referee mode”—and more importantly, what we can do about it. Because here’s the truth: It’s not about needing better be...

Have you ever looked at a student and thought, “They just don’t care”? In this episode, I share a story about a student in my math class who seemed completely checked out. He came in late, wandered around, asked for snacks and bathroom breaks, and eventually put his head down on the desk like nothing in class mattered. From the outside, it looked like student apathy. But what I discovered changed...

Have you been feeling the weight of student apathy in your classroom lately? You know the signs… Students who won’t start their work. Students who complain about everything. Students who seem completely checked out. It’s easy to assume they just don’t care. But in this episode, I share a different perspective: student apathy is often a sign of disconnection. When students don’t feel connected, the...

Teacher are tired, but that doesn't mean you don't care. Teachers are frustrated, but that doesn't mean you want to give up. Over and over again, I hear that teachers are searching... searching for fresh ideas and inspiration, support and connection with other educators and a positive space in the middle of a challenging profession. Well, what if that actually existed?? In this episode, I talk abo...

Does your classroom feel out of control… again? If it feels like student behaviors keep resurfacing week after week, you’re not imagining it—and you’re definitely not alone. In this episode, I’m talking about why classrooms can start to feel like constant storm season and the deeper reason behavior problems keep regenerating, even when you’re doing all the “right” things. I’ll walk you through a s...

Do you remember when classrooms had themes? When units of study connected — the bulletin boards, the writing, the projects — and students were completely invested? Thematic teaching may not be “a thing” anymore in the age of scripted curriculum, but connection still matters. And when learning feels connected, behavior improves naturally. I can't wait to share these 3 simple ways you can bring back...

Are your students spending more time on devices than at recess? Are you seeing more conflict, more frustration, and more behavior issues — and wondering what’s changed? In this episode, I share a conversation I had with a kindergarten teacher who is feeling the tension between curriculum demands and the lack of play in her classroom. And honestly? What she’s seeing in kindergarten is showing up in...

What does a simple piece of cardboard have to do with student engagement? In this episode, I’m sharing a small classroom story that turned into a big reminder: our creativity as teachers matters more than we think. If you’ve been feeling stuck in scripted lessons, frustrated by student behavior, or just plain drained, this episode is your invitation to reconnect with the creative spark that brough...

Before you walk into your classroom today, what if you paused for just three minutes...and prayed? In this episode, I’m sharing a simple 3-minute prayer practice you can use before you even leave your car and walk into the school — not to fix your students, not to magically erase behavior challenges — but to steady yourself. If you’re tired of walking into school already bracing for battle… this e...

Testing week can feel like a tidal wave of pressure — for our students and for us. If you’ve ever found yourself pushing harder, printing one more practice test, or telling students “Don't worry. They're really testing to make sure I'm doing my job,” this episode is for you. In today’s conversation, I’m sharing three common testing week mistakes teachers make — and what to do instead to create a c...

A number of years ago, I had a fourth grader who could not stay focused during independent math work. She wasn’t defiant. She wasn’t lazy. She just didn’t know how to get herself back on track. And that experience completely changed how I think about off-task behavior. In this episode, I share her story, the powerful lesson it taught me and doable shift you can start using immediately.   ~Elizabet...

Testing season has a way of turning even the calmest classroom upside down. That's why today, I’m talking about the nervous system and how much it applies to our classrooms — especially this time of year. If you’re feeling the pressure to cram curriculum, rearrange schedules, pause creative subjects, and just “get through” the standardized test… you are not alone. And your students feel it too. In...

Have you ever taught a kindness lesson only to see the same rude behavior show up days later? Ya... me too! In this episode, I talk about why kindness activities don’t always lead to lasting behavior change and what students actually need in order to develop kindness in real, everyday moments. We’ll look at how classroom environment and culture play a much bigger role than one-off lessons—and why...

Do you tense up every time it’s time for partner work or group work? The hurt feelings, the drama, the behavior issues—it can make even the best lesson feel exhausting. In this episode, I’m talking about student-to-student relationships and why they play a much bigger role in classroom behavior than we often realize. While teacher–student relationships matter, peer-to-peer relationships are often...

If math time in your classroom feels scattered, off-task, or frustrating, this episode is for you. Today, I’m sharing simple math engagement strategies that help students focus, make sense of word problems, and truly understand what numbers represent. You’ll hear about my favorite strategy for math and I'll share how these engagement ideas help improve student behavior, reduce confusion, and make...

If your students feel disengaged, off-task, or restless, this episode is for you. I’m sharing how simple classroom engagement ideas can make a real difference in student behavior, focus, and understanding. I’ll take you inside a real classroom story and show you how engagement isn’t about entertaining students — it’s one of the most effective classroom management tools we have. You’ll hear how sma...

Student behaviors is the number 1 thing teachers tell me their struggling with. So today, I want to share the #1 secret that will help. Can you guess what it is? Take a moment, think and then press play! Inside I'll share the secret and then 3 ways to put it into practice so that you can improve student behaviors in your classroom.   ~Elizabeth   Mentioned in This Episode: 57 | From Morning Chaos...