Happier Music Teacher

May is a lot!  I don't have to tell you that.  You are doing better than you think!  I'll be back with a solo episode next week to encourage you.  I hope you have enjoyed a brief change of format in the podcast. It would mean the world if you would take a minute to leave a kind review of my book or podcast. This is the last part of the series with music educator and author, Debbie O'Shea.  If you enjoyed her as much as I do, you can listen to her podcast here.

Welcome to Maycember!  We are back with author and music educator Debbie O'Shea and this time she is encouraging us to complete a 7 Day Challenge.   Love hearing from Debbie?  Sign up for Debbie's newsletter here Thank you for following my podcast!   How to subscribe to a podcast

Microhabits.  Small actions. Stalagmites. Positivity.  Debbie and I are wellness enthusiasts who wrote about these things and try to live them out.  I think you'll be just as encouraged by spending time with Debbie as I was. Debbie's Book: The Stalagmite Effect Not just for music teachers! Beth's Book: Happier Music Teacher Paperback

Morning routines.  Sleep.  Habit Stacking.  The power of small steps.  Join music educators, authors and self-care enthusiasts Beth and Debbie as we share about the small steps that changed everything and challenge you to do the same. Debbie's Book: The Stalagmite Effect Kindle is a steal! Beth's Book: Happier Music Teacher Paperback is cheaper and better for you than some fast food meals!

Natalie and I wrap up part 4 of the series discussing our faith and how it is the ultimate self-care.  Jen Rafferty's Podcast Contact [email protected] Empowered Educator  

This is part 3 of my conversation with Natalie James.  We'll discuss keeping up our instrument, different seasons of life and the best part of the job as music teachers. Contact: [email protected] Empowered Educator

Welcome to Part 2 of my conversation with the delightful Natalie James!  You're going to want to implement her wellness hack immediately.  I also can't wait for you to hear her thoughts on addition and subtraction and our spicy take on lesson planning. You can reach Natalie at [email protected] https://empowerededucator.com/

What would it feel like to state your intention for a calm, centered day at school?  To build and seek community among music educators?  It was my pleasure to interview Natalie James, a community engagement associate for Empowered Educator.  Natalie has been a member of the Happier Music Teachers Facebook group and a long time listener of the podcast.  You can hear her bio in this episode.   You can reach Natalie at [email protected]. https://empowerededucator.com/

Looking to grow or advance as a music teacher in your district?  Make it as easy as possible on the powers that be to fill out forms and connect the dots for them on why a music teacher (you!) can easily add value in whatever role you are seeking.  Also, it is wise to specialize.  If you are feeling like your campus jack of all trades, maybe it is time to focus on your one thing. Today is a great day to rate and review my book or podcast! Vodcast with Debbie O'Shea

When we are looking to grow or expand professionally as music teachers, sometimes the best opportunities are right in our district.  It takes confidence and gumption to get started, followed by evaluating if it is worth the investment at this time.  Sometimes self care can finding the right offering through your district that energizes you and uses your gifts. If you've enjoyed the book or podcast, a share or kind review would be greatly appreciated! Buy Beth's Book on Amazon Buy Beth's Book on F-Flat Books

Curious about taking a step back from social media? Here are my thoughts on breaking up with Facebook (why can't I be on decent social media?) for a month.  From abstinence to posting for validation to addiction, I speak freely about my month. ----more----Debbie O'Shea and Beth Part 2, Two Books Two Teachers

Bonus tip for this episode: Your email signature can be a powerful way to celebrate.  Don't forget to add things like your grant award button, teaching awards and/or NAFME Best Community in Music Education status.  This is a simple way to let everyone you communicate with via email about some of the wonderful work you are doing professionally. Listen to Beth on Debbie O'Shea's Podcast: 2 Books

Before social media, a poster, a press release to the local paper and a guest appearance on the announcements were the main methods of promoting your program.  The good news and bad news about this digital age is that there are many more methods available.  Discover what methods are the best fit for you and your program and how to work them into the natural rhythms of your year. Submit to be an F-Flat Books Author Buy Beth's Book  

When you want all the best music education instruments and supplies for your students, grants can be a wonderful way to stretch your budget.  They can be a bigger blessing when you've thoughtfully decided what you have room in your curriculum and storage closet for.  If you are traveling to TMEA, have a wonderful time!  Don't forget to visit Kristin Behlmann, F-Flat Books and Musicplay while you are there.  Also, Stephanie Leavell and David Row are not to be missed.  Sounds like a great year!

Are you and your teaching feeling uninspired and stale lately?  Are your lessons fine but you and your students aren't engaged or excited?  Here are my best easy, inexpensive and fast ways to energize your lessons again during a season that can feel like one long indoor recess. Purchase Happier Music Teacher  

Early in the semester but feeling burnout?  You deserve to feel good!  Here are some hacks to implement today to help.  Cheers to being a happier music teacher at home and at school!

There is a lot of talk about teacher burnout going around social media.  How do we fight it so we can teach music with longevity and joy?  Tune in next week for part 2 in this series. Buy Happier Music Teacher in Paperback

Sometimes one of our biggest stressors happens before we even leave our home.  Getting ready!  Here are some tips and tricks from a pretty decidely low maintenance music teacher to help you get out the door with less stress.

Six days in to the new year and already feeling overwhelmed and behind at home and at school?  Let's start with mindset shifts and achievable action steps.  Relax, friend, it does not all have to be done at once. Look soon for a two part interview with Debbie O'Shea of Crescendo Music Education about her new book! See you at the Musicplay Wednesday Webinar tomorrow! Register for the Primary Singing Games and Dances Webinar

Do nothing for a week!  Clean and organize your home before the start of the new year!  Our culture gives us so many conflicting messages during this time we are fortunate to have off.  Let's say no to the extremes but yes to journaling and reflection about 2025 so we can enter 2026 with kindness and clarity. If you haven't reviewed the book or podcast, will you please take a few moments to do so as a favor to me? Buy Happier Music Teacher on Amazon Buy Happier Music Teacher on F-Flat Books How to Leave Ratings and Reviews in the Apple Podcast App How to Leave an Amazon Book Review  

Need a moment of peace in a December that has felt bonkers?  Join me for a few minutes of quiet prayer as we enter break and all that entails.  I love you.  Thank you for being here.

We are counting down the days to break.  Just me?  When that break comes, let's get the type of restorative rest we deserve!  Let's chooose quality over quantity and treat ourselves like someone we love. Register Here for Beth's Wednesday Webinar Buy Beth's Book on Amazon Support F-Flat Books and Beth with this Purchase

The most wonderful time of the year but you are tired, hungry and over it as a music teacher?  Sounds perfectly normal with all you have going on!  There are no quick fixes but a few of these tips can help you feel better during this busy time. Looking forward to joining you for a Musicplayonline webinar in a month!  

Relaxed holiday seasons for music teachers sounds like an oxymoron and you might be right!  A more relaxed season and prioritizing your joy will take some intentionality and possibly some tough decisions.  Enjoyed this episode?  Text it to a friend or share it on your socials! Buy Happier Music Teacher in Paperback Buy Happier Music Teacher on F-Flat Books Beth's Blog Post for F-Flat on Surviving December How to Review a Book on Amazon  

Happy Thanksgiving!  You've earned a well-deserved break.  If you could use a reframe about our profession and a break from some of the negativity in the online space, here is my list of some things about being an elementary music teacher that I think are great! HMT Considering Important Career Changes Tracy King Thankfulness Blog

Burned out?  Disappointed about your productivity at home and at school?  I think a lot of happiness is about adjusting expectations.  At first that may seem like terrible news but it is great news!  I'm here to show you how I structure a typical week and set reasonable expectations for work and home. The best thank you I can receive for the book or the podcast is a positive review.  Thank you for listening and reading! How to leave a review on Apple podcasts How to leave a book review on Amazon

Welcome new friends from SDMEA! Are you teacher tired on Friday nights?  Catching up on laundry on Saturdays?  Trying to rest and connect with family on Sunday?  We should be friends! Here is a peek behind the curtain of what a fellow music teacher prioritizes on a typical weekend.   Buy Beth's Book on F-Flat Buy Beth's Book in Paperback HMT How to Fight the Sunday Scaries Episode    

Does your typical weeknight look like mine?  If your weeknights are a blur of carpools, phone calls and an attempt at laundry and dinner, they might!  The lesson here?  Our time, particularly on weeknights, is finite. Tidy Hour Episode Buy Happier Music Teacher on F-Flat Books Buy Beth's Book on Amazon  

Wondering what an actual school day in the life of a happier music teacher looks like?  Here is a look behind the curtain at my schedule, habits and routines as a busy elementary music teacher for some inspiration as you plan your day.   Enjoyed this episode?  Leave a review or share it with a friend! SDMEA Conference Buy Beth's Book on Amazon Support Beth's Work on F-Flat Books  

As music teachers, there are habits that are good and habits that are scary!  I've been guilty of a lot of these lately so no judgment.  Today, we'll examine the scary habits so we can replace them with more nourishing habits. SDMEA Conference HMT Final Stretch Challenge Episode Buy Beth's Book on Amazon

This is the final portion of my interview with Kristin Behlmann LPC MA https://www.kristinbehlmann.com/ Please go back and listen to her earlier episodes to gain even more of her wisdom for music teachers. Today, we tackle the question of practice time as a busy educator from Facebook member Natalie and also discuss mindset shifts around excellence and time as musicians.   Buy Beth's Book on Amazon    

Welcome to the third episode with Kristin Behlmann (https://www.kristinbehlmann.com/).  Today, we address mental health as an investment and reframe the discussion around self-care to self-kindness.  We also dig in to some of the biggest misconceptions arounds counseling.  If you enjoyed this episode, please share it on your socials or text it to a friend. Kind disclaimer: Kristin is a licensed professional counselor but this podcast is not a substitute for therapy or mental health care. Buy Beth's Book on Amazon

This is the second part of my conversation with Kristin Behlmann https://www.kristinbehlmann.com/ Kristin offers therapy, coaching, & education services for musicians, music educators, and performing artists.  Today we discuss her turning point in taking mental health more seriously and she gives us a wellness hack that you're going to want to implement immediately.  Plus, we have some straight talk about teaching with longevity and joy. Support Beth and F-Flat Books Purchase the Paperback of Happier Music Teacher    

You are going to love my first podcast guest, Kristin Behlmann.   From her website: She is a classically trained musician, former music educator, and licensed professional counselor in Texas. She helps musicians, music educators, and performing artists manage anxiety, perfectionism, and burnout so they can reconnect with the music and life that light them up. I think she is such a perfect fit for the show and I know you're going to enjoy the conversation.  This is the first episode in a series of four. Please check out her work at https://www.kristinbehlmann.com/ You can find my book at Beth's Book on Amazon

I wish that our only emotions as music teachers were positive but there are lessons in the negative ones, too.  This was a literal description of me last weekend even though I planned the episode title quite some time ago.  Listen in for some tough grace about what to do when you are feeling tired, resentful or taken for granted. My latest webinar for Musicplay is linked below. I love you.  Thank you for being here! 9.10 Musicplay Wednesday Webinar

A little later than usual today!  If normal teaching is heavy, it is even more challenging when you are weighed down by grief or sadness.  Here is my hard-earned wisdom from some recent loss. On a much brighter note, thank you for helping the podcast surpass 10,000 downloads!  To God be the glory!   I am excited to present a webinar for Musicplayonline this Wednesday, 9.10.25, at 5:30 CST.  It is "Yes!  Musicplay Works for Upper Elementary, Part 2."  If you can't be there live, I think you'd benefit from and enjoy the replay whenever you are able.     Please join

Being an organized music teacher doesn't have to be alphabetizing and color coding but it might!  Need some tips for digital and physical organization in your music room that don't feel like a part-time job?  Here are some of my favorites.  Of course it includes Musicplay, binders and calendar work! Sale alert!  Happier Music Teacher E-Book is on sale for 30% off on F-Flat Books on 9.2.25 (today!) through midnight.  Promo code: LABORDAY https://fflat-books.com/product/happier-music-teacher/    

Drowning in paper and stuff at the beginning of the school year?  Me, too.  Here are some organizational principles from a decidedly Type B+ teacher.  This doesn't have to work for your Type A colleague down the hall or be featured in a magazine spread (do they still have those?), it needs to work for you! Buy Happier Music Teacher on Amazon Support Beth and F-Flat Books

Sometimes we're so worried about getting our students and children ready for back to school that we forget to take care of ourselves.  The Music Ed with Missy Facebook group had some excellent wisdom to share for teachers preparing for back to school this summer/fall.  Back to school is a lot for teachers!  Let's prioritize being kind to ourselves during a challenging season for us and our families! Happier Music Teacher Book on Amazon

Allow me to pray for you and your family as you return back to school.  We'll pray over your time, energy, programs, physical safety, leaders and more.

Music teachers, feeling anxious about heading back to school whenever that might be?  Here are seven questions for you to journal or reflect on to get to the root of your back to school anxiety.  Did you know that your anxiety isn't necessarily your enemy?  It may be telling you something important that you need to listen to. Beth's 9 Ways to Beat BTS Overwhelm Episode Beth's BTS Time and Money Guide Episode Buy Happier Music Teacher on F-Flat Books (e-book) Buy Beth's Book on Amazon (paperback)  

Welcome new listeners from TCDA!   Here is your roadmap for getting along with the support staff in your building: custodians, secretaries and paraprofessionals.  Music teachers have relationships with all the stakeholders on the campus in a way that few others teachers do.  Don't forget to go back and listen to any other episodes in this "Getting Along" series that you've missed or share this with a friend in education. Buy Beth's Book on Amazon Buy Beth's Book on F-Flat Books    

Hello new friends from Musicplay! Related arts, outclass team, AMP, LAMP, GLAMP, Specials?  Whatever you call it, you are most likely part of a team at school with Art, PE, Librarians and possibly STEM or Guidance counselors.  Here are some best practices for getting along with the colleagues you work with the most frequently. See you this Friday at TCDA! Buy Beth's Book on Amazon Buy Beth's Book on F-Flat Books    

Welcome new listeners from the Musicplay Summer Symposium!  General education teachers are our allies as music teachers so we need to start acting like it!  Here are small habits you can start to make relationships with the classroom teachers on your campus smoother.  We're on the same team! Have you purchased my book?  Link below. Will I see you at TCDA?   Buy Beth's Book on Amazon Buy Beth's Book on F-Flat Books  

Need help with one of your most important relationships at school?  Today, how to navigate getting along with the administrators to benefit your music program.  Most important takeaway today?  Your administrator is your boss and it is your job to make them look good.  Going to TCDA or the Musicplay Summer Symposium?  I'd love to meet you there! Don't forget to pick up your copy of "Happier Music Teacher: 50 Days to Being a Happier Music Teacher at Home and at School" on F-Flat Books or Amazon! Buy Happier Music Teacher on F-Flat Books Buy Happier Music Teacher on Amazon

Join me in July for a new series on getting along with the adults at school as a music teacher.  While there is no magic pill for smooth parent/teacher relations, there are some mindset shifts that can go a long way toward harmony.  Quick tip?  The phone can be much more helpful for communication than email!   If you haven't left a review of the podcast, will you please do so?  Thank you! Buy Happier Music Teacher on Amazon Buy Beth's Book on F-Flat TCDA convention schedule    

With limited personal time and energy as a busy music teacher, how do I choose what and who to prioritize in my personal time?  The answer is in my introduction.  Christian, wife and mother.  In that order.  Want to see how someone like you fits in the most important things?  This episode is for you.  See you at TCDA on July 25 at 4:00!  Happier Music Teacher on Amazon Happier Music Teacher on F-Flat Tidy Hour Podcast Episode

Ever wonder how a fellow music teacher decides which extra work gets her finite time and energy?  Why are Kodaly levels and National Board Certification yeses when other worthy things are a no?  Here are a few of my litmus tests for choosing extra work such as grant writing, presenting at music education conferences and producing this podcast.  Spoiler: one of my guiding principles is if it helps other music teachers. Watch Beth's Musicplay Wednesday Webinar Buy Beth's E-Book Buy Beth's Book on Amazon

Music teachers have a lot of ways to take on extra work.  We might assume that self-care is saying no to all opportunities but that doesn't sit well with us as high performers.  Listen in for a thorough list of what I'm saying yes, no and maybe to in this season to help you make your own decisions without overcommitment or FOMO.     Join me this Wednesday at 5:30 CST for "Yes! Musicplay Works With Upper Elementary Students!" or watch the replay. Register for Beth's Musicplay Wednesday Webinar Buy Happier Music Teacher on Amazon

Welcome back!  Want to be on your phone less and truly recharge as a tired music teacher this summer?  Here are your rules plus a bonus rule for your children!  Let's be intentional with our time and energy this summer!  See you June 11, 2025 at 5:30 CST for my Wednesday Webinar for Musicplayonline called, "Yes, Musicplay Works for Upper Elementary Students!" Help Theresa Hoover With This Survey