Episodes

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://thehappymusicteacher.com/ 💠 TikTok: 👉 / thehappymusicteacher 💠 Instagram: 👉 / thehappymusicteacher 💠 The Music ...

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 watching the clock. We’re covering practical ways to set boundaries and find "micro-joys" that make a mass...

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: 👉 / thehappymusicteacher 💠 Instagram: 👉 / thehappymusicteacher 💠 The Music Teacher Group 👉 / themusicteachergroup ...

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 classroom. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What ...

Tired of piecing together lessons in December? This episode is your December Music Activities Survival Kit! We introduce three essential lesson bundles designed to solve every holiday teaching challenge, from managing high energy with Nutcracker movement to creating calm, focused instrument technique using a storybook (Bear Stays Up for Christmas). Get your ready-to-use plan for movement, rhythm, and calm today. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------...

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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What We Talked About: Brielle's YouTube Channel 💠 Website: 👉 ht...

Do your students feel the rhythm in their bodies? This episode breaks down the powerful Movement Method for teaching rhythm through movement. We'll show you how to link basic steps (walking, jogging, stomping) to note values and then use a simple storybook to bridge the concept straight to reading music notation. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Doggone Dogs, by Karen Buemont picture book Want the lesson plan for Doggone Dogs? It's included i...

Feeling lost? Former music teacher Linda McCarty shares the story of her great aunt's legacy and how it led her to create Splendor Productions. Discover her structured, Orff and Kodály-certified new music teacher resources, including full-length video lessons and a huge library of concept-specific activities designed to save you time and bring sequence to your teaching. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Get in Touch with Linda: Splendor Product...

Stop scrolling for low-prep ideas! This episode reveals your complete, ready-to-use November Music Lesson Plans Trio. We cover meaningful cultural inclusion, fun Thanksgiving-themed skills, and a low-pressure entry into winter concepts, guaranteeing you save your sanity and keep your students engaged this November. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What We Talked About: Special Fluffy Days - Check out this episode about fluffy days It says it's...

In this conversation with former elementary music teacher Kris Brown, we dive into his journey and the creation of Sound Thinking Interactive. Learn how his platform is setting the new standard for music teacher support by providing an accessible, Kodály-inspired curriculum and professional development that integrates directly into your daily teaching practice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What We Talked About: www.soundthinkinginteractive...

Stop beating yourself up over a lesson flop! I'm sharing the F.A.I.L. Framework, a simple, four-step tool that will forever change your narrative about failure. Learn exactly what to do when your lesson plan fails and how to give yourself the grace you give your students to build true resilience. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Standard YouTube Outro: The Happy Music Teacher Academy is now open for new members! Learn more and join here. Send...

Chaos October got you down? In this survival guide episode, we share the secret to channeling student energy! I'm diving into our best high-energy music lessons for October and sharing easy, seasonal activities like Room on the Broom and Spooky Scary Skeletons to help you keep kids focused and your sanity intact. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What We Talked About: Lesson Plan Bundles on Sale This Month: Room on the Broom Bundle Leaf Trouble...

Feel overwhelmed by the idea of using AI? In this episode, AI consultant E.Lisa Jansen-Jones gives us the simple C.A.L.M. framework for mastering AI lesson planning and professional communication. Learn how to use tools like Custom GPTs and Claude to save time and reduce your workload—no tech genius required! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Check out Elisa's workshop inside The Happy Music Teacher Academy on Thursday, October 9th at 6:00 p.m....

Are you looking for a fun, engaging, and no-prep way to get your students moving in music class? In this episode, I sit down with Leanna O'Brien, founder of Soaring Scarves Academy, to talk about the power of movement-based learning. Leanna shares how scarf dancing for kids can be a game-changer for engagement and literacy and how her academy provides a full curriculum of stress-free resources for every teacher. Tune in to hear Leanna's amazing story and find out how you can get a free trial of ...

Standard YouTube Outro: Have you ever wished you could get personalized advice for your choir challenges? In this special Q&A episode, we're answering your most-asked questions about choir, covering everything from warm-ups to two-part harmony. You'll get practical choir rehearsal tips that you can use today! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What We Talked About: Choir Builders, by Rollo Dilworth Explore the Vocal Ranges of Iconic Singers: In...

The pressure of concert season can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. This episode is your stress-free playbook for how to plan a school concert. I'll share simple strategies for simplifying your repertoire, streamlining rehearsals, and reducing your workload, so you can make your next performance a truly joyful one. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What We Talked About: Grab your ticket for The Choir Tune-Up Elementary Choir Summit...

Looking for tips on how to make choir fun? In this episode, I'm joined by my friend and colleague Bethany Main to talk about the "foundation of fun" in a choir. We'll share our strategies for creating a joyful, engaging program that benefits both you and your students. Plus, we're announcing the first-ever Choir Tune-Up Summit! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What We Talked About: The waiting list is open for The Choir Tune-Up Summit. Click t...

Feeling overwhelmed by a huge wish list and a tiny budget? This episode is your definitive guide to how to supply your music room on a budget. We're talking with Jessica Palmer from West Music to get the inside scoop on how their team helps teachers maximize their funds, build a long-term plan, and find the resources they need. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contact West Music: https://www.westmusic.com/ https://www.instagram.com/westmusicco...

Feeling burnt out and overwhelmed? In this episode, I sit down with my mentor, Sara Campbell, to talk about achieving a sustainable music teacher work-life balance. We discuss common challenges, the importance of setting boundaries with ourselves, and how to build a career that truly supports your life. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What We Talked About: Sara's Contact Info & Links: Website Facebook Group Instagram Bravepants Branding & Ma...

Are you feeling overwhelmed by your crazy music teacher schedule? Today, we're cutting through the noise with a three-part plan to help you not just survive, but thrive. In this super quick episode, I'm sharing sanity-saving strategies on prioritizing, using lesson prep hacks, and setting boundaries. Tune in to learn how to manage a crazy music teacher schedule and grab your free curriculum maps today! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What We ...

Just landed your first music teaching job and feeling a mix of excitement and pure anxiety? Don't worry—we've got you. This episode is packed with essential music teacher tips for first year teachers, breaking down those big questions into manageable steps. We'll walk you through a simple three-phase plan: what to do before day one, how to build a strong foundation in your first week, and strategies for sustaining your energy and growing beyond that. Tune in now for the foundational music teach...

Do you find yourself staring at a blank page, feeling overwhelmed by the thought of planning your next music lesson, or does it feel like an energy drain? We're uncovering why your music lesson planning might be secretly exhausting you, and sharing one strategic shift that can begin to fix it right now. Learn about common pitfalls like the "blank page paralysis," the "perfectionism trap," and the "cram it all in syndrome" that are draining your time and joy. The key isn't to plan less, but to p...

Ever wish you had a magic spell to instantly capture your students' attention the moment they walk into your music room? As elementary music teachers, you need ideas that work right now. Today, we're going to literally steal three quick, practical wins you can use to get students engaged in your music classroom TOMORROW! Discover simple, actionable strategies that serve as powerful music room attention getters and keep your students actively involved from start to finish. Learn about the "Ready...

Do you spend more time managing behavior than making music? Feeling stuck in a cycle of chaos in your elementary music classroom? It's time to debunk the biggest myth about classroom management! Jeanette shares her own journey from exhausting "control-first" tactics to a powerful truth: true classroom harmony comes from deep student engagement, not just rules. Discover why traditional approaches often leave you frustrated and drained. Imagine a music room where students are actively invested, c...