Episodes

Feeling the strain? Is the daily grind of teaching impacting your well-being? In this candid conversation, Jeanette interviews Kevin Mecchella, a former music teacher and now a youth motivational speaker. Kevin understands the unique pressures educators face, sharing his own journey from burnout to prioritizing mental wellness. Discover practical, actionable strategies for teacher mental health, including the crucial "oxygen mask" principle, how to create essential mental space through journali...

Feeling like your inner critic is louder than your choir? 😩 Or constantly pouring from an empty cup as a music teacher? In this powerful episode, Jeanette chats with health coach Stefani Scotch, who candidly shares her incredibly relatable journey through people-pleasing and negative self-talk to finding true self-worth and joy. You'll discover practical, actionable strategies for managing stress for teachers, learning how to quiet that "bully brain," set healthy boundaries in your school life,...

Feeling like you're navigating the music room all alone, or constantly searching for fresh, engaging lesson ideas that actually save you time? In this episode of The Happy Music Teacher, I chat with the incredible Aileen Miracle – a veteran elementary music teacher and current Unified Arts Curriculum Supervisor. Aileen shares her unique journey, from teaching before the days of Pinterest to becoming a leader who deeply understands the challenges you face today. You'll discover invaluable insigh...

Feel like your amazing music program is flying under the radar? Do you wish more people understood the incredible impact you have on your students? You're not alone in wanting more support and recognition! This week on The Happy Music Teacher, we're tackling the need for music advocacy with a fresh perspective: quick music advocacy ideas that fit into your busy schedule and deliver real results. Forget the overwhelming strategies – we're diving into actionable steps you can take now to get y...

Feeling like you're sprinting towards the edge of disaster with no way out...and you just might collapse before you get there? 😩 Let's talk about Survival Secrets for music teachers because you deserve to make it through the school year with a smile (and your sanity intact!). As an elementary music teacher, the pressure is ALWAYS ON – concerts, assessments, packing up, and managing that too-cool-for-school behavior! You need practical strategies right now to navigate this whirlwind without los...

Feeling like your music room has turned into a bouncy house as the weather warms up? Are those end-of-year wiggles reaching critical mass? You're not alone in the May Mayhem! This week on The Happy Music Teacher, we've got a secret weapon to help you capture that energy and actually get some meaningful learning done – all while enjoying the sunshine! Imagine a way to review those crucial music skills your students have learned all year without them even realizing they're doing "work." What i...

Have you ever dreamed of making extra money sharing your music skills online? Our guest, Evan Price from Artist Collective, helps music teachers like you do just that! Learn simple ways to turn what you know into income and maybe even travel while you teach. Evan talks about finding your special skill, connecting with students online, and feeling good about getting paid for what you do. He helps you think bigger than just hourly lessons so you can really help your students and earn more. Read...

Are you feeling that familiar knot of anxiety tightening in your stomach as your concert approaches? You're pouring your heart into rehearsals, but all you hear are forgotten lyrics and excuses about why they can't be at the actual concert. Trust me, friend, you are SO not alone. We've all been there, staring into the abyss of a looming performance and wondering if it will ever come together. This week on The Happy Music Teacher, we're grabbing a virtual cup of coffee and having a real talk ...

Feeling like you're running on fumes with the end of the school year in sight? Are you an exhausted teacher just trying to make it to the final bell? You are definitely not alone! This week on The Happy Music Teacher, we're tackling that end-of-year burnout head-on. Discover 7 powerful and unexpected mindset shifts specifically for music educators that can help you reframe the challenges and find joy in these final weeks, even when you feel completely drained. Imagine approaching the last few ...

Testing week is here, and if your music room feels like a silent movie marathon with a side of stressed-out students, you're not alone. Their schedules are off, energy levels are low, and anything beyond the simplest task feels like climbing Mount Everest. But what if this challenging week didn't have to be a complete musical standstill? This week on The Happy Music Teacher, I'm throwing you a lifeline! Discover practical and surprisingly engaging strategies to keep the musical spark alive in y...

Picture this: Your students are completely engaged, their imaginations sparked by familiar stories, and they're learning key musical concepts without even realizing it. You'll discover how to: Explore dynamics with the hilarious mud puddle "attacks" in Robert Munsch's classic. Bring vocabulary to life through creative movement inspired by Dianna Hutts Aston's beautiful book. Teach a catchy melody and use instruments to enhance the iconic journey of Eric Carle's hungry caterpillar. No more sc...

If your students’ energy level is more ‘zombie shuffle’ than of ‘happy dance, I’ve got the cure! It’s time to bring them back to life by gamifying your music classroom! Games are a game-changer (pun intended) when it comes to increasing participation, improving retention, and boosting classroom management. In this action-packed episode, we’ll dive into seven must-try games that teach essential music concepts in a way that’s fun, engaging, and chaos-free. From Rhythm Relay to Melodic Jump, these...

Are you drowning in planners, sticky notes, and to-do lists that never get used? You are NOT alone! We music teachers are BUSY, and staying organized feels like an impossible dream. But don’t worry—I’ve been there, done that, and found a system that actually WORKS. And today, I’m spilling all my secrets! Let’s be real—if you’re not organized, you’re going to miss stuff. Like the time my assistant principal had to call and wake me up because I didn’t check the school calendar (oops!). Or the cou...

Ever feel like the only teacher in the building who isn’t in the loop? Connecting with colleagues and feeling respected as part of your school team can be a challenge—but it doesn’t have to be! In this episode, I chat with Kurtis Hewson about how music teachers can play a key role in collaborative response teams and build stronger connections with their schools. Learn how to get involved in school-wide discussions, share your unique insights, and gain the respect you deserve as an essential pa...

Students bouncing off the walls? 🌸☀️ Keeping them engaged this time of year can feel like a losing battle, but don’t worry—I’ve got your back! In this episode of The Happy Music Teacher, we’re diving into the best spring books to bring into your music classroom. These books aren’t just cute—they’ll have your students singing, moving, and actually paying attention (yes, really!). Whether you need a fresh lesson idea or a way to calm the chaos, these books will be your new besties. You'll disc...

Ever wish you had a secret stash of tried-and-true tips to make your music teaching life easier? What if you could get 100 of them—all in one place? Teaching music is an incredible job, but let’s be real—it can also be exhausting. Between lesson planning, classroom management, and keeping students engaged, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s why, to celebrate my 100th episode, I asked 100 amazing music teachers to spill their best tips for staying happy, sane, and inspired in the classroom. A...

Teaching Tiny Musicians can be both adorable and overwhelming. Do you dread the days when PreK or Kinder walk through your door? I get it—I used to feel the same way until I figured out how to capture their attention and keep them engaged. In this episode of The Happy Music Teacher, I’m sharing my top tips for making music magic with your littlest learners. 🎶 1. Use Your Kind Words: Compliment like it’s candy! Point out positive behaviors to reinforce them (e.g., “I love how Jaden is sitting up...

Spice Up Your Lessons for Big Kids in the Elementary Music Room Want to spice up your music lessons for big kids but find that fun activities quickly turn into chaos? In this episode of The Happy Music Teacher, we’re tackling how to keep the excitement without losing control. Big kids can be a tough crowd, but with the right structure, you can make your lessons engaging while maintaining order. I’m sharing three simple strategies to help you set clear expectations so your students stay focused a...

Engage Your Music Class with Brain Breaks and Play-Alongs Looking to revolutionize your elementary music classroom with more engaging activities and fun for everyone, even you? Join us for an illuminating conversation with Brielle D'Souza, the creative force behind the YouTube channel, Music with Brielle. On her channel, Brielle creates engaging video play-alongs and brain breaks that transform how students experience music education. Discover how this innovative teacher has crafted resources th...

February Books for Music Class In this episode, we're diving into three powerful storybooks perfect for February: Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli, My Heart by Corinna Luyken, and Follow the Drinking Gourd by Jeanette Winter. These stories beautifully connect with themes of kindness, fitting in, and resilience while offering creative ways to bring literacy and music together in your classroom. From Valentine’s Day lessons that celebrate love and connection to meaningful discussio...

🎶 Ready to discover how to increase engagement in the music room? In this episode, I’m sharing my favorite tips for using friendly competition to spark excitement and participation among your students. We’ll dive into why competition works and explore strategies like gamifying your lessons, dividing students into groups, and even turning quizzes into fun musical challenges. Whether it’s “Me vs. Them” games, school-wide competitions, or behavior challenges that keep students focused and motivated...

3 Ways to Fight Exhaustion in the Music Classroom Are you ready to fight exhaustion in the music classroom and reclaim your energy? In this episode, we tackle a common dilemma faced by music teachers: how to manage the overwhelming demands of teaching up to 16 classes a day without completely burning out. From constant student interactions to endless lesson planning, the challenges can feel insurmountable. But don’t worry—help is here! I’m sharing three practical and effective tips that will emp...

🎶 Running Your Elementary Choir - 3 Mistakes Music Teachers Make 🎶 In this episode of The Happy Music Teacher, Jeanette teams up with Bethany Main to tackle the chaos of running your elementary choir. Drawing from years of trial and error, they share the top three mistakes music teachers often make—and how to fix them. From not keeping rehearsals moving to showing up without a plan, these missteps can leave you (and your choir) feeling frustrated. And let’s not forget the challenge of choosing ...

Winter Storybooks for the Music Classroom In this brand-new monthly episode, I’m sharing my favorite winter-themed books and how you can use them to inspire meaningful lessons in your music classroom! This month, I’m highlighting The Mitten, The Snowy Day, and Owl Moon—each paired with creative activities that help students explore music concepts in an engaging, hands-on way. These ideas are perfect for sparking your students’ imaginations while teaching essential music skills. Learn how Owl Mo...