Episodes

Ready to hit the reset button and kick off your new semester with clarity and creativity? This episode of The Happy Music Teacher podcast is all about giving you the tools to refresh your curriculum and lesson plans so you can tackle the second half of the school year like a pro. We'll dive into how reflecting on the past semester can help you refine your teaching approach and align your lessons with big-picture goals, music standards, and your students' needs. Plus, you'll learn how to identify...

Are you ready to enjoy your holiday break while actually feeling rested? In this episode of The Happy Music Teacher, we’re exploring how savvy music teachers actually get rest during their holiday break. Let’s face it: as teachers, it’s all too easy to let work, family obligations, and last-minute to-dos fill every moment of our break. But rest is crucial—not just for your well-being, but for your students who rely on you to be energized and inspired when you return. Discover three simple yet e...

🎄 Holiday Tips for Music Teachers: Surviving the Season with Joy and Ease! 🎶 The holiday season is a whirlwind for music teachers, filled with concerts, rehearsals, and endless to-dos both at school and at home. In this episode, I’m sharing essential holiday tips for music teachers to help you stay organized, reduce stress, and find joy amidst the chaos. From clever scheduling solutions to tech tools that simplify rehearsal prep, you’ll discover strategies to lighten your workload and make the s...

Time-Saving Strategies for Planning Your Music Activities Transform your planning process with time-saving strategies for planning your music lessons! 🎶 In this episode, we focus on two essential tools to help music teachers stay organized and efficient: time blocking and task prioritization. Discover how creating a structured weekly or monthly calendar can help you carve out uninterrupted planning time and reduce stress. By taking a proactive approach to your schedule, you’ll have more time to ...

Streamline your music classroom planning with this insightful podcast episode designed to help music teachers tackle the unique challenges of lesson preparation. In this episode, we discuss why having a structured plan for planning is essential to reducing stress and saving time throughout the school year. From defining your teaching vision to setting clear student goals, you’ll learn how to create a foundation for effective and impactful lessons. Discover how to align your objectives with actio...

Holiday Stress Relief for Elementary Music Teachers The holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year for elementary music teachers, and the pressure of performances, rehearsals, and year-end activities can cause stress. In this episode, we explore simple, quick self-care practices that can help you stay calm and energized despite the chaos. From deep breathing techniques to mini desk stretches, we offer strategies that will fit into even the busiest days. These practices are designed t...

Five Ways Music Help Kids Learn and Grow In this episode, we dive into how music impacts children’s learning and development. Music not only entertains but also strengthens cognitive abilities, enhances brain growth, and boosts focus. We explore how learning music encourages creativity, improves memory, and helps with language skills. By incorporating music into the classroom, teachers can unlock a wide range of benefits that extend far beyond just playing notes. We also share expert insights, ...

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 lessons, and covering skills that not only support music development but also help preschool teachers me...

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 within The Happy Music Teacher Academy and how sharing experiences can spark creative solutions you n...

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, why she stays, and the unexpected benefits she's gained from being part of this supportive communit...

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 lessons. Learn how these stories can inspire creative movement, storytelling, and imaginative play in your ...

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 solutions to overcome each one. We’ll also dive into how addressing these challenges elementary music t...

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 classrooms every day. I also share personal stories and insights on how to shift our focus. By giv...

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 emotion, enhancing their understanding and appreciation of classical works. The episode also delves in...

✨ **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 relatable. Whether through animated cartoons or social media challenges, your students will engage with timel...

✨ **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 perfect addition to your elementary music classroom, offering engaging storybook lessons for music teachers. D...

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 struggles with this very issue, and I provide practical tips for music teachers to ensure that even those spo...

✨ **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. Get ready to explore the story behind this beautifully illustrated book and learn how it can enhance your...

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 importance of setting up consistent routines and clear classroom management strategies from day one. Throughou...

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 strategies for taking control of your life, managing your schedule, and ensuring that the demands of t...

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 your students eager to participate and learn . We also explore the powerful benefits of using exit t...

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 importance of positive psychology and practical science-based habits. Grace introduces her ECHO framewor...

In this episode of 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, ensuring that your rehearsal remains productive and respectful of your authority as the music educator. Learn how...

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 and social skills. Repetition plays a crucial role in this strategy, enabling students to solidify ...