The Happy Music Teacher
Feeling alone in the craziness that is your classroom? Looking for someone to rescue you from the exhaustion and overwhelm of your everyday music teacher life?
Hi, I'm Jeanette. A passionate music teacher with over 2 decades of experience working with students, balancing the mayhem, and helping educators like you navigate the chaos.
Join me as we explore what makes teaching general music so darn hard, tackle the unique challenges we face, and transform our music teacher lives so that every day brings happiness to our music classrooms.
Recent Episodes
Oct. 22, 2025
I Thought My Lesson Flopped: What to Do When Your Lesson Plan Fails
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...
Oct. 15, 2025
How to Survive Chaos October: High Energy Music Lessons for Crazy Kids
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 t...
Oct. 8, 2025
You Don't Have to Be a Tech Genius: Smart AI Lesson Planning for Music Teachers
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 ...
Sept. 24, 2025
The Magic of Scarf Dancing - A No Prep Guide for Music Teachers
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 l...
Sept. 17, 2025
Choir Rehearsal Tips: Answering Your Biggest Questions
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 t...
Sept. 10, 2025
From Planning to Performance Your Stress-Free Guide to Concert Prep
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, strea...
Sept. 3, 2025
From Stressed to Singing: How to Make Choir Fun Again
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 progr...
Aug. 27, 2025
How to Supply Your Music Room on a Budget (with West Music)
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 t...
Aug. 20, 2025
The Secret to Music Teacher Work-Life Balance (with Sara Campbell)
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 boun...
Aug. 13, 2025
Sanity-Saving Strategies: How to Manage a Crazy Music Teacher Schedule
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 ...
Aug. 6, 2025
First-Year Music Teacher Survival Guide: Essential Music Teacher Tips for First Year Teachers
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...
July 30, 2025
Why Your Lesson Plans Are Exhausting (And How to Fix Them)
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 exha...
July 23, 2025
Steal This! 3 Quick Wins to Get Students Engaged TOMORROW.
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 ...
July 16, 2025
The #1 Myth About Classroom Management (And What Actually Works!)
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 journe...
July 9, 2025
Teacher Mental Health Hacks Coming Now!
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 th...
July 2, 2025
Taming Your Inner Critic: Mindset Shifts with Health Coach Stefani Scotch
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 incred...
June 25, 2025
The Music Class Revolution: Aileen Miracle's Secrets to Engagement & Saving Hours/Ep112
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 Mir...
May 28, 2025
Don't Wait...Advocate - Quick & Creative Ideas to Advocate for Your Music Program
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 Ha...
May 21, 2025
Survival Secrets - Five Tips for When You're Just Done
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 ...
May 14, 2025
May Mayhem...Meet the Outdoor Music Classroom
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 ...
May 7, 2025
Music Teacher Side Hustle Secrets
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 m...
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