Happier Music Teacher

Happier Music Teacher

Real self-care for music educators, not just self-soothing! Are you an overwhelmed music teacher who thinks that self-care and work/life balance is impossible with your responsibilities at home? Are you feeling burnout at home and school, and you’re done with feeling teacher tired and stressed all the time? Do you feel that the cliché advice of candles and bubble baths, not that there’s anything wrong with that, are short term solutions for your tension? Former stressed hot mess Beth Duhon helps you be more content at home and in your career in music education through guided journaling, common sense advice and encouraging you to take consistent micro-actions. Each episode features topics like: vocal health, time management, meal prep, commuting hacks and healthy habits to help you be a “Happier Music Teacher.” New episodes every Tuesday morning.

Episodes

October 28, 2025 20 mins

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

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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

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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

 

 

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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 podca...

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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 longevi...

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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...

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September 15, 2025 17 mins

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 ...

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September 9, 2025 16 mins

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 El...

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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: LAB...

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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!

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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 Am...

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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.

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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

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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.

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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

 

 

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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

 

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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 ...

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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!

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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

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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 ...

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