The Inspired Classroom is Made for Teachers!

Press PLAY to learn more about Elizabeth and why The Inspired Classroom exists.

<<<SPOILER ALERT>>> It exists for YOU!

The Inspired Classroom is built for YOU!

Get Inspired, Be Inspiring!

WELCOME to The Inspired Classroom!
Our focus is on YOU, the teachers and parents who are with children everyday. We are educators who want to help you get and stay inspired so that you can be inspiring to your students and other teachers. Our focus is arts integration, STEAM and how SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) integrates with the Arts.

The Inspired Classroom As Seen On…

Listen to Elizabeth's interview about SEAL on Art Ed Radio Podcast!

Listen to Elizabeth's interview about SEAL on Education Closet's podcast!

We have some popular posts that have struck chords with educators around the world. Check them out!

What is True Arts Integration?

Norman Rockwell – Activity 4 Drawing Conclusions

What it Means to be a SEAL Teacher

Studio Days

Meet the Host!

Elizabeth M. Peterson

Elizabeth Peterson has devoted her life to education and to reaching out to other teachers who want to remain inspired. A former music teacher and current elementary general ed teacher, Elizabeth loves to bring artistic and creative experiences into her classroom.

An arts integration specialist, she is the host of www.theinspiredclassroom.com providing inspiration to other educators who know the value of arts in learning through informative articles, workshops and professional development opportunities.

Elizabeth is the creator of SEAL, Social-Emotional Artistic Learning, a unique method of integrating the arts with SEL that empowers teachers to truly reach and teach their students.

Mrs. Peterson has a BA in Music and a BS in Elementary Education. She holds an M.Ed. in Education, “Arts and Learning” and a C.A.G.S. degree with a focus in “Arts, Leadership and Learning.”

Elizabeth is the author of Inspired by Listening, a teacher resource book that includes a method of music integration she has developed and implemented into her own teaching, and Studio Days, a resource filled with information and Common Core aligned lesson plans for bringing creativity into the classroom. Elizabeth prides herself in teaching workshops and courses on the integration of the arts into the curriculum and is the host of the annual Summer and Winter Teacher Art Retreats.

Elizabeth believes there is a love of active, integrated learning in all children and from their enthusiasm, teachers can shape great opportunities to learn.

Why do We Exist?

It started over two decades ago when Elizabeth attended Gordon College and discovered the possibilities music could play in her philosophy of education. She opened her laptop and started typing. Now, it is our hope that we can reach other teachers and parents who want to inspire their children with all the arts to make them more well rounded, complete people. That’s what having an Inspired Classroom is all about!

Endorsements

I have used all the activities, lessons and projects found in Inspired by Listening in the various classrooms in which I have taught, including 2nd and 4th grade general classrooms and middle school (6-8) music classes. These are some things people have said about my written work and teaching strategies integrating music and the arts into other areas of the curriculum.

From Teachers

“Everything I learn from Elizabeth comes alive within my classroom helping me to reach all learners.”

Marianne Nicol-Curry

Early Education Teacher

“Teaching the parts of speech in my language arts class can often be a grueling and difficult task. I’ve used the tools from Inspired by Listening to make grammar exciting again by incorporating music that the kids love.”

Jennifer AC Nadeau

7-White Language Arts teacher

“This is definitely something I will use in my classroom with the lesson plan base to guide me. This is for the layman teacher that doesn’t have a background in music. It allows you to bring music into your program without being a specialist.”

Joyce Combe

2nd Grade Teacher

Educational Professionals

“Whether you teach social studies, math, English or all three, Inspired by Listening shows you how to integrate music into your curriculum with easy to create lessons for students of all ages. All you need to do is create the mood whether it’s a rainy Friday afternoon, Monday morning, or better still, every day!”

Judy DeFilippo

Professor, Simmons College

“I am most impressed by the integration of musical and other teaching goals. You have given an excellent example of music, both for its own sake and as a tool for enhancing other skills. The balance, use of age-appropriate activities and modalities, and quality of work is outstanding.”

Stephanie Grenadier

Professor, “Arts and Learning” Graduate Program, Endicott College, Beverly, Massachusetts

“Your curriculum is very strong. Your evolution of Active Listening is notably credible, with transferable skills beyond the immediate curriculum. You are teaching to the “whole” person by including all the senses.”

Enid E. Larsen

Assistant Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies, Endicott College, School of Graduate and Professional Studies, Beverly, Massachusetts

From Parents of Former Students

“I am very impressed with the attention spent on listening to and learning music in the classroom. My son likes to select music to listen to and sits in our living room while actively listening. I am amazed at how well he remembers songs.”

Kathy S.

Parent

“This has been a year full of music for my daughter. Your emphasis on music has opened a new world. Your class has definitely increased her appreciation for a variety of music. I do believe she has a better understanding of the complexity of music and will stop to identify a song or a composer. She has enjoyed the way you have brought music into the classroom!”

Beth C.

Parent

From Workshop Participants

Elizabeth is a fantastic speaker! I would like to attend more of her workshops/presentations!

I liked the innovative ways the instructor had of teaching music and integrating it throughout varied subjects.

The instructor was very knowledgeable of her subject and conveyed her ideas clearly and in an interesting way. I’ll be able to use what I have learned.