The most common approach to an especially difficult class is to lower the bar. It’s to let the minor stuff go. It’s to appease and tiptoe, pick your battles and keep a lid on the classroom. The idea is that if you show you’re … Read more
It’s easy to admire teachers with the gift of gab, high social IQ, and ability to build rapport so quickly. We look at them and think, “I could never do that.” And you’re probably right. But here’s the thing: You don’t have to. In … Read more
Who you are and how you carry yourself has a powerful impact on student behavior. More than most teachers realize. It’s not just about using the right classroom management strategies. It’s about whether and to the degree your students respect you and look up … Read more
This post isn’t meant to be humorous. It isn’t meant to be judgemental or hypercritical or make you feel like a failure. It’s meant to be helpful. You see, viewing classroom management through a negative lens—as in, what not to do—can bring the greatest … Read more
Over the past year, educational standards have fallen like a rodeo cowboy. It’s not your fault. The pandemic has taken a toll on everything in its wake. But now that students are returning to school, how do we lift the bar back into place? … Read more
Word on the street is that many teachers are surprised by the misbehavior they’re seeing now that more and more students are returning to school. They shouldn’t be. After all, the students you saw online aren’t the same ones you’re seeing in person. Oh, … Read more
Mental acuity is an often-overlooked aspect of good teaching and absolutely essential for effective classroom management. Yet, despite it being so important, it’s never mentioned. Well, we’re going to mention it. In fact, what follows are nine things you can do to ensure that … Read more
You can call it time-out, time away, observation mode or anything you like, but the way you send a student there matters. Far more than most teachers realize. It can be the difference between an easy and effective process and a stress-filled waste of … Read more