Your smile and consistency. Your pleasantness and good humor. Your kindness, honesty, and simplicity of message. Day in and day out, they let your students know how much you care. It’s something they can see and feel as plain as day. Which in turn … Read more
First-time visitors to SCM are often drawn to articles that deal with boundaries. They want to know how to set limits and hold students accountable. They’re looking for rules and consequences, borders and constraints. They want to gain control and begin reining in an … Read more
The importance of having good rapport with students can’t be overstated. Because rapport gives you leverage. It gives you leadership presence and the influence to change behavior. It causes students to want to listen, learn, and behave for you—even when they’re hellions with other … Read more
Recently, a former student contacted me through the SCM Facebook page. He was in my sixth-grade class almost 20 years ago. I remembered him well. In fact, although I didn’t use his real name, I mentioned him in Dream Class. He was the tough … Read more
There is a common misconception that you must be “cool” in order to build rapport. The idea being that unless you’re able to interact with students on their level, unless you can speak their pop/youth culture language and tap into their wider influences, your … Read more
It’s common for teachers to misunderstand the term “building relationships.” They hear of the importance of creating connections with students—particularly difficult students—and assume it means they need to spend more time with them individually. They assume it means they need to try and get … Read more
The secret to exceptional classroom management is a learning experience your students love and want to be part of combined with a consistently followed classroom management plan. The two work together, with each making the other stronger. From the first day of school onward, … Read more
No, not every day, and not even every week. You need your lunch break to get away from teaching, if only for a few minutes. You need the time to take a breather, prep your classroom, or think ahead to the afternoon. You need … Read more