This is my 700th article. Will there be a party here at SCM? A parade perhaps? Maybe a speech about me, me, and more me and all the people who made me who I am. Yay, aren’t I amazing! Oh, the horror. The truth … Read more
Small things can make a big difference. Tweaks here and there. Changes in perspective, in temperament. Fine-tuning the dial to a clearer, cleaner signal. Improved classroom management doesn’t have to be hard. If it feels hard, if you’re straining and striving but reaping little … Read more
Hello Awesome SCM Readers, On behalf of the team here at SCM, I want to say thank you! Without your support sharing our articles with your friends, colleagues, and followers we wouldn’t still be here 14 years later. Your loyalty allows us to continue … Read more
As part of my personal coaching practice I speak to a lot of teachers. And although many of the classroom management struggles they need help with are diverse and unique to them, there are commonalities. One such commonality is something they’re almost always unaware … Read more
Classroom management has always taken a backseat. Now it’s sitting in the trunk. Since the (official) end of the pandemic, behavior standards have fallen down a mine shaft and have yet to hit bottom. It’s maddening. In recent articles, I’ve covered why this is … Read more
There is a way to teach a great lesson without preparation time. But first, a caveat: You must be an expert in your subject area. You can’t be an effective, compelling teacher if you don’t know your subject area well. It’s our firm belief … Read more
If you’re exceptional at classroom management, your colleagues will hate you for it. They’ll talk about you behind your back. They’ll utter snide remarks. They’ll start rumors and try to make you look bad in front of your principal. It’s a phenomenon SCM readers … Read more
I anonymously observed a staff development day recently. The focus was on everything but academics. Instead, it was the usual mishmash of social and emotional well-being. This led to a decision to lower school-wide standards. “Students can take a break and leave the classroom … Read more