In ways subtle but clear, scores of teachers are communicating to their students every day that they can’t do it. They don’t measure up. They’re not good enough, smart enough, or capable enough. Most troubling, these teachers have no idea they’re doing this. In … Read more
It’s not because it’s unnatural to you. It’s not because of your age, lack of experience, or personality. It’s not because of where you work or how many challenging students are on your roster. The reason you’re bad at classroom management is because you … Read more
There are rare times when you do need to send a student to the principal. But only for the following reasons: Violence Threats of violence Weapons Drugs Fighting Continued or severe bullying In other words, anything dangerous. The reason is to protect yourself legally, … Read more
Much like teachers allowing students to listen to music when their entire focus should be on learning, this one caught me by surprise. Evidently, there are teachers sharing their personal social-media pages with students. A message from a reader clued me in. I was … Read more
It’s so easy to do. One of your smart, capable, polite, well-groomed, athletic, and/or charismatic students accidentally and ever-so-briefly breaks a class rule, and you smile and give them a gentle reminder. You trust them, after all. It was a mistake, after all. They … Read more
Kneeling down to a student’s eye level to discuss behavior or impart an important lesson is common practice. It’s recommended without second thought. Teachers do it every day. The idea is that it’s more effective and the student is more likely to heed your … Read more
Several years ago, a colleague confided in me that she was afraid to hold her students accountable because she was convinced that they would hate her for it. Some of her students were taller than her and looked like adults, which may have been … Read more
Redirection as a classroom management strategy is common, accepted, and wholly uncontroversial. Touted from Baja to the Canadian Rockies and circumnavigating the civilized world, it’s recommended de rigueur without a second thought. “Just redirect” they say, so easy and breezy. It rolls off the … Read more