Teach Your Class Off Radio

By Real Rap With ReynoldsEducation

Teach Your Class Off Radio episodes

November 01Episode 365: Reach Students Who Want to Quit, Make Learning Relevant & Overcome Teacher Burnout
What do you do when a student has already given up on high school? And what happens when you're the teacher who's starting to feel like giving up?
In Episode 365 of Sunday Night Teacher Talk, CJ is flying solo while Jenn is home sick, and we're tackling some big questions about student motivation, classroom management, teacher burnout, and finding purpose in the work we do every day.
We start with a ninth grader who's already failing most of his classes and wants to drop out, get his GED, and become a mechanic. CJ breaks down why the answer isn't simply convincing him to stay in school. It's helping him develop a clearer vision for his future and showing him how the work he's doing today connects to the life he wants tomorrow.
We also talk about turning classroom limitations into creative opportunities, resetting challenging classes, making curriculum relevant to students' actual interests, and finding ways to give meaningful writing feedback without spending every evening grading.
Plus, CJ shares a personal classroom management moment that reminded him why taking care of yourself matters, offers encouragement to a teacher starting over after a difficult experience, and answers a question that so many educators are afraid to ask: What do you do when you feel like quitting, but you aren't a quitter?
In this episode:
Helping students who want to drop out of high school
Exploring GEDs, trade schools, and alternative career pathways
Helping students create a clear vision for their future
Connecting classroom learning to real-world careers and goals
Turning a traveling teacher cart into something students love
Using music, humor, and creativity to transform ordinary school experiences
Why limitations can actually make us more creative
Resetting classroom management at the beginning of a new quarter
Handling unsafe student behavior in hands-on classrooms
Why teacher well-being directly affects classroom management
Holding students accountable without losing your cool
Making curriculum relevant to students who don't see the point
Helping students understand why they're learning something
Navigating curriculum expectations while protecting teacher autonomy
Giving writing feedback without taking home piles of papers
Using Google Docs and peer feedback to improve student writing
Encouragement for teachers starting at a new school after a difficult experience
Finding purpose in a new teaching position
What to do when you feel like quitting teaching
Recognizing when you need rest, a reset, or a bigger change
One of the biggest takeaways this week is that students need a reason to believe in what they're working toward, and teachers need to remember why they're doing this work in the first place.
Sometimes the answer isn't another classroom management strategy, a better lesson plan, or working harder. Sometimes it's finding a clearer purpose, making a small adjustment, or giving yourself enough room to show up as the teacher you want to be.
🛒 Teacher Resources:
https://shop.teachyourclassoff.com
🌐 Teach Your Class Off:
https://teachyourclassoff.com
📚 Classroom Management, Student Buy-In & Relationship Blueprints:
Available in the Teach Your Class Off store.
🎓 One-on-One Mentoring & Speaking:
Learn more at https://teachyourclassoff.com
📧 Questions or inquiries:
[email protected]
54 min
October 27Episode 364: Re-Engage Disconnected Students, Make Learning Stick & Support Kids Through Trauma
Are students becoming harder to engage, or do we need to rethink how we're teaching them?
In Episode 364 of Sunday Night Teacher Talk, CJ and Jenn are back after a week of illness, exhaustion, and nonstop school activities. We're talking about what happens when teachers lose momentum, how to get students excited about learning again, and why protecting your own energy matters just as much as creating engaging lessons.
We also dig into the growing challenge of student disengagement, the role of technology in the classroom, and practical ways to make information stick without relying on endless worksheets, lectures, or digital assignments.
Plus, CJ shares how he uses vocabulary games, pop culture, and creative memory tricks to help students succeed—and a new idea involving a giant Star Wars puzzle to help students build real friendships and social skills.
We close with an important conversation about supporting students after a community tragedy, balancing compassion with classroom expectations, and why caring for students through trauma requires more than a one-time school assembly or memorial.
In this episode:
Getting your teaching momentum back after being sick
Managing exhaustion when school responsibilities never seem to stop
Using pop culture to engage students who don't want to participate
Making hands-on engineering lessons more engaging through competition
Why simple classroom competitions can create student buy-in
Gamifying vocabulary to improve retention and quiz scores
Using humor, visual memory tricks, and unusual connections to make learning stick
What teachers wish they could change about their school year
Recognizing when you're saying yes to too many responsibilities
Why students seem more disengaged than ever
Teaching in shorter chunks to maintain student attention
Finding the right balance between technology and traditional instruction
Why technology should be a tool, not a replacement for teaching
Helping students develop critical thinking and social skills
Using puzzles, games, and shared activities to build student relationships
Creating opportunities for socially awkward students to connect
Supporting students who have experienced trauma or a community tragedy
Balancing compassion, accountability, and classroom expectations
Why students need consistent support long after a tragedy
Recognizing secondary trauma and protecting your own well-being
One of the biggest takeaways this week is that engagement isn't about entertaining students every second of the day. It's about creating meaningful reasons for them to participate, connect, and believe that what they're learning matters.
And when students are hurting, our job isn't to have all the answers. It's to keep showing up, create a classroom where they feel supported, and work with the rest of the school community to make sure no one has to carry everything alone.
🛒 Teacher Resources:
https://shop.teachyourclassoff.com
🌐 Teach Your Class Off:
https://teachyourclassoff.com
📚 Classroom Management, Student Buy-In & Relationship Blueprints:
Available in the Teach Your Class Off store.
🎓 One-on-One Mentoring & Speaking:
Learn more at https://teachyourclassoff.com
📧 Questions or inquiries:
[email protected]
46 min
October 18Episode 363: Reach Students Who Refuse Help, Set Teacher Boundaries & Build a Classroom That Cares
What do you do when a student clearly needs extra help—but refuses to accept it?
In Episode 363 of Sunday Night Teacher Talk, CJ and Jenn tackle one of the most frustrating parts of teaching: knowing a student needs support but not being able to convince them to take it. We talk about how to offer help without embarrassing students, why relationships matter, and how to recognize when you've done your part and students need to take responsibility for theirs.
We also dive into classroom culture, supporting students with learning differences, navigating demanding parents, and what to do when administration keeps piling more responsibilities onto your already overflowing plate.
Plus, CJ shares how he uses small moments of joy to make students comfortable in the classroom, why student journals reveal so much more than grades ever could, and some creative ideas for making ordinary school days memorable.
In this episode:
Helping students who need extra support but refuse to accept it
Offering academic help without embarrassing middle school students
Why teachers can't do all the work for their students
What CJ has learned about his students after the first quarter
Using student journals to build empathy and stronger relationships
How to circulate around the classroom without making students anxious
Using stickers, humor, and small surprises to build classroom culture
Why sitting beside students can be more effective than standing over them
What to do when parents refuse after-school tutoring or makeup sessions
Balancing student accountability with accommodations and modifications
Communicating with parents who question whether their child is receiving support
Navigating requests for one-on-one instruction when you're teaching multiple students
Creative ways to celebrate Mole Day and other school events
Using novelty, surprises, and student ideas to make learning memorable
How to tell administration you can't take on another responsibility
Protecting your contract hours without appearing unwilling to help
Building a student-led broadcasting program from the ground up
Why you can love what you're doing and still be completely exhausted
One of the biggest reminders this week is that caring about students doesn't mean doing everything for them. Sometimes it means creating the opportunity, providing the support, and then allowing students to take responsibility for showing up.
And as teachers, we have to remember that our time, energy, and attention are limited. We can love this work, give students incredible experiences, and still recognize when it's time to set boundaries.
🛒 Teacher resources:
https://shop.teachyourclassoff.com
🌐 Teach Your Class Off:
https://teachyourclassoff.com
📚 Classroom Management, Student Buy-In & Relationship Blueprints:
Available in the Teach Your Class Off store.
🎓 One-on-One Mentoring & Speaking:
Learn more at https://teachyourclassoff.com
📧 Questions or inquiries:
[email protected]
37 min
October 11Episode 362: Take Back Control of Your Classroom, Reach Difficult Students & Avoid Teacher Burnout
Is teaching really harder than it used to be, or have we stopped adapting to the challenges in front of us?
In Episode 362 of Sunday Night Teacher Talk, CJ is flying solo while Jenn and the family are away, and we're diving into some big questions about classroom management, student relationships, teacher burnout, and taking ownership of the things we can actually control.
We talk about what to do when you're forced out of your classroom, why CJ doesn't believe teaching is harder than it was 10 years ago, and how to reach students who seem completely checked out. We also tackle conflicting advice for new teachers, improving student writing, and dealing with students whose behavior goes beyond what one teacher can reasonably handle.
Plus, CJ shares a new productivity idea that's changing how he looks at his daily accomplishments, some favorite fall classroom traditions, and why building a great life outside of teaching might be one of the most important things you can do for your students.
In this episode:
Making a temporary or shared classroom feel like your own
Is teaching really harder now than it was 10 years ago?
Taking ownership instead of blaming circumstances
Handling disruptive students when you're already overwhelmed
Why classroom management requires a team effort
Figuring out whose advice to follow as a new teacher
Learning from teachers who are actually getting results
Helping students become better writers without just assigning more writing
Using student interests to make writing meaningful
Supporting students with extreme behavior challenges and threats
Building a team around students who need additional support
Why relationships and consistency go hand in hand
New ways to get students quiet and regain their attention
Fun fall classroom traditions and creative seasonal activities
Returning to teaching after taking time away
Building a life that teaching fits into instead of making teaching your entire life
How the time of day affects student behavior
Recognizing burnout before it starts affecting your students
Tracking what you've accomplished instead of only what's left to do
One of the biggest takeaways this week is simple: If you can own it, you can do something about it.
You might not control your classroom assignment, your administration, your students' behavior, or the challenges that show up tomorrow. But you can control how you respond, how you grow, and the kind of classroom experience you create.
Keep showing up, keep getting better, and remember that being a great teacher shouldn't come at the expense of having a great life.
🛒 Teacher resources:
https://shop.teachyourclassoff.com
🌐 Teach Your Class Off:
https://teachyourclassoff.com
📚 Classroom Management, Student Buy-In & Relationship Blueprints:
Available in the Teach Your Class Off store.
🎓 One-on-One Mentoring & Speaking:
Learn more at https://teachyourclassoff.com
📧 Questions or inquiries:
[email protected]
Chapters
00:00 Welcome & Flying Solo This Week03:00 A New Way to Think About Productivity06:30 Making a Temporary Classroom Feel Like Your Own12:00 Is Teaching Harder Now Than 10 Years Ago?18:00 Taking Ownership of Your Teaching Experience23:00 Handling Disruptive Students in Large Classes29:00 Why Classroom Management Takes a Team34:00 Navigating Conflicting Advice as a New Teacher39:00 Helping Students Become Better Writers44:00 Supporting Students With Extreme Behavior Challenges54:00 Relationships, Consistency & Building Student Support Teams1:02:00 New Ways to Get Students Quiet1:07:00 Favorite Fall Classroom Traditions1:12:00 Returning to Teaching After Time Away1:17:00 Building a Life That Teaching Fits Into1:23:00 How Time of Day Affects Student Behavior1:28:00 Recognizing Burnout & Protecting Your Energy1:32:00 Final Encouragement & Teacher Resources
52 min
October 05Episode 361: Reset Classroom Management, Set Better Boundaries & Help Students Take Responsibility
What do you do when classroom management starts slipping—or when you're walking into a classroom where the expectations were never really established in the first place?
In Episode 361 of Sunday Night Teacher Talk, CJ and Jenn talk about resetting a classroom, holding students accountable without becoming the "mean teacher," and why being nice sometimes means being willing to say no.
We also get into stations and group work with students who don't want to work, recovering after a difficult week, pitching new courses to administration, surviving your first year around burned-out veteran teachers, dealing with coworkers who constantly interrupt your prep time, and what to do when school leadership simply won't listen.
Plus, CJ breaks down the systems he uses to track student behavior, contact parents, establish assigned seating, and create a classroom where students understand not only what the expectations are—but why they exist.
In this episode:
Setting up stations when students refuse to work
Creating group roles and individual accountability
Using peer feedback to improve group work
Resetting after a difficult week of teaching
Why sleep and actually enjoying your weekend matter
Pitching a new course or elective to administration
Getting students to advocate for programs they want
How new teachers can survive negativity from veteran teachers
How veteran teachers can support and encourage new educators
Inviting other teachers into the awesome things happening in your classroom
Resetting classroom management after weeks with a substitute
Why being "too nice" isn't actually kind to students
Holding students accountable because you care about their future
Setting boundaries with coworkers who interrupt your prep time
What to do when too many school leaders want things done their way
Dealing with administrators who are resistant to feedback
Tracking behavior when you teach hundreds of students
Creating simple systems so you don't have to rely on your memory
Getting students to follow an assigned seating chart
Explaining the "why" behind classroom expectations
Classroom management isn't about controlling kids. It's about creating a classroom where students can learn, where expectations make sense, and where your consistency communicates that you genuinely want students to win.
🛒 Teacher resources:
Teach Your Class Off Store
🌐 Teach Your Class Off:
Teach Your Class Off
📚 Classroom Culture Bundle:
https://www.shopteachyourclassoff.com/products/classroom-culture-blueprint-bundle
📧 Questions, mentoring, or speaking inquiries:
[email protected]

Chapters
00:00 Welcome & Another Busy Week
05:00 Stations When Students Refuse to Work
12:30 Group Roles, Accountability & Peer Grading
19:00 How to Reset After a Difficult Week
27:30 Sleep, Rest & Actually Enjoying Your Weekend
34:00 Pitching a New Course to Administration
41:00 Getting Students to Advocate for What They Want
46:30 New Teachers vs. Burned-Out Veteran Teachers
55:00 How Veteran Teachers Can Support New Educators
1:01:00 Resetting Classroom Management After a Long-Term Sub
1:10:00 Why Being “Too Nice” Isn't Actually Kind
1:18:00 Holding Students Accountable Because You Care
1:24:00 Setting Boundaries With Coworkers Who Interrupt Your Prep
1:30:30 When Too Many School Leaders Want Things Their Way
1:38:00 Tracking Student Behavior Without Relying on Your Memory
1:45:00 Dealing With Leaders Who Won't Accept Feedback
1:53:00 When Leadership Problems Start Affecting the Whole School
2:00:00 Getting Students to Follow Assigned Seating
2:08:00 Explain the “Why” Behind Your Expectations
2:14:00 Final Encouragement & Resources Pasted text
1 hr 11 min
September 27Episode 360: Handle Disrespect, Make Learning Stick & Help Students Meet Higher Expectations
What do you do when students are trying hard—but still aren't getting the work done?
In Episode 360 of Sunday Night Teacher Talk, CJ and Jenn talk about the complicated space between holding students accountable and recognizing when they genuinely need more time, support, or a different approach. From perfectionism and executive functioning to honors classes and mixed-level classrooms, we're talking about how to maintain high expectations without pretending every student gets there the same way.
We also dig into classroom furniture, disrespectful students, friend groups that won't stop talking, dating students who are a little too distracted by each other, grief, grading, studying, and practical ways to make learning actually stick.
In this episode:
When students keep missing deadlines even though they're genuinely trying
The real difference between on-level and honors classes
Why behavior shouldn't determine whether a student belongs in honors
Using couches, beanbags, and flexible seating without creating chaos
Setting expectations before students misuse classroom privileges
Handling friend groups that won't stop talking
Responding to disrespect without getting pulled into a power struggle
Teaching students how to advocate for what they want appropriately
Managing couples who are distracting each other in class
Mixed-level classes vs. separating students by ability
Teaching while grieving the loss of someone you love
Giving yourself permission to have a year that isn't perfect
Finding the right rhythm for grading
Why “students don't study” isn't the whole problem
Teaching students how they learn best
Using games, pop culture, movement, and weird connections to make information stick
Easy ways to gamify learning across different subjects
A big theme this week is that high expectations and empathy can exist at the same time. We can hold deadlines, address disrespect, expect students to work, and still be curious about what's underneath the struggle.
🛒 Teacher resources:
Teach Your Class Off Store
🌐 Teach Your Class Off:
Teach Your Class Off
📚 Classroom Management, Student Buy-In & Relationship Blueprints:
Available in the Teach Your Class Off store.
📧 Questions, mentoring, or speaking inquiries:
[email protected]

00:00 Welcome From the Newsroom
05:00 When Students Keep Missing Deadlines but Are Actually Trying
10:30 On-Level vs. Honors Classes: What's the Real Difference?
18:30 Flexible Seating: Couches, Beanbags & Setting Boundaries
27:00 Friend Groups That Won't Stop Talking
33:30 Handling Student Disrespect Without a Power Struggle
41:00 Teaching Students to Advocate for What They Want
46:00 When Couples Become a Classroom Distraction
51:30 Mixed-Level Classes vs. Grouping Students by Ability
58:00 Teaching While Grieving the Loss of Someone You Love
1:08:30 Giving Yourself Permission to Have a Hard Year
1:15:00 When Is the Best Time to Grade?
1:20:00 Why “Students Don't Study” Isn't the Whole Problem
1:27:00 Helping Students Figure Out How They Learn
1:32:30 Gamifying Learning So Information Actually Sticks
1:39:00 Using Weird Connections to Make Learning Memorable
1:44:00 Final Encouragement: One Day at a Time
51 min
September 21Episode 359: Make Boring Lessons Engaging, Handle Tough Behavior & Keep Your Creativity Alive
What happens when you're excited about creating something incredible for students—but the people around you just don't seem to get it?
In Episode 359 of Sunday Night Teacher Talk, CJ and Jenn talk about protecting your creativity as an educator, even when your ideas aren't celebrated by the adults around you. Sometimes the work isn't about getting recognition. It's about creating moments for kids that make school feel different.
We also get into grading policies, scripted curriculum, PBIS, supporting brand-new teachers in tough schools, and what it looks like to build a broadcasting program completely from the ground up.
In this episode:
What to do when colleagues don't appreciate your creative ideas
Creating a culture where teachers celebrate one another
Why CJ disagrees with "no zero" grading policies
Accountability, retakes, and giving students opportunities to recover
Making scripted curriculum engaging without changing the required content
Using atmosphere, novelty, and student interests to transform ordinary lessons
"Sneak teaching" and making learning so fun students barely notice they're learning
Building Eagle News Network from the ground up
Giving students real ownership of a broadcasting program
Thoughts on PBIS and schoolwide behavior systems
Why relationships and teacher confidence still matter inside any behavior system
Helping a brand-new teacher survive an overwhelming first week in an urban school
Why consistency matters when students are waiting to see if you'll give up
Using rubrics to show students how to win instead of how they'll fail
Returning from maternity leave and treating your return like a new first day
Protecting enough energy for your own family after giving so much at school
The goal isn't to become the teacher with the flashiest classroom or craziest lessons. It's to keep finding ways to make learning matter, create experiences students want to be part of, and become the teacher your students need—even when the adults around you don't understand what you're doing.
🛒 Teacher resources:
Teach Your Class Off Store
🌐 Teach Your Class Off:
Teach Your Class Off
📚 Classroom Management, Student Buy-In & Relationship Blueprints:
Available in the Teach Your Class Off store.
📧 Questions, mentoring, or speaking inquiries:
[email protected]

Chapters
00:00 Welcome From the Eagle News Network Studio
04:00 When Other Teachers Don't Get Your Creative Ideas
11:30 Don't Let Other People Dull Your Flame
16:00 Why CJ Disagrees With No-Zero Grading Policies
25:30 Accountability, Retakes & Helping Students Recover
30:00 Making Scripted Curriculum Actually Engaging
39:00 Atmosphere, Novelty & Adding the “Sprinkles”
44:00 Sneak Teaching: Learning Without It Feeling Like Learning
49:00 Building Eagle News Network From the Ground Up
58:30 Giving Students Ownership of the Broadcasting Program
1:04:00 Do PBIS Systems Actually Work in High School?
1:14:30 Why Behavior Systems Can't Replace Relationships
1:22:00 Supporting a Brand-New Teacher in an Urban High School
1:32:00 Why Consistency Matters With Students Who Don't Trust You Yet
1:39:30 Using Rubrics to Show Students How to Win
1:45:00 Returning to Teaching After Maternity Leave
1:52:00 Giving Your Students—and Your Own Kids—the Best of You
1:58:00 Final Encouragement: Keep Showing Up & Doing the Work
1 hr 5 min
September 15Episode 358: Handle Disruptive Classes, Close Learning Gaps & Protect Your Energy as a Teacher
What do you do when you're doing all the “right” classroom management things—and your students are still disruptive?
In Episode 358 of Sunday Night Teacher Talk, CJ and Jenn are coming to you from the new Eagle News Network newsroom while they work on transforming the space. CJ is also feeling the reality of teaching four different preps, running a business, traveling, and trying to protect enough energy to keep doing all of it well.
This week's questions lead to conversations about some of the hardest parts of teaching: classes that refuse to settle down, students who are years behind academically, protecting instructional time, helping homeschool students transition into traditional school, and figuring out how to take care of yourself when teaching is exhausting you.
In this episode:
What to do when a disruptive class isn't responding to your systems
Holding the line when students test your consistency
When it's appropriate to remove a student from class
Addressing behavior without sacrificing everyone else's education
Helping students who are 2–4 grade levels behind
Why relevance leads to belief
Building the know, like, and trust factor with struggling students
Setting boundaries when staff interrupt your classroom
How to develop leadership skills if you're considering administration
Why great leaders need to be visible and accessible
Supporting homeschool students with learning gaps
Protecting a student's confidence while helping them catch up
What CJ has changed after the first few weeks of school
Protecting prep time and setting boundaries with students
Rest vs. rejuvenation—and why teachers need both
Advice for experienced professionals transitioning into teaching
Why getting better at teaching takes time
Making small improvements that eventually create major change
You don't have to solve every problem this week. Find the next thing you can improve, hold the line on what matters, protect the energy you need to do the work, and keep stacking small wins.
🛒 Teacher resources:
Teach Your Class Off Store
🌐 Teach Your Class Off:
Teach Your Class Off
📚 Classroom Management, Student Buy-In & Relationship Blueprints:
www.shopteachyourclassoff.com
📧 Questions, mentoring, or speaking inquiries:
[email protected]

Chapters
00:00 Welcome From the New ENN Newsroom
04:30 When You're Just Plain Exhausted as a Teacher
08:30 What to Do With an Extremely Disruptive Class
17:30 Holding Students Accountable Without Giving Up
22:30 Helping Students Who Are 2–4 Grade Levels Behind
29:30 Relevance, Relationships & Getting Struggling Students to Believe
35:30 When Staff Keep Interrupting Your Classroom
41:30 Developing Leadership Skills for Future Administrators
50:00 Should Teachers Protect Student Confidentiality?
54:00 Helping a Homeschool Student With Learning Gaps
1:02:00 Protecting Confidence While Helping Students Catch Up
1:09:00 What CJ Has Changed Since the School Year Started
1:16:00 Protecting Your Prep Time & Setting Boundaries
1:22:00 Rest vs. Rejuvenation for Exhausted Teachers
1:28:30 Transitioning From Another Career Into Teaching
1:35:00 Small Tweaks, Confidence & Getting Better at Teaching
1:42:00 Final Encouragement & ENN Newsroom Preview
48 min
August 31Episode 357: Build Real Relationships, Get More Students Talking & Handle Behavior Without Power Struggles
How do you get students to participate because they actually want to—not just because you called on them?
In Episode 357 of Sunday Night Teacher Talk, CJ and Jenn dig into what it takes to build a classroom where students feel known, supported, and confident enough to participate. We talk about showing students you care even if you're not naturally "warm and fuzzy," practical ways to build relationships, and how those relationships eventually turn into stronger engagement.
CJ also walks through his classroom management process step-by-step—including exactly how he handles an off-task student and the phone call home that may follow. Plus, we tackle AI-proof writing, guided notes, time management, supporting advanced students, and what to do when students tell you that you're being "too nice."
In this episode:
Showing students you care without changing your personality
Getting reluctant students to participate in class
Building confidence before calling on students
Practical ways to build real teacher-student relationships
Managing multiple preps, student council, and sub plans
CJ's step-by-step response to an off-task student
Turning parent phone calls into partnerships
Balancing slides, instruction, and student engagement
Making middle school writing assignments more AI-proof
Using positive student leaders to improve classroom culture
What to do when students say you're "too nice"
Challenging advanced and dual-credit students
Asking admin for behavioral support when a student needs to leave class
Creating guided notes that actually help students remember
You don't have to become a different personality to connect with students. What matters is consistently showing them that you see them, care about them, and are there to help them win.
🛒 Teacher resources:
https://shop.teachyourclassoff.com
🌐 Teach Your Class Off:
https://teachyourclassoff.com
📚 Classroom Management, Student Buy-In & Relationship Blueprints:
Available in the Teach Your Class Off store.
📧 Questions or mentoring:
[email protected]

Chapters
00:00 Welcome & The Sunday Teacher Prep Grind
04:15 Do You Have to Be “Warm & Fuzzy” to Connect With Students?
13:30 Getting More Students to Participate in Class
22:00 Managing Multiple Preps, Student Council & Sub Plans
31:30 CJ's Step-by-Step Classroom Management Conversation
38:00 The Phone Call Home: Giving Students a Choice to Win
44:00 How Much Direct Instruction Is Too Much?
51:00 Why CJ's Classroom Management Process Usually Works
57:00 Making Writing Assignments More AI-Proof
1:04:00 Using Positive Students to Shift Classroom Culture
1:10:30 What If Students Say You're Too Nice?
1:17:30 Making the Mental Shift to Teaching Advanced Students
1:26:00 Practical Ways to Build Teacher-Student Relationships
1:36:00 When Admin Wants Every Behavior Handled in the Classroom
1:44:00 How CJ Creates Guided Notes
1:50:00 Final Encouragement & What's Coming This Week
1 hr 11 min
August 24Episode 356: Rebound From a Tough Start, Build Student Buy-In & Find Your Motivation Again
What do you do when the school year has barely started—and you're already struggling to find your motivation?
In Episode 356 of Sunday Night Teacher Talk, CJ and Jenn talk about navigating the reality of the beginning of the school year: tough first days, challenging students, lack of motivation, overwhelming workloads, and figuring out how to keep showing up without running yourself into the ground.
CJ also breaks down practical strategies for small-group instruction, differentiation, grade inflation, working with difficult parents, making repetitive content exciting again, and helping students who are several grade levels behind.
In this episode:
Rebounding after a difficult first few days of school
Finding motivation when you're not excited to go back
Giving yourself grace during a difficult personal season
Small-group strategies that build communication skills
Using Think-Pair-Add to get every student talking
Differentiating for students who are multiple grade levels behind
Making phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency more engaging
Advice for first-time substitutes and brand-new trade teachers
Transitioning to a new school without waiting to be yourself
Handling students and parents who push back against consequences
Why CJ pushes back against grade inflation
Making the same content feel new again
Bringing experts and real-world experiences into your classroom
Knowing when NOT to take on another teacher's workload
Classroom libraries vs. a centralized school library
Taking care of yourself so you can keep showing up for students
A rough beginning doesn't determine the rest of your year. Keep showing up, get curious about what's underneath student behavior, invest in yourself, and remember: most of the problems you're facing right now won't still be problems once you've had time to build relationships and establish your classroom culture.
🛒 Teacher resources:
https://shop.teachyourclassoff.com
🌐 Learn more:
https://teachyourclassoff.com
📧 Questions?
[email protected]

Chapters
00:00 Welcome Back & Surviving the Busy Season
05:30 What Great Professional Development Should Actually Do
13:30 Small Groups That Build Communication Skills
22:00 Finding Motivation When You're Not Feeling It
31:30 Not Excited to Go Back to School? You're Not Alone
39:00 Giving Yourself Grace During a Tough Season
48:00 Advice for a First-Time Substitute Teacher
55:30 Grade Inflation & Why CJ Pushes Back Against It
1:05:30 Podcasts That Help Teachers Grow
1:11:30 Differentiating for Students Several Grade Levels Behind
1:19:00 Making Reading & Vocabulary More Engaging
1:27:00 Advice for Trade Professionals Becoming Teachers
1:35:00 Transitioning to a New School
1:40:00 Handling Students & Parents Who Fight Consequences
1:50:00 How to Make the Same Content Exciting Again
2:00:00 Don't Take On a Broken System's Problems
2:05:00 Classroom Libraries vs. School Libraries
2:10:00 Rebounding From a Tough Start to the School Year
2:18:00 Final Encouragement: Invest in Yourself
1 hr 23 min