The ABC's High School Teachers Really Need to Know

In the heat of conflict between students or with you, it's important to ask yourself a critical question before speaking or acting.  This practice is a major component of effective classroom (and life) management.  In this episode, we will discuss that question and so much more.  

Not surprisingly, a one size fits all approach to discipline management is usually ineffective.  Of course, building strong and productive relationships and communities are key.  Beyond that, we have to remind ourselves that our students are individuals with different experiences, personalities, and perspectives.  Standardizing discipline to fit in a box will inevitably fall short of serving you or the student.  As kids and humans, they will make mistakes.  They aren't robots.  Do them a favor and don't act like one either.

Many teachers struggle with classroom management, despite their efforts to create and enforce policies and procedures.  Effective teachers know that if you focus on the people more than structure, the classroom management will almost certainly follow.  

Changing jobs or roles can be challenging.  However, effective teachers know that sometimes we have to do one or both to better serve our students.  As we grow personally and professionally, we often have to choose change - that's what being a lifelong learner is all about.  

Effective teachers know that intelligence is not the same as experience.  Neither is superior, but differentiating the two is crucial to building and managing your process.  

Effective teachers run counter to the notion that some students are just "hardened criminals" with a history of underperformance and bad behavior.  We focus on being a supporter, challenger, and champion for all.  Whether self-created or not, many students become victims of hardened circumstances.  Effective teaches focus on helping them rise.  

Effective teachers know that group work can be a powerful tool, or completely undermine your learning objectives, depending on how you use it.  This episode discusses the only two scenarios group work should be used, and more importantly, how to gauge its use in achieving learning objectives.  

The future happens each and every day.  What we invest in our students (and ourselves) on a daily basis helps develop what tomorrow will look like.  Each day absolutely matters.  That shouldn't be a burden, but instead an opportunity.  Make the most of it!

There is a barrage of tools and talking heads ready to evaluate us, observe us, and tell us we aren't good enough.  Don't get lost or overwhelmed by all the noise.  Instead, live by the "Golden Rules" of teaching and learn to self-evaluate.  When you do those things, you actually generate a meaningful measure of effectiveness.  

Effective teachers know that delivering on your promises to students, parents, teachers, and administrators is key to a successful career in education.  The actions that we take and the words that we say make all the difference in the world, particularly to those we want to impact most - our students.