• Cultivating a Well-Disciplined Classroom: The Three Cs of Effective Management

    Classroom discipline is a cornerstone of effective teaching, setting the stage for a positive learning environment. For educators, maintaining discipline is not merely about enforcing rules but fostering a space where students feel safe, respected, and motivated to learn. Achieving this balance requires a strategic approach, encapsulated in three key principles: clarity, consistency, and common

    Read More

  • Navigating Student Behavioral Issues: The Power of “Mad, Sad, or Scared?”

    Managing student behavior in the classroom is a multifaceted challenge that goes beyond addressing extreme outbursts. Sometimes, a student might exhibit a disrespectful attitude or tone that is out of character, signaling underlying issues that need attention. One powerful tool for handling such situations is the simple yet profound question: “Mad, sad, or scared?” This

    Read More

  • Why Teachers Leave–Part 3: Discipline and Lack of Administrative Support for The “Small” Stuff

    Minor infractions—like refusing to obey, disrupting class, using cell phones, profanity, defiance, and disrespect—might seem small compared to serious issues like fighting and drug use. But these aren’t isolated incidents; teachers deal with them constantly, all day, every day. It’s exhausting and demoralizing, especially when there’s no backup from the school administration. Too often, administrators

    Read More

  • Why Teachers Leave: Part 2-Student Discipline and the Big Stuff

    The Big Stuff: Active Shooters, Fights, Drugs and Alcohol These are the types of things teachers have to watch for every minute of every day. There’s always a consciousness of our surroundings and an understanding that the atmosphere can turn on a dime. There’s that sixth sense that many teachers develop. You can sense the

    Read More

  • Why Teachers Leave: Part 1-Parent Involvement and My (Probably) Unpopular Opinion

    So, a lot of people didn’t like my first post on this same topic. They thought it only skimmed the surface, and the title wasn’t that great. It’s no mystery why teachers leave. And they’re right. It’s no mystery, and I only skimmed the surface. The truth is much harder to take. So let’s talk

    Read More

  • Surviving the First Week of Teacher In-Service: Tips and Advice

    The first week of school can be daunting. No, I’m not talking about the first week of teaching when you actually have students in the room. I’m talking about the first week of in-service days–you know…the ones where you expect to set up your classroom, decorate bulletin boards, and work on lesson plans. Let’s talk

    Read More

  • Why Teachers Leave the Classroom: Unveiling the Mystery Behind the Disappearances

    Teaching, often seen as the noble art of shaping young minds, requires a will of steel and is not for the faint of heart . While the world seems to admire teachers for their dedication, the reality is that many end up bidding farewell to the Smart Boards and school bells sooner than expected. Let’s

    Read More

Cultivating a Well-Disciplined Classroom: The Three Cs of Effective Management

Classroom discipline is a cornerstone of effective teaching, setting the stage for a positive learning environment. For educators, maintaining discipline is not merely about enforcing rules but fostering a space where students feel safe, respected, and motivated to learn. Achieving this balance requires a strategic approach, encapsulated in three key principles: clarity, consistency, and common…

Navigating Student Behavioral Issues: The Power of “Mad, Sad, or Scared?”

Managing student behavior in the classroom is a multifaceted challenge that goes beyond addressing extreme outbursts. Sometimes, a student might exhibit a disrespectful attitude or tone that is out of character, signaling underlying issues that need attention. One powerful tool for handling such situations is the simple yet profound question: “Mad, sad, or scared?” This…

Why Teachers Leave–Part 3: Discipline and Lack of Administrative Support for The “Small” Stuff

Minor infractions—like refusing to obey, disrupting class, using cell phones, profanity, defiance, and disrespect—might seem small compared to serious issues like fighting and drug use. But these aren’t isolated incidents; teachers deal with them constantly, all day, every day. It’s exhausting and demoralizing, especially when there’s no backup from the school administration. Too often, administrators…

I’m Britt

If you’re new to teaching or even a veteran teacher like me, I hope you’ll find some practical advice here that may save you some headaches in the future. These entries come from my personal experience of more than 20 years in the classroom. Join my Facebook group, Survival Tips for Teachers, to engage in discussions about how to make life in the classroom a little bit easier.

Let’s connect