Overview

Hey, y’all. Let’s get real: classroom management can make or break your teaching vibe. A well-run class isn’t just peaceful—it’s where students thrive, and you don’t feel like you’re walking into a battle zone every day. This session is about giving you real, actionable tips to help you create a classroom where students feel safe, engaged, and like they actually want to learn (wild, right?).

Now, I’m not here pretending I’m the GOAT of teaching. I’ve made all the mistakes—yelled too much, handled discipline wrong, and even let chaos reign because I was too tired to care that day. But I’ve also learned what works, and I’m here to share what I’ve got. Spoiler: you’re going to leave with strategies you can use tomorrow.

“You’re not just here to teach content—you’re here to lead humans. And humans are messy. But guess what? You’re equipped for this."

Key Topics & Timestamps

1. Kickoff and Warm-Up (0:00–10:56)

   • Why classroom management matters more than your coolest lesson plan.

   • Building the right culture: it starts with YOU.

2. 19 Strategies to Level Up (10:57–35:45)

   • Real strategies for real teachers (some borrowed from Edutopia, all tested in the trenches).

   • Stories from the battlefield: wins, fails, and why it’s okay to laugh at yourself.

3. Tech and Templates That Save You Time (35:46–45:00)

   • How to use Google Forms for discipline, rewards, and everything in between.

   • Tools that help you work smarter, not harder (because burnout isn’t cute).

4. Engagement is the Real MVP (45:01–50:00)

   • Why a busy student isn’t a disruptive student.

   • The secret sauce: transitions that don’t derail your entire class.

5. Reflections & Action Steps (50:01–End)

   • How to tweak these strategies to fit YOUR class.

   • Building a plan that you’ll actually stick to (no Pinterest perfection required).

Key Takeaways

• Consistency is King 👑: Set clear expectations, follow through every time, and watch your class transform.

• Keep It Simple: Too many rules = glazed donut looks from your students. Stick to what matters and make it stick.

• Connect Before You Correct: If your students trust you, they’ll work with you—not against you.

• Engagement > Discipline: When kids are into the lesson, there’s no time for chaos. Keep it fun, keep it moving, and watch the magic happen.

Practical Applications

For Elementary Teachers:

• Use a “quiet signal” like clapping patterns or hand motions. Bonus points if the students help you come up with it. 👏👏

• Start each day with a positive vibes jar: students or you write one good thing from the previous day. It’s a quick win for morale.

For Middle & High School Teachers:

• Start class with a question that grabs attention: “What’s the weirdest animal ever used in war?” or “Would you rather have a dragon or a unicorn as a pet?” 🦄🔥

• Use Google Forms for self-reported discipline. Let students reflect on their behavior without the shame spiral of a public callout.

For Administrators:

• Create “walkthrough toolkits” with ready-to-use templates for teachers (e.g., classroom behavior tracking sheets or parent call scripts).

• Host a “strategy swap” where teachers share their best management tips over snacks—because snacks make everything better. 🍩

Personal Application Question

• Think about your toughest class right now. What’s one thing you could do tomorrow to build a better relationship with those students?

Group Discussion Questions

1. What’s a classroom management strategy that has worked for you and why?

2. How do you handle transitions in your class? Are there any that consistently trip you up?

3. What’s one way administrators could better support teachers with classroom management?

Extended Practice

1. Try Something New: Pick one strategy from the session and test it for a week. Reflect on how it worked and what you’d tweak.

2. Plan Your Transitions: Map out your daily class routine and identify the “dead zones” where things tend to fall apart. Create a plan for those moments.

3. Celebrate the Wins 🎉: Create a system for recognizing not just academic success but leadership, kindness, and effort. Whether it’s weekly shoutouts, stickers, or a class award ceremony, show students you see their good work.

Wrap-Up

Here’s the deal: classroom management isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being intentional. You’re the guide in your classroom, and it’s okay to make mistakes as long as you learn from them!
"You’re not here to survive teaching—you’re here to thrive at it. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being present, consistent, and a little bit fun."

So, go out there and try something new. Don’t overthink it. Don’t get discouraged if it flops. Just keep showing up, keep learning, and keep being awesome. You’ve got this! 💪

Let’s do this! 🚀