The ABC's High School Teachers Really Need to Know

It's the age-old question, "How do I keep my students from talking so much in class?"  This episode will help you answer that question by looking at why students talk in the first place, as well as why your classroom management techniques might be falling short.  In most cases, issues with excess talking in the classroom are signs of larger problems, many of which are related to ins...

This episode presents a powerful list that educators can use to improve their classroom management, particularly when discipline problems occur.  Whether you are new to the classroom or a long-time veteran, we need to realize that effective teachers always reflect on "why" and "how" we respond to discipline issues.  

Effective teachers focus on people, not just lessons or assessments. We learn together, achieve together, struggle together, overcome together, and celebrate together.  The classroom and your lessons should reflect the real world because it is the real world with real people.  Remembering that will improve your teaching, as well as make it more meaningful for you.  

As humans and effective teachers, we will always regret things - certain choices we made, how we taught a lesson, how we reacted to a student, etc.  Not only is that natural, it makes us better educators and people.  Learning from mistakes is at the center of any authentic learning.  To the narcissistic few that say they have "zero regrets," I'll remind them that no one is perfect....

Effective teachers turn the challenges of working with teenagers into opportunities for success and learning.  Working with high schoolers is not for the weak.  They will be hormonal, use inappropriate language and humor, face peer pressure, and so much more.  We can't  just stick our heads in the sand.  If we do, we will miss opportunities to guide them and develop effective and meaningful r...

It's amazing how often we notice that certain teachers have the "X-factor."  They just "get it."  They are superstars.  We may say the same about certain teachers  we had in school.  Do you have the X-factor?  Have you lost it?  Think back to your first teaching interview.  Are the things you said in that interview about why/how you wanted to teach still true?  Become a gr...

Effective teachers understand and define success through goal-setting.  If we don't set goals and pay attention to the warning signs that indicate we are off-track, we risk being less effective in the classroom and beyond.  

The world is changing, and it always will.  Effective teachers know, understand, and adapt to this change.  Educators and the education system need to focus on producing students that are dynamic innovators and thinkers.  This episode presents several classroom lessons that illustrate instructional strategies and pedagogies that will better help learners be prepared for the world of today and tomo...

Serving in education, like most occupations, comes with its fair share of "politics."  The goal is to stay out of the fray as much as possible.   Instead, focus on your job and your students.  Few things bring more "political" unrest than undercover "agents" and "unholy" alliances.  Effective teachers avoid these at all costs.  

 The "tragedy of the commons" is having a real impact on educators and the system as a whole.  Teachers are a limited resource with limited time and capacity.   Educators need clear job descriptions and boundaries that are both respected by and communicated to all stakeholders.  Not only should we advocate for those things at our schools and in our various roles, but we should also pract...

It's sad to say, but students endure sham trials all the time in education.  They are regularly "crystal-balled", pigeon-holed, stereotyped, and found guilty by association.  Effective teachers instead make building individual relationships the priority.  They don't permanently shackle students to bad decisions or poor performance.   They don't place a ceiling on what stud...

Making a class convoluted and challenging without purpose or intentionality is a losing strategy.  Also, serving as the inflexible dictator of your process will inevitably fail students.  Don't weaponize rigor and rigidity.  Instead, be an advocate for empathy and individuality.  You will get students that are more willing and able to learn.  

You can determine a  great deal about the culture of a classroom or school by what is celebrated in them.  Be intentional about what you celebrate (and how).  If not, you will undermine your own process and inevitably leave students behind.  

One of the fundamental questions we must ask ourselves about a student is whether he/she is a "Part to Whole" (PW) or "Whole to Part" (WP) learner.  Does a student need all the details in order to fully  understand a concept or does he need to see the big picture first to truly master a concept?  The truth is that ultimately  our scaffolding, lessons, and coaching must reach  b...

Connecting and building relationships with students in the classroom is hugely impactful, as is building community with those you work with/for professionally.  However, effective teachers know that there are  things that should always be out of bounds.  Establishing these boundaries will not only make you a better teacher,  but they will also improve your quality of life and longevity in educatio...

The obvious reality is that teachers are overworked.  Also, there is no such thing as "giving 110%."  Why do we take on more classes, more clubs, and more duties just to get a nickel back?  Effective teachers know that we have to make hard choices.  We have to learn to say "no" when it doesn't also benefit us and our own personal and professional growth.  Sometimes the ext...

The moment your class (or you) becomes mundane for students is the very moment our process begins to be less effective.  Even the best instructional and assessment strategies have to be used thoughtfully and intentionally.  Is your class the same each and every day?  I hope not -- and so do your students.

A simple truth:  Low expectations almost certainly equal low results.  From homogenizing the population to pushing 50% "zeroes," the system seems  built to soften expectations and push students through regardless of actual learning.  As educators, we have to resist and lead the culture of learning in our classrooms.  We have to focus on developing grit, being consistent with expectations...

We have to take a deep and empathetic look at what is affecting our kids today.  From school dances and time management woes to friend drama and bullying, there is a great deal of kryptonite out there making it harder and hardener to effectively reach students in the classroom and beyond.  We can't teach (or coach) in a bubble and/or stick our heads in the sand and expect success.  We are sup...

More and more classrooms are becoming absolute clown shows and ineffective learning environments because of student populations that are becoming increasingly disruptive, disinterested, and disillusioned.  While effective teachers primarily focus on controlling what they can control, they also know that emphasizing the ABC's of teaching, remaining dynamic in a changing world, and being relent...

Strive for equitable access to education, knowing your classroom will never be perfect.  However, don't obsess with trying to create equitable outcomes - no matter how much some in society and educational leadership push you to do so.  Equitable outcomes are both unrealistic AND undesirable.  Students are individuals with different backgrounds,  life experiences, interests, motivations, persp...

As you know, 20% of people do 80% of the work.  It's no different in our profession.  In the high-functioning world of eduction, years of "heavy lifting" by a teacher can inevitably lead to burnout, health repercussions, time management issues, and yes, resentment and hostility.  Get better at margin and setting personal and professional goals for your hard work.  Remind yourself th...

Secondary teachers are getting absolutely buried by the number and types of preps they are assigned.  Subject/content-areas aren't arbitrary -- and neither are the teachers.  We need to focus on putting educators in the appropriate classrooms that match training, experience, and motivation.  It's about putting people where they are most effective.  If that's not done, everyone loses...

Effective teachers realize that there are some four-letter words that are crucial in the classroom and our academic process.  Words like "can't," "fear," and "love" have a huge impact on our students.  They should have a huge impact on us too if want to better reach those we serve.

Effective teachers, by definition, reach their objectives and desired goals.  They are also efficient.  Falling short on either efficacy or efficiency means students and other stakeholders are paying the price academically.  Hold your process to that standard each and every day.