Classroom Management

  • Unbonded

    ByAllen Reding

    I remember the teachers who acted more like prison guards than guides—brash, strict, and distant. I never felt a connection with them; trying would have been like grabbing a live wire. And after a long career in teaching, I know how quickly the work turns to drudgery when the relationship is missing. Do you remember the toughest teachers you ever had? I do not mean the ones that held you to high standards in your field of study. Tough graders make accomplished writers, mathematicians, and economists. The Classroom Drill Instructors The tough ones I remember tended to be generally disagreeable … Read more

  • The Handheld Wrecking Balls of the Classroom

    ByAllen Reding

    As I near the end of my 27th year in teaching, I have observed a recurring trend in the past several years of my career: Every April for the past 7 or 8 years, I have experienced an inner tug urging me to explore career opportunities beyond the realm of teaching. I’ve discovered that many teachers across the state share these sentiments. Initially, I could easily brush off these thoughts after a week or two of summer break, but ever since the pandemic, it has become increasingly challenging to ignore them.  Educators often notice a cyclical pattern throughout the academic … Read more