Classroom Management

A Stern Intimidating Teacher

Unbonded

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I can still picture the toughest teachers I ever had—not the ones who challenged us academically, but the cold, drill-sergeant types whose classrooms felt like battlegrounds. My wife tells of one who yelled time from the girls’ bathroom, warning of doom for the tardy. These teachers might have pushed for excellence, but what did they truly feel for their students? When there’s no bond, the job feels hollow. Without a connection, the classroom becomes mere routine — and teaching loses its purpose.

students glued to their phones

The Handheld Wrecking Balls of the Classroom

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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