Episode Details

If you have ever heard the old advice "don't smile until November or December" and wondered if that is what good classroom management looks like, let me just say….I disagree. Fear-based classrooms do not build respect or learning, and you do not have to choose between being warm and being in control of your room.

In this episode, I share:

• why fear-based classrooms fail and how building genuine, warm relationships with students is the real foundation for a successful year
• how being "warm but firm" works in practice, including how to stay consistent and follow through without yelling or becoming someone's friend instead of their teacher
• why calm, close, and direct redirection is more effective and more respectful than correcting students from across the room
• how to make sure any consequence you give is related, respectful, and realistic so students learn from it instead of learning what they can get away with
• why picking your battles on small things lets you focus your energy on what actually matters, like safety and respect between students

You do not have to be strict to be taken seriously, and you do not have to be cold to be respected. Be warm, be consistent, and trust that your kids can feel the difference between a teacher who cares and one who is just trying to control them.

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Related Episodes:

• Building Strong Classroom Management ~ Ep. 43

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Mentioned in this episode:

First Month of Kindergarten Success Kit

Grab your First Month of Kindergarten Success Kit today on TPT or on my website! First Month Survival Kit TPT - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/First-Month-of-Kindergarten-Success-Kit-9834168?st=5099a0e1f8b3c99dfd410a4162bb0d0c Website - https://kindergartencafe.org/first-month-survival-kit/