by Jackie Mader, The Hechinger Report February 17, 2026 SAN MATEO, Calif. — School had been in session at Lead Elementary for less than an hour, but already Andrea Quinn had paused teaching her first graders nearly 20 times. First, there was the child who had zipped his entire face inside the hood of his […]
Classroom Management
Posted inClassroom Management
Teacher Rage: Using Science to Transform Triggers
There was a long moment of silence after I’d turned around and hurled my chalk to the floor with great force, eyes glaring, lips bared, a growl escaping from between my clenched teeth. Chalk dust was settling on my shoulders, and my seventh-grade class was staring at me like I was a wild animal. The […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
Who’s in charge here? The erosion of authority in schools
“I’d like you to go back to your seat,” I said after the third reminder for off-task behavior. “What!? Why?” she exclaimed, apparently totally stymied as to why I’d ask her to do such a thing. “Because a few minutes ago I told you that if you keep socializing, I would move you back to […]
Posted inClassroom Management
Teaching 102: Seven easy ways to bring manners into your classroom
I’ve heard every teacher I know say it at least once: “My students need to practice manners.” Here’s something else I’ve heard them all say right after that: “I don’t have time to teach my students manners.” I get it. I teach English at a middle school on a block schedule. I teach with a […]
Posted inChild Development
Behavior is Communication
This may sound silly, but I can’t stop thinking about my T-shirt. Earlier this school year, I was talking to the speech therapist who works with my students when I noticed her fantastic shirt. It said, “Behavior is Communication.” Immediately, I asked her to send me the link to the shirt, and by the end […]
Posted inSocial Justice
Understanding Ramadan: A Classroom Teacher’s Guide
This year at the end of February, approximately 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide will be observing the holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan is the ninth month of the lunar Islamic calendar, which begins the morning after sighting the last sliver of a crescent moon before a new moon and lasts for 30 days. The observance of […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
The Bullied Teacher
Bullying has received increased attention in the past few years. Administrations have placed harder and clearer rules against student bullying, clubs, and organizations have formed in schools to address bullying, and legal actions have taken place against students who have bullied other students to the point of self-harm. Bullying, as we well know, can take […]
Posted inClassroom Management
Change Your Classroom Culture From Day One: Give It A Name
“After all, we are the Legendary Thunder Hawks,” says Joan. “So you know our presentations for Black History Month are going to be legendary.” And that’s when I smile from ear to ear. For the last 15 years, my class has selected their own name. The Noble Lions survived Covid-they were fearless and encouraging at […]