Easy ways to grow your classroom management skills

Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by behavior or wishing you could tweek some routines that just aren’t flowing the way they should, you’re probably here because you wondering how to improve classroom management in this year. The good news is you don’t have to commit to sitting in a multi-day professional development session to see results.

In fact, many of the best ways to improve your management are things you can do right on your campus. That’s why I decided to write this post! While many teachers tend to be more hesitant to seek out help for fear of being viewed as ineffective or getting unwanted attention from administrators, I hope you’ll find these strategies are approachable and will put you in a positive light as you work to continuously improve as a teacher.

3 Quick Tips for How to Improve Classroom Management Without Committing to More PD

Classroom management is essential to creating an effective classroom, but growing your classroom management skills can feel overwhelming. Sometimes, it is assumed that you are either naturally talented in this area or this will always be a struggle. Whether you’ve got just a few great classroom management strategies or you’re a seasoned veteran, each year brings unique challenges that require us to adjust and grow.

Today, I am going to share some easy to implement tips for how to improve classroom management without spending hours sitting in a professional development session.

1. Commit to finding a colleague or mentor on your campus.

We all know there is that one teacher on campus who rocks at management.

Her kids are perfect in the hallways…

His class can have fun during lessons but still keep it together…

People talk about how she always gets the “good” class. Time to buddy up. That person might just hold the secret to making your class run more smoothly.

All too often we are scared to ask our colleagues what they are doing to make the magic happen because we worry about making ourselves look like we don’t know what is happening.

However, if you don’t have good classroom management, I can guarantee everyone already knows it.

Why not ask for help?

The only thing that can happen is that you can get better, and your administrators will appreciate your efforts to grow as a professional.

Three ways to develop better classroom management - grow professionally without formal PD

On the flip side, even with great management, there are always new things to learn. Taking the time to watch a colleague you respect in action might give you a few ideas for adjustments in your classroom.

You never know when you will get that one kid who is impervious to all the tricks in your toolbox.

Just be sure to ask before you show up to watch a lesson. When you explain why you want to see them in action, most teachers will be happy to have you come by.

2. Seek online supports via the plethora of digital solutions now available.

Covid was terrible for schools in so many ways. However, one positive is that it created a wealth of digital resources at teachers’ disposal. This includes training and support materials for classroom management.

We all know that a few students can throw off the entire class. If you’ve been struggling with this in your classroom, there are some great resources online to help you find strategies for getting things running smoothly again.

Intervention Central

One great one is Intervention Central.

This site is great because all the interventions are based on actual research. However, they aren’t expensive programs that your district needs to buy. Instead, the site provides step-by-step strategies for addressing specific challenges.

Many also contain printables or other resources you’ll need to implement the strategy.

PBIS World

Another great website is PBIS World.

This site is SUPER easy to navigate and offers a great selection of strategies for almost any behavior issue.

Its easy user interface makes it super simple to get exactly what you are looking for, making it a great first stop when you’re overwhelmed by challenging behaviors.

3. Call in the classroom management experts.

Having one of those years where you feel like you can’t get your rhythm?

Look to see if your district has behavior specialists or instructional coaches who have a background in behavior or classroom management.

Most administrators would be happy to hear you seek support to grow in an area. Having the conversation about available resources allows your principal to support you in your professional development journey.