Classroom management | Season 1 — Episode 8

Episode Overview

• Esteemed educator Stoyan Kosteski discusses his 12-year journey in teaching, from his initial inspiration to his current leadership role.
• The conversation covers foundational strategies for classroom management, emphasizing the importance of establishing clear rules and routines at the start of the school year.
• A central theme is the power of building strong, trusting relationships with students, parents, and colleagues to create a supportive and effective learning environment.
• The podcast explores the necessity of teacher well-being, introducing initiatives to foster community and reduce stress among educators.
• The discussion highlights the lasting impact teachers can have, as well as the importance of accountability and vulnerability in the classroom.

Key Concepts

• Proactive Classroom Management: Investing significant time at the beginning of the school year to establish firm, consistent rules is more effective than dealing with recurring behavioral issues later.
• Leadership Through Support: An effective leader empowers their team by taking on difficult tasks, such as challenging parent conversations, allowing teachers to focus on instruction.
• The Parent-Teacher Partnership: Building a successful educational environment relies on a collaborative partnership where parents and teachers trust each other and understand their distinct roles and responsibilities.
• Rapport and Relationships: Building genuine, trusting relationships with students through an open-door policy and personal engagement is crucial for their success and well-being.
• Teacher Well-being and Community: The high-stress nature of teaching necessitates proactive measures, like staff social events and fitness groups, to build camaraderie and support mental health.
• Vulnerability and Accountability: Teachers who admit mistakes and apologize to students model important human values, strengthen trust, and build mutual respect.
• The Lifelong Impact of Educators: A single supportive and effective teacher can profoundly alter a student's academic trajectory and have a lasting positive influence on their life.

Quotes

• At 0:50 - "You're so good with kids... why not be a teacher?" - Stoyan shares his mother's simple but impactful observation that inspired him to consider a career in education.
• At 4:53 - "I'd rather you guys lose two, three, four periods at the beginning of a year developing your class... than you lose a period a week for the rest of the year." - Stoyan outlines his key strategy for new teachers: prioritize establishing strong classroom rules upfront to save time later.
• At 24:51 - "'Till this day, I know that if I call Rob and say, 'Look, I need to talk to you about something,' 20 minutes, coffee, come and pick me up." - Illustrating the deep, lasting bond and support system that can form between a mentor and student.
• At 26:46 - "There is a time where a parent needs to genuinely step in and do their roles." - Reinforcing the idea that effective student support is a partnership between the school and home, especially for issues outside school hours.
• At 35:12 - "Saying sorry is not a weakness. Having a conversation and going, 'Man, you know what? I got it wrong. My bad.'" - Highlighting the value of teachers being accountable and human in their interactions with students to build respect.

Takeaways

• Invest heavily in establishing clear, non-negotiable classroom rules and routines during the first week of school to prevent long-term disruptions.
• Build genuine relationships with students by being approachable, learning their names, and demonstrating that you are available to support them.
• Foster a strong partnership with parents based on mutual trust and clear communication, while also recognizing the boundaries of a teacher's responsibilities.
• Prioritize teacher well-being by actively building a supportive community among colleagues to combat the inherent stress of the profession.
• Don't be afraid to be vulnerable and admit mistakes to students; it builds respect and strengthens the student-teacher bond.