Free Classroom Management Course for Teachers

A practical, research-informed approach to building calm, connected, and effective classrooms.

A practical, research-informed approach to building calm, connected, and effective classrooms

Classroom management isn’t about control. It’s about clarity, consistency, relationships, and trust.

After years in the classroom, I’ve learned that the most effective classroom management strategies don’t come from rigid systems or flashy programs. They come from understanding students, designing classrooms with intention, and building routines that make learning feel safe, predictable, and meaningful.

That’s why I created this free classroom management course—to bring together the most effective, evidence-based approaches to managing a classroom in a way that supports both student well-being and teacher sanity.

This course is designed for real classrooms, with real students, real challenges, and real constraints.

Module 1: Rethinking Classroom Management

Why “Control” Is the Wrong Goal

  1. Introduction

  2. What Classroom Management Actually Is (and Isn’t)

  3. The Shift from Punitive to Preventative Models

  4. Why Relationships Matter More Than Rules

  5. Common Myths That Make Management Harder

  6. Classroom Management as Instruction, Not Discipline

Module 2: The Science Behind Student Behavior

Understanding Why Students Do What They Do

  1. How Stress, Emotion, and Cognition Affect Behavior

  2. Executive Function and Self-Regulation in Students

  3. The Role of Belonging and Psychological Safety

  4. Motivation, Autonomy, and Engagement

  5. Why “Defiance” Is Often Misread

Module 3: Building Relationships That Prevent Problems

Management Starts Before the First Disruption

  1. Teacher-Student Relationships as a Management Tool

  2. The Power of Predictability and Trust

  3. High Expectations + High Support

  4. Small Daily Moves That Build Connection

  5. Repairing Relationships After Conflict

(Aligned with relational frameworks such as Responsive Classroom)

Module 4: Designing a Classroom That Manages Itself

Structure, Routines, and Environment

  1. Why Routines Reduce Behavioral Load

  2. Teaching Procedures Like Academic Content

  3. Transitions, Entry Routines, and Exit Routines

  4. Physical Space, Seating, and Flow

  5. Visual Anchors and Cognitive Supports

Module 5: Proactive Classroom Management Strategies

Preventing Issues Before They Start

  1. Clear Expectations vs. Long Rule Lists

  2. Modeling, Practice, and Feedback

  3. Attention Signals That Actually Work

  4. Voice, Presence, and Non-Verbal Cues

  5. Consistency Without Rigidity

(Informed by preventative frameworks such as PBIS)

Module 6: Responding to Disruptions Without Escalation

What to Do When Things Go Off Track

  1. De-escalation Strategies for the Classroom

  2. Neutral Language and Emotional Regulation

  3. Logical Consequences vs. Punishment

  4. When to Address Behavior Publicly vs. Privately

  5. Saving Instructional Time During Disruptions

Module 7: Trauma-Informed and Neurodiversity-Affirming Management

Supporting All Learners Without Lowering Standards

  1. Understanding Trauma Responses in the Classroom

  2. Behavior as Communication

  3. Supporting Neurodivergent Students Through Design

  4. Predictability, Choice, and Safety

  5. Avoiding Power Struggles and Shame

Module 8: Restorative Approaches to Classroom Management

Accountability Without Alienation

  1. What Restorative Practices Are (and Aren’t)

  2. Restorative Conversations for Everyday Issues

  3. Circles, Reflection, and Repair

  4. Teaching Responsibility and Empathy

  5. When Restorative Practices Work Best

Module 9: Classroom Management Across Contexts

Different Students, Same Principles

  1. Managing Behavior in Middle School vs. High School

  2. Large Classes, Split Grades, and Tough Timetables

  3. Classroom Management for Applied and Academic Streams

  4. Online, Hybrid, and Technology-Rich Classrooms

  5. Cultural Responsiveness and Management

Module 10: Teacher Well-Being and Sustainable Management

You Are Part of the System

  1. Why Burnout Worsens Classroom Management

  2. Emotional Boundaries and Professional Detachment

  3. Letting Go of Perfection

  4. Reflecting Without Self-Blame

  5. Building a Management Style You Can Sustain

Module 11: Putting It All Together

A Practical Classroom Management Plan

  1. Creating Your Personal Management Philosophy

  2. Selecting Strategies That Fit You

  3. A Simple Classroom Management Blueprint

  4. What to Revisit Mid-Year

  5. Final Reflection: What Actually Works