Episodes

  • Students vs Standards: The Truth About Our Schools
    Jun 27 2026

    👉 Get more classroom management and teaching resources at www.theclassroommanagementguy.com📩 If you have any questions or need any assistance please feel free to reach out to me. I help teachers like you all the time. My email is gabrielvigil@theclassroommanagementguy.com🎙️ In this episode of The Classroom Management Guy Podcast, I sit down with veteran educator Mr. Cooper—a teacher, former administrator, instructional leader, and union representative with over 25 years of experience in education.Together, we discuss one of the biggest challenges facing schools today:How do we balance standards, accountability, discipline, and the needs of students?We explore school culture, classroom management, discipline policies, administration, teacher burnout, unions, and what great educators never forget about the students they serve.One statement from this conversation perfectly captures the heart of the discussion:"You don't teach standards. You teach students."Whether you're a teacher, administrator, instructional coach, or aspiring educator, this episode offers practical insights from someone who has seen education from nearly every angle.Topics Discussed🎯 Students vs standards🏫 The realities of school leadership⚖️ Discipline policies and school safety📚 Why teaching is about people, not programs🔥 Teacher and administrator burnout🤝 Building strong student relationships🎓 Advice for new teachers🏛️ State mandates and classroom realities👥 The role of teacher unions🚀 How to improve struggling schools💡 What great teachers do differently⭐ Key takeaway:The best educators never forget that students come before systems.

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    1 hr
  • The Surprising Truth About Student Behavior and Teacher Happiness
    Jun 20 2026

    👉 Get more classroom management strategies and resources at www.theclassroommanagementguy.com👉 Have questions? Reach out anytime at theclassroommanagementguy@gmail.comClassroom management is one of the biggest challenges new teachers face — and it’s also one of the main reasons many teachers leave the profession within the first few years.In this interview , veteran teacher Gabriel Vigil (The Classroom Management Guy / Professor Zest) shares the biggest classroom management mistake new teachers make and what actually works when it comes to managing student behavior.After more than 23 years in the classroom, Gabriel explains practical strategies teachers can use to create structure, handle off-task behavior, and build stronger relationships with students.

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    53 mins
  • New Teachers: Don't Make This Discipline Mistake
    Jun 13 2026

    👉 Get more classroom management strategies and resources at www.theclassroommanagementguy.com👉 Have questions? Reach out anytime at theclassroommanagementguy@gmail.comOur latest Podcast feature a discussion on effective classroom management strategies. The speaker shares that discipline was initially a weakness, but through experience, a teacher can develop their own teaching tips. This video offers valuable insights into managing student behavior effectively, providing guidance on how to discipline while fostering a positive learning environment.

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    32 mins
  • Why Classroom Management Is Harder Than Ever for Teachers
    Jun 6 2026

    👉 Get more classroom management strategies and resources at www.theclassroommanagementguy.com👉 Have questions? Reach out anytime at theclassroommanagementguy@gmail.comDiscover the challenges teachers face in maintaining order and discipline in the classroom, and explore potential solutions to improve classroom management. Teachers play a vital role in shaping young minds, but they often struggle with managing their classrooms effectively. This video delves into the world of educators and examines the reasons behind the growing difficulty in classroom management. By understanding the root causes of this issue, we can work towards creating a more productive and respectful learning environment for students. Whether you're a teacher, educator, or simply interested in the education system, this video is for you. Get insights into the daily struggles of teachers and learn how we can collectively make a positive impact on the future of education.The teaching profession presents a substantial learning curve, taking multiple years to master. This Podcast offers valuable teaching tips and career advice, especially for new educators. We discuss how to combat burn out and support tired teacher colleagues, making the journey more manageable and relatable.

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    22 mins
  • New teachers: stop making this huge discipline
    May 30 2026

    👉 Get more classroom management strategies at www.theclassroommanagementguy.com📩 If you have any questions or need any assistance please feel free to reach out to me. I help teachers like you all the time. My email is gabrielvigil@theclassroommanagementguy.com🎙️ In this episode of The Classroom Management Guy Podcast, we dive deep into one of the biggest mistakes new teachers make when it comes to discipline and classroom management.My guest (Mr. Mathis) shares powerful real-world strategies about routines, consistency, student accountability, classroom structure, grading systems, and handling difficult student behavior.If you are a new teacher — or even a veteran teacher feeling overwhelmed — this conversation is packed with practical systems you can immediately apply in your classroom.🎯 In this podcast, we discuss:🔥 Why classroom management causes teacher burnout🧠 The power of routines and consistency🚪 Why greeting students at the door matters⏰ The exact first 5 minutes of an effective classroom📋 How seating charts improve accountability💻 Using technology to improve engagement🎯 Why experienced teachers avoid downtime⚡ How to handle defiant students calmly📞 Why parent phone calls still matter🏫 The hidden realities of charter schools🤝 Why relationships AND structure both matter🚨 The discipline mistake many new teachers make⭐ One major takeaway from this episode:Strong classroom management is not about being harsh.It’s about consistency, routines, accountability, and structure.

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    1 hr and 21 mins
  • Classroom Dynamics That Actually Change Student Behavior
    May 23 2026

    👉 Get more classroom management strategies and resources at https://www.theclassroommanagementguy.com

    📩 Have questions? Reach out anytime at theclassroommanagementguy@gmail.com

    Dr. Shaun Woodly

    https://www.teachhustleinspire.com/

    https://www.instagram.com/teachhustleinspire/#

    https://www.facebook.com/TeachHustleInspire/

    Classroom management isn’t just about rules and routines—it’s about understanding how students think, behave, and engage.In this podcast, we dive deep into classroom dynamics, student behavior, and the difference between classroom management vs. classroom leadership.


    You’ll learn how understanding human behavior can transform your classroom from chaos to control.


    💡 You’ll learn:

    ✋ The difference between classroom management and classroom leadership

    ✔ Why fear-based classrooms don’t lead to real learning

    ✔ The 5 drivers of human behavior (and how they impact students)

    ✔ How to increase student engagement without “entertaining”

    ✔ Why passive teaching leads to disruption

    ✔ How to design lessons that naturally improve behavior

    ✔ What to do when students are disengaged or checked out

    👉 If you’re struggling with:

    ✔ classroom management

    ✔ student behavior

    ✔ student engagement

    ✔ disruptive classrooms.

    This video will give you a new way to think about teaching that actually works.

    💡 Key takeaway:

    Great classroom management isn’t about control—it’s about designing learning experiences that meet students’ needs and naturally drive engagement.

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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • This Is Why Teachers Matter
    May 16 2026

    👉 Get more classroom management strategies at www.theclassroommanagementguy.com


    📩 If you have any questions or need any assistance please feel free to reach out to me. I help teachers like you all the time. My email is gabrielvigil@theclassroommanagementguy.com


    🎙️ Why do teachers matter so much?In this emotional in-person podcast interview, I sit down with Randy, an 80-year-old instructional aide, who shares his incredible life story and explains why working with students gave his life a deeper sense of purpose. From working in print shops and living the back-to-the-land lifestyle to eventually becoming a special education instructional aide, Randy shares powerful insights about education, relationships, classroom management, and the impact teachers can have on students.

    🎯 In this podcast episode, we discuss:

    🧠 Why relationships matter in education

    ❤️ The emotional impact teachers have on students🎙️ Randy’s journey from print shops to education

    👥 Why students need connection and support

    💡 Classroom management and the “it factor”

    🔥 What separates strong teachers from struggling teachers

    📊 Why consistency and standards matter

    🏫 Special education and emotional attachment

    👂 What instructional aides wish teachers understood

    📚 Why history and storytelling make learning powerful

    👨‍🏫 The hidden influence teachers have on students’ lives

    💭 Why teaching gives people purpose.


    If you struggle with:

    ✔ Classroom management

    ✔ Teacher burnout

    ✔ Feeling disconnected from students

    ✔ Understanding difficult student behavior

    ✔ Building stronger classroom culture. This episode is a powerful reminder of why education matters so much.


    ⭐ Key takeaway: Students may forget lessons… but they never forget how teachers made them feel.

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    49 mins
  • Classroom Chaos to Control: The Strategy Teachers Don't Talk About
    May 8 2026

    👉 Get more classroom management strategies at www.theclassroommanagementguy.com


    📩 If you have any questions or need any assistance please feel free to reach out to me. I help teachers like you all the time. My email is: gabrielvigil@theclassroommanagementguy.com


    🎙️ What do you do when you walk into a classroom that is completely out of control?In this in-person podcast interview, I sit down with Mr. Herrera, an 8th grade science teacher, as he shares the reality of entering the classroom for the first time. From chaotic classrooms and difficult first years to classroom management, consistency, lesson planning, substitute teaching, and finding his place in education, this conversation gives an honest look at what teachers actually experience.


    🎯 In this podcast episode, we discuss:*

    🧠 The shocking reality of first-year teaching*

    ⚠️ Walking into a completely out-of-control classroom*

    💡 Why classroom management matters more than content at first*

    🎙️ How substitute teaching prepares teachers for reality*

    🔥 Why consistency changes student behavior*

    📊 The power of routines, timers, and structure*

    💪 The emotional side of teaching and burnout*

    🔁 Why lesson planning systems save teachers time*

    🎯 High school vs middle school teaching*

    🚨 The difficult reality of temporary contracts and interviews*

    🧪 Science teaching, rigor, and student engagement*

    👥 Why group work sometimes fails in real classrooms.


    If you struggle with:*

    ✔ Classroom management as a new teacher*

    ✔ Feeling overwhelmed in your classroom*

    ✔ Student behavior issues*

    ✔ Consistency with routines and expectations*

    ✔ Burnout and emotional exhaustion*

    ✔ Lesson planning and engagement.

    This episode gives an honest, practical look at what teaching is really like behind the scenes.


    ⭐ Key takeaway:**Great teaching starts with consistency, routines, and strong classroom management.**⏱️ Chapters:*

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    1 hr and 1 min