Let’s face it—dealing with defiance and disruption is the worst. You’re standing there trying to teach your heart out, and then BAM: a student talks back, refuses to follow directions, or throws the whole vibe off. Suddenly, your perfect lesson plan feels like a distant memory.
If you’ve been there (and I KNOW you have), let’s take a breath because here’s the truth: defiance and disruption don’t have to control your classroom. You can handle these moments with confidence and clarity—and I’m going to help you do it.
1. Clarity + Consistency = Calm
You know what kids hate? Feeling confused or like the rules only matter sometimes. If your expectations aren’t crystal clear—or if you’re not enforcing them consistently—you’re basically handing them a free pass to push boundaries.
What to Do:
Get Clear: Don’t just say “Be respectful.” Tell them exactly what respect looks like in your classroom. Example: “When someone’s speaking, we listen quietly.”
Stay Consistent: If you say something’s going to happen, make it happen. Every. Single. Time. Students need to trust that you mean what you say.
When your students know what’s expected and see you stick to it, you’ll cut down on chaos real quick.
2. Find the "Why" Behind the Behavior
Here’s the thing: defiance isn’t random. It’s almost always a reaction to something else—feeling unheard, overwhelmed, or disconnected. If you only focus on the behavior, you’re missing the bigger picture.
What to Do:
Stay Cool: I know it’s tempting to snap back when a kid’s being disrespectful, but try to keep your tone calm and steady.
Ask Questions: Privately (key word!), ask them what’s going on: “Hey, I noticed you seemed upset when I gave directions. Can we talk about it?”
Build Relationships: The stronger your connection with your students, the less likely they are to test you. Take a little time to get to know them—what they like, what they’re good at, and what might be triggering their behavior.
When you dig into the why, you’ll start to see the patterns—and you’ll know how to respond without escalating the situation.
3. Make It a Teachable Moment
Defiance and disruption aren’t just headaches—they’re opportunities to teach your students the life skills they actually need: accountability, responsibility, and empathy.
What to Do:
Restorative Conversations: Instead of jumping straight to punishment, have a quick chat: “What happened, and how can we fix it?”
Empower Them: Get them involved in solving the problem. “What could you do differently next time?” gives them ownership over their behavior.
Celebrate Progress: When a student starts making better choices, call it out! A little “I noticed you raised your hand today—thank you!” can work wonders.
When students see consequences as a way to grow instead of a punishment, it changes everything.
Want to Go Deeper? Join My Free Masterclass This Sunday!
Look, defiance and disruption don’t have to feel like a never-ending battle. This Sunday, January 26th at 12 pm PST, I’m hosting a free Classroom Management Masterclass where I’ll break down exactly how to handle these challenges and take back control of your classroom.
💡 What You’ll Learn:
How to address defiance without losing your cool (or your sanity).
Strategies to turn disruptions into moments of connection.
The confidence to handle even the toughest situations with authority AND empathy.
✨ Here’s the Deal:
Free for new Instagram followers who comment “Tiktok” or DM me.
Already in one of my programs? You’re covered.
Not new or in a program? No problem—it’s $49, and trust me, it’s worth every penny.
Click here to sign up and let’s make your classroom the calm, connected space it’s meant to be. You’ve got this, and I’ve got your back!
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