How do you get students to participate because they actually want to—not just because you called on them?
In Episode 357 of Sunday Night Teacher Talk, CJ and Jenn dig into what it takes to build a classroom where students feel known, supported, and confident enough to participate. We talk about showing students you care even if you're not naturally "warm and fuzzy," practical ways to build relationships, and how those relationships eventually turn into stronger engagement.
CJ also walks through his classroom management process step-by-step—including exactly how he handles an off-task student and the phone call home that may follow. Plus, we tackle AI-proof writing, guided notes, time management, supporting advanced students, and what to do when students tell you that you're being "too nice."
In this episode:
- Showing students you care without changing your personality
- Getting reluctant students to participate in class
- Building confidence before calling on students
- Practical ways to build real teacher-student relationships
- Managing multiple preps, student council, and sub plans
- CJ's step-by-step response to an off-task student
- Turning parent phone calls into partnerships
- Balancing slides, instruction, and student engagement
- Making middle school writing assignments more AI-proof
- Using positive student leaders to improve classroom culture
- What to do when students say you're "too nice"
- Challenging advanced and dual-credit students
- Asking admin for behavioral support when a student needs to leave class
- Creating guided notes that actually help students remember
You don't have to become a different personality to connect with students. What matters is consistently showing them that you see them, care about them, and are there to help them win.
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Chapters
00:00 Welcome & The Sunday Teacher Prep Grind
04:15 Do You Have to Be “Warm & Fuzzy” to Connect With Students?
13:30 Getting More Students to Participate in Class
22:00 Managing Multiple Preps, Student Council & Sub Plans
31:30 CJ's Step-by-Step Classroom Management Conversation
38:00 The Phone Call Home: Giving Students a Choice to Win
44:00 How Much Direct Instruction Is Too Much?
51:00 Why CJ's Classroom Management Process Usually Works
57:00 Making Writing Assignments More AI-Proof
1:04:00 Using Positive Students to Shift Classroom Culture
1:10:30 What If Students Say You're Too Nice?
1:17:30 Making the Mental Shift to Teaching Advanced Students
1:26:00 Practical Ways to Build Teacher-Student Relationships
1:36:00 When Admin Wants Every Behavior Handled in the Classroom
1:44:00 How CJ Creates Guided Notes
1:50:00 Final Encouragement & What's Coming This Week
