If it feels like student behavior has become more challenging in recent years, you’re not imagining it. You’re also not alone. According to 2023 data from the RAND Corporation, nearly 46% of teachers cited student behavior as one of their top sources of stress. That’s almost half of educators navigating disruptions, defiance, and dysregulation, on top of everything else they juggle in a day.
These challenges aren’t just isolated incidents or bad luck. They reflect broader, systemic shifts in how students are coping (or not coping) with a world that’s changed rapidly in a short span of time.
In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at what’s behind these behavioral changes—and more importantly, share practical, research-based strategies you can start using right away. Whether you're new to the classroom or a seasoned teacher with your own well-worn toolkit, our goal is to offer support, validation, and a few fresh ideas to help you meet your students and yourself with a little more confidence and calm.
Key Takeaways: Classroom Behavior Management Strategies
- Student behavior challenges are a growing, systemic issue shaped by emotional, social, and technological factors, especially in a post-pandemic world.
- Effective behavior management is crucial for both student success and teacher well-being, and it plays a key role in reducing burnout and turnover.
- For lasting growth and confidence, many teachers find that pursuing an M.Ed. in Education offers valuable frameworks, practical tools, and a supportive community to navigate today’s challenges with resilience.
Put these strategies into practice and learn more about each one below.
- Build Relationships First
- Practice Proactive Classroom Management
- Use Restorative Practices
- Co-Regulate Instead of Escalate
- Reinforce Positive Behavior Frequently
- Leverage Student Voice and Choice
- Track & Reflect on Behavior Patterns
What’s Changed in Classroom Behavior?
Talk to almost any fellow teacher today, and you’ll find many experiencing similar classroom shifts: more visible emotions, diverse attention needs, and new patterns of behavior. These changes aren’t because students have forgotten how to succeed at school—instead, they reflect how much the world around them has changed and how young people are adapting.
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted more than academics; it changed routines, made social connections harder, and left many students facing big feelings—often without enough resources to manage them. According to the CDC, 4 in 10 students reported feeling persistently sad or hopeless—a sobering stat that reflects the emotional weight many children are carrying, often quietly.
At the same time, the constant presence of technology and social media has added new layers of distraction and impulsivity. From group chats during class to TikTok challenges that blur the line between fun and risky behavior, digital life is amplifying peer pressure, fueling conflict, and making it harder for students to stay focused.
All this means students are returning to classrooms with a broad range of social and emotional needs and strengths, and teachers are often also addressing academic recovery and trying to maintain a safe, inclusive classroom environment. Whew. That sounds like a recipe for stress and exhaustion.
It’s a lot. And if you’ve felt overwhelmed or discouraged, you’re in good company. But there are ways forward.
Why It Matters: The Link Between Behavior Management and Teacher Retention
For many teachers, student behavior isn’t just a daily challenge; it’s a deciding factor in whether they stay in the profession at all. According to a NEA report, student misbehavior ranks among the top non-salary reasons educators consider leaving the classroom. And when misbehavior is met with little follow-through or support from school leadership, it can leave teachers feeling isolated, powerless, and burned out.
The stress of repeated disruptions adds up. It makes it harder to teach, connect with students, and find joy in the work. And while most teachers understand that behavior is a form of communication, that doesn’t make it easier to manage in the moment, especially without the tools, time, or support to effectively respond.
That’s why strong, consistent behavior management isn’t just about keeping order—it’s about protecting the conditions for learning. It’s also about preserving your own well-being, so you can continue showing up for your students without running on empty.
The good news? Small, intentional changes can make a big difference. Let’s explore concrete strategies to support your students while protecting your own peace.
7 Tested Strategies for Behavior Management in the Classroom
Build Relationships First
Before rules, routines, or reward systems, relationships come first. Students are far more likely to listen, cooperate, and engage when they feel safe, seen, and connected to the adult in the room. In fact, research consistently shows that strong teacher-student relationships can significantly reduce misbehavior.
💡Building strong relationships doesn’t depend on grand gestures—it’s rooted in consistent and responsive practices. Actions like greeting students by name, genuinely inquiring about their well-being, and connecting with their experiences and interests demonstrate respect, affirm students’ identities, and lay the groundwork for mutual trust and academic success.
Connection isn’t just a “nice to have”—it’s the foundation for everything else. When students know you care about them, they’re more likely to care about the classroom community you’re building together.
Practice Proactive Classroom Management
The most effective behavior management plans begin before misbehavior happens. Clear, consistent routines and expectations provide students with a sense of structure, which in turn brings security, predictability, and fewer disruptions.
💡Set the tone early by co-creating classroom norms with your students. When they have a voice in shaping the expectations, they’re more likely to understand them, remember them, and take ownership of the classroom culture.
Frameworks like Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and Responsive Classroom offer research-backed strategies to proactively support students' social-emotional and behavioral needs. From teaching expected behaviors explicitly to reinforcing positive actions in the moment, these approaches help you stay ahead of problems before they escalate.
Proactive doesn’t mean perfect, but it does make your days feel a little more manageable and your classroom a lot more peaceful.
Use Restorative Practices
When conflict arises—and it inevitably will—restorative practices offer a way forward that focuses on repair, rather than punishment.
💡Instead of asking, “What rule was broken and how should we punish it?” restorative approaches ask, “Who was harmed, and how can we make things right?”
This shift in mindset helps students take responsibility for their actions while preserving relationships and trust. Tools like restorative circles, affective language, and peer mediation provide students with the opportunity to reflect, express themselves, and actively participate in repairing harm.
According to RAND research, schools that implement restorative practices see improved school climate, stronger relationships, and fewer suspensions. What a win for students and teachers alike! It’s not about letting misbehavior slide; it’s about helping students grow through it, with guidance and support.
Co-Regulate Instead of Escalate
When a student is melting down, it’s tempting, almost automatic, to meet their intensity with our own. But one of the most powerful tools you have in moments of conflict is your calm.
Trauma-informed teaching reminds us that many students lack the skills to regulate their emotions, and that’s where co-regulation comes in. By modeling steady, grounded behavior, you can help students find their way back to calm, too.
💡This might look like offering a short break, guiding them through a breathing exercise, or simply being a consistent and empathetic presence who doesn’t take the behavior personally. It’s not about giving up control; it’s about creating a space where safety and trust can grow, even in hard moments.
De-escalation is a skill, and like any skill, it takes practice. But over time, it can transform your classroom and protect your emotional reserves in the process.
Reinforce Positive Behavior Frequently
It’s easy to get caught up in correcting what’s going wrong, but don’t overlook what’s going right. Noticing and naming positive behavior is one of the most effective ways to encourage more of it.
PBIS guidelines suggest aiming for a 4:1 ratio of positive to corrective feedback. That doesn’t mean ignoring misbehavior; it means making a conscious effort to “catch students being good” and acknowledge it in real time.
💡The key is to be specific: instead of “Good job,” try “I really appreciate how you helped your classmate without being asked.”
Whether you use shout-outs, token economies, or behavior-specific praise, the goal is the same: to show students that their efforts and choices are seen, valued, and appreciated. Recognition can be a powerful motivator, helping to build the kind of classroom culture where students want to excel, not just follow rules.
Leverage Student Voice and Choice
Students are more likely to engage and behave when they feel like active participants in their own learning environment. By offering meaningful opportunities for voice and choice, you help students develop ownership over both their work and their behavior.
💡This could mean co-creating class agreements at the beginning of the year, allowing students to help define what respect and responsibility look like. Or it might involve offering choices within academic tasks, seating options, or even how they want to take a break when emotions run high.
Giving students a say doesn’t mean giving up structure. In fact, it often strengthens it. When students feel heard and trusted, they’re more motivated to contribute positively and more equipped to reflect on their actions and make thoughtful decisions.
Empowerment and accountability can go hand in hand. And when they do, the classroom becomes a space where everyone can thrive.
Track & Reflect on Behavior Patterns
Sometimes the best way to move forward is to pause and look back. Tracking behavior over time can reveal important patterns, such as when and where disruptions occur most frequently, or what may be triggering certain responses.
💡Tools like the ABC Model (Antecedent–Behavior–Consequence) can help you break down challenging moments: What happened right before the behavior occurred? What exactly occurred? And how did you or others respond? This process is designed to help you better understand the context, allowing you to respond more effectively next time.
And reflection isn’t just for students. Taking the time to notice your stress responses and areas for growth can be just as important. Are there certain behaviors that push your buttons more than others? What helps you stay regulated and responsive? Awareness can be the first step toward a more grounded, intentional approach.
Behavior management isn’t a fixed skill; it’s a practice that requires ongoing development. And every moment of reflection is an opportunity to refine, reset, and continue growing.
Professional Growth as a Long-Term Solution
Let’s look at the big picture. While day-to-day strategies can ease classroom challenges, lasting change requires long-term support. Teachers thrive when they’re backed by leadership that offers clear expectations, consistent follow-through, and opportunities for collaboration.
But many educators find that they need more than school-based support to navigate today’s realities. Graduate study can be a powerful next step, not just for deepening your knowledge of behavioral theory and social-emotional learning, but also for building leadership skills, renewing your purpose, and reconnecting with a broader community of practice.
A Master of Education in Education from SMU’s Department of Teaching and Learning provides practical frameworks, peer support, and the mindset shifts necessary for achieving sustainable classroom success. Through a blend of research, reflection, and real-world application, you’ll gain tools to strengthen your instruction, manage challenges with greater confidence, and stay grounded in the “why” behind your work.
Because when you invest in your own growth, everyone benefits, especially your students!
Curious? Dig even deeper into an M.Ed. from SMU with our guide: What is an M.Ed. Degree?
