Good Morning Y’all,

Alright people! Let’s talk about the elephant in the room—teaching ain’t what it used to be. If you’ve been in education for more than five minutes, you’ve felt the shift. The level of disrespect in classrooms has skyrocketed, and if you’re anything like me, you’ve asked yourself, What in the world happened?

We grew up in a time when respect for authority wasn’t optional. We didn’t talk back to adults unless we had a death wish. But today? These kids will look you dead in the face, break a rule, and then argue with you like they’re in a courtroom defending themselves against a felony charge.

Why? Because they’re being raised differently. Parenting isn’t what it used to be, and in many cases, it’s nonexistent. Kids today are growing up with their noses buried in screens, absorbing every trend, challenge, and viral “influencer” who acts like a fool for clicks. They’re being raised by TikTok, YouTube, and whatever musical lyrics scream the loudest. And let’s not even get started on the music they’re filling their heads with—lyrics that degrade women, men, any type of authority, and just about everything we used to hold sacred.

Aaaand… here we are—teachers—caught in the middle of a cultural hurricane, expected to “manage” classrooms despite having zero control over how these kids are raised, what they consume, or what they bring into our rooms. And if we’re honest—our administrators are drowning in even bigger fires than we can imagine (been there, done that, ain’t goin’ back), leaving little room for real consequences. Not because they don’t want to—trust me, they do—but because their hands are tied tighter than ours.

Now what?. What do we do? How do we cope with this growing wave of non-compliance, rudeness, and disregard for the leadership and authority in the room without losing our sanity? Because if I’m being honest, walking away sounds pretty tempting some days. But if you’re reading this, you haven’t given up yet. And I don’t think you will.

As alwyas, if you find this info helpful, please share it with your teacher bestie!

Let’s talk about three ways we, as teachers, can cope, push forward, and reclaim our classrooms in a world that seems determined to tear them apart.

1. Set Your Own Standard—And Stick to It

We may not be able to control how these kids were raised, but we can control the culture we set in our classrooms. Your room. Your rules.

I’m not talking about an iron-fist dictatorship, but a clear, unwavering expectation of how students will behave when they walk through your door. This means consistency—every day, no exceptions.

• Non-negotiables: Decide which behaviors are absolute deal-breakers. Disrespect? Interrupting? Cussing? Decide what crosses the line. Post them (and their consequences on the wall). And stand firm.

• Hold them accountable: Call them out. Don’t let things slide just because “that’s how kids are these days.” If they’re talking when you’re talking? Pause. Stare (use that teacher stare y’all). Wait.

• Be unapologetically firm: You don’t have to be mean, but you do have to be unshakable. Kids respect a teacher who means what they say.

In all honesty, students actually crave structure. They’ll push boundaries, but deep down, they want to know where the lines are. And if you’re not setting them, they will—and trust me, you won’t like the results.

2. Build Relational Authority

Now, before you roll your eyes and say, "Yeah, yeah, build relationships," hear me out. I’m not talking about being their buddy. I’m talking about earning their respect so they actually listen to you.

A student who respects you as a person is far less likely to blatantly disrespect you. They may still test the waters (because they’re kids), but if they have even an ounce of respect for you, they’ll think twice before pushing too far.

So how do you build relational authority?

• Be human: Share stories. Let them know you’re a real person.

• Stand your ground: Being kind doesn’t mean being a pushover. Students respect strong leadership.

• Find common ground: You don’t have to pretend to like their music (please, for the love of all that is good, don’t), but you can connect on other things—sports, hobbies, movies, whatever.

When students know you see them as more than a grade in your gradebook, they’re more likely to give you the respect you deserve.

3. Protect Your Energy and Set Boundaries

I want to get something straight right now—you are NOT responsible for fixing society’s problems. You are one person in a broken system doing the best you can. And if you’re going to survive in this job, you have to protect your sanity, your emotions, your energy.

• Don’t take it personally. I know, easier said than done (I’m speaking to myself here). But remember, when a student lashes out, it’s not really about you. It’s about whatever chaos they’re dealing with outside your classroom. The home life of some of these kids is… well… it’s sad. It breaks our hearts at times.

• Leave work at work. Stop carrying home the stress of every disrespectful interaction. When you walk out that door, be done. No emails. No phone calls. No texts to friends and family discussing the horrible day you had in the classroom. 

• Find joy outside of teaching. If this job is your whole identity, you’re going to burn out fast. Have hobbies. Read a book. Spend time with people who energize you. Find something that refuels your soul.

The system may not change overnight, but you can decide how much of yourself you give to the chaos. Guard your peace. Protect your mind. Because you matter more than this job.

Bottom Line, Y’all…

This isn’t the teaching world we grew up in. The culture has shifted, the respect (from students… and for the teacher) is dwindling, and honestly, some days, it feels like we’re fighting a losing battle. But we’re still here. We’re still showing up. And that means something. It has to!

We can’t fix everything, but we can control how we show up in our classrooms. Set your standard. Build relational authority. Protect your energy. These aren’t magic fixes, but they’re lifelines. They’re what will keep us standing when everything around us feels like it’s falling apart.

Teaching is harder than it’s ever been. But if we’re going to do this, let’s do it on our terms, with our sanity intact, and with a mission that reminds us why we started in the first place.

Now, go make tomorrow better than today. Because even in the mess, what you do still matters.

~Mitch

🎵 Teacher Tunes Tuesday 🎶 

Need a soundtrack to power through lesson planning, grading, or just surviving the school day? 🎶

Say hello to "Get In Your Groove" – the ultimate teacher playlist packed with the best 90s and 2000s jams to keep your energy up and your stress levels down. Whether you're rocking out during your conference period, setting the mood for a creative lesson, or just needing a midweek pick-me-up, this playlist has got you covered.

Expect everything from throwback anthems to feel-good classics—because sometimes the best way to get through the chaos of the classroom is with a groovy tune!

Hit play, find your groove, and teach on! 🎧🔥

👉 Listen now:

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