Teaching through Emotions
Teaching through Emotions: psychological strategies and resources for educators
The "Squirrely" Class: Why it’s not your fault (or your students’)
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The "Squirrely" Class: Why it’s not your fault (or your students’)

Season 1 Episode 5: In which we banish the shame and self-blame that come when something goes wrong

Today we’re in Sally’s classroom. She loves hands-on learning and has a high tolerance for “squirreliness,” but what happens when squirreliness turns into outright chaos? One thing that happened for Sally was merciless self-blame that was so intense she actually considered quitting teaching. Sound familiar?

Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

We discuss:

  • Systemic Failure vs Guilt: Understanding why “squirrely” behavior can be a result of the environment instead of a teacher’s lack of skill or a student’s lack of character

  • Finding Common Ground: Strategies for aligning teacher expectations with student reality

  • Behavior Communication: Unpacking the “why” behind the fidgeting, talking back, and disengagement

  • Defining the Space: How to create a classroom that feels safe and predictable enough for high energy

  • Radical Empathy: Why emotional and structural “hugging” is the solution to a fractured classroom

Got a story to share? As always, scan your body for sources of sadness, frustration, anger, and fear in your teaching. Leave me a voicemail at (413) 239-4158 and we might feature your perspective in a future episode! It’s quite possible I can help relieve you from unnecessary suffering. Only a click away.

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Credits

Founder and Host: Betsy Burris

Producer: Jullian Androkae of PodVision

Music: Thom Burris/Jabbering Trout

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