A student in your class disrespects you in front of everyone. What are you supposed to do? As someone who runs a little hot myself, I know how tempting it can be to bite back with sarcasm or a quick retort, but keeping your cool is the real win. In this episode, I’m breaking down what to do (and what not to do) when things get heated, from resisting the power struggle and removing the audience to using calm scripts and proactive classroom routines. And if you’ve handled a tough interaction poorly before, remember that no single moment defines you as a teacher. You can apologize, reset, and model healthy conflict resolution for your students.

➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode257

Resources Mentioned:

• Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge
• Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD course
• Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
• Send me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.
• Follow, rate, and comment on Spotify

Related Episodes:

• Episode 249: Board Points: A Simple Whole Classroom Management Strategy
• Episode 225: What to Do When Your Class Won’t Talk With You
• Episode 246: Grouping and Engaging Students With Popsicle Sticks
• Episode 136: Building a Team Mindset Into Your Classroom Culture
• Episode 134: Prioritizing Relationships Over Being Right
• Episode 92: 5 Ways to Have Precise Pacing and Tight Transitions in Your Secondary Science Classroom

If you are looking for a FUN and FREE way to engage your students this October, leading up to Halloween, you NEED to grab my 4 FREE Halloween science resources - one for biology, one for chemistry, one for physics, and one for anatomy - that you can do with your students now through the end of the month. Grab them at https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/halloween/

At this point in the year, the “new year, new you” energy has officially worn off, and students might be drifting into class a little less prepared than before. In this episode, I’m breaking down how to handle students who show up without the supplies they need by setting simple expectations, communicating them clearly, and consistently reinforcing them. I’m also sharing how to build in a little grace while still letting natural consequences do their job, plus how to teach absent students to find what they missed and take responsibility for getting caught up.

➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode256

Resources Mentioned:

• Lil baby calculators
• Giant pencils
• Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.
• Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD course
• Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
• Send me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts
• Follow, rate, and comment on Spotify

Related Episodes:

• Episode 96: Why I Stopped Assigning Homework (And 6 Surprising Results)
• Episode 152: Absences – How to Deal With Them
• Episode 206: PRIME TIMES® – Everything You Need to Know

If you are looking for a FUN and FREE way to engage your students this October, leading up to Halloween, you NEED to grab my 4 FREE Halloween science resources - one for biology, one for chemistry, one for physics, and one for anatomy - that you can do with your students now through the end of the month. Grab them at https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/halloween/

How do you stay passionate about teaching after 24 years and multiple science preps? Veteran teacher and department chair Jaime Gratton is sharing her tricks of the trade. We’re talking about engaging students in 90-minute blocks, creating hands-on science experiences, mentoring new teachers, and building a supportive department culture. We also get into AI, classroom routines, grading, and Jamie’s reminder that sometimes the best thing we can do is give ourselves a little grace and remember that it gets better!

➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode255

Resources Mentioned:

• Chemventory
• INRS Chemistry curriculum
• AP teacher episode playlist
• Contact Jaime: Jaime.Gratton@sau19.org
• Jaime’s Amazon Resource List
• Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.
• Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD course
• Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
• Send me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.

Related Episodes:

• Episode 238: Department Chairs: How to Lead Your Team Well
• Episode 212: 6 Preps, EOC Review, Biology and Work/Life Balance With Guest Macee Huseman
• Episode 191: Engaging Students, Serving ELLs, and Teaching Earth Science With Becca of Science Lessons That Rock
• Episode 163: What I Wish I Knew in My First Year of Teaching High School Science: 5 Simple Tips

If you are looking for a FUN and FREE way to engage your students this October, leading up to Halloween, you NEED to grab my 4 FREE Halloween science resources - one for biology, one for chemistry, one for physics, and one for anatomy - that you can do with your students now through the end of the month. Grab them at https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/halloween/