Former self-contained SPED teacher🍎Dynamic Staff Developer/ Podcaster🎤Author best selling book; That One Kid & new release📚 Watch Your Mouth 🙏22 years clean

Tampa,FL
Joined September 2010
Every difficult student deserves one adult who refuses to give up. Be that adult. Some students don't need another consequence. They need another conversation. One positive interaction can change a student's entire future. Join nationally recognized educator Brian Mendler for his powerful, practical K-12 seminar: 🎓 Engaging, Motivating & Managing Hard to Reach, Uninterested & Disruptive Students Discover proven strategies to: ✅ Defuse challenging behaviors before they escalate. ✅ Motivate students who seem impossible to reach. ✅ Greatly reduce disruptions and power struggles. ✅ Build stronger relationships with difficult students. ✅ Create classrooms where students feel connected, respected, and ready to learn. 📍 UPCOMING SEMINAR LOCATIONS & DATES: 📅 November 17 – Omaha, NE 📅 November 18 – Des Moines, IA 📅 December 1 – Joliet, IL 📅 December 8 – Rosemead, CA 🎟️ REGISTER TODAY! Don't miss this opportunity to gain practical, real-world strategies you can use immediately to make a lasting difference in your students' lives! 👉 Register Now: brianmendler.com/regional-se… Because connection comes before correction.
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Remember the easy way to end an argument with a student is to simply agree with the person. Student:"I think you are so stupid." Teacher: "I agree." End of argument! Or, "No I'm Not. Yes you are. No I'm not." What are we 5 years old. Don't get caught in power struggles with kids. #teacher #teachers #edchat
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Sometimes, the adults are part of the problem. As educators, we spend a lot of time trying to change student behavior. But sometimes, the first behavior we need to examine is our own. Great teachers aren't perfect. They're willing to reflect, take responsibility, and do better. Agree or disagree? 👇 #TeacherTwitter #Education #ClassroomManagement #TeacherLeadership
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You don't get to change other people. You can influence them, but you don't get to change them. Once you understand this, it will change your life. #thatonekid
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#1 mistake the K-12 education system gets wrong is starting with "our content" without considering the student's interest. Now some high schools have specific tracks (medical, business, accounting, etc.) that kids can follow and I think that is a step in the right direction. I wonder if the students are more engaged in these high schools where the student chooses a certain track? #studentmotivation
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When a student pushes back, our instinct is often to respond, correct, or make sure we have the final say. But sometimes the most powerful move is knowing when not to engage. Give them the second-to-last word. Then move on. 2nd to last word is best with students to avoid power struggles! It’s not about “winning” the interaction—it’s about protecting the relationship, keeping control of the situation, and getting back to what really matters. Give them the second-to-last word. Then move on! Teachers: How do you avoid getting pulled into power struggles with students? Drop your best strategy in the comments. #Relationships1st #ConnectionBeforeCorrection #Teachers #ClassroomManagement #TeacherTips #Education #StudentEngagement #TeachingStrategies
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You can hold students accountable AND protect the relationship. Those two things aren't opposites. The difference is often how we respond in the moment. Before asking: “What's wrong with this student?” Try asking: “What might be going on with this student?” That shift from judgment to curiosity can change the entire interaction. #edchat #relationships1st #teachers
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Everything changed when I stopped asking: "How do I fix this behavior?"and started asking: "How do I build this relationship?" My students didn't need another consequence. They needed one adult who wouldn't quit on him. #thatonekid #classroommanagement #edchat #relationships1st
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Sometimes the best way to handle a challenging conversation isn’t to have all the answers—it’s to ask the right question. A simple shift that can completely change the conversation. 🎯 Remember, You can’t argue a question. #Leadership #Communication #thatonekid #ProfessionalDevelopment #edchat
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One of my go-to responses when a parent is angry, annoyed or frustrated is this: "I want the same thing you do - I want your child to be successful. Do you want your child to be successful?" This one question changes the conversation. It reminds parents we're on the same team, not opposite sides. When people know you're genuinely invested in their child, it's much easier to move from frustration to problem-solving. #Education#TeacherTips #EdChat #StudentSuccess
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5 lessons from Relationships 1st 1️⃣ Every behavior tells a story. 2️⃣ Correction without connection creates resistance. 3️⃣ Students don't need perfect teachers. They need consistent ones. 4️⃣ Trust grows through small daily moments. 5️⃣ Relationships always outperform rewards. Which one resonates most? #educators #teachers
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Classroom management isn't about control. It's about connection. When students trust you... they listen. When they feel respected... they grow. That's the foundation of Relationships 1st.
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What's the biggest classroom challenge? ○ Student behavior ○ Lack of student motivation/engagement ○ Worsening parental support ○ Not enough time to connect with students/workload #teachers #educators
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Students rarely remember every lesson... But they always remember how a teacher made them feel. That's why relationships come before strategies. That's why I wrote Relationships 1st now available on Amazon! What's one teacher who changed your life? 👇
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🚨 IT'S HERE! After years of working with educators around the country... Relationships 1st: Connection Before Correction is officially available! This practical playbook shows how to: ✔ Build trust with difficult students ✔ Reduce behavior problems ✔ Create stronger classroom culture ✔ Turn everyday moments into lasting relationships 🎉 Launch Special: Save $10 per book when ordering 10 or more copies. 📖 Available now on Amazon. #Teachers #Education #RelationshipsFirst
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Children need to learn to take responsibility for their actions so that they do not become adults believing that nothing is ever their fault. Teaching responsibility isn't about blame - it's about growth. #teachers #educators #growthmindset #edchat
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I will never forget when my English teacher allowed me to get up in front of the class and tell a few jokes. I was good at public speaking, which normally got me in trouble in school because it wasn't always at the right times. However, on this particular day, I stood up there proudly, told a couple of jokes, got some laughs, and received a compliment from my teacher. He gave me my start to what I am doing today! #teachers
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When a student behaves inappropriately try asking these questions instead of arguing. Why do you think that was okay? How can you help fix this situation? What can we do differently next time? Questions spark reflection. Reflection leads to change! #studentbehavior
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Teacher burnout isn't just about working long hours—it's the emotional weight of caring deeply while being asked to do more with less. Every day, educators balance academics, behavior, mental health concerns, parent communication, paperwork, testing, and countless other responsibilities. The reality is that many great teachers are exhausted, not because they don't love teaching, but because they do. In this clip, I discuss one of the biggest challenges facing education today and why supporting teachers has never been more important. I'd love to hear from fellow educators: What is the biggest factor contributing to teacher burnout in your school right now? Share your thoughts in the comments. #TeacherBurnout #TeacherLife #Education #TeachersMatter #EducatorWellness #SchoolLeadership #Teaching #EducationLeadership #RelationshipsFirst #TeacherSupport
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One sentence can change the entire direction of a classroom. In this clip, I share a powerful reminder about what happens when we stop focusing on behavior and start focusing on the student behind the behavior. Too often, educators are expected to have all the answers. But sometimes the most impactful thing we can do is pause, listen, and see what's really going on beneath the surface. 💭 Think about a student who challenged you the most. Looking back, what do you wish you had understood about them sooner? Share your thoughts in the comments. Your insight might be exactly what another educator needs to hear today. #Teachers #Education
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