3 Things Teachers Need to STOP Doing (for Better Classroom Management & Less Burnout)

Spoiler: It’s not about doing more — it’s about doing what actually works.

If you’re a passionate teacher giving your all and still feeling like the results don’t match the effort — this is your wake-up call.

This year, we’re not here to survive. We’re here to thrive.

That means ditching some habits that aren’t serving you (or your students). Let’s cut the fluff, raise the bar, and build a classroom that feels as good as it runs with research-based teaching tips for teachers.

Here are 3 things to stop doing immediately — and what to try instead that actually moves the needle.

1. Stop Calling Your Students “Friends” – A Classroom Management Mistake

I get it — it feels kind, inclusive, warm. But hear me out… calling your students “friends” can actually water down your classroom culture.

Here’s why:

• It blurs the lines between teacher and peer

• It lowers the bar for behavior and academic rigor

• It creates confusion, especially for students with social processing challenges

Your classroom isn’t a social club. It’s a community of learners with purpose and high expectations.

 Say this instead:

• “Writers, take out your notebooks.”

• “Mathematicians, what do you notice?”

• “Scientists, let’s start the investigation.”

• “Scholars, level up that response.”

These words spark identity. They say, “You belong here. And what we do here matters.” This is one of the simplest classroom management strategies to raise the bar.

2. Stop Giving Homework Just to Say You Did – Try Homework Alternatives Instead

The research is in. John Hattie’s meta-analysis of 800+ studies shows that traditional homework has little to no impact on learning in elementary grades.

The problem with traditional homework:

• Burdens families more than it supports learning

• Kills joy and turns reading into a chore

• Steals time from what kids actually need — movement, play, connection

 Do this instead:

• Ask students to read any book they love for 20–30 minutes nightly

• Let books travel back and forth between home and school

• Build routines where kids talk about their books, recommend them, and see reading as a lifestyle

Top TEN Tip: Make reading contagious. Post your current book. Create cozy corners. Let students see you love books.

These homework alternatives for elementary students ease stress and build a love of learning.

3. Stop Letting Yourself Go “For the Job” – Prevent Teacher Burnout

Stop treating burnout like a badge of honor. Yes, this job is hard — but you matter too.

If you’re skipping meals, losing sleep, and spiraling every Sunday… it’s time to take your power back.

Because when you feel good, everything flows:

• You show up with energy

• You teach with presence

• You lead with intention

 Do this instead:

• Start each day with a 5-minute power plan

• Use the 6-Step Empowered Lesson Plan Template to make your day predictable and purposeful

• Prep meals, lay out clothes, and add joy to your mornings

• Systemize, organize, and protect your peace

This is one of the most practical teacher burnout solutions. It’s not selfish. It’s smart teaching.

Final Takeaway

You don’t need to hustle harder. You need to shift smarter.

Here’s your Top TEN Teacher Challenge:

• Swap “friends” for writers, scientists, and scholars

• Replace packets with joyful reading habits

• Ditch burnout culture for sustainable systems

Ready for Real Results?

I’ve got two free tools to help you flip the script on your school year:

• Talk Like a Top TEN Teacher Sample – scripts, sentence stems, and prompts to raise the bar on student engagement.

• 6-Step Empowered Lesson Planning Template – build purposeful lessons without the burnout spiral.

Drop your email and I’ll send both straight to your inbox.

Want the Full Transformation?

Go deeper with these classroom game-changers:

• The Talk Like a Top TEN Teacher Toolkit – ready-to-use scripts, bulletin boards, and more.

• The Complete 6-Step Planning System – streamline every lesson with ease (perfect for teacher time management).

Your classroom isn’t just a space — it’s a launchpad.
And I’ll be right here helping you build the community you’ve always dreamed of.

 Teach Like a Top TEN™
Real Talk. Real Tools. Real Results.