What if classroom management could feel a little more positive and a lot more fun? In this episode of Beginning Teacher Talk, Dr. Lori introduces Feed the Monster, a free classroom management app that helps elementary teachers reinforce positive behavior, build stronger classroom routines, and celebrate progress together.

What You'll Learn:

• How Feed the Monster turns one specific classroom behavior into a fun, motivating whole-class goal

• Why naming and reinforcing the exact behavior you want is more effective than simply telling students to "be good"

• How immediate, specific feedback helps students develop successful classroom habits and routines

• Why teachers should "catch the good" instead of spending the entire day searching for problems to correct

• How to use classroom rewards as temporary support for building habits without taking away progress or relying on candy and prizes

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Feed the Monster, a free classroom management app

• Learn more about Dr. Lori's programs

Ready to make positive behavior reinforcement simpler, more specific, and more joyful? Listen to this episode to hear the surprising story behind Feed the Monster, discover how to use the app with your students, and learn how one small classroom management tool can help your class build better habits together.

Catch the good. Feed the monster. Celebrate together.

You can try it here: https://www.drlorifriesen.com/feed-the-monster-opt-in

Stay connected with us!

Follow us on Instagram @beginningteachertalk

Looking for quick, actionable PD? Visit our YouTube channel!

Be sure to follow, rate, and subscribe to the Beginning Teacher Talk podcast so you never miss an episode.

Warmly,
Dr. Lori

What should you do when classroom misbehavior happens but you do not know which student was responsible? In this episode of Beginning Teacher Talk, Dr. Lori shares a calm, fair approach to classroom management that protects students' dignity while still promoting student accountability and teaching responsibility.

Instead of punishing the entire class, demanding a confession, or ignoring the behavior, you'll learn how to create a predictable process that encourages honesty, repairs harm, and helps students make better choices moving forward.

What You'll Learn:

• How to respond fairly when you did not see who was responsible for a classroom behavior

• Why consistency in classroom management is about following a predictable process, not catching every misbehavior

• How to invite students to take responsibility privately without using public accusations or humiliation

• Why natural and logical consequences are more effective for teaching responsibility than unrelated punishments

• How stronger routines, active supervision, and environmental adjustments can prevent covert behavior from becoming a pattern

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Learn more about Dr. Lori's programs

You do not need to see everything or become louder, stricter, or more intimidating to manage your classroom effectively. Listen to this episode for a practical plan you can use the next time something goes wrong while your back is turned, and subscribe to Beginning Teacher Talk for more supportive classroom management strategies for elementary teachers.

Need to regain control of your classroom? Save your seat at Dr. Lori's new, free class:

Save your seat at the tropical island virtual teacher retreat, where we'll talk about how to prevent challenging behaviors from derailing your entire day—even if you feel like you've already tried everything, you don't have admin support, and parents don't seem to care.

Click here to save your seat! https://www.drlorifriesen.com/need-this

Stay connected with us!

Follow us on Instagram @beginningteachertalk

Looking for quick, actionable PD? Visit our YouTube channel!

Be sure to follow, rate, and subscribe to the Beginning Teacher Talk podcast so you never miss an episode.

Warmly,

Dr. Lori

Episode Summary:

As you step into a new school year, you may feel excited, hopeful, nervous, and unsure of yourself all at once. In this special episode, Dr. Lori shares a few thoughts about the growing impact of AI and her decision to use it to create One Child at a Time, an inspirational song for teachers and a reminder that you don't have to be perfect to make a difference. Your patience, kindness, and the way you help each child feel safe, seen, and valued matter more than you may ever know.

In this episode, you'll be reminded:

• You don't have to be a perfect teacher to make a meaningful difference

• The small moments of kindness, patience, and connection you create with students matter

• Teaching is a practice, and every day is another opportunity to learn, grow, and begin again

• You are competent and capable, even on the days when you question yourself

• Your impact may not always be visible, but you are changing the world one precious child at a time

Resources Mentioned:

• Listen to One Child at a Time on YouTube

• Learn more about Dr. Lori's programs

If you need a little encouragement before stepping into your classroom this year, let these teacher affirmations be your reminder to believe in yourself, be gentle with yourself, and leave room for magical things to happen. Listen to One Child at a Time, and then share this song with a teacher who might need to hear these words today.

Need to regain control of your classroom? Save your seat at Dr. Lori's new, free class:

Save your seat at the tropical island virtual teacher retreat, where we'll talk about how to prevent challenging behaviors from derailing your entire day—even if you feel like you've already tried everything, you don't have admin support, and parents don't seem to care.

Click here to save your seat! https://www.drlorifriesen.com/need-this

Stay connected with us!

Follow us on Instagram @beginningteachertalk

Looking for quick, actionable PD? Visit our YouTube channel!

Be sure to follow, rate, and subscribe to the Beginning Teacher Talk podcast so you never miss an episode.

Warmly,

Dr. Lori