Teach Like a TopTEN™

3 Things Teachers Need to Stop Doing Immediately

And what to do instead if you want your classroom to actually run

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 habits that aren’t serving you or your students, cutting the fluff, raising the bar, and building a classroom that feels as good as it runs.

Here are 3 things to stop doing immediately — and what to try instead if you want stronger culture, better engagement, and less daily drain.

1. Stop Calling Your Students “Friends”

I get it. It feels kind, warm, and inclusive.

But hear me out...

Calling your students “friends” can quietly water down your classroom culture.

Here’s why:

• It blurs the line between teacher and peer
• It lowers the bar for behavior and academic rigor
• It creates confusion, especially for students who need clearer structure

Your classroom isn’t a social club.

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 build identity.

They say:

“You belong here. And what we do here matters.”

This is one of the simplest ways to raise the bar without raising your voice.

2. Stop Giving Homework Just to Say You Did

The research is in.

John Hattie’s meta-analysis of 800+ studies shows that traditional homework has little to no impact on elementary achievement.

The problem with traditional homework:

• It burdens families more than it supports learning
• It kills joy and turns reading into a chore
• It steals time from what kids actually need — movement, play, and 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 students talk about books, recommend them, and see reading as a lifestyle

These homework alternatives ease stress and help students build a genuine love of learning.

3. Stop Letting Yourself Go “For the Job”

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 because the week feels overwhelming, it’s time to take your power back.

Because when you feel good, everything flows:

• You show up with more energy
• You teach with more presence
• You lead with more intention

Do this instead:

• Start and end each day with clear rituals.

  Wake up at the same time. Move your body. Have a coffee or tea ritual. Read a few pages. Take one quiet minute. Small anchors create calm and signal to your nervous system that the day has structure.

• Plan with intention so your lessons support you too.

  When your lessons are clear, purposeful, and aligned, your day runs smoother. You’re not scrambling, over-talking, or putting out fires all day.

• Prep the night before to reduce decision fatigue.

  Prep your lunch. Prep breakfast. Lay out your clothes. If your morning starts rushed and chaotic, your teaching day usually follows.

• Systemize wherever possible.

  Structure protects your peace. Organize your home and life the same way you want your classroom to feel: clear, calm, and intentional.

It’s not selfish.

It’s smart teaching — and smart living.

Final Takeaway

You don’t need to do more.

You need to do what actually works.

You deserve a classroom that runs smoothly and feels good to teach in.

Ready to Shift Your Classroom Culture — Starting Tomorrow?

If classroom culture feels heavy, the fastest place to start isn’t another behavior chart.

It’s how you talk, cue, and lead students every single day.

Want the Full, Done-With-You Experience?

If you’re ready to go deeper, the Talk Like a Top TEN™ Teacher Accelerator gives you a quick, clear tutorial so you can implement this work tomorrow — not someday.

Inside, you’ll get:

• A short, step-by-step training video
• Ready-to-use teacher talk scripts and prompts
• Clear guidance for saying less and getting more from students
• Tools that support consistency without micromanaging

Want In?

If this kind of practical, culture-building work is your thing, you belong inside the Empowered Teacher Newsletter — where smart teachers get real talk, real tools, and real results delivered straight to their inbox.

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