“I’ve used all my tools from my toolkit and more. I even bought a stuffed Spiderman because he loves Spiderman.”
This was the beginning of a conversation I had with an experienced and awesome teacher.
It’s true, she was using visuals, structured routines, being consistent,and had a token economy system in place, and yet, this student continued to struggle. I’ve observed this teacher, and she is good. She’s great at her craft. But she still goes home feeling like she needs to do more.
And she’s not alone.
Even the most skilled, compassionate, and dedicated teachers are feeling defeated right now. When behaviors dominate the day, it doesn’t matter how strong your lesson plan is or how positive your classroom culture feels, the day is exhausting, and you may find yourself wondering what you’re missing.
But here’s the truth: you’re not broken.
I keep hearing more and more about behavior challenges in classrooms, room clears, lost instructional time, and the strain on both students and staff.
Research backs this up. Recent national data confirms what many teachers are experiencing firsthand. According to a Pew Research Center (2024) survey, 80% of teachers report addressing student behavioral issues several times a week, and 58% say it happens daily. Many described a significant increase in students’ inability to self-regulate, with behaviors ranging from constant disruption to verbal aggression.
Additionally, qualitative reports from the National Education Association (NEA) echo these findings. Teachers describe more extreme behaviors, including throwing furniture, insults, threats, and open defiance, as increasingly common since the pandemic, noting that classroom management has become one of the most difficult parts of the job.
Together, these findings highlight a national trend: even skilled, experienced educators are facing higher levels of disruptive and unsafe behavior, underscoring the urgent need for consistent systems of support, not just individual effort.
So what do teachers need?
You don’t need to try harder or give more of yourself. You don’t need to buy another Spiderman. You just need systems that work, consistently and collaboratively.
Because great teaching isn’t about doing everything. It’s about creating the kind of structure that allows both you and your students to thrive, even on the hard days.
Because you’re already a great teacher.
“You can’t pour from an empty cup, but with the right systems, you won’t have to.”