#100: Behavior Management Strategies That Save Your Sanity with Allie Szczecinski
Behavior Management Strategies That Save Your Sanity
When Behavior Breaks You Down
A few years back, I remember standing in my classroom, staring at the clock, silently counting the minutes until dismissal. One child had just refused—again—to clean up. Another had shouted something across the room that had all the other kids giggling. And me? I was somewhere between overwhelmed and ready to cry in the copy room.
Sound familiar?
If you’ve ever walked out of your classroom wondering how you’re supposed to keep doing this day after day—you’re not alone. So many veteran K–2 teachers are struggling right now, especially with behavior challenges that seem to have only gotten more intense since the pandemic. But here’s the good news: you are not powerless. And you do not have to figure this out alone.
In this episode, I sat down with Allie Suszynski, a behavior expert and SEL coach who’s been in the trenches. She’s sharing real-life, research-backed strategies that work—not in theory, but in classrooms like yours.
Let’s walk through her best behavior management strategies for K–2 teachers—without shame, without burnout, and without going home feeling defeated.
Why Behavior Feels Harder Than Ever
Let’s name it: today’s students are different.
They’ve grown up on screens. They’ve lived through a global pandemic. And many of them are coming to school with big feelings and even bigger needs—emotional, social, and physical. Allie points out that we can’t just wish this reality away. Screens aren’t going anywhere. Pandemic trauma doesn’t just disappear.
But what we can do is adapt. And we can equip ourselves with the tools and systems that help these kids succeed—while also protecting our own well-being.
Here are some of the biggest misunderstandings teachers have about student behavior:
- Thinking kids “should know better.”
- Believing a strong relationship will eliminate all misbehavior.
- Assuming the same strategies will work for every student.
Instead, what if we treated behavior like a puzzle to solve, not a problem to punish?
Practical Tools You Can Use Tomorrow
Here’s where this episode really shines. Allie doesn’t just talk theory—she gives teachers like you tools that actually work.
1. The Sentence Stem Strategy
Instead of punishing backtalk or defiance, give kids sentence stems that help them express what they need. Visuals help—even for kids who aren’t strong readers. Teach them phrases like:
- “I need a break.”
- “Can I finish this first?”
- “I’m feeling frustrated.”
Then, model and practice using them before the behavior shows up.
2. The Personal Timer Trick
Got a student refusing to transition or clean up? Give them a visual timer that’s just for them. It feels novel, gives them a sense of control, and creates a clear boundary. Combine it with a pre-taught sentence stem like: “Can I have one more minute?”
3. The Calm Corner—Done Right
Allie recommends giving every student time in the calm corner—before it’s needed. That way it isn’t seen as punishment. Stock it with:
- Visual breathing cards
- Laminated calming strategies
- Sensory tools
- A timer to manage time away from learning
4. Your Own Emotional Toolkit
Because let’s be real—some days, the hardest part isn’t managing their behavior, it’s managing our own. Allie suggests:
- Sour candies or mints to regulate your nervous system
- A printed list of calming phrases to keep on your lanyard
- Water and snacks for yourself (hangry teachers can’t regulate!)
5. Build the Relationship—But Keep Expectations
Try the 2×10 method: spend 2 minutes a day for 10 days straight connecting with a challenging student. If they won’t engage? Start with factual observations like, “You’re wearing your red shoes again today!” Tiny connections add up.
In This Episode, You’ll Discover:
- Why traditional behavior systems often backfire in K–2
- A simple way to reframe student defiance as unmet needs
- Visual tools that empower kids to self-regulate
- How to support behavior without burning yourself out
- Real-life scripts and systems that help you stay calm and consistent
Bringing It All Together
If behavior management has ever made you question your ability to keep teaching, please hear this: the problem isn’t you. It’s the system, the training we didn’t get, and the unrealistic expectations placed on teachers.
But with the right tools—and a mindset of curiosity instead of control—you can build a classroom culture that feels calmer, more connected, and way less exhausting. These strategies aren’t about being perfect. They’re about making progress, one moment at a time.
You’ve got this.
Want More Support? Join The Science of Reading Formula
If you’re ready to feel more confident, less reactive, and fully supported as you tackle real classroom challenges, come join us inside The Science of Reading Formula. You don’t have to do this alone—and we’d love to help you every step of the way.
LINKS
Allie’s Miss Behavior Blog / Instagram
Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence RULER
Become a Science of Reading Formula member!
WHAT TO LISTEN TO NEXT
Rate, Review, and Follow
If you loved this episode, please take a minute to rate and review my show! That helps the podcast world know that this show is worth sharing with other educators just like you.
Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”. Then let me know what you loved most about the episode!
While you’re there, be sure to follow the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and I don’t want you to miss out! Follow right here.
