Create a self-running classroom that frees you to TEACH

One of the most exhausting parts of teaching is the constant decision-making.

You’re always answering questions like:

"Where do I turn this in?"

"Can I go to the bathroom?"

"What do I do when I’m done?"

"I can't find my pencil—now what?"

Over and over. All day long.

You’re managing behavior, passing out materials, troubleshooting tech, resetting the room, redirecting energy, keeping everything afloat.

And underneath all of that is the belief—often unspoken but deeply ingrained—that YOU have to be the one holding it all together.

But what if that’s not true?

What if your students—yes, even the littlest ones and the disinterested teens—were capable of taking more ownership than you’ve been led to believe?

A well-run classroom doesn’t have to require your constant presence, attention, and redirection.

That’s what a new Truth for Teachers podcast episode is about. It's an invitation to shift the way you think about classroom responsibility, considering:

Why students want to take ownership—and what’s been getting in the way
How we unintentionally train them to be dependent on us
What it looks like to release control without lowering expectations
How to build routines and roles that don’t rely on reminders or perfection

Create a self-running classroom that frees you to TEACH

Tap the button above to read or listen to the four practical pillars that prop up the self-running classroom.

That way, you understand exactly how to take action and empower your students to share the responsibility for daily routines.

Download the free guide to classroom jobs

One of the 4 pillars of a self-running classroom is student jobs, and it's honestly my favorite!

Rather than assigning menial tasks to make kids feel like they have some responsibility, these student jobs are truly important tasks that students can full take charge of so they're off your plate.

Since you're already on my email list, just click the button below to access the PDF guide + editable Google Doc links in a zip file:

Get the guide for gr. K-5

Get the guide for gr. 6-12

Creating a self-running classroom relies on the gradual release model, in which you hand over the reins slowly while modeling routines, then stepping back.

Your role shifts from controlling every detail toward creating frameworks where students thrive independently.

So as you begin to prepare for the new school year, ask yourself:

What responsibilities am I currently doing myself which I could empower students to do instead?
How can I design the classroom environment so it's truly student-run and not teacher-dependent?

If you’d like more support building systems like these:

1-Check out my 40 Hour Teacher Work Week program, which is where these resources are excerpted from. It's filled with resources/templates/step-by-step guidance creating classrooms running smoothly without running teachers into ground. Share this brochure with your admin, and pay via purchase order.

2-Consider enrolling in a live virtual PD session in October called Unlocking Teacher Productivity which offers CEUs. Each Thursday for 5 weeks, you'll meet with me and a cohort of like-minded educators to plan how to streamline, organize, and maximize your team.

Remember—you don’t need an entire overhaul all at once! Small changes add up to big results.

Angela