Episode 72: The Hardest Lesson: Separating Yourself from Student Behaviour.

About this episode

This episode discusses how to emotionally distance oneself from student misbehaviour and respond calmly as an adult.

Student misbehaviour can feel like a personal attack — even when we know, logically, it’s usually not about us at all. In this episode, we unpack why certain behaviours sting, how to emotionally distance yourself without disengaging, and what it really means to respond as the calm adult in the room. We explore: Why student behaviour feels personal (and why it usually isn’t)What’s really going on beneath the surface for studentsHow to stay steady instead of reactivePractical strategies for sep...

Topics covered

• student behaviour
• emotional distance
• calm response
• reactivity
• teaching strategies

Keywords

• student misbehaviour
• emotional distance
• calm adult
• reactive behaviour
• teaching strategies

More episodes of Coffee and Whiteboard Markers Podcast

• Episode 82: How We Handle These Common tricky Situations in Teaching. · May 10, 2026 · 28 min
• Episode 83: The Emotional Labour Of Teaching · May 10, 2026 · 21 min
• Episode 81: What students truely remember about their teachers · May 5, 2026 · 24 min
• Episode 80: Old School Teaching Practices: What Still Works and What Needs To Go · April 1, 2026 · 27 min
• Episode 79: Trauma Informed Practices In Teaching · March 16, 2026 · 24 min
• Episode 78: How To Build A Sustianable Career For Teaching · March 9, 2026 · 24 min