Ep 144 Students Aren’t Broken — They’re Responding

Ep 144 Students Aren’t Broken — They’re Responding

From Teachers Need Teachers by Kim Lepre

January 5, 2026 · 19 min · Episode 144

About this episode

In this episode, Kim Lepre discusses the conditions affecting classroom behavior and how teachers can reframe their experiences to avoid burnout.

In this episode, I talk about the conditions shaping what we’re seeing in classrooms right now—especially around behavior, attention, and regulation—and why so many teachers are quietly questioning themselves because of it. This isn’t a rant. It’s not about blaming kids or excusing behavior. It’s about reframing what’s happening so teachers can stop internalizing systemic shifts as personal failure—and start making choices that protect their sanity. I also share how I’ve adjusted my own classroom practice to stay grounded in a version of teaching that didn’t reset after the pandemic. If you’ve been wondering: Why does this feel harder than it should? Am I doing something wrong? How do I keep doing this without burning out? This episode is for you. I have a YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe! Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com

People in this episode

Host: Kim Lepre

Topics covered

  • classroom behavior
  • teacher self-reflection
  • systemic shifts in education
  • teacher burnout
  • classroom practices

Keywords

  • classroom behavior
  • teacher reflection
  • systemic issues
  • teacher sanity
  • post-pandemic teaching

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