KAES: The Educator's Playbook: Issue 01: Effective Classroom Management

Unlocking effective strategies for educators' success

Author

Kamaal Ahmad
September 30, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes

Welcome to KAES: The Educator's Playbook!

Hello and welcome,

I am fired up that you are a subscriber! I am hoping that you benefit from my years of experience as a special education teacher, general education teacher, assistant principal, principal, and, part time lunch assistant (I would do almost anything for a free lunch!). Be prepared for practical and effective strategies that will transform your classroom, sprinkled with a little humor from real-life experiences.

2. This Issue's Core Play: My Personal Playbook Origin Story

Every educator's journey is unique, filled with triumphs and pivotal learning moments. For this very first issue, I want to share one of my own that truly shaped my understanding of what it means to lead a classroom. It's the story behind why "The Educator's Playbook" exists.

My first year teaching, I stepped into the classroom with zero experience, fresh off the football field as a coach at Weber State University. I had no idea what to expect. All I had to hold onto were a few key classroom strategies learned from Utah State University’s ATP program, which I just started. I learned to establish effective classroom expectations. My system was precise: five simple rules (like "Be on Time" and "Raise Hand Before Speaking & Wait to be Called Upon"), enforced with clear rewards (tickets for weekly drawings, positive calls home) and exact, time-based consequences for infractions (29 seconds after class, then 111, then 207, moving to a seat away or a principal's office visit).

My first day in that self-contained classroom, I drilled home those rules. Everyone was excited, but my focus was solely on compliance. Every talk-out met my calm, robotic redirection: "Please raise your hand before speaking." Eventually, after multiple redirections, my students adapted. My classroom became "orderly."

Then, one of the most interesting moments of my educational career unfolded. A student, who constantly spoke out of turn (innocently, in my opinion), raised his hand and asked, "Mr. Ahmad, may I speak to you outside?" I advised the class to wait silently, my eyes on them as I stood by the door, still keeping sight of the student. He looked up and said, "Mr. Ahmad, I really want to punch you in the face." (He might have said "kick your b*tt," but honestly, I can't recall the exact phrase). I looked him in the eye and calmly replied, "[Student's Name], thank you for communicating your feelings to me, and thank you for your directness. I appreciate how you raised your hand to ask to speak in the hallway; please continue to do that." He looked at me, half puzzled but satisfied—a priceless look. He gathered his thoughts, smiled, said "Thank you, Mr. Ahmad," and walked back to his seat, quiet and focused. This was on my very first day!

What did I truly learn that day? My classroom management was undeniably strong, but my people skills and awareness wasn't where they needed to be. My students were just coming off summer break, excited for their first day, and instead of opportunities for engagement, they faced a military-style room. At the time, I thought it was impressive; now, I'm embarrassed.

In saying that, I realized I needed a mentor. I needed truly effective strategies. I needed a playbook. And that’s precisely what I'm committed to providing you, bi-weekly, right here in "The Educator's Playbook."

3. The First "Play" / Educator's Tip for Success

To get us started on the right foot, here's a quick strategy you can implement this week:

The Play:  Immediately after fall break (or right now) Re-establish your classroom expectations. Keep them short, sweet, and measurable. Make sure that your students clearly understand them. Give examples and non-examples of them. Make sure that you review them each class period. Have a rewards system for students who follow your expectations (i.e. positive praise, positive call home, classroom rewards, etc.), but also make sure to have a clear flow chart for students who are not following your classroom expectations (i.e. first verbal warning, second verbal warning, seat away, etc.).

Establishing your classroom expectations is the single more important thing, along with building positive relationships with your students. Both of those concepts go hand and hand.

5. Connect & Engage

I'd love to hear about your pivotal learning moments, especially from your early days in education! Hit reply to this email and introduce yourself, or share a quick thought.

To your continued growth and success,

Kamaal Ahmad Founder, KAES: The Educator's Playbook