How To ‘Shift‘ Your Emotions in the Classroom
“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
— Maya Angelou
Let’s be real—being an educator is a constant exercise in emotional flexibility. One second, you're high-fiving a student for acing their math quiz, and the next, you're biting your tongue because three kids are bickering again during group work and someone just spilled water on your lesson plans.
If this sounds familiar… congratulations, you're in the classroom trenches with the rest of us. 🙃
Now, this week, we’re zooming in on what it looks like to shift your emotions as an educator. Not in a fake, “slap on a smile no matter what” kind of way—but in a grounded, human way.
Because honestly? Teaching isn't about being emotionally perfect. It's about knowing how to pause, reflect, and choose how to respond when things get messy.
Let’s talk about how to do that—casually, practically, and without sugarcoating.
Classrooms are packed with energy. Joy, frustration, boredom, pride, anxiety—all of it swirls around every day. Multiply that by 20+ students, and suddenly you’ve got an emotional cocktail that can either feel empowering… or like you're one misstep away from snapping.
The trick isn’t to control everyone’s emotions. That’s impossible.
The trick is learning how to manage your own—because how you show up emotionally sets the tone for everything else.
And no, this isn’t about “stuffing your feelings down.” It’s about shifting—acknowledging what’s coming up for you, and choosing what to do with it in the moment.
Start Here: The 3-Second Teacher Pause
There’s a reason this one comes up in almost every Positive Discipline training: the pause is powerful.
Let’s say a student loudly challenges you in front of the class. Your heart rate spikes, your brain whispers, “Shut that down!”—and you feel the heat rising. But instead of reacting in the heat of the moment, you take three seconds to:
Inhale slowly.
Drop your shoulders.
Remind yourself: “I get to choose how I respond.”
That pause might seem small, but it’s everything. It gives your nervous system a second to settle—and it gives you a shot at leading with intention, not impulses. And let’s be real—students don’t just learn from what you say, they learn from what you model. If they see you handling frustration with patience, they learn that skill. If they see you overwhelmed and reactive… well, they learn that, too.
So, how do you shift emotions in the moment? Here’s how.
3 (Quick) Q-Tips to Shift Your Emotions
1. The Power of a Pause
Old habit: “Why are you being so disrespectful right now?”
Shifted response: “I noticed you rolled your eyes—what’s going on?”
Instead of assuming defiance, you get curious. Maybe the student’s upset about something unrelated. Maybe they’re feeling embarrassed. When you ask instead of accuse, you invite connection. You hold boundaries and build trust.
2.From “Control the Class” to “Co-Regulate”
Ever feel like you have to be the emotional anchor for the room? That’s because, in many ways, you are.
But you don’t have to carry it all alone. Co-regulation means creating a space where students feel safe enough to settle themselves—because they’re picking up on your calm, not your chaos.
Try modeling your own strategies:
“I’m feeling a little overwhelmed, so I’m going to take a breath before we move on.”
Use visual cues or routines that signal when it’s time to reset.
Let them see you bounce back from tough moments. That’s where the real modeling happens.
3. From “I Have to Fix This Now” to “This Can Wait”
Everything in the classroom can feel urgent. But not everything is.
Some conversations are better left for after class. Some behaviors don’t need a full correction in the moment—they just need a note, a look, or a private reminder later.
Shifting your emotions sometimes means reminding yourself:
“I don’t have to solve this right now. I can circle back when we’re both in a better place.”
This isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom. You’re choosing timing over tension.
Shifting emotions in the classroom is a daily practice. It takes awareness, intention, and a whole lot of grace (for yourself and your students). But the more you do it, the more you’ll find that those small internal shifts? They ripple outward.
Your classroom becomes a place not just of learning—but of safety, connection, and respect.
And hey, if no one’s told you today: You’re doing an incredible job. Even when it feels like a mess. Especially then. ❤️
If you’ve ever wished you could handle frustration, disappointment, or overwhelm just a little bit better—stick around. This month is for you. If you want to get started before next week why not revisit our FREE Guide, “How not to Lose Your Sh*t! Managing BIG Emotions.”
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