When I first started teaching, I never actually got to teach.

Instead, I was constantly managing sideline conversations, redirecting students who were out of their seats, and trying to get everyone on task. I felt more like a referee than a teacher.

Fast forward a couple of years later…
I had an unexpected observation from my superintendent and the state.
And while they were watching, I was sitting in the back of my classroom, sipping my coffee while teaching small groups.
My students were running centers on their own. They transitioned from one activity to the next without me saying a word.

And that moment? It was everything I had worked for.
Today I’m going to show you how to make that your reality, too—so you can stop micromanaging and finally enjoy your classroom again.

1. Start With Classroom Procedures and Expectations

The key to having a self-running classroom starts with clarity.

Classroom procedures are how you expect your students to interact with each other and function in your space—from how they enter in the morning to how they raise their hands or line up for recess.

To make those expectations stick, you have to teach them like you would academic content:

• Model what it does look like and sound like
  
  
• Model what it doesn’t look like or sound like
  
  
• Discuss both and why it matters
  
  
• Practice, practice, practice
  
  

This takes a bit of intention during the first few weeks of school, but once it becomes muscle memory, your students will automatically follow routines—without you needing to say a word.

Looking for an example of this? Check out my Classroom Procedure Slides in my TPT Store to help walk you through it.

2. Teach Transitions Like a Boss

The #1 time for disruptive behavior?
Transitions.

Whether it’s moving from centers to whole group or cleaning up after a project, these moments can either run smoothly—or completely unravel your classroom management.

That’s why I treat transitions as their own procedure.

You want to:

• Model what it should and should not look and sound like
  
  
• Discuss why it matters
  
  
• Practice until it becomes seamless
  
  
• Pair it with a song to signal the transition
  
  
• Embed it into your daily slides so students know what’s next without asking
  
  

When done well, your students will move from one activity to the next without reminders, redirection, or you even needing to be in front of the room.

3. Give Students Classroom Jobs That Actually Help

Once your expectations and transitions are rock solid, the next step is delegation.

That’s where Classroom Jobs come in.

Instead of doing everything yourself, assign jobs that help the classroom run while you’re focused on small groups or individual instruction.

Examples:

• A Teacher Helper who starts timers and manages transitions
  
  
• A Materials Manager who makes sure everything is set for the next task
  
  
• A Line Leader who keeps transitions quiet and organized
  
  

Empowering students with responsibilities not only frees up your energy—it also builds ownership and leadership.

You can find done-for-you templates inside my Classroom Jobs Pack on TPT to get started.

Wrap-Up: You Deserve a Coffee-Sipping Classroom Too

You don’t need to do everything yourself.
With the right systems in place, your students can literally run the classroom for you.

Here’s a quick recap:

1. Start with clear classroom procedures and expectations
   02. Teach smooth, intentional transitions
   03. Empower your students with meaningful classroom jobs

And if you want to skip the guesswork?
Grab these tools to get started today:

Classroom Management Guide – your step-by-step roadmap
Classroom Management Bundle – all-in-one toolkit
Join The Present Teacher Circle – coaching, community, and customizable support for first-year teachers

Because you deserve to sip your coffee, without chaos in the background.