Teachers' jobs have become more challenging every year.

Increasingly, teachers are dealing with students who have behavioral and mental health issues. These students can be disruptive to the classroom and leave teachers feeling overwhelmed.

While there are no quick fixes for these students, there are ways to make the situation more manageable.

Step 1: Check-ins first thing in the morning

Every student benefits from a morning check-in but especially students who struggle emotionally.

Depending on the age of the student, they can do a verbal check-in with the teacher to express how they are doing. Students can also point to a word or picture to show how they are feeling. This allows the teacher to know if further follow-up is needed with an individual student.

Step 2: Building relationships is key

With some students, there's one staff member in the building that can deescalate them and bring them back to a place of more positive functioning.

When this happens, it's usually because the student trusts the adult and feels safe with them. Finding ways to build relationships in the classroom with the student can make a difference. Allow the student to help with tasks in the classroom. Set time aside to get to know the student by sharing lunch break with them or playing a game at recess.

Step 3: Use rewards, praise, and positive affirmations

Students love to be praised and rewarded for their behavior.

Students who struggle with behavior especially need praise when they are managing well. When a student is able to communicate their needs, either verbally or visually, it is important to reinforce those behaviors.