Top 5 Tips for Staying Calm in a Chaotic Classroom

By Vittorio Puente, PHD, LSSP

Teaching is rarely the tranquil, storybook vision of a classroom with students all sitting attentively, notebooks open, ready to absorb wisdom. More often, it’s a highly kinetic endeavor—a delicate balance between engagement, discipline, and learning in an environment that can, at times, seem like controlled chaos. For new teachers, especially those entering low-performing schools where behavior challenges and classroom disruptions are common, maintaining calm and focus can feel as elusive as a mirage. But there’s a science to serenity in the classroom. Here are five tips rooted in research and decades of classroom experience to help you stay calm amidst the storm. Number five is the most difficult for new teachers.

1. Ground Yourself with Breathwork

The power of breathwork to calm the nervous system is well-documented and can be a lifeline in moments of high stress. According to a 2017 study in Frontiers in Psychology, mindful breathing exercises can lower heart rate and reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol, promoting emotional regulation (Dahl et al., 2017)​. For teachers, this translates into clearer thinking, a steadier voice, and an approachable demeanor, even when tensions are high.

Try This: When the classroom starts to spiral, focus on your breath. Inhale deeply through your nose for four counts, hold for a second, and exhale slowly through your mouth for six counts. Repeat this two or three times. Not only will you feel more grounded, but students can also pick up on your calm energy, which often has a subtle, contagious effect on the room.

2. Cultivate Predictable Routines and Rituals

Chaos often arises from a lack of structure. Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley found that predictability and routines help students, particularly those in low-performing schools, feel secure and engaged (Flook et al., 2018)​. When students know what to expect and when, their anxiety lessens, and they’re more likely to cooperate.

Try This: Implement clear, consistent routines that signal different phases of the class. For example, always start with a brief bell-ringer activity that students can begin independently, and use a signal—like dimming the lights or a chime sound—to indicate transitions. When students become familiar with these routines, they’re less likely to act out, and you’ll spend less time wrangling attention and more time teaching.

3. Use Non-Verbal Communication

It’s tempting to match a chaotic classroom with verbal commands, but research suggests this can inadvertently escalate behavior. In his book The Skillful Teacher, Stephen D. Brookfield emphasizes the value of “low-key responses” to classroom disruptions. These include simple gestures, eye contact, and physical presence that manage behavior without direct confrontation (Brookfield, 2015)​.

Try This: Instead of stopping the entire class to address one student’s misbehavior, try standing near the student or using a hand signal to indicate they should pause. You might be surprised by how effective a subtle cue can be in curbing disruptions without interrupting the flow of your lesson.

4. Practice “Positive Framing” and “Assume the Best” Techniques

One of the most effective tools for maintaining calm is shifting your mindset around challenging behavior. Doug Lemov, in his influential book Teach Like a Champion, highlights “positive framing,” or approaching corrections as opportunities for students to meet expectations rather than failures to do so (Lemov, 2015)​. Harvard’s Making Caring Common project adds that assuming positive intent in students builds trust and creates a less adversarial classroom climate.

Try This: When a student interrupts, try saying, “I can tell you’re eager to participate—let’s wait for your turn so everyone can follow.” This reframing technique acknowledges the student’s enthusiasm without making them feel chastised. By “assuming the best,” you’ll find that you stay calm and students feel respected, which leads to better behavior in the long run.

5. Prioritize Your Own Well-being

Research consistently shows that teachers who prioritize self-care are more resilient and less susceptible to burnout. A study published in Educational Research found that teachers who engage in regular self-care—whether through physical activity, hobbies, or social support—experience lower levels of classroom stress and increased job satisfaction (McIntyre et al., 2017)​.

Try This: Make self-care a non-negotiable part of your week. This might mean scheduling a regular exercise routine, carving out 30 minutes for a favorite hobby, or joining a support group for teachers. By investing in your own mental and physical health, you’re better equipped to bring calm and resilience into the classroom.

In Conclusion

While teaching in a chaotic classroom can be overwhelming, staying calm is a skill that can be developed. These strategies—rooted in research and tested by countless educators—offer concrete steps you can take to transform a chaotic environment into a focused one. Remember, calm begets calm. By centering yourself and modeling resilience, you’ll create a classroom environment where both you and your students can thrive.

Embrace the journey, and keep in mind that every challenging moment is a steppingstone toward mastery. Calm isn’t about eliminating chaos; it’s about finding stability within it.