Adding Elements of Surprise to Engage Your Students with 4th Grade Teacher Amanda Muri

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In this episode of Beginning Teacher Talk, Dr. Lori sits down with fourth-grade teacher Amanda Muri to discuss how small elements of surprise can create big shifts in classroom management. Together, they explore why student engagement often declines during the middle of the school year and how simple, intentional strategies can help teachers bring energy, connection, and excitement back into their classrooms.

Show Notes:

In this episode of Beginning Teacher Talk, Amanda shares her first-year elementary teaching journey and the classroom management challenges she faced after winter break, when routines began to slip, and student motivation started to fade. She explains how simple strategies like mystery rewards, classroom riddles, surprise activities, and whole-class motivators helped re-engage her students, strengthen classroom culture, and even reconnect one struggling student to learning. Amanda and Dr. Lori also discuss the powerful relationship between teacher energy and student behavior, why routines and novelty work best together, and how small changes can create lasting improvements in student engagement and classroom management.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why classroom routines and student engagement begin to slip after winter break
• How simple surprises can reignite student motivation and improve behavior
• Ways to create a stronger classroom culture through curiosity, connection, and shared experiences
• Why teacher energy and mindset have such a powerful impact on student behavior
• How small classroom management strategies can help students feel more connected, engaged, and successful

Links & Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

• Whole-class motivators 
• Follow Dr. Lori on Instagram
• Follow Beginning Teacher Talk on TikTok
• Follow Dr. Lori on Facebook
• Learn more about Dr. Lori's programs

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by classroom management or wondering how to better support today’s students, this episode will encourage you and remind you that you are not alone. Be sure to subscribe to Beginning Teacher Talk for more practical classroom management strategies, teacher encouragement, and support for elementary educators.

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If you’re finishing the school year feeling tired but hopeful, this episode will help you turn your experiences into powerful insights for next year. Take a few minutes to reflect, capture what worked, and build a plan that supports your future teacher self.

🎧 Listen to the episode and subscribe to the Beginning Teacher Talk Podcast so you never miss new strategies for classroom management, teacher success, and starting the school year strong.

💛 Lori

Dr. Lori Friesen | Beginning Teacher Mentor

Creator of the R.E.A.D.Y. for School Academy and The Classroom Management Club, Dr. Lori Friesen has mentored thousands of beginning teachers across the country through her workshops and courses. Host of the popular podcast Beginning Teacher Talk and author of Dear New Teacher, Here's Exactly What to Do, Dr. Lori is dedicated to serving educators and inspiring learners. Learn more at drlorifriesen.com.

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Related episodes you might enjoy:

• How to Stay Motivated and Focused When it Feels Hard
• Should Teachers Use Rewards in Their Classrooms? Part One
• Low-Prep Ways to Add Surprise to Your Elementary Classroom Without Losing Control

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