Classroom Management for Specials Teachers with Librarian Jackie Barkoo
Nov 04, 2026Click the play bar below to listen to this episode:
Classroom management looks a little different when you're a specials teacher! How do you establish consistent routines and expectations when you teach hundreds of students, have limited class time, and manage challenging behaviors in a shared or specialized space?
In this episode of Beginning Teacher Talk, Dr. Lori welcomes Jackie, a Chicago Public Schools librarian and 15-year educator, to share how she's transformed her approach to classroom management. From teaching clearer routines to building stronger student relationships, Jackie shares practical strategies that can help elementary specials teachers create calmer, more organized learning environments.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- How to establish clear routines and expectations in specials classrooms
- Why effective attention signals need more than a call-and-response
- How to manage transitions and student behavior without constantly raising your voice
- How stronger classroom systems create more opportunities to connect with students
Whether you teach library, art, music, PE, or another elementary special, this conversation offers practical encouragement for creating a classroom environment where students know what to expect, and you can spend more time teaching.
Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Need help with your classroom management as a specials teacher?
If you teach art, music, P.E., library, technology, or are a subject specialist who doesn’t have your own classroom, Dr. Lori’s Classroom Management for Specials Teachers course offers practical strategies to establish routines, prevent challenging behaviors, and feel more confident teaching multiple classes each week.
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Listen now for practical strategies to create a calmer, more organized specials classroom, and subscribe to Beginning Teacher Talk for more classroom management tips!
🎧 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:
- Classroom Management for Specials Teachers
- Specials Teachers: Why Classroom Management Feels So Different (And Why Most Advice Doesn't Work)
- Novelty Without Burnout (So You’re Not Entertaining All Day)
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