Classroom management is one of the biggest challenges in education. Many teachers spend more time correcting behavior than teaching lessons. Dr. Donna Marie Cozine, CEO of Consult DMC, Inc., shared how Whole Brain Teaching for better classroom management brought structure, unity, and joy to her charter school. Her story gives school leaders and educators practical steps they can apply today.
What Is Whole Brain Teaching?
Whole Brain Teaching (WBT) is a method that keeps students actively engaged and motivated. It utilizes call-and-response, movement, and routines to capture the audience’s attention.
Dr. Cozine first saw its impact when a teacher in her school used the strategy so effectively that behavior issues decreased, and students remained focused.
For example, the teacher would say “Class, class!”. The students answered back, “Yes, yes!”. This quick exchange made transitions smooth, gave clear signals for focus, and created a shared language across classrooms.
Why Dr. Cozine Found It Transformative
Leading Renaissance Academy Charter School of the Arts, Dr. Cozine saw WBT change her school in four key ways:
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- Engagement: Students learned by speaking, listening, and moving at the same time.
- Consistency: Routines carried across classrooms, creating stability.
- Culture: Teachers worked from the same playbook, rather than struggling alone.
- Behavior: Disruptions decreased, leaving more time for learning.
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As she said on the School Success Podcast, this approach “transformed our school” by aligning staff and students with one simple, effective method.
Benefits for Leaders
For school leaders, WBT demonstrates that small strategies can spark significant cultural shifts. Leaders can help by:
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- Offering professional development.
- Showing support in meetings or assemblies.
- Recognizing teachers who model the approach.
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Dr. Cozine noted that WBT even worked outside classrooms. During field trips or assemblies, the same strategies kept large student groups calm and focused. This proved that WBT was not just a tool, but a culture-builder.
The Bigger Picture
At its core, WBT is about creating joyful and engaging classrooms. It blends learning with behavior management, making teaching easier and helping students feel a sense of belonging.
That’s why Whole Brain Teaching for better classroom management remains one of the strategies Dr. Cozine recommends to leaders who want to unify and energize their schools.
Final Thought
Dr. Donna Marie Cozine’s story is just one of many insights shared on the School Success Podcast. School leaders who apply lessons like WBT can create lasting change in their communities.
Want more strategies and insights from education leaders? Subscribe to the School Success Report today: https://schoolsuccessmakers.com/report/. Each week, you’ll get practical tools to help you grow enrollment, retain staff, and strengthen your school culture.
