Jackson--a former teacher, now a speaker and author--shares techniques he used as a new high school teacher to handle disruptive behaviors and threatening conduct from students, while remaining respectful and compassionate about the realities kids faced. His suggestions: establish rules early on and stick to them unwaveringly; understand your students' challenging life realities (especially students of color who face racism in school); communicate carefully and regularly affirm students; and learn how to control your emotions so students have a model of emotional strength to learn from.