It’s that time of year… the honeymoon stage in our classrooms may have faded, and now we’re living the daily ups and downs. Our energy isn’t what it was in August, and keeping engagement high feels harder than ever.
What if I told you there’s a simple routine that can give you extra help inside your class, maximize target language use, and build a strong classroom culture?
Sounds too good to be true, right? But it’s not. It’s called class jobs.
And because I know how powerful this can be, I’m re-releasing this amazing conversation with Annabelle Williamson (La Maestra Loca) and John Seifert, two inspiring world language teachers who have transformed their classrooms through student jobs
Why Class Jobs?
Class jobs turn your classroom into a community where students don’t just attend your class—they help it run. That´s what both Annabelle and John said about this amazing routine.
Annabelle describes herself as the “least type-A teacher ever” — and yet, when she fully implemented class jobs, she felt unburdened. Instead of juggling 25 little tasks herself, her students took ownership. That shift allowed her to focus on what matters most: connecting with students and building relationships
John, on the other hand, is more of a structured teacher. He has been running class jobs for years and sees them as a way to give teachers back time—seconds and minutes each day that add up to meaningful connection and more time for language use
That sounds to me like a win-win situation. But, where do we start? What jobs do we have?
Annabelle and John’s Favorites
- Class Ambassador (Annabelle’s favorite): Greets visitors, explains what the class is doing (yes, in Spanish!), and even supports substitutes when you’re out.
- Attendance Keeper (John’s essential): Saves transition time and keeps class moving without losing focus.
- Sports & Activities Directors (John’s pick): Share daily updates on games, performances, and events—perfect for target language use and community-building
Claudia’s Own Go-To Class Jobs
After experimenting in my own classes, here are the jobs that I keep coming back to because they save me time, keep students engaged, and strengthen classroom routines:
- Secretary 📝
This student keeps notes on what happens in class each day. If someone is absent, they can check with the secretary instead of me. It keeps everyone accountable and helps me avoid repeating instructions five times. - Human Resources Person 📋
Think of this student as the “manager of jobs.” Their role is to remind classmates of their responsibilities and remind me when a job isn’t being done. It keeps the system alive without me micromanaging. - Board Manager 🧽
At the start and end of class, this student makes sure the board is clean and ready. It may seem simple, but it helps me stay organized and makes transitions smoother. - Photographer 📸
One of my favorites! This student takes pictures of the slides, classwork, or notes on the board (not of students) and uploads them to our LMS. Absent students know exactly where to look for what they missed, and everyone benefits from the extra support.
These jobs not only free up my mental space, they also empower students to see themselves as part of the classroom community.
Are these all the jobs? No. I personally have 20 jobs and subs for those jobs in my class. But, if I need to start with just a few, these were our favorites.
Tips to Make Class Jobs Work
Like any new system, classroom jobs require consistency and reflection. A few reminders from both my guests and my own experience:
- Start when you’re ready. Even mid-year is a perfect time.
- Praise generously. Acknowledge when students do their jobs well.
- Rotate strategically. Switching jobs mid-semester refreshes energy.
- Be flexible. Invent jobs that fit your students’ needs—or even create a role tailored for one specific student.
Don’t carry it all yourself. Let the students be responsible for maintaining the system. That´s why I love the Human Resources Manager! This student is responsible to remind everyone in the class about the job!
Why Now?
Just last week in Growing With Proficiency: The Spanish Teacher Academy, we trained on two zero-prep routines: passwords and class jobs. Teachers left excited and ready to implement because these routines shift the responsibility from us to our students.
That’s why I knew it was the perfect moment to re-release this episode. Because sometimes, what we need in February or March isn’t another big new unit—it’s a simple system that restores our energy and empowers our students.
Listen to the Full Episode
This updated blog post comes from the original podcast episode with Annabelle Williamson and John Seifert. You can listen to the re-release here.
If you’re looking for a way to lighten your load, strengthen classroom culture, and give students more voice, class jobs might just be the lifesaver you need right now.
And if you want to be an expert on Class Jobs, click here to get more information about the self-pace course that Annabelle and John offer about Class Jobs.
I hope that this post inspires you to give class jobs a chance in your class.
