Schoolownertalk.com With Allie Alberigo And Duane Brumitt

Episode 439 | Dealing With Difficult Students (and Getting Parents on Board) Podcast Description In Episode 439 of School Owner Talk, Duane Brumitt and Shihan Allie Alberigo get real about a problem every martial arts school owner faces sooner or later: the “difficult student” who can derail a class. They break down what “difficult” actually looks like (disruptive, defiant, unsafe, emotionally dysregulated, attention-seeking), why it’s rarely about a “bad kid,” and how consistency, structure, and clear non-negotiables protect your school culture. Just as important, they talk about the parent side of the equation—how to bring parents into the process without shaming them, how to keep conversations factual and team-based, and when it’s time to admit you’re not equipped to help every student. Key Takeaways “Difficult” is a behavior category, not a personality label. Focus on what the student is doing (disruptive, defiant, unsafe, shutting down, attention-seeking) instead of branding them as “a