Teachers' experiences of effective strategies for managing classroom misbehavior in Hong Kong

•Effective strategies control student behavior while nurturing responsibility.•A trustworthy relationship cultivates students' positive behavioral changes.•Instructional engagement thwarts misbehavior.•Effective strategies integrate discipline, guidance and teaching elements.•Deeply-rooted Confucian values are reflected in Hong Kong classroom management.

This study interviewed twelve teachers to examine their perceptions of effective strategies for managing classroom misbehavior in Hong Kong. Results showed seven effective strategies (rules-setting, hinting, directive statements, punishment, after class talks, relationship building, and instructional engagement) to (i) control student behavior while nurturing students' responsibility for managing one's behavior, (ii) forge a good relationship conducive to cultivating student trust and positive behavioral changes, and (iii) engage the students in learning which in turn thwarts misbehavior. The findings reflected the deeply-rooted Chinese Confucian values, and highlighted an integration of discipline, guidance and teaching strategies for effective classroom management.