Progress Towards Becoming a Master Teacher

Wow.  This is a topic that I just discussed with one of my co-workers the other day.  I have had such a horrific time with discipline and classroom management, especially with the second and third level students, that I was really not responding in the most favorable way.  Everyone said to let it roll off of your back like water and not let the students get to you.  That was very hard for me and they really "got my goat" every time they said something smart or unkind.  Just last week, a student made a comment in a no so nice tone, but I responded in a very calm and non-reactive manner.  I made the realized that I must have reached another level in my teaching career because I didn't feel the need to be defensive or over justify the requirements with the student.  I said what I wanted and let the student know that she had a choice to make, based on what my conditions were.  

We had a modified gallery tour and the students were responsible for judging 10 displays  The student told me that she was not going to be able to complete 10 because she only had 5 that day.  I stated that she could finish the next day, but she proceeded to let me know that she was going to be absent the next day.  I stated to her that the assignment was for her to complete 10. She had a couple of choices...she work hard to complete an additional 5  on that particular day or she could finish the additional 5 displays on the day she returned to school.  However, in order for her to receive full credit, she needed to figure out how she was going to complete her 10.   

This told her that the assignment didn't revolve around her and that it didn't change because she demanded an exception.  It really felt good not to stress over the student's dilemma and obvious attempt to make me change the rules for her benefit.