This site is a class blog space for new Career and Technical Specializations and Heathcare Science teachers enrolled in the New Teacher Institute (NTI) at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
What I've learned so far
Before I started teaching I was regarded as a very patient person. I was the "rock" in my household in that regard and I sort of took a bit of pride in it. Well the Bible says in Proverbs that "pride comes before the fall". Well, that is what I learned before I fell and I'm very thankful that someone was there to see my "lack" of patience. These kids have made me realize that they have more "foolishness" than I have patience for. I am taking a completely different approach now. I don't hold it in anymore. Lately, more and more, I find myself dealing with even the simplest of behavioral problems when they happen instead of waiting until I'm at the "end of my rope". I don't want these kids to see a monster. I want them to see firmness and care. I spend more time talking to them about these issues at the beginning of class instead of waiting until they have no more attention to give me. Things are a lot better now. I think they're beginning to see a friend in me as well as a teacher.
I think your on the right path.Respect doesn't come from fear but rather understanding and knowledge.If you show the students that although you are the one with authority you do understand where they are coming from,and you will stop the problems before they snowball.They will preceive this as stength and also as you doing them a favor by not letting the situation get to where someone goes to the office.Also having the knowledge to teach these students will make them look up to you ,maybe more like a friend than a teacher.My third block students are like this,it is a pleasure to teach these kids because when we get in class there is a mutual respect.They expect me to teach them everything I can,and I expect them to learn everything I teach.I wish all classes were like this one.
ReplyDeleteI found your post very interesting. I'd love to hear more about this classroom management transformation. As my horseback riding instructor always tells me, it's much harder to stop a runaway horse than to prevent a horse from taking off in the first place. In other words, I think it's awesome that you've managed to rein your students in by trying different things until you found what worked for you and for them. Congratulations!
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