problems with discipline

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problems with discipline
By Carolyn

I had this same problem when I was a student teacher. As long as my cooperating teacher was in the classroom, the kids were fine. As the period of time I spent in the class increased, so did her absences from the classroom.
This left me alone with them to sink or swim most of the time.
I think that one problem we have as student teachers is that we tend to rely upon the coop to help us with discipline and, in so doing, we fall flat on our faces. Then when they leave, we have no control. We also tend to think that because we are student teachers we don't have as much power or authority over the kids.

The students are also the OTHER teacher's kids.

My students knew I was just a student teacher, and even though they were only third graders they took advantage of me big-time. I was really green and wanted to make them happy. In trying to make them happy, I didn't have control of them. I got them to like me, which was important to me, but there was little control.

What you will learn in time is to find the middle point. It's very hard to get there in the beginning of your teaching career. You want to find the balance between being too nice and getting run over and being too harsh and not being liked.

I learned after I taught for awhile that kids EXPECT you to be firm with them. They want structure and discipline. They want to feel safe and that their rights are protected. For this reason, you must have a definite discipline plan set up which outlines clear consequences (punishment) and positive steps (rewards) for behavior.

I am sure you have learned much from this experience. I also believe that when you get your own classroom, your students will respect you more, because they will be YOUR kids, not someone else's.