Stand firm

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Home : 2005 : February : 9

Stand firm
By CAM

All the advice you have gotten is good!

The kids act like that because the teacher doesn't make them behave. Before your first day, find out exactly how much authority you have to invoke the school's discipline plan,
and use it ALL, right from the first. Maybe you need to let the principal know that you anticipate problems, and get your "backup" ready. Don't leave any question in students' minds on whether you are the boss. They will probably test you periodically just to see if you still mean it, so be ready.
Also, one more tip: You are probably young and attractive (When you said they whistled...

alarms went off in my head.) so dress VERY modestly, and don't "fix up" too much. There is something to be said for the "plain Jane old-maid school teacher" look! Tight, low-cut, high-slit, and clingy should be words that NEVER describe your clothes. If you want to be treated like a professional educator, you have to look like a professional educator, not just in class, but at extracurricular activities as well. Modesty is the key word! You need to make sure they understand that there is a very BIG line between teacher and student.

Don't EVER be alone in the room, especially with the door closed, with a student. It only takes one to make an accusation and your career is tainted, if not ruined. Be Miss Prim and Proper and don't joke with them AT ALL until you are positive that the discipline problems are under control, and then avoid any joking around that might be misconstrued.
Cultivate "The Look" - a frowning stare - that lets any one of them know when the line is being crossed.
Aand remember that when you draw a line and one of them flops his big hairy toe over it, that is DEFIANCE of your authority. Never let a challenge like that pass without firmly (but figuratively) slapping the culprit into next week. Give them an inch, they'll think they're rulers!

Been there, been burned.
And finally: the best advice on discipline I ever got in 20 years of teaching: Keep them so busy they don't have time to act up. (That means have something on the board for them to do the minute they walk in and while you take roll. And don't stop until the bell rings! There IS no more fertile ground for trouble that kids with time on their hands.

Good luck - I'd like to hear how it goes.