discipline By Cathy-Dee

I find if you are fair and consistent with your rewards, punishments, expectations you will have better respect from your students. I have no problem with a teacher raising their voice (I often do because my kids come from homes where the noise levels are extreme), but this is different from just yelling at the kids. You do have to be prepared to follow through with consequences. I warn once and then the second time I will have the consequence given (whether it is a missed recess or a phone call home). I really think this makes a huge difference. If the kids know you will not follow through on the consequences then why should they behave. Kids also understand what is fair and what is not. I would never have a student miss an entire week of recesses for example (although I have seen many teachers do this with their students). Once the student knows they are missing the entire week, there is very little reason for them to start behaving. Also they begin to resent always missing things, etc.,

It is interesting the student's response to you that it wasn't your responsibility to call their parent. I'm guessing that you do not see these students all day long, and perhaps for that reason this student is not viewing you as a teacher. Some students have the concept that unless you are in the classroom with them all day you are not their teacher and so they do not have to listen to you. This takes time, but they will learn to respect and listen to you if you also follow through with consequences and expectations. I would have told this student that of course it is my responsibility to call their parent if they are not behaving and if they continued with their behaviour and attitude I would not hestitate to call. Chances are the student will push just to test you, and you would have to call the parent. And most likely this student wouldn't be so quick to question your authority in the future.

Yes respect especially from older students can be difficult and poor family settings can make this even more pronounced. But we cannot simply blame the parents and give up. There are ways to improve school and classroom climates. It's a matter of working together, learning new techniques and programs and being willing to try anything to reach these kids. I have seen kids come from the absolute worse home conditions and yet show great respect to their teachers.