Let students know you are in control

In an earlier post, I discussed the importance of NOT losing your temper or becoming angry with your students. When you as the teacher are upset, or angry, these emotions convey a lack of control. In my experience, it is always best to maintain a classroom persona that is pleasant and friendly, but always in control. While you might be frustrated on the inside, it is much better to keep it there.

While the teacher must remain calm, a good classroom instructor must let students know he or she is in control. I would encourage teachers to be prepared to address any challenges to the teacher's authority. Often, we want to address these challenges to our authority head on, but this only leads to power struggles. Stay in the alpha position without an outright battle by asking questions. For instance, if a student is rude, or questions your competence, or undermines your authority, ask them one of the following questions: "Johnny, when you did this (whatever they did), how did you intend for me to feel?" or "What did you mean by that comment?" or "How did you think I would react when you did this?"

Always think through how students might respond to your question. If you are caught off guard by a student comment and aren't sure what to do then don't respond right away. Instead, use this delay tactic. "I'm am very concerned about what you said just now. I'm going to think about what is an appropriate response to that." This one has always worked great for me!!

loose change

Have you ever had a couple hundred quarters go spilling onto your classroom floor?

While I was still teaching high school students, we had a situation that occured during summer school. It came to my mind earlier today. I thought I would write about it on the blog. The local vending machine rep was in our school to collect the money from the machine and restock it with items. When he returned some items to his truck, he left the money bag sitting on top of the machine.

Well, of course, a student stole the money bag, which contained a significant sum. The police were called to school and a search was started room to room. When they asked for a certain student in my classroom who sat at the back, he rose to leave the room. As he made his way from his chair quarters and other change went everywhere onto the floor. It seems he became aware the police had arrived at school. He was trying to balance the money back on his chair, but when he stood, it all fell to the floor. Busted!!!

I don't really have any words of wisdom to go along with this. It was just a decent story I thought of today. One thing about education is we always have interesting things happening!