That time of year ...
I am having a horrible day and I just need to get it out in writing, so bear with me...
Today, I had another teacher come in and tell me how disrespectful my class was being during library time. They wouldn't line up and wouldn't listen to her directions. Several boys were talking while the librarian was giving a presentation. They were clearly not listening and being disruptive to the rest of the group. Yesterday I had a facilitator catch 2 of my girls cheating on a big test. One of the girls was in student council and was kicked out. They were talked to by the principal and I felt really embarassed that the facilitator caught it and I didn't. Whenever I have subs, they tell me how noisy my class was and how out of control they were - they even had to get the security guard in here to settle them down.
I am a very nice teacher - but pretty strict. Sometimes I think that I am being too nice and a part of me wants my kids to like me. But, the fact of the matter is, that I am not here to be their friend - I am here to be an authority figure who must have control of them at all times.
So today I had to put a stop to it. I had a deep talk with them where I just told them that I was tired of their behavior and disrespect and honestly embarassed to have other teachers come in and tell me how bad they were behaving. I told them that I didn't mind spending money on incentives or treats for them when they deserve them. But, when they are misbehaving, why should I spend my money on them? I told them that it is not fun to come to work and deal with their behavior everyday. It got so deep that I almost started crying - my voice got really shaky and they could tell that I was serious. I asked if they had anything to say and a couple of students (good students) said they were sorry and I said thank you.
Punishment? I dumped their ticket bucket - they have been collecting tickets for perfect scores and other things all 6 weeks. Instead of doing the assigned fossil dig with chocolate chip cookies like the other periods, I had them write an essay where they told me why school was important to them and what their job at school was. They also including what respect is and whey it is important to be honest and not cheat. They told me why it was important to keep their hands and objects to themselves (they are always throwing erasers and the boys are always wrestling). They finished it off by telling me how they could change their behavior and how we could change the behavior in the class. They are so quiet right now and are writing their essays.
Part of the problem is the fact that our administration who is responislbe for behavior is practically non-exsistent. If we send a student for behavior, they are given SAC (in school suspension) where they act as courtesies for the administration (delivering papers, filing papers, etc...) So, all discipline problems, no matter how severe, have to be handled in the classroom by me.
Despite today, I love my job and if I can get a couple of students to realize the importance of a great education, I will have accomplished something great!
While writing this - my kids made me a card that said they were sorry and that they were gong to behave. I will post the card up so they can be reminded of this horrible day, and hopefully, they will change their behavior.
Thanks for listening!
Today, I had another teacher come in and tell me how disrespectful my class was being during library time. They wouldn't line up and wouldn't listen to her directions. Several boys were talking while the librarian was giving a presentation. They were clearly not listening and being disruptive to the rest of the group. Yesterday I had a facilitator catch 2 of my girls cheating on a big test. One of the girls was in student council and was kicked out. They were talked to by the principal and I felt really embarassed that the facilitator caught it and I didn't. Whenever I have subs, they tell me how noisy my class was and how out of control they were - they even had to get the security guard in here to settle them down.
I am a very nice teacher - but pretty strict. Sometimes I think that I am being too nice and a part of me wants my kids to like me. But, the fact of the matter is, that I am not here to be their friend - I am here to be an authority figure who must have control of them at all times.
So today I had to put a stop to it. I had a deep talk with them where I just told them that I was tired of their behavior and disrespect and honestly embarassed to have other teachers come in and tell me how bad they were behaving. I told them that I didn't mind spending money on incentives or treats for them when they deserve them. But, when they are misbehaving, why should I spend my money on them? I told them that it is not fun to come to work and deal with their behavior everyday. It got so deep that I almost started crying - my voice got really shaky and they could tell that I was serious. I asked if they had anything to say and a couple of students (good students) said they were sorry and I said thank you.
Punishment? I dumped their ticket bucket - they have been collecting tickets for perfect scores and other things all 6 weeks. Instead of doing the assigned fossil dig with chocolate chip cookies like the other periods, I had them write an essay where they told me why school was important to them and what their job at school was. They also including what respect is and whey it is important to be honest and not cheat. They told me why it was important to keep their hands and objects to themselves (they are always throwing erasers and the boys are always wrestling). They finished it off by telling me how they could change their behavior and how we could change the behavior in the class. They are so quiet right now and are writing their essays.
Part of the problem is the fact that our administration who is responislbe for behavior is practically non-exsistent. If we send a student for behavior, they are given SAC (in school suspension) where they act as courtesies for the administration (delivering papers, filing papers, etc...) So, all discipline problems, no matter how severe, have to be handled in the classroom by me.
Despite today, I love my job and if I can get a couple of students to realize the importance of a great education, I will have accomplished something great!
While writing this - my kids made me a card that said they were sorry and that they were gong to behave. I will post the card up so they can be reminded of this horrible day, and hopefully, they will change their behavior.
Thanks for listening!