Wearing Your Heart Upon Your Sleeve
Tradition has it that you should present yourself as big and tough as possible, whether you feel big and tough or not. However, tradition also has it that students can see through disguises.
So what should you do if you don't feel big and tough?
Today I got called to sub in a class which I have never seen before. Not surprisingly, one of my sixth grade classes had three misbehaving boys in the same corner of the room.
Why did their misbehavior bother me? Was I concerned about those three boys disturbing those students who were trying to learn? Did I have a benevolent desire for those three boys to learn proper discipline so that they could carry that attitude into their adult lives?
Heck, no! I was concerned about how I looked as a disciplinarian! So let's eliminate all this pious hand-wringing!
I called all three boys into the hallway and told them the truth. "I would be very embarrassed if another teacher walked into the classroom and saw you acting like you've been acting. Because that teacher is going to think I don't know how to manage a classroom.
"And I certainly hope I won't have to send one of you to the office. Because I don't want the principal to think I can't handle you kids. If he thinks that, he might not call me again as a substitute.
"So I would appreciate it very much if you would behave for me, whether another adult is involved or not. Do you think you can do that?"
They all agreed. And, for the most part, they held to their promise.
Could it be my honesty that did the job? Or was it the implied threat of a more familair adult being involved? Log into the discussion page and tell us what you think.
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