The class control X-Factor?

Question

For those teachers who seem to instantly command the respect of a class and hardly ever have behaviour issues arising, where did you get your gift? How can others get it? Please tell the secret!!

Answer 1

I am guessing you are a newly qualified teacher struggling with behaviour problems. It is not a gift it is practice born of experience. For instance, in my first year of teaching i went home crying most days believing myself to be a failure, next year i recognised the problems earlier and stepped in quicker with some what hit and miss results. Start of third year i pounced on the very first pupil who had misfortune to do the first wrong thing, as a result the class all sat up and took notice and worried they too would be in the firing line if they put a foot out of place. Word soon gets round the school and this helps to secure your reputation as a teacher that cannot be messed around with. Then you get to be your self with your pupils knowing that if things get a little relaxed you can quickly bring it back again with a few well placed words. Authority is not a gift it is learned, rehearsed and practised. Believe me that it gets better if you remember who is in control. Ps if neccessary keep pupils in at break time for as long as it takes till the rest of them get the message. Do what ever it takes but do it in a way that shows you are not bothered, it is the pupil that is in need of punishment not you. what ever you do do not 1 lose your temper in front of class just pretend to. 2. cry in front of them 3 feel guilty  4 go back on waht you said: show no weakness!!! good luck and keep it up it will get better.

Answer 2

You have to start off with an air of authority.  Be friendly, but not "buddies" with the kids.  A really good place to start is Fred Jones's Tools for Teaching.  He's got a lot of great advice for first year teachers or veteran etachers who need help with classroom mangement.

Good luck!

Answer 3

The one i know has a real affinity with kids and comes from a theatrical background, so is putting on a bit of an act in giving the kids a show.

Answer 4

I'd like to think that I instantly command the respect of the class but whether I have or not is open to debate and probably can only be answered by the children I have taught, especially of recent years when I have been a supply teacher.

Teaching is rather like acting, teachers put on an act when they are in front of a class and, to be honest, most really good teachers I know seem to have been born with the ability to convince the children that they know what they are talking about, that learning is important and interesting and fun. I cannot claim to have always commanded respect. In fact I have been badly beaten up by a Year 6 boy but the class took my side to ensure he was expelled.  Teachers must be fair and show no favouritism; they must stand by what they believe and never make a threat or a promise that they are not willing and able to keep.  They need a sense of humour and have an armoury of corny jokes and tricks with which to lighten the atmosphere when the work gets tough. Respect has to be earned and also offered to the children. Children may be young but they are expert at sussing out "frauds" or those pretending to be something they are not. If getting respect is a "gift", as you suggest, it could be inbuilt like the ability to sing in tune or to kick left footed.  I doubt if I have answed your question but I have done my best.