I am starting to think that I am not cut out for teaching, because I am really stuggling to cope with classroom management. I know what I have to do, but I am still unsure of my boundaries and proceedures. Should these skills be automatically be there from the word GO, or do you learning about managing behaviour as time goes on. I love the whole teaching side, but I am really let down by my inability to manage the little bratz!!!!! Am I a lost cause, or do you think that I can be helped. I have my crit on Friday, and I am seriously worried about it. I have been wanting to do this course for 3 years, and now that I am finally on it am I failing?
OMG. "I get knocked down....but I get up again".
Whilst I was typing this blog, my teacher came in (she said some positive comments to me, and what did I do, I burst into tears. But she has picked me up again, and has faith in me.....all I need to do is get ontop of things....and be positive. I just don't like to fail!!!!
More later
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5 comments:
Hello Lesley
We just had a chat online tonight about this issue. Jack said, "Any teacher who tells you that they never have problem clasees is either deluding themselves, trying to kid you, or insane!" I like Saeed's whack a mole analogy. The solution in that game is to keep whacking! Same sort of thing with teaching: Raymond's advice is good... be consistent and persevere. Other advice offered included, "I think quiet and menacing is better than histrionic and hoarse!" and "Show respect, keep calm and keep following the discipline plan that you have worked out and that you have explained to the pupils." Don't know if this is much help.
I'm glad the teacher was there to offer support and encouragement. :-) Keep working on it. Don't let them get you down.
So how did the crit go?
Have you thought about how boring it can be to be a pupil? I'd say a prime factor in classroom management is that you must never be boring - that way, the kids prefer what you have to offer to what the bams might be up to. Once they're on side, you can walk on water as far as they're concerned - and they'll sit on the ones who try to disrupt your lessons. It's magic!
Oh - Quiet and menacing wins, every time. And so does unpredictablity, within reason. (I always had problems with set discipline progammes over this one, so maybe not good advice for you at this moment, but bear it in mind for later ...)
And make sure you can see everyone in the class, and that they know this!
We've ALL been there. An experienced colleague and damned good teacher - just yesterday - was discussing a class he had just covered for an absent colleague. They did not behave well no matter what he tried. He was ready for walking out at one point. Don't get disheartened - notch it up to experience - and get back in there. Learn there names as soon as possible - much more effective than generalised "Quiet Please" comments. Zoom in on the guilty parties.
Oops.....Learn THEIR names....
and me an English teacher.
:(
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