Teachers: Is Classroom Discipline Getting You Down?

Back to school......Is that a chorus of groans I hear amidst the cheers from mothers delighted that the long winter break is finally coming to an end and peace and quiet will once again reign throughout the house?

We're used to hearing the groans from students who love sleeping in, playing with their Christmas gifts, and hanging out at the mall with other kids, but I am also detecting an increasing number of those groans coming from teachers everywhere.

What?  But teachers are supposed to love their jobs.  They would never have chosen teaching as a profession if it wasn't one they would love so much that they could hardly wait to get to work each morning to greet each of their equally eager students.  Right?

Unfortunately, by January each year, many teachers, especially first year teachers, are awaiting nothing more eagerly than the end of the school year so they can spend the summer figuring out a better way  to earn a living.

If you went to school back in the 50's or 60's you probably did pretty much what your teacher told you to do.  You may not have agreed or liked it, but you did it because there were consequences to face if you didn't.  There were a few students who dared to disobey, but, for the most part, discipline problems in the classroom were few and far between.

Whether they admit it or not, it is the rare teacher today that doesn't have discipline problems in his or her classroom.

Such problems might include:

Smart remarks or profanity directed at other students or the teacher.
Obscene gestures or sexual advances.
Throwing things in  the classroom,
Refusal to do do classwork, loud talking or noise making.
Texting or using cellphones during class
Coming in late
Inappropriate dress,
Bullying.

Unfortunately at times, more instruction time is spent in trying to deal with these problems than on actual teaching of the subject involved.

We are tempted to place blame for these behaviors on unruly kids, but like most other problems in life, there is plenty of blame to go around. 

Parents who fail to require good behavior at home is the number one reason for discipline problems at school. Of course it is easier to let things slide and avoid a big ruckus with your kids, but is that what is best for them.  Kids who learn good manners and good behavior at home usually practice the same when they are away from home.

Society also contributes to poor discipline in our schools.  Encouraging kids to dress provocatively, use vulgar and abusive language, bully those who are weaker, and to think they are deprived if they don't have the latest electronic gadget, dress fad, or car is not helping them.  When was the last time you heard movie idols or government leaders trying to impress kids to show kindness, respect, and love toward others.

Teachers who have not learned to maintain discipline share the responsibility for the breakdown of discipline in our schools.  If you are one of those teachers, seek out fellow teachers who control their classes well and ask for suggestions.  Read up on the subject of classroom control.  Every suggestion will not work for every classroom so you may have to try several before you find the ones that will work best for you.  Look for a specialist who can help you.   Click Here!  for more information on getting control of your classroom.

Whatever you do, don't let discipline problems ruin the dream you once had about teaching school.

As a former teacher myself, one of my favorite tips for new teachers is to enlist the help of the kids themselves in maintaing discipline, and do it early. 

Set aside some time to talk about classroom behavior.  Make a list of problems that may occur throughout the year.  Let the kids add to the list and then talk about how some of  the problems might be avoided.  Finally, decide together what would be an appropriate discipline for each problem.  You will find that kids are much more likely to abide by rules that they have a part in making.