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Friday 9 September 2011

how to be an strict teacher, without being an enemy for the students?

It is common that we try to get the whole attention of the students. And in doing so, we make the mistake of confusing the roles. We think that, in order to be part of their group and be heard by them, we must be like them. Big mistake. Trying to be their friend is the first mistake we make when we are new teachers. It is true that we must get interested in their interests, and as adults, we find quite hard to understand them. For us, teachers, things are in one way, and for them, things are in another different way. But when we are so near of them, and we give the space to make them feel that we are their friends more than their teacher, then, roles are confused, and most of the times, the respect is lost. The question here is how can we deal with that problem? And it becomes a problem when we try to get something by taking the wrong decisions or taking the wrong actions. Well, here is what I think we must do in order to be strict, but without being the enemy. And you can see that it is not so hard.
  1. We must understand that we are teachers, nothing else. We are not friends. We are in the classroom to teach, to help, to advice, to control, to guide, but we are not in the classroom to talk about friendship.
  2. We have rules to follow, but it doesn't mean we cannot be flexible. Every situation is different, therefore, we must know how to react.
  3. We have to be consistent. We can't say something today, just to contradict ourselves tomorrow.
  4. We need to have all in order. Having an agenda is the best way to have all written down, so nothing will be forgotten.
  5. Let's be serious, but let's not be mad. Let's be strong, but let's not be violent. Let's be direct, but let's not be insulting.
  6. We can have moments of good humour. But we don't have to lose all the time joking around.
  7. Our word must be a sign of trust. If we say something, then we must mean it. Yes is yes, no is no. Although, maybe sometimes is maybe.
  8. Let's not lose our temper, but if we have to, then let's do it with respect. (It is good to do it, but not always).
  9. We can hate the situation, not the student. So, when a students makes a mistake, we will take action upon the situation, we won't attack the student.
  10. Our word must not be a command, it must be a word that inspires to be followed.

3 comments:

  1. Extremely helpful. I have bookmarked this. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you so much for this article! I really hope I can become that teacher someday :)

    ReplyDelete

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