So yesterday I had my first bad day as a student teacher. Bad day does not even begin to explain the stress I went through yesterday. I woke up yesterday morning to a text from my CT saying the was going to be home sick for the day and that I needed to help the sub because she barely knew any English. Immediately I started to panic because my University Supervisor was coming yesterday for my first observation and I needed the few classes before to get myself ready. I ended up fully teaching all 6 classes of the day with plans for only 2 of them. I did not get my CT's plans until about 15 minutes before my 25 person most challenging class of the day arrived in full steam. I went through her plans in about 25 minutes and then I had 20 minutes to come up with something as the kids talked, walked around, and even threw buttons across the room. I was about at my breaking point.... no matter what I did or said these kids would not quiet down or behave. I yelled at them and told them how dissapointed I was because if their teacher was here they would not be acting like this. Immediately I felt like a sub...that is what I was to them. Not their teacher, but their sub. I was so frustrated that my first time ever in front of that class was the day they see me as a sub and as someone they do not respect. Don't get me wrong, there were good students in the class, but in my unprepared and unorganized last minute substitute eyes, the challenging kids took the spotlight. Two kids even sprinted out of the classroom as the bell rang. UNACCEPTABLE.
Today I told my CT about my frustrations and she apologized and suggested that I begin the Intermediate class today and "show them I mean business." They came in today and I stood up front and told them how I expect respect and how I am their teacher now for the next couple of months, so they better treat me better and behave in class or their lives during 3rd period were going to be very rough. They calmed down for about 5 minutes and then they started up again. I. lost. it.....in my head, thankfully not outloud. I did, however, manage to get them respecting me. As soon as I said "excuse me!" they all were quiet and sat down (with the exception of one challenging student). I basically restated that I am their teacher now and they need to respect me. After class I held the two behind that tried to sprint out yesterday and told them the next time they do that I will have them cleaning my room after class instead of leaving on time.
My fear of the kids hating me is gone now. All I want is their respect. I have the most problems with this class and although it is challenging, I know in the future I will have the same kinds of classes, maybe even worse. In my opinion, the toughest part of teaching is classroom management. I knew this whole student teacher thing would not be all sunshine and rainbows, so here's to learning how to manage a classroom....one challenging student at a time.
Classroom management is a constant challenge and really something that is learned "on the job". However, use the theory you learned in methods and get your "game face" on. Asking for their respect is a start, but they have to believe you deserve it and mean it. I guess you are seeing how American students do not automatically respect their "elders" :)
ReplyDeleteDon't let them see you sweat - try to remain calm and draw attention to their behavior. Even if it means no Spanish, they have to learn procedures and practice them. It is okay to have them practice coming and going from the classroom, raising their hands, what to do when you are talking, etc. And also, remember to praise the students who are doing what they are supposed to be doing (ie "Muy bien Elisa. I like how you are sitting quietly waiting for instructions." etc)