 |
| Image from Microsoft Office clip art |
I don't want to be a mean teacher. The truth is, I really want my students to like me. I don't want to send kids back to their desks for talking during the read aloud. I don't want to make the whole class march back down to the playground because their line back to the classroom was noisy and chaotic.
Then, this morning, I started thinking ... Am I shortchanging my students by always trying to be nice?
After a long reflection, I decided that I am. I want these kids to move on to first grade with all the skills and knowledge that they need to be successful there. Sometimes that may mean that I have to get tough. I don't have to be mean, but I do have to expect the best from them. I know they can walk in a quiet line that doesn't disrupt other classrooms. I've seen them do it and been impressed. So, today, I marched them back to the playground and made them practice walking quietly back to the classroom instead of doing the read aloud. I also told them how proud of them I was when they got it right.
These kids deserve a teacher who expects their best and celebrates their success. That's the teacher I want to be for them.
I agree with you that I do not want to be the mean teacher either! One of the surprising things that happened during September Experience was that my Cooperating Teacher suggested that I work on some of my use of language; I often say could you please do this or do you want to do that. This was how I normally talk to the people around me, so that is what came naturally to me. However, when you phrase questions like these, it gives students the options to say no. Many times the students should already being doing these tasks. My Cooperating Teacher explained to me that it is not being mean to the students and that I just need to be more direct when speaking with them. This gave me a lot to think about and has created a whole new awareness level for me. I have been very conscientious of how and what I have been saying to the students, but I still catch myself saying things like “Can you…”
ReplyDeleteHowever, since returning to my main placement this month, I have found that I have had to flex my authority more than I have wanted to keep transitions smooth and kids on task. Like you, I have realized that being “tough” does benefiting the students and is necessary. Without it there would be no opportunity for learning and isn’t that what we are here for?