120 hr. TEFL Course Module 9-Classroom Management (Pt.7 Being Vigilant)

Module 9: Classroom management

9.3.2 How do you keep vigilant?

With all of these reasons to let things go, how do you remain vigilant? We all agree that the right way to act is to punish inappropriate behavior with a reasonable teacher response, but how do you make it easier, less stressful, and less disruptive? There is no easy answer, but here is a strategy that might make things a little bit easier for you:

It’s not me; it’s you: Think about it. Most of the concerns listed in the previous section stem from being the enforcer as the teacher. So, the best way to make things easier on you is to remind the students that they are controlling their behavior. Instead of being the enforcer, be upset that they have done this to themselves and will have to be punished. This shift in attitude mentally shifts the confrontation and makes the student realize that their actions are what are causing them problems. Of course, this only works if you have clear rules of conduct for their behavior already in place.

As much as you may feel bad when you are doling out punishments, remember that you are doing nothing wrong and have done nothing wrong. You are not the one who misbehaved or acted inappropriately; they are. Put the burden back on the student, and watch how many of them begin to check their own behavior.
When a student gets in trouble, your attitude and behavior should reflect the following ideas:

The student is the person who chose to break a classroom rule.

The student is the person who had the choice in this situation, not you.

You are forced to punish the student because of the rules you all set at the beginning of the year.

This is going to help your students, so let go of your guilt

When a student misbehaves, treat it like you are on their side and upset they will now have to face a punishment. This makes the process seem like both of you are experiencing the punishment, and you are beholden to the rules. The rules become the enforcer, not the teacher. “Oh no, Billy. That’s the third time you had your phone out, now you have to get detention.”

Notice how this shift in attitude helps you keep your students accountable without making you feel the guilt you usually would. You will see this is actually easier than letting behaviors go and seeing your classroom slowly de-evolve and break down.

Students will begin to take more responsibility for their actions. They will realize it is their behavior, not the teacher, that is causing them to face punishments. This shift will help you create the classroom environment you want without making you be the bad person or the disciplinarian.