Every successful teacher should have a Dr Jekyll/Mr Hyde strategy. When I feel my class shifting, I ask them which teacher they want to see, and that usually settles them down. It’s not that they fear my Mr Hyde, but, instead, they genuinely enjoy Dr Jekyll more because that’s when class is more engaging and interesting. We all have more fun, and they hate losing that. They’ll do what’s good for them. But aspiring teachers, take note: this only works if your default position is one of understanding, patience, and a quiet, gentle firmness. It doesn’t work if you default to yelling or threatening to call parents, send to office, etc. Kids adapt quickly to harshness as a consequence of sometimes brutal home lives, and will tune your tough-guy persona out fast. Your yelling then becomes pleading and that’s when you’re done. They also know immediately if you respect and like kids and will generally, but not always (they’re still kids after all), give back what they receive. So if you can’t do that, please find another line of work. It will save everyone a great deal of misery.
I like how you said the default was understanding and patience. I think that hits the nail on the head. If that’s your default, your anger actually has some meaning because they already know you want the best for them. The anger has purpose for them.
I am grateful for all of your insights and the students are blessed to have you for their teacher. I know they are blessed - at the age of 85 I can remember the teachers I had in public schools of San Luis Obispo, California. It was a time when we had community norms and connections kids today do not have. Thank you for all you do - this post is so encouraging!.
My 1st year of teaching I had a class of self-contained emotionally disturbed students. I remember for the 1st few months I started to become a “yeller”. There is also the reality that when you work with ED kids you sometimes have to get physical if they try to hurt themselves or others. I could feel myself becoming “hard”. So, I had to take a good long look at myself and decide was this the kind of teacher I wanted to be. Since I had had a lot of mental health challenges myself growing up, I realized I didn’t want to be “hard”. I wanted the kids to feel safe with me and not scared of me. I wasn’t 100% successful but I look back at 34 years in special education and I think I was able to make it work the majority of the time. Even when I had to discipline, they might get mad at me but they weren’t scared of me. I loved teaching.
I think we rely on yelling early in our career because we’re not sure what to do. As we mature as teachers, we realize yelling is a tool in a vast tool kit that we can use to help motivate. It can be useful, but most often a different tool is a better fit for the situation.
And also, 34 years… goddamn. Thank you for your service.
I went out on a high point. I spent 6 years teaching on the Navajo Indian reservation. It was the best part of my career. You enjoy your well earned summer vacation.
Yeah, one of my favourite teachers was one of those Dr Jekyll/Mr Hyde type. Tavender. Scared the shite out of us, but was the best teacher ever. And those of us that didn't 'sit on the bench,' we learned something. Kudos to you! Enjoy your summer.
Such a great sharing of an experience here. Exercise is important, and literally anything where you are moving can be exercise. Important that kids learn that as soon as possible. I hope at least some of them follow up on your lessons.
Every successful teacher should have a Dr Jekyll/Mr Hyde strategy. When I feel my class shifting, I ask them which teacher they want to see, and that usually settles them down. It’s not that they fear my Mr Hyde, but, instead, they genuinely enjoy Dr Jekyll more because that’s when class is more engaging and interesting. We all have more fun, and they hate losing that. They’ll do what’s good for them. But aspiring teachers, take note: this only works if your default position is one of understanding, patience, and a quiet, gentle firmness. It doesn’t work if you default to yelling or threatening to call parents, send to office, etc. Kids adapt quickly to harshness as a consequence of sometimes brutal home lives, and will tune your tough-guy persona out fast. Your yelling then becomes pleading and that’s when you’re done. They also know immediately if you respect and like kids and will generally, but not always (they’re still kids after all), give back what they receive. So if you can’t do that, please find another line of work. It will save everyone a great deal of misery.
I like how you said the default was understanding and patience. I think that hits the nail on the head. If that’s your default, your anger actually has some meaning because they already know you want the best for them. The anger has purpose for them.
It takes them by surprise and surprise is good.
Have a great summer!
2 weeks of state testing then I’m outa here. Colombia here I come!
I am grateful for all of your insights and the students are blessed to have you for their teacher. I know they are blessed - at the age of 85 I can remember the teachers I had in public schools of San Luis Obispo, California. It was a time when we had community norms and connections kids today do not have. Thank you for all you do - this post is so encouraging!.
Thank you as always Onalee. Appreciate the compliment 😊
Said pretty much the same thing to my 5th graders. “Touch some grass; get off the brain rot”. Hopefully it worked.
Can only cross our fingers
That's good advice. Adults should take it too. Get out, walk, exercise, and get the endorphins rolling.
Repeatedly
My 1st year of teaching I had a class of self-contained emotionally disturbed students. I remember for the 1st few months I started to become a “yeller”. There is also the reality that when you work with ED kids you sometimes have to get physical if they try to hurt themselves or others. I could feel myself becoming “hard”. So, I had to take a good long look at myself and decide was this the kind of teacher I wanted to be. Since I had had a lot of mental health challenges myself growing up, I realized I didn’t want to be “hard”. I wanted the kids to feel safe with me and not scared of me. I wasn’t 100% successful but I look back at 34 years in special education and I think I was able to make it work the majority of the time. Even when I had to discipline, they might get mad at me but they weren’t scared of me. I loved teaching.
I think we rely on yelling early in our career because we’re not sure what to do. As we mature as teachers, we realize yelling is a tool in a vast tool kit that we can use to help motivate. It can be useful, but most often a different tool is a better fit for the situation.
And also, 34 years… goddamn. Thank you for your service.
I went out on a high point. I spent 6 years teaching on the Navajo Indian reservation. It was the best part of my career. You enjoy your well earned summer vacation.
Yeah, one of my favourite teachers was one of those Dr Jekyll/Mr Hyde type. Tavender. Scared the shite out of us, but was the best teacher ever. And those of us that didn't 'sit on the bench,' we learned something. Kudos to you! Enjoy your summer.
Such a great sharing of an experience here. Exercise is important, and literally anything where you are moving can be exercise. Important that kids learn that as soon as possible. I hope at least some of them follow up on your lessons.
A couple will, a couple won’t… in the immortal words of Omar Little, “it’s all in the game.”