When it comes to deciding what kind of teacher you want to be you'll have to make some difficult choices. You don't want to be the monster that's always ready to snap. You also don't want your students to think that you hold a grudge once the confrontation has finished. But you also want your students to know that if it goes down, you're someone to be reckoned with. If the thought of confronting your students makes you uneasy, you'll want to keep in mind these tips for how to do it properly:
Try to foresee problems. Keep an eye out for changes in class that could lead to future confrontation. If you keep your ears alert you can often hear when the dynamic in class is shifting. You might overhear students saying that your assignments are unfair, or that they don't care what you say, or that they are going to do what they want regardless of what you say, these negative feelings and pre-meditation might fester for a few weeks before boiling over. By noticing it early you can attempt to diffuse the situation before it reaches a critical point, and at if you can't do anything to help it, at least you saw it coming.
Be assertive. When the class or an individual breaks one of your more important rules, there must be consequences that follow. If there aren't, you are sending the message that anything goes. And soon, anything will. When you send your students the message that their misdeeds have ramifications, they will not be surprised when you confront them on their bad behavior, and this will give you a leg up. If you have let things slide and finally decide to confront them one day, their shock will not help you, they will just think you are being unfair because you let so much slide before that time. If you are consistent with your assertiveness you will build respect in your students and they will in turn follow your instructions in class.
Get students on your side. After the confrontation is over, you want to recruit the student to your team as soon as possible. They should know that they deserved what was coming to them, and they should be eager to get back on your good side. Allow them the opportunity to regain your good graces. A student or a class shouldn't feel like you are continually punishing them for something you confronted them on days or weeks ago. Call them out on their bad behavior, let them know that they made an egregious error, let them know what further consequences will be should they continue this line of behavior, and then let it be.
Try to foresee problems. Keep an eye out for changes in class that could lead to future confrontation. If you keep your ears alert you can often hear when the dynamic in class is shifting. You might overhear students saying that your assignments are unfair, or that they don't care what you say, or that they are going to do what they want regardless of what you say, these negative feelings and pre-meditation might fester for a few weeks before boiling over. By noticing it early you can attempt to diffuse the situation before it reaches a critical point, and at if you can't do anything to help it, at least you saw it coming.
Be assertive. When the class or an individual breaks one of your more important rules, there must be consequences that follow. If there aren't, you are sending the message that anything goes. And soon, anything will. When you send your students the message that their misdeeds have ramifications, they will not be surprised when you confront them on their bad behavior, and this will give you a leg up. If you have let things slide and finally decide to confront them one day, their shock will not help you, they will just think you are being unfair because you let so much slide before that time. If you are consistent with your assertiveness you will build respect in your students and they will in turn follow your instructions in class.
Get students on your side. After the confrontation is over, you want to recruit the student to your team as soon as possible. They should know that they deserved what was coming to them, and they should be eager to get back on your good side. Allow them the opportunity to regain your good graces. A student or a class shouldn't feel like you are continually punishing them for something you confronted them on days or weeks ago. Call them out on their bad behavior, let them know that they made an egregious error, let them know what further consequences will be should they continue this line of behavior, and then let it be.
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