Teaching is one of the most rewarding professions in the world. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the toughest. There are five things you can do to be taken more seriously as a young teacher, from your attire to how you talk with parents and colleagues.
Read on for five tips that will help make you stand out from other teachers who are new or younger than you!
Every teacher remembers their first “tough kid” experience. Maybe the student ignored your directions or laughed at your attempts to utilize the classroom discipline steps.
We all have at least one story to share, and for some teachers, teaching a tough kid is a daily challenge. Unfortunately, it seems that no matter what teaching techniques you try to pull out of your educator hat, nothing changes their behavior.
I’ve had the privilege of teaching some tough kids. I say “privilege” for a reason. Teaching these students pushed me to be a better educator and a more compassionate person.
I’ve detailed below five methods that have reduced misbehavior in my classroom and, better still, helped transform these students into leaders among their peers.
1. SET THE TONE
I firmly believe that a student’s misbehavior in the past does not necessarily equate to future indiscretions. At the beginning of the school year, I would walk down to the sixth-grade teachers with my new class lists and ask questions.
I would inquire about who works well together, who probably should not sit next to each other, and who caused them the most grief.
Not surprisingly, teachers would share the names of the same students that were their “tough kids.” If I had the privilege of having any of these students in my class, I looked forward to it instead of dreading it.
Usually, during the first week of school, I would try to have individual conferences with these tough kids. I’d take this as an opportunity to clear the air and wipe the slate clean.
So often, these students can feel disrespected because their teachers already have preconceived ideas about how they are troublemakers.
Explain that you respect them and have high expectations for them this year. Lay the foundation for the student’s understanding that you believe in them because you might be the only one who genuinely does.
2. BE A MENTOR
Unfortunately, it has been my experience that some of the most demanding kids to teach come from challenging home situations.
Unstable housing, absentee parent(s), lack of resources, and violence are only a few examples of what some of these students have to face every day.
Kids that are neglected at home can act out in school to receive attention, good or bad. They want someone to notice them and take an interest in their lives.
Don’t forget how important you are in helping your students develop not just academically but also socially. Make an effort to show you care about them, not just their grades. Be proactive instead of reactive.
The key to being a good mentor is to be positive, available, and trustworthy. One year with a great mentor can have a lasting, positive impact on a tough kid’s life.
3. MAKE CONNECTIONS
Part of being a great mentor is your ability to make connections with these tough kids. Since these students sometimes don’t have anyone encouraging them or taking an interest in their lives, have an honest conversation about their future or dreams.
If they have nothing to share, start talking about their interests — sports, music, movies, food, clothing, friends, siblings, etc. Please find a way to connect so that they can relate to you.
Start small and show a genuine interest in what they have to say. Once you’ve made a positive connection and the student can trust you, you’d be surprised how quickly they might open up to talk about their hopes, fears, home life, etc.
This is when you need to exercise professional discretion and be prepared for what the student might bring up. Explain that you do not want to violate their trust but that, as an educator, you are required by law to report certain things.
4. TAKE IT PERSONALLY (IN A GOOD WAY)
Teachers need to have thick skin. Students may say things in an attempt to bruise their ego or question their teaching abilities. Remember, we are working with young children and developing adults.
I’m sure you said some hurtful things that you didn’t mean when you were growing up. Students can say things out of frustration or boredom or triggered by problems spilling over from outside their classroom.
Try to deal with their misbehavior in the school — they might not take you seriously if you send them to the office every time they act out. These are the moments when they need a positive mentor the most.
Once trust has been established, remind these students that you believe in them even if they make mistakes. I’ve vouched for kids during grade team meetings only to have them get into a fight at lunch the same day.
They make mistakes, just like we all do. It’s how we respond to their slip-ups that will determine if they’ll continue to trust us. Explain that you’re disappointed in their actions and that you know they can do better.
Don’t write them off. Tough kids are used to being dismissed as hopeless. Instead, show them that you care and are willing to work with them.
Helping a tough kid overcome personal issues isn’t something that happens overnight, but it is a worthwhile investment in their future.
5. EXPECT ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING!
All of our students come from various cultures, nationalities, and home environments, and these five techniques that have worked for me might barely scratch the surface of how you interact with the tough kids in your classroom.
If you have another method that has helped you reach out and connect to a tough kid, please share it below in the comments section.
Conclusion:
I hope these five tips help you be taken seriously in your classroom. Remember, it’s not all about grades – remember how important you are in assisting students in developing socially and emotionally.
Be proactive instead of reactive. Make connections with the tough kids by building genuine relationships; take their behavior personally but try to work through issues without sending them out of the room or calling on discipline measures every time they make a mistake.
Most importantly, expect anything and everything from these young minds! There is no single way to reach out and connect with our most challenging students- show that you care by being pleasant, available, trustworthy, patient & understanding while remaining professional at all times.”
