Inspiration

Inspiration

Students behave.

They act, react, initiate and respond.

Each of us has a standard we hold as precious. When others behave in ways that are expected, that we think are normal, things go well. Some of this comes from personal needs -- for quiet, to feel in control, part of comfort, from our view of what classrooms ought to be like. We may have a number of ideas about what is acceptable. It may be fine with us if students run on the playground, but we may not allow running in halls or buildings. We may like students to talk during Centers, but get anxious and upset if talking goes on during testing. We may find it acceptable for little kids to eat paste, but make it illegal for big kids to buy cement. Now you are laughing, right? Some expectations are part of keeping children safe. Some rules and expectations just make sense.

Do all of them? Do all of yours?

Many of our expectations come from our social context. We have years and years of experience in classrooms with different kinds of teachers. We liked some and hated some. We obeyed many of the things we were told without thinking. There were some things we were told to do that we could not accomplish. There were some things we did not like being told, and some of us rebelled while others of us did passive or sneaky things to get our own way or to keep from confronting the teacher. Some of us were rebellious or confrontational -- and all of us have experiences with people in the classroom who did not comply and were very clear about it.

Did you ever have a teacher tell you to do something that was clearly wrong in your own mind? Did you ever see teachers behaving in ways that were socially innappropriate or hurtful to children? What did you do in that ethical dilemma? Were there any systems in place to protect you? Were there punishers in place, real or imagined, that made it impossible for you to speak out, to protect yourself or others?

Teacher, disciplinarian, classroom manager, facilitator -- these are complex roles. Your journey will help you take a fresh look at this.

Some teachers seem to be embattled at all times. Some teachers seem so unruffled. It is common to worry about being the one in charge of a classroom and having the students refuse to settle down. It is a common experience to have to live through a lesson when student attention wanders or one student takes over and seems to do "Ace Venture, Pet Detective" as a solo counterpoint to a lesson.

As a teacher, one of the most nighmarish things is worrying that someone will be too overpowering, too out of control. In recent years, that worry has included violence.

So, how can one course prepare us to support student learning, discipline and manage successfully? Why not take a journey and collect the tools of discipline and management? There are many distinct ways to set up a learning environment and have it work well. One right way just describes the best one for me, but it may not be good for anyone else. The journey will help you find your own special skills and strengths, your own needs and wants for feeling good in the classroom. And the course, of course, will only last a semester, while the journey you begin will last a lifetime. Deciding what tools you need for discipline is also about defining self, recognizing the way you behave in relationships with others and what you hope students will do when they are around you. It is about how you control yourself and what behaviors, actions and reactions you permit yourself.

Teaching includes trial and error, learning new ideas, using different tools and having new and challenging personalities give you insights about human nature and human beings. It is the most rewarding and challenging profession imaginable. This is a wonderful opportunity to explore and capture insights, skills and tools in your quest. You were there when Pandora opened the box and the host of sprites, mischiefs and malelovent spirits took flight. Now it is you and Lizzie, moving into the great adventure of learning about human nature. What will it take to become a great teacher - years of practice, experience, adminstrative and peer support? Time will tell.

Hark -- the adventure calls.....

E-mail J'Anne Ellsworth at Janne.Ellsworth@nau.edu
Course Created by J'Anne Ellsworth & CTEL