Here at SCM, we hear from them a lot.
Sometimes in the comment section. Often via email or social media channels.
The naysayers. The doubters. The excuse-makers. Pointing the finger at everyone and every thing but themselves.
You could show them classroom after classroom of well-behaved students, from the innermost cities to the smallest towns, and they still wouldn’t believe it.
You could introduce them to Marta, 61 years old and, after learning the SCM approach, under total command of her 34 middle school students.
They would call her an unrealistic anomaly or a “natural.”
You could walk them down the hallways of dozens of schools in New York City, where students walk with purpose and focus intently on excellent instruction, and they’ll come away convinced that it was all a show.
Sadly, their disbelief dooms them. It dooms them to a career of stress, dissatisfaction, and martyrdom. It’s far too easy, you see, to be a squawking bird than to acquire the knowledge and skills they lack.
So they sit on their high perch making definitive statements about which they know little-to-nothing outside of their failing, out-of-control classroom.
Don’t you see? It’s the parent’s fault. There is no support from administration. Smart phones and videos games have corrupted children beyond help. Being good at the job simply isn’t possible.
But it’s all a lie.
Yes, there are challenges, including those above. But the truth is that with the right knowledge, and discipline to follow a proven set of principles and strategies, the challenges can be overcome.
They are being overcome. Quietly. Efficiently. Happily. By everyday, ordinary teachers in pockets of classrooms, schools, and districts from Carlsbad to Albany.
Polite, motivated students, low stress, and the freedom to focus on creating and delivering interesting and captivating lessons.
Here’s a secret you need to know:
Anyone can do it. Yes, even the hardhearted cynic. Though my opening words are admittedly harsh, I do understand. Without real-world, competent classroom management skills, teaching is brutal.
So I invite them. I invite you if you’re struggling.
Put SCM to the test. Start with The Classroom Management Secret and one of our classroom management plans (at right). Dig into our archive or use the Search bar at top to have every question answered.
There is a fair amount to learn. But it isn’t difficult. All students behave predictably to certain teacher behaviors and classroom conditions.
It’s human nature and classroom psychology leveraged to create the classroom you’ve always wanted.
But first, you have to believe it’s possible. You have to stop the finger-pointing, the excuses, and the justifications for why your students are unmotivated, poorly behaved, and disrespectful.
Take responsibility.
And with it, the control to chart a new destiny.
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