One question on every student’s mind the first day of school is whether or not their teacher is a pushover.
It’s natural.
They want to know what they can get away with, where the line is. And the answer comes easily. They just need to observe you. Your behavior always gives you away.
So what follows are 19 things that signal to students that you’re a pushover and they can get away with a lot.
- You don’t teach rules on the first day of school.
- You talk a lot and stray off topic.
- You fidget and pace nervously.
- You talk over students.
- Your expectations are vague.
- You play up rewards they’ll get for good behavior.
- You let them enter the room however they wish.
- You let them choose their seats.
- You raise your voice to be heard.
- You ignore minor misbehavior.
- You remind instead of enforce.
- Your desk is messy.
- You narrate your directions.
- You dress unprofessionally (flip-flops, t-shirts).
- Your supervision is erratic.
- You let students talk during independent work.
- You can’t get your class quiet whenever you want.
- You involve students in creating class rules.
- You have a lightweight presence.
It’s not students’ first choice to goof off or do things they shouldn’t in the classroom. It’s just that when the teacher proves to be a pushover it’s hard to resist.
If they can’t find inspiration and discipline from the leader of the classroom, then misbehavior becomes the next best option.
It’s better than boredom.
Despite some initial resistance and testing, all students want strong direction. They want boundaries. They want excellence, purpose, and motivation. They want discipline.
It feels good to be held to a high standard. Furthermore, it’s proof that someone cares about them.
PS – Check out this week’s YouTube videos:
1. How to Get Students to Respect You
2. Why Your Consequences Don’t Work
3. The Moment Students Stop Taking You Seriously
Also, if you haven’t done so already, please join us. It’s free! Click here and begin receiving classroom management articles like this one in your email box every week.
Very necessary post indeed Michael! Thank you for being the mentor I never had during my B.Ed. !
Matt
My pleasure, Matt.
Look forward to your posts weekly! Regarding 1 and 18. In my building you are horrible if go over expectations in day one instead of building community, and you always have to involve students in setting rules. I definitely fall on your side, but wow, how expectations can vary. I will also say, we have huge behaviorally problems at my school. Maybe the above is why.
I failed at classroom mgmt and as an elem teacher. My principal couldn’t find anything I did well. So it was either retire (just turned 65), or stay and be put on probation. I chose the former. My teammates of 8 years didn’t say congratulations or good bye, etc. Just sharing.
Sad to hear this: sounds like your team and admins were not very nice. Every teacher struggles with classroom management…some days are better than others. Just because you retired from that place doesn’t mean you can’t do some other teaching. You are 65 years young….so get after it. You can do it.
Bill the Teacher Guy
Some of these are not applicable for some teachers. I teach overseas and my school administration set the assessments that go towards final grades. Behaviour and participation are not factored into grades. I also do not have my own classroom, many teachers go to their class’ homerooms to teach so there’s no “home field” advantage.
Hi. I am a Spanish teacher, and I love your articles and videos. I’ve learned a lot from your experience.
I was looking forward to buying your book “The Smart Classroom Management for High School,” but I couldn’t complete the payment process. There’s anyway you can send me a new link to purchase?
Thank you.
My name is Maria Marturet, and this is my email: maritemarturet@hotmail.com
Trust me when I say : SCM works. I’ve posted many times on here before. The 19 things listed are true. I teach middle school, if I show any weakness the middle school hyenas will circle their prey and attack. I’ll say this again and again…don’t let the admins, other teachers, parents, school board members dictate on how you run your class. Read…like REALLY read the SCM guidelines and do it. Everyday!!!.
Stay Strong and Get After It.