There is one thing nearly every teacher does that skyrockets stress.
You’re probably doing it too.
Because it comes naturally. It makes sense. It feels right. Plus, you see every other teacher doing it.
So what is it?
It’s trying to convince students to behave. The way this looks varies from teacher to teacher but generally it consists of . . .
- Pep-talks
- Cajolery
- Exhortation
- False Praise
- Flattery
- Enticement
- Goading
- Urging
- Coaxing
- Comforting
- Counseling
In other words, the burden is on you to find the right mix of words, tone, and body language to “get” students to behave. Not only is this approach remarkably stressful, but it doesn’t work.
Because it makes you look weak. It signals that you’re afraid of holding them accountable via your classroom management plan.
And once students peg you as just another pleading, wishy-washy teacher, they’ll misbehave right in front of you. They’ll talk while you’re talking. They’ll goof around, ignore your directions, and leave their seats without permission.
It’s human nature. When there is a void in strong leadership, the mice will play. The good news is that it’s a quick and easy fix.
Just stop.
Stop trying to convince your students of anything. Stop pulling them aside. Stop worrying over having the right things to say.
Instead, teach, model, and practice in detail what you expect of them. Focus your energy on creating a classroom they want to be part of. Combine it with consistent accountability.
This is the secret to a well-behaved class that works for every teacher and in every grade level.
Your stress bottoms out because you have certainty and clarity. There is no anxiety over what to say. There is no need to push the right buttons. There is no hoping things will work out.
There is only doing, action, and follow-through.
PS – This week’s video is Stop Rewarding Good Behavior (It’s Making Things Worse). Be sure to subscribe to the channel.
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