Categories: life-in-general
Tags: w*rk
Date: 29 September 2009 15:49:09
Last Friday's lesson at the Collège was a disaster. Well, actually, no, I must be fair to myself. It wasn't very good, but hardly a disaster - the class have started to push the boundaries a little, and I'm afraid I lost it. I had them sitting with arms folded while I ranted. In very poor French. I just about held in my tears until they'd all gone, but then I started weeping. Truly, if I hadn't signed the contract that day I think I'd've walked. Which, in the cold light of several days' hindsight would have been a total over reaction. I was persuaded by another teacher to go and see the Head who was quite helpful and promised to talk to the Trouble Makers on Monday morning.
Meanwhile I have spoken to an ex-English teacher (who promised to lend me some resources), an ex-EBD teacher, and I posted on Ship Of Fools. I have had loads of helpful advice and I really feel optimistic about going back in tomorrow. I have sorted out a clear (I hope) discipline procedure, written the Class Rules (as voted on by the students, and added to by me), and am planning on starting a Reward chart for teams, with the students deciding (within limits) what the reward is to be.
I know I must be optimistic, and greet them as a new day and as a Teacher who is pleased to see them. I must be fair, well-balanced and friendly but not a Walk Over. I must not expect them to be little sh*ts (thank you Agatha - you said that a while back!) And most of all, I Must Not Take It Personally When They Are Little Sh*ts!!!
So yes, it's Going to be Fine.