Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Go Back                 Case Posted on February 23, 2023 4:14 am Add to Favorites ugaSup Reps: 103 Not being recognized as an authority figure I have a second-grade class that simply will not listen to me no matter what I do. It takes me at least 5 minutes to quiet everyone down and as soon as I turn my head, students are talking or out of their seats again. I understand this age does not have a high attention span, but they seem to not recognize that I am an authority figure in the classroom. Once I bring someone else into the class, they settle down and listen, but the same thing happens as soon as they walk out the door again. It gets very difficult to get through the work that needs to be done and it is also very frustrating. What are some good methods to use to establish authority but not be the "bad guy"?                 Submit a Possible Solution Please read response(s) below (if any) before posting your solution.                 Solution 1 Posted February 24, 2023 4:22 pm eHaSaN Reps: 203 You do not have to consider yourself "the bad guy," for doing what is best for your students. Rules, laws, and boundaries are all a apart of life, and we end up being grateful for them as they provide us with guidelines, a sense of security, and can even save lives. The same thing goes for the classroom. Nailing down some boundaries with consequences if they are not followed, and posting classroom rules may seem difficult at first, but these attributes teach respect on both ends. If you are worried about "being the bad guy," I would suggest making the rules reciprocated. For instance, "I will listen when you speak, and you will listen when I speak". Furthermore, another positive association you could make with stern rules is a reward system. Votes: +8 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution eLyreV Reps: 101 agree   Posted on: October 6, 2023 7:17 pm Add a Comment                 Solution 2 Posted February 24, 2023 2:00 am Nataly Rovira Reps: 100 You are their teacher not their friend and sometimes we might have to be the "bad guy". As teachers we have to make our presence known to our students and establish the authoritative figure in the classroom. I don't like raising my voice at my kids either but in some instances you have to and that respect is established from the first day of school and the way you manage your classroom. Votes: +3 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Morgan Lemler Reps: 100 I like how you said that you are their teacher not their friend. That is very true.   Posted on: October 6, 2023 5:42 pm eLyreV Reps: 101 agree   Posted on: October 6, 2023 7:18 pm Add a Comment                 Solution 3 Posted February 26, 2023 3:15 pm deXaTa Reps: 101 The reason why this happened is because of what’s called the “snowball effect.” Essentially, things were not set in place beforehand to make sure that the students don’t get too comfortable with portraying bad behaviors. Now that you are past the preventative phase, there is not much else you can do but be “the bad guy.” You will have to make changes to the classroom which will affect how they view, use, choose, and respect the class, which is entirely different than what they were used to and they likely won’t appreciate that. Votes: +3 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution eLyreV Reps: 101 agree   Posted on: October 6, 2023 7:18 pm Add a Comment                 Solution 4 Posted February 26, 2023 7:55 pm adeSah Reps: 201 As others have mentioned, teachers sometimes have to be the "bad guy", but also on the other hand some become needlessly harsh to establish this sense of authority beyond what is needed to manage the classroom. It will be less in your techniques to establish order, and more in your attitude. With the fact you're worried about it, I doubt you'll have to worry about coming off as the "bad guy". Instead, try and get the class in a rhythm. When you clap your hands, ask them to sit down. Maybe make a game or have a small reward out of it. If a student is speaking when you're speaking, simply be quiet and stare at them to show they're the ones being uncool. Votes: +2 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 5 Posted February 26, 2023 12:35 pm yHyZuL Reps: 101 I think you hit the nail on the head with the age group. Its hard when working with students of this age group. I think I would start by just holding all misbehaviors accountable. Votes: +1 / -1 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution eLyreV Reps: 101 agree   Posted on: October 6, 2023 7:18 pm Add a Comment                 Solution 6 Posted February 26, 2023 9:42 pm ataLyr Reps: 100 You are the adult and the authority for that room. You are not there to be their friend and you may have to be the bad guy occasionally. Start with one child and slowly work through the rest, as more of them become compliant and start following directions, the others will begin to follow. Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Morgan Lemler Reps: 100 I agree that you should be their teacher first, not their friend.   Posted on: October 6, 2023 5:43 pm Add a Comment                 Solution 7 Posted February 26, 2023 10:22 pm aseTyD Reps: 200 I would suggest trying to start implementing procedures. When the students want in, you could have instructions on the board detailing the task they should start when they walk in. Slowly but surely the students will start transitioning to the procedures as long as you stay consistent with it. Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 8 Posted February 26, 2023 11:46 pm ezezen Reps: 12 I suggest not only implementing consequences but also enforcing them. Sometimes we might feel that we are being harsh on students and start to become more lenient and let some things slip. Once students see this they will start to push boundaries. I think your students will see your seriousness once you start to take action with consequences. Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 9 Posted February 27, 2023 2:57 am TyVyRe Reps: 103 Doing what's best to get your student the education they deserve is more important than how they view you. Kids ae very short sighted and it's a teacher's job to determine if their action are positively or negatively contributing to the classroom environment over the long term. As you discipline the ringleaders of the misbehavior, the rest of the class will fall in line. Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 10 Posted February 27, 2023 7:38 am uByXeh Reps: 201 Enforce classroom rules and procedures. Be very stern with the children and enforce "punishments" such as reduced recess time, no "fun friday" things of that nature. Create incentives for good behavior so that the bad behavior stops. Going over rules and including incentives might work. Ask for other teachers' advice as well. Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 11 Posted March 1, 2023 1:06 am yhuNar Reps: 103 One of the key factors of having students respect you is having a rules chart. Students can help create the chart so they know what behaviors are accepted and what wont be. There can also be a discipline char where it says what bad behavior will not be accepted and the punishment to follow. You need to address bad behavior right away and have a no tolerance for bad behavior zone and kids will learn. Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 12 Posted October 3, 2023 7:19 pm aSyLyt Reps: 201 Create some form of prize system or goal by the end of the week. Anytime they talk or get out of their seat point get taken away but if they are good then they can get point added. This could be a way to encourage good behavior because there is a reason to behave well. Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 13 Posted October 6, 2023 5:41 pm Morgan Lemler Reps: 100 I would suggest having a heart to heart with the students and establish around 5 rules for them to follow. Mention consequences to the students and follow through with them if needed. You may need to be the "bad guy" for a moment or two before you gain their respect and then you can ease up a tad. Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 14 Posted October 6, 2023 7:17 pm eLyreV Reps: 101 You must make your presence known. Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 15 Posted March 12, 2023 11:01 am yDapem Reps: 200 As an educator, it is not your job to be a student’s friend. It’s the cliche remark we may have heard from a teacher before, or a parent. Boundaries are important to maintain, and doing this does not make you the “bad guy”. Being authoritative and being mean are different things. Just do not be mean. Votes: +0 / -1 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution eLyreV Reps: 101 agree   Posted on: October 6, 2023 7:17 pm Add a Comment                 Submit a Possible Solution Please read response(s) below (if any) before posting your solution.