Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Case: Inconsistent Disciplining I am a student teacher and I have volunteered to participate in a special group of student teachers who are interested in teaching in diverse settings. One of the participants in our first group meeting was telling us about her disciplinary methods. When the white children in her class misbehave she sternly reprimands them because, she believes, they know the rules and they know what they are supposed to do. However, when the seven African American students misbehave, she gives them another chance because she wants them to know she cares. I have to react to this person and perhaps explain to her what the consequences of her action could be. What should I do and say? I am not even sure if her methods are actually good or bad. Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) This has to be one of my biggest pet peeves. Being inconsistent in your discipline plan will only lead to chaos because no students will take you seriously. Also, students will begin to feel like the other students are being favored by the teacher. Everyone in the classroom should be able to follow the same rules that everyone else does. Even if they are in Kindergarten, 12th grade, or anywhere in between. The teacher should also have the same expectations in behavior. All it takes is one student to misbehave before more jump on the bandwagon. I would maybe say that you hadn't ever heard of a plan like that and see what she thinks are the positives and the negatives. Maybe you can ask to sit in on her class for a little bit to see how it works and then maybe you can give her some feedback. She could also do the same for you.