Oh teacher, oh teacher what do you see…….
Overly energetic students, ungraded papers stacked high, programs to attend, students to facilitate and unexpected work waiting to join the ever growing team. These are just a few of the things that the coming weeks may bring. Wait, did I say overly energetic students? As the winter break becomes a reality, so does the close of a semester. It is normal for exhaustion to set in during this time of the year.
Just because we are educators does not mean we are not human and won’t get tired sometimes. However, it is up to us to set the tone for our students while the clock ticks to end the semester or head home for a short break. About six years ago, as a second grade teacher, exhaustion was setting in for me during the early days of November. I quickly begin telling the students if they wanted to receive a gift from me they needed to be on their best behavior. Because my nerves were on edge, every little thing irritated me and I complained to the students about the appropriate behavior that I wanted them to exhibit. I used a gift as a means to keep the students on their best behavior. It was unrealistic for me to expect second grade students to not be second grade students. One of my “best” (we all have that one student who is the “best” at what they do. I mean best as in the one student who teaches you more than you teach them. You know the one who knows how to push all the right (wrong) buttons.), he calmly made a comment…..”I try not to make mistakes, but everyone will make mistakes sometimes.”
Can you imagine if the principal told us we couldn’t eat at the Christmas party because we were late all the time or did not turn our lesson plans in on time? You get my point. Everyone is entitled to a few mistakes (that are minor or that do not cause harm to themselves or others).
Ask yourself, what is your attitude like? And what really matters the most? I am not saying that the students will be on their best behavior all the time or that you will not be irritated at times. What I am saying is that we set the tone for our students.
So during this season have a little compassion and remember the 5 tips listed below:
- Be kind and try not to punish students but instead discipline. Remember you wouldn’t like it if you had to sit in a staff development meeting and watch everyone eat because you did not turn in your lesson plans on time.
- Be patient, they are excited about receiving gifts, and wouldn’t you be? So the students will be a little more energetic than normal, or you may have tons of things that need to be complete before the close of the semester. This time of the year only comes once.
- Be understanding, some students will not have a great break and gifts waiting on them during this time of the year.
- Be an example, don’t be scrooge and think the students will mimic a different behavior.
- Be consistent, just because you are tired it does not mean you slack and change the routine. Once students notice the difference, they will take advantage of your inconsistencies. This is a quick way to lose the control of your class.
Oh teacher, oh teacher what do you see…….I see a break waiting on you to be energetic with glee!! Happy Holidays