Every teacher has at least a few students in their class who give them a very hard time. These students need to be dealt with extreme caution so as to not destroy the atmosphere of the classroom. Following are a few ways to do it.
Know your students
As a teacher, it is always very difficult to remember each and every student of yours because you have been teaching plenty of students. But it is always helpful if you know your students well and they know you. Using their names to call them in class will also gain you respect and the students will feel that you are not being indifferent to them. Try to make a point of knowing all of your students before going to a class to teach them. You can use the school record books and other teachers to help you in this and also be aware of which students are more likely to cause trouble.
Understand them
A teacher is not only a mentor but a friend too. Knowing your students well personally will help you understand them and their behavior. They might be having some personal problem at home or even at school itself which might have been the reason behind their misbehavior. If they are disturbed mentally, you will have a hard time dealing with them, so it is advisable that you make certain efforts in understanding them well. If you think that you can help your student in their personal problems, you may do so, but not without taking permission from the student.
Do not deviate from your study plan
When you are coming to the class, you must be having some plans about how to carry out the lesson. Your goal is to pass on some teachings and make sure that they are interpreted by the students in the same way. You cannot afford to pay attention to students who are not interested in anything but disrupting your lessons. You will realize that you are just shooting yourself in the leg by reacting to such pupils. You should treat it with complete indifference and stick to your plans for the day. The student is not going to decide the course of the class, you will. This indifference strengthens your authority and your classroom management skills and it also acts as a deterrent for the student who can see that his acts have no impact on you. This may seem difficult in the beginning and the student may feel that they won by making you feel disrespected and still getting away with it, but as long as you donât let them get under your skin, you are on the winning side.
Be a good example
As a teacher, you have to be the right role model for your students. None of your students will ever consider following your teachings if you yourself do not follow them. You should avoid telling students how you expect them to be or why they should not behave in a particular manner. Be pleasant to everybody, even the misbehaving ones. This will humiliate them further and may stir their conscience. It is generally seen that a particular set of students misbehave with all teachers and are not liked by any of them. Your polite and kind behavior will surprise these students who were never liked by any teachers. This will endear you to them and generate respect for you.
Don’t be too strict
It is important as a teacher to be understanding and forgiving. You cannot think about yourself without considering the student and their future. Any action of misbehavior or disrespect, no matter how big or small, should be treated without any emotion attached. Otherwise there will remain no difference between you and your student. You need to show them who is the better guy around. And also remember to make certain allowances, do not be too strict with the students and try to build a close bond with them. On certain occasions when you find that they have toed the line, treat them kindly and give them a chance to correct themselves. Keep the enmity to bare minimum and extend a hand of friendship to them. Everybody deserves a second chance, and itâs your responsibility as a teacher to correct these children.
