I Figure Out Management

I don't know what was up today, but I was aching to get home, sit on the couch and fall asleep. As it turns out, I fell asleep in the bathtub instead. I like to live dangerously. What can I say? I suppose I can suggest falling asleep in the bathtub as an excellent way to find out what you'll look like when you're 105. If that's what you're in to...

Otherwise, I discovered a few interesting things. I've been saying that students have power. Well I found out today that I do too! I never feel particularly authoritative. It's kind of hard when I'm not even a decade older than the kids I'm teaching. That and it's very difficult to work with someone else's routines and establish yourself as an authority figure when you're only in the class a few weeks. Still, I managed! And management has been my issue all year... stupid management.

I got two kids to stop screwing around and making a mess. I got two kids to stop play fighting. I got three kids to move their asses back to class. Turns out the secret is having a headache and running out of patience. I finally get the concept of being "firm". I feel as though a mystery has been solved, as though doors and windows have been opened, as though I can go forth and manage! I understood what the words meant, but never how to implement them. But with the sentences:

1. "Okay, you're both going to pick up this mess and throw all these bits of paper in the garbage. It's not the janitor's job to walk behind you cleaning. Get moving! And there's a piece under your boot."
2. "Hey! Knock it off and keep your hands to yourself! I don't care if you're joking. Get back to class."
3. "Look, I'm out of patience for today. Let's move a bit faster shall we?"

I had people doing my bidding! I was too exasperated at the time to fully bask in my accomplishment, but now, I'm basking and it is good. Got to love it when just being annoyed is enough to get you what you want. Why didn't I think of that sooner?

So, to other student teachers, if you have a pleasant enough demeanour and you suddenly show your students how irritated you are, magic can happen. Think about it.

Lauren.