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Best Ways to Prevent & React to Discipline Problems
Jill Hare | Teaching
Student behavior problems may be the single biggest reason teachers get stressed and leave the teaching profession. Too often, teacher preparatory programs send smart, qualified teachers into classrooms with little or no skills for handling behavior disasters. Student teaching may prepare teachers for real-life teaching, but more often than not, the student teaching environment may not represent the actual teaching placement.
As the editor of Teaching, I get more questions from frustrated teachers asking for class management help. I’ve compiled a wealth of resources for teachers of all ages and stages here, but for additional issues, feel free to send me or Dear Julia our behavior columnist, a question.
Every student is unique, and that means every class is its own dynamic. Throughout the year, students have experiences with you or their peers that may trigger behaviors and make conducting class seem impossible. If you feel overwhelmed, it’s time to step back and take a hard look at your approach to behavior.
Two Key Strategies
There are two main strategies teachers need to maintain order in class. One is a proactive approach to discipline. These are things you can do before an issue flares up in your class.
The second strategy is reactive. These are appropriate responses and plans teachers use after a bad behavior has emerged in class.
