Monday, September 3, 2018

Setting the Tone...Matthew (Matt) Key, Georgia


One of the first things I remember from my favorite teacher is the way that he got respect from the students the first day of school.   In reflecting on numerous occasions about this teacher, I realize that it was a little scare tactic, but more that he was setting the tone for the year.  I realized that by setting this type of tone, the teacher did not have to worry much about unproductive behaviors for the rest of the year.
This is the type of behavior control that I employed at school.  I am a firm believer that you must give respect to get respect.  I tried to set the tone with my students for the rest of the year.  Setting the tone at the beginning of the year was not that hard being the first male teacher that the students had at my school.  I feel students need to understand the rules and procedures early.  You have to establish the limits and then work to make sure that the students understand them.  Once the students begin to follow these procedures, I begin to ease up and let the students determine how they want me to conduct class.  The other teachers that I team teach with, ask how I do not have the same issues they do?  I tell them that I scare the students at the beginning of the year and then the students do not want to act up.  Then I really tell them the truth.  I mention to the teachers that you have to let the students know the procedures early and then stay consistent with them until they know their limits and that you are going to give them consequences if they do not follow the procedures you set.  

Good luck!

Matthew (Matt) Key, Georgia

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