Classroom Management 101

If teachers are unable to successfully implement an effective discipline management system in their classroom student success will not happen.  Students need structure, consistency, and they need to know what to expect. In today’s public schools many students come from homes where they seldom know what to expect and they seem to always be living in chaos.  When students enter your classroom they need to know who, what, when, and how.  Who is in charge, what to do, when to do it, and how to do it.

Enough Is Enough

How much do teachers have to put up with before a student is permanently removed from their room?  Disruptive behavior has really gotten out of hand and administrators' hands are tied.   Students are cursing at teachers in the classroom, throwing shoes, knocking over desk, hitting teachers, and much more.  At best, principals suspend students for such disruptive behavior, but the student returns in a few days, and in most cases continue the disruptive behavior.  The other students, the innocent bystanders, don't deserve to be exposed to this type of behavior, and they certainly don't deserve to miss all of this valuable instructional time. Enough is enough.

Let The Judge Decide

Yesterday as students were dismissed for the day I was called to the front office to intervene in a custody dispute. Mom usually picks her daughter up from school but dad decides to show up and the battle begins. I search the student's files and there aren't any custody papers on file so both parents have equal rights to the student.  After 30 - 45 minutes of back and forth with both parents dad decided to leave and allow the daughter to go home with mom. What a relief... because as a principal I wear many hats but judge is not one of them.

I Hate School

Steven is a 2nd grader who has already been to the office twice this year because of disruptive behavior and throwing things in the classroom.  Steven doesn't seem very happy and when asked why he refuses to do what his teacher asks, his response is always.. I hate school.  I wonder why a 7 year old has already decided that school is not a place he wants to be.  He has a caring, compassionate teacher who wants him at school and wants him to be successful.  Every year brings about a new challenge, so I wonder what it will take to get Steven on track.

School's Back in Session

School is back in session and it's been a smooth start so far. It's amazing how much has to get done before the children arrive; but somehow we are able to make it happen.  I hope the teachers remember to build relationships with their students and make positive contact with parents. This is critical if they want to have a success year.

Educationally-Speaking, A Principal's Journal

Educationally-Speaking, A Principal's Journal

End of The Year

The year has come to an end and what a year it was.  This was probably one of the most difficult years of my career but my excitement and enthusiasm about next school year kept me motivated and got me through the year.  In an effort to do what's best for students I came across a number of road blocks.  Teachers had to be placed on growth plans, students needed to be evaluated for emotional disturbances, and the pressure of academic accountability was forever mounting.  If anyone thinks educating our future is an easy task then they are sadly mistaken.  If all we had to do was show up and teach students perhaps it would be easy; however, the truth of the matter is that the other things often get in the way of us teaching students.  Other things like lack of parental support, disruptive behavior from students, and mounding paperwork and administrative responsibilities.  However, even with all of this, I am still excited about the difference I know I'm making in students' lives.