out of your control

It is May and behavior is spiking as we all anticipate the Summer ahead.  It often feels like in this anticipation, we get short with each other.  One thing that I have noticed in coaching some teachers is that the students behavior, when it rises to a certain level, must be handled by administration.  Now don't get me wrong, there are absolutely some behaviors that must be handled by administration, specifically when safety or loss of learning for others is involved.

The thing we must realize when we turn over behavior that does not rise to this level is that the behavior, and the solution is now out of our hands.  I have talked to many teachers that are frustrated at times with the way administration handles something that they have turned over.  I would like to propose two solutions to this feeling and frustration.  The first is to go and have an open conversation with the administrator about how the situation was handled.  Your administration acting in a way that they feel is supportive to the situation and willing to discuss.  That is a sign of a good administrator; the open door policy.

The second proposal I have is in the situation that a behavior does not rise to the level of safety concern or taking away from the learning of others.  This is where I choose to be selfish.  Rather than turn the behavior over to another person and living with their decisions, I try to work through the behavior in my classroom.  The first step is to get ahold of parents and let them know what is going on.  Let them know you would rather work with their student than escalate the situation to administration.  Parents are appreciative of that.  Many times they will be supportive and you are able to move forward quickly.  I don't say this to imply that the consequence is simply calling parents.  I am firm believer in paying back the energy or time that a behavior took.  This can be done during lunch or after school.  Make sure to be purposeful on what happens during that time, and have a plan to build relationship with the student.  This will pay it forward to class the next day.  It also helps for the student to know there is a line and you are willing to work with them, not just hand them over to work with someone else.  Students appreciate the line and your commitment to them.  It may not show in the moment though.

I challenge you to give it a try.  Take a different approach and see how it pans out.  Wishing you a wonderful last couple weeks of school.