Over the years I have dealt a lot with student discipline. While as a lead teacher that would handle any team discipline or discipline that arose while the administration wasn't in the building, as a Dean of Students, or as an Assistant Principal I have always held a few principles in mind while doling out discipline:
- Discipline needs to be consistent but isn't 1 size fits all.
- Discipline needs to change behavior.
- Discipline isn't to make me or the offended party feel better.
Some of these principles make people uncomfortable, confused, or even angry but I will gladly sit and discuss these principles with anyone. First, I do feel that discipline must be consistent. If punching a someone is against the rules for 1 student it should be against the rules for all students, but that doesn't mean that every student should get the exact same punishment. For instance of all if a student punches someone because they are angry it is different that if they punch someone because a Volkswagen Bug drives by. Both need a consequence but the Bug might just need a reminder of the rules where the angry person might need a more severe consequence.
The next reason why both students don't always need the same consequence is that a consequence should only be used if it will change behavior. If you have a student that constantly talks out and has been given a detention everyday for 2 weeks straight (which they serve) and they keep talking out; are the detentions changing their behavior? Maybe a detention won't help that student and they need a more creative consequence.
Finally, discipline shouldn't be given out to make the adult or offended feel better. This can be tough because teachers may want the student, "to get what they deserve" or may be pushing for a consequence because they are angry. It is important to remember discipline should be given out to change behavior not to make anyone else feel better.
Finally, discipline shouldn't be given out to make the adult or offended feel better. This can be tough because teachers may want the student, "to get what they deserve" or may be pushing for a consequence because they are angry. It is important to remember discipline should be given out to change behavior not to make anyone else feel better.
Good ideas, Ray. While it would be easy to give in to requests to handle situations in a certain way, a lot of times these wishes/decisions are made in the heat of the moment and don't always result in what is best for students.
ReplyDeleteIt is a tricky balance that needs to be met between what's best for the students and supporting your teachers.
ReplyDeleteI like what you have to say in this post but there is a fine line for the teacher...
ReplyDeletea. validation of the classroom/ hallway management. I don't want to feel better but I do want to know that I am doing the right thing according to the expectations as a teacher.
b. safety for me and the other students. there have been times I chose to remove a student because their behavior is negatively impacting the kids around him and the removal was more to help the other kids. You may remember the boys I am thinking of here, Ray...
enjoying your posts!
Kate Murray
You are correct, Wille. I don't want to give the impression that students don't need to be held accountable, but I feel it is up to us to determine the best way to get them to learn and change their behavior. We just cant think that because a consequence works for 1 or most doesn't mean it will work for all.
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