My philosophy of CRM I think that discipline and CRM is the most challenging aspect of a teacher’s role nowadays. Our job is not only to teach content (music, art, science…) it is more, I would say, managing a group of disruptive individuals so that learning can actually take place. The better part of our role is to lead, guide, direct and enable students so to control their behaviour that each student can cope in socially mixed schools. No doubt, a discipline is essential if students are going to learn without disruptions. A control of classroom discipline is much harder nowadays than it used to be. We, as teachers, cannot rely anymore on ‘role-authority’ to establish control over student behaviour, because society itself has changed and not only children express their relative independence. As a result, the style of discipline has moved from forced-control to, to say, more democratic treatment. I suppose this is the reason why many teachers express concern over students’ behaviour these days and wonder how to balance leadership and authority with rights and self-discipline. If we want to effectively deal with disruptions, which are inevitable within any group of students, we have to plan out, ahead of time. We must not forget that positive discipline occurs when teachers: provide a relevant curriculum, taught in an engaging, motivating and interesting way; support students to achieve success and acknowledge this success; model behaviour which is consistent, caring and controlled; and understand the local community and the issues that it confronts.
LIAU | (10.1.154.13) | Wednesday, 26 June 2002 4:59:54 PM
I am very convinced that today's teachers are facing challenging tasks in managing classroom and the learning of the students. But to say that kids were more difficult than handle than before would not be an acceptable reason for unruly or poor discipline in the classroom. Our predecessors find us more difficult to discipline than they were too. Hence, we much find means and ways to 'handle' these buggers, creatively, wisely and effectively.
I would suggest that we view the students as individuals that we have to work along with and we ought to see them as capable of behaving and not as disruptive individuals. In addition, instead of controlling their behaviours, we ought to encourage positive behaviours, giving praise or acknowledge any good behaviour observed.
I concur with Daria's philosophy as in supporting the students to achieve success. The students can success without us, but if we have played a role in assisting them to achieve that, it would mean so much to us as educators and to the students, they would find that learning was a wonderful experience. I also believe likewise that consistency is important. Teachers must be consistent and fair; these promote a stable and positive learning environment. Lastly, I find Daria's philosophy commendable as she believes that the teachers should understand the community in order to understand the students.
mike horsley | (144.132.157.235) | Wednesday, 26 June 2002 5:53:44 PM
i agree to - it has become more difficult to both develop a good relationship as students individualsim and rights have become more important and also it has become more difficult to manage groups - thus we require more skills in this most important aspect of teachers work - the philosophy that you have outlined is very strong and positive and i believe that it is an important step in the development of your skills!
regards
Mike