OTT 49: Should Teachers Consider Shifting Their Mindset Around Behavior?
Being a teacher can be so difficult, especially when it comes to behavior problems. Kids throwing tables and chairs and acting aggressively has increased significantly in the past five years. Sadly, we are seeing a dramatic increase in younger children who exhibit these behaviors, as well.
So what is a teacher to do? That is the question. How can teachers teach when they are continually being interrupted by one behavior issue after another?
One of the critical ingredients for fixing the behavior nightmare is relationship building. But even after we have worked to ensure we are creating a culture in our classrooms for children to learn and feel loved and valued, there is still work to be done on our own mindsets around behavior.
The teaching profession often attracts professionals who are strict rule followers by nature. Strictly following rules often leads to very black and white thinking. But should all rules apply to each situation? What does it mean when we are dealing with such a variety of issues? What happens when mental health is involved, or a child has experienced trauma or been born drug depended? Is it all precisely the same?
Rules are created so that we can all exist peacefully in society. But are they always black and white? And what about the role of empathy and differentiation?
Today’s episode will test your boundaries around the topic of behavior. And I realize that this is a touchy subject. I myself had extreme feelings about what should be allowed and not allowed in the classroom. However, I have had a paradigm shift in the past five years. I’ve learned a great deal about long-term vs. short-term behavior fixes. I’ve also seen and heard a different side of the equation. It turns out it isn’t all black and white. In fact, there are quite a variety of greys. I hope you will join me with an open mind, and then feel free to let me know how you think about this episode.
Links Mentioned in the Show:
Tools for Teaching by Fred Jones
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