Teacher World

Like everything else in education, disciplinary methods are always changing. When I first started teaching, corporal punishment was very much a rule of thumb. In fact, in my interview with the gentleman who would later become my principal, I was asked about my view on corporal punishment. Like any new teacher just out of college, I gave a verbose description of my well-rehearsed discipline plan. I rebutted the concept of corporal punishment labeling it archaic and unproductive, and talked instead of making the punishment match the crime to make sure that better habits would develop over time. My soon-to-be-principal proceeded to inform me that he was a firm believer in the use of the paddle and so were the teachers in his building. I remember leaving that interview both disillusioned and convinced that I would never hear back about that teaching position.

To my surprise, not only was I offered a teaching position (I am convinced it was more because I said I would be willing to take a coaching job than any great impression I made in the interview) but before long, I found myself buying into the corporal punishment frenzy. And it was a frenzy! I taught in a middle school at that time, and discipline was always a huge issue. Many of the male teachers had honed their paddling skills to such a degree that they volunteered their services to those of us who were too squeamish to do the deed ourselves. Eventually, corporal punishment became a thing of the past, but I sometimes look at where we are now and think perhaps we went too far in the other direction.

Many parents have become almost militant about teachers denying their child privileges as a disciplinary action. You can take away recess, but heaven forbid you take away a class party, field trip, or fun activity. (Even if their child does not deserve it.) I believe it is a reflection of our society that work needs to be fun and, rather than striving for those intrinsic rewards, it is rapidly becoming more about the extrinsic rewards. Why do schools feel they have to buy into this philosophy? I think it is because the fear of parent advocates and lawyers coming into the schools has become a reality.

Suddenly, our school system has gone soft. And the irony is that ours was once a school system which actively utilized an extremely harsh form of punishment on a regular basis. Now I would never want to go back to the days of corporal punishment, but is there no middle ground between that and the so-often-too-soft-to-be-effective forms of discipline we see in schools today? Let’s send the firm message that you earn what you work for; you don’t get it just because your parents will make a big enough stink!

Changes in Teaching, Teacher-World's Blog Add new tag, corporal punishment, lawyers, parent advocates, parents, school discipline

Okay, forget about teacher’s pets. Let’s talk about the real issue; pet peeves. Has something like this ever happened in your classroom?

Bear with me as I set the scene for you. I’m teaching an economics unit, and today’s subject is competition. To hook my students, I decide to use Mario (whose name has been changed to protect the innocent) because he works at his family’s pizzeria most weekends (a subject we have discussed often as we feel strongly that we should be given the opportunity to sample their product). I inform the class that I have decided to open my own pizzeria just four blocks away from Mario’s. The question is posed: How do I draw customers from Mario’s restaurant to mine? I watch as the wheels start slowly turning and a student calls out, “Offer deserts, too.”

The class shows unanimous support of this idea, and I turn to Mario. “What are you going to do, Mario? Your customers are coming to me because I offer a wide variety of scrumptious deserts to compete for your business?” He ponders this briefly and says, “We’ll add a salad bar!”
The class can tell he’s very proud of himself, and now I see the light bulbs go on as they realize that this is going to be fun. The volley of ideas proceeds like a tennis match, back and forth. After several rounds, my ego is building. I am every teacher’s dream; a shoe-in for best teacher of the year.

The blood is pumping now as I inquire again what I should do next. A normally shy student calls out, “Offer sandwiches and appetizers.”

Without a second’s hesitation, Mario says boldly, “Patio and pasta!”

“Wow!” I think to myself. “This was an awesome idea. They are engaged. They really get it. This is what teaching is all about!” On a wave of euphoria, I turn to the class to hear what innovative ideas they have for me next. Susie (whose name has been changed to protect the guilty) is wildly waving her hand. I am amazed, as she is normally almost comatose in class, and with bated breath, I say. “Susie, what should we do to top that?”
As the whole class turns in shocked anticipation, Susie loudly asks, “Can I go to the restroom?”
Bam! Forget competition in the marketplace. Now, all my students can think about is competition in the peeing place. All eyes watch her leave wishing it was them, and so begins a steady stream of…well…pee-ers. And as I remind myself that we really were on a roll for awhile, I think to myself, “I think I have to pee, too!”

Pet Peeves of Teaching Add new tag, class, competition, economics, pet peeves, teacher