Prefect of Discipline (Light Spam accommodated)

[Maharlika]

I just signed a contract yesterday. This coming school year, I'll be the Prefect of Discipline of an International School. I'll also be having one teaching load (English).

The challenge would be getting the job done in eliciting proper behavior (basically following school rules and regulations) without having to resort to fear. The idea is getting that mutual respect.

I would want to know your thoughts on how to be an effective school disciplinarian. It would be interesting to see comments from a multi-cultural group such as GB-SYM. We're dealing with Primary to Secondary kids. Anecdotes are welcome. Thanks.

[Lestat]

OMG, now there is a title that would fit nicely as a SYM custom title . For Fable or Xandax for instance. Or you of course

But seriously, I think respect is the key word. That means even as you punish transgressors, you still have to show them respect (and not for instance glee, anger or enjoyment). Sadness & disappointment are the appropriate emotions to show when someone breaks the rules. And that means also giving reasons (within reason and adapted to age) for your actions, not a "because I say so" (though that might need to be done in some circumstances).
Furthermore you'll need to find a balance between being consequent and taking into account circumstances and between building up a good relation with the pupils and keeping some distance.

[Luis Antonio]

Respect is the key, as Lestat said. Also, you must dominate what you teach - I mean, you must know and show you're the man, so that they'll be dazzled with the light of knowledge you show them. I worked at a school, and being professional and friendly always helps in dealing with both kids and parents. So, you need to keep a nice, yet firm, profile, being harsh when it is needed, avoiding confrontation but encouraging healthy discussion. (its like moderating SYM, I guess, and you'll know better than I do )

[Ravager]

I agree with the above and add a consistent policy to that. So, certain behaviour gets a certain punishment that everyone knows with a little leeway dependent on the particular case.

Good luck with the new job, Mah.

[ik911]

I've never heard such a title. It scares me.

"Prefect of Discipline" could be a eufemistic substitute for "SA Ordertruppe" or "Executioner".

Are there little straps on both sides of your bloodstained desk?

Seriously, that name... *shudder*.

Coming to cinemas near you soon from the makers of Saw I & II: "Mister Maharlika: The Prefect of Discipline". Bring a dry pair of pants.

[Chimaera182]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ik911 I've never heard such a title. It scares me. "Prefect of Discipline" could be a eufemistic substitute for "SA Ordertruppe" or "Executioner". Are there little straps on both sides of your bloodstained desk? Seriously, that name... *shudder*. Coming to cinemas near you soon from the makers of Saw I & II: "Mister Maharlika: The Prefect of Discipline". Bring a dry pair of pants.

ROFL. Oh, yeah, that title does elicit a certain... image. Whether it be an "interrogator" or a... ahem, dominatrix-type person. Either way, sounds like something that comes with a whip.

Well, good luck with your job as Prefect of Discipline, and with your teaching job. Whip those kids into shape.

[Phreddie]

Maharlika, creating a thread in which light spam is tolerated? What is this world coming to!? When even the most staunch supporters of the 'old' ways, the ways of COMMunication, begin to tolerate spam, even welcome it, into their threads, you know something is afoot, and quite frankly I smell a Weasel.


On Topic, Mahar, speaking as someone (who assumes to be) in that age group (secondary covers what ages?), respect works, but you dont just want them to respect you, depending ont he size of your school, attempt to get to know your students on a more personal level. Respecting a man based on his policies and decisions in the public eye is one thing, but knowing a man on a deeper level where you can see what happens behind the scenes so to speak, can not only help your students listen to and like you more, but it will also make you more comfortable in the class room and while having to deal with the more unpleasant aspects of discipline. The one thing I have noticed in school, is that I seem to respect and work harder for the teachers who take the time to get to know us, and let us get to know them (beyond the passing the ball and telling names and histories games). HOwever, while developing this personal relationship with your student body, keep in mind that you are still their administrator, and they your students, dont make exceptions for or give lee way to any students just because your friends, while it may make them like you more (for all the wrong reasons) it will alienate the rest of the student body, making your job more difficult.

[ch85us2001]

Hoopak! Hoopak!


Er . . . nevermind.

[penguin_king]

respect is a good idea but takes work, my theory is : "everyone has their price" pay them and they'll shut up

[dragon wench]

I've been in various situations where I've needed to deal with teens while in a position of authority.
I found that what worked very well was a firm "I don't tolerate crap," approach combined with a sense of humour.

In addition to the respect others have mentioned, I would also suggest that being fair is key.
Not unlike parenting it can also be a question, sometimes, of knowing when and how to pick your battles.

lol Mah! That title does indeed sound a little disconcerting...
Do they issue you a complimentary whip along with the job?

Good luck! *hug*

[Vicsun]

It's pretty hard to give you any sort of meaningful advice without knowing what the school atmosphere is like. Are the rest of the teachers strict, or is everyone relatively laid back?

If the environment is strict and generally humorless, humor won't earn you any respect - you'll just turn into 'that guy' everyone likes but no one really listens or pays attention to. If things are more easygoing, however, this no longer applies.

As an experienced teacher, I'm sure you're well-aware of all this, but, hey, you asked

edit:

Quote:

Originally Posted by penguin king respect is a good idea but takes work, my theory is : "everyone has their price" pay them and they'll shut up

Do this if you really really want to be taken as a joke

[Magrus]

Everyone else said respect, so I'll skip over that one.

What I hated most as a kid was that adults treated me like I was stupid because I didn't know anything. Being young, you are unexperienced and ignorant, not stupid. Correct the kids, and tell them why they did something wrong, and explain it to them. Be honest. If they don't respond to that, you can try the being firm and demanding obediance stuff. However, the best way to get me to do something was to explain everything to me and let me make my own decision. I know right from wrong, and I can make the decision on which path I'd rather take, I just need to be informed about it.

Now, I'm not in the "norm", by any means. So, this probably won't work all the time. It will take more time and effort, however, you would be teaching those kids about the problem, and the correct way of doing things, not just saying "Don't do that, do this instead". You say "We don't do that because...and we do this because...". There is a huge difference. Now, you aren't the big, mean adult that tells everyone what to do. You're the smart adult who knows a lot.

Also...ask, don't tell. Not unless asking fails. BIG thing there. Telling me what to do is asking to get a curse word out of me and make me become stubborn and belligerant.

[Hill-Shatar]

I can't offer you a lot of advice here for teaching (and neither can CE, nor her thread, unless you plan on wearing tight leather shirts and pants to work ) since I deal with grad students. Number one thing is to make sure that they remember procedure, in my lab. If I don't want something touched and a bright piece of electrical tape in plain view says so, then it should not be touched.

Of course, I had a secondary plan. Whenever someone tried to steal my chems, they found out that I mislabel them all in a system only I know. Word spreads quickly and now they suspect everyone, including all Senior Researcher's, do it now.

If they know the line, then they won't cross it. If they think it might be interesting to do so, make it as mundane as possible for them. Don't try to be overly friendly, but be more of a figure that they won't look over their shoulder for before they discuss something. Bascially, be friendly, just don't randomly walk up to them and try to be friends. In my experience as a student a much shorter time ago then you (*dodges Hoopak*), this is somewhat disturbing, and anything you do try to build up will only become complicated when it comes time you discipline them.

In my view, be flexible with the line, but brittle enough to snap before anything goes too far. For example, if you let something go one time, you don't let it happen again, or you remind them that you do know what goes on around the school.

[Obsidian]

When I have the privilege of teaching teenagers, or really anyone, I start off with the hard guy image. Do not push me. Then I back off and become fairly funny and engaging. I've found being tough earlier on then backing off is easier than being nice and putting the tough on.

Plus, the kids always know the tough you is never far away.

My 2 cents.