Strict or Nice?

Quora Question: Is it better for teachers to be strict and respected or nice and loved by their students?

You can be both. These are not mutually exclusive.

A teacher should set clear guidelines and then stick to them. It is absolutely doable to be nice and loved and stick to your classroom management plan.

In fact, I have learned/observed that student’s favorite teachers are ones that do not put up with disrespect, use their class time wisely, and are nice about it.

When I move an unruly student through my step plan (1-warning, 2-seat change, 3-one-on-one discussion with me, 4-parent/guardian contact, 5-parent/guardian/counselor meeting) I am not angry. I am simply applying my plan. If you wait until you are really angry you probably took too much misbehavior before you acted.

Don’t wait. Use your plan. Be fair and consistent.

Here’s a concrete example:

Teacher: “Everyone stop what you’re doing, stop talking, and look at me. I have a quick instruction to give you.”

Students: (90% are quiet right away-as soon as you ask)

Teacher: “Thank you to all of you that stopped talking right away. Table 3 and 4, look up here.”

Students: All quiet now except for one student.

Teacher: (Step 1) Warning given to the last student still talking. “This is your step 1 warning Aaron. Stop talking and look up here.”

Aaron: Keeps talking even though the student next to him is ignoring him and looking at me.

Teacher: (Step 2) “Aaron, move to table 8 and sit at the only open seat.”

Aaron: “I’ll stop talking. I don’t want to move.”

Teacher: “Move to table 8 Aaron.”

Aaron: “I don’t want to move. I’ll be quiet now.”

Teacher: Move now or your are choosing Step 3. Which do you want? To move to table 8 or move to step 3. It’s your choice. (stated calmly)

Aaron: Unhappily moves to table 8.

I am not mad. I simply applied my classroom management plan. Aaron is way less likely to keep talking next time because there was a consequence. Had he chosen step 3 then I would have moved to step 3. Typically students change their behavior before step 3 but if they don’t, I calmly move to step 4.

I am a “nice” teacher but I am “strict” by adhering to my plan. Had I caved in to Aaron’s reluctance to change seats then I would have weakened my classroom management system.

Take away: Apply your plan before you are angry. No emotion. Just business.