Diplomacy at Work - Brief Article

Instructor, Nov, 2000 by Mary C. Rose

A veteran teacher's advice on a delicate behavior management problem, and more

Q: Just last week a colleague severely reprimanded and disciplined one of my students for misbehavior in the hallway. Because of this, the child had to miss a special activity in my classroom. Now his parents are upset with me. How can I handle this situation?

A: Ideally, a school should have specific rules for students to follow, and it should be made clear to parents and students alike that any adult in the school may enforce them. Try forming a committee to establish expectations that are realistic for both staff and students so that children do not ever receive mixed messages about behavior and authority. In he meantime, find out exactly what the child's behavior was--from the child, from any witnesses, and from the other teacher. Was he just running in the hall, or was he hurting another child? Did the teacher actually see what the child was doing? Was the punishment too severe for the infraction, or was the teacher simply following established practice for your school? Then ask your principal and/or guidance counselor, who are are better trained to handle these situations, for suggestions on how best to deal with the parents. Consider inviting the parents in to discuss the issue with you, the counselor or principal, and the other teacher.

Q: I became a teacher because I love children and teaching them, but sometimes I feel overwhelmed by the paperwork. How can I make these mundane tasks more manageable, yet still be accountable for everything?

A: First, take a critical look at your record-keeping and identify any situations in which you may be duplicating work--in lists for the school office and for your own records, for example; then formulate a new, streamlined plan. To start:

* Use your computer spreadsheet program, or a page or two from your grade book, to list students alphabetically, skipping a couple of lines between each name.

* On the skipped lines, put the child's home telephone number, parent work number, and home address.

* Across the top of the page, create a series of column headings for the following types of information: textbook identification numbers, how students get home, special pullout classes, field trips (subdivide into two columns, for permission slip and money paid), class awards won (student of the week, etc.), and so on.

If, in the course of the year, these pages get too crowded, just align a new sheet with additional column headings and staple it to the outside edge of the original spreadsheet.

Now--take a deep breath and go tame that paper dragon!

Mary C. Rose, an educator for 29 years, currently teaches fourth grade at Lake Sybelia Elementary in Maitland, FL.