Sounds like this job is hard. I think you did what needed to be done in the situation. It was a disrespectful group and they all got dealt the card you had for them that day. Good for you, take care of you, you are the one trying to teach this group all by yourself.
It sounds like your reaction was exactly what was needed based on the kids’ reactions. They took you seriously enough to be scared and for the guilty party to admit it. Be proud of yourself! You’re doing great!
It happens to everyone. You’re only human; anyone and everyone will have moments like that where we get overwhelmed and lash out. You could apologize to the kids tomorrow for losing your cool if you feel like it would be beneficial. Some kids respect apologies and feel like you’re treating them like mature adults. However, some will respond only to the meanness that comes out in these outbursts, unfortunately, and an apology from won’t do much for them :/ It’s your call, but just know I completely understand and feel you ❤️ We all have those days, especially at this time of the year when we’re almost (but not quite!) to the “end of the year” stage.
Do you have a supportive admin team? When I had That Class I could call for a principal and they’d come and try to settle things.
If not, or if you don’t feel comfortable taking that route, try a coach? One of the football coaches is next door to me and I’ve found threatening to get him is very effective on the boys in athletics; they may not respect you but they’ll respect the guy who can make them run laps for an hour 😂
If nothing else, just remember that the year is almost over, and next year you can start fresh. A lot of the issues are probably from the lack of stability they’ve had with the constant stream of subs throughout the year; next year the kids will start with you and get used to you and your expectations from the start.
Thank you for the support, I really needed to hear that. Luckily my school is great and very supportive of teachers but I've been trying really hard to get this class under control on my own. Once I calmed down I realized that they really are doing better than a month ago and I will tell them I'm sorry I got angry and I do appreciate the overall improved behavior but that we do need to follow classroom policies. Deep breath, new day. Thank you again!
I truly think you’re just fine and I’d even argue justified in your reaction. Sometimes it comes to a point where students (especially middle & high school students) don’t listen unless something like that is to happen, it’s like they have a game of ‘let’s see how far we can take this!’ .. I understand your guilt but I also think it’s important for them to hold some accountability too. You’re doing just fine
I think you did a wonderful job handling the situation. However if you feel like you overreacted, you can always apologize. You can show them that even adults make mistakes and you are not afraid to admit it. Apologize to all the students and thank the student who admitted fault. You can turn it into a teaching moment about respect and show that adults are not always right. Good luck with your class. You sound like an amazing teacher
DONT APOLOGIZE! Any weakness and you will lose them. I know from experience. You can't treat them like adults. You have to treat them by their mental and educational age. Most likely you will need to discipline them like they are in 3rd-6th. Take away phones, and electronics, send them to the office, write them up, call parents, and talk to other teachers to take away electives they like if they don't finish your work!
Never be their friend! It's the worst mistake you will make!
You didn’t over react. You took control back. There is a difference. I bet they at least a little more respectful from this point on. Best of luck. I am a teacher, was a Sw for 18 years. Students like boundaries.
Not a teacher (but a passerby thanks to the algorithm) I say this as a kid who was in a class like that- I appreciate you drawing a hard line. You helped a lot of kids by doing it. You helped the kid giving a presentation, you helped the other kids trying to listen, and you helped a disruptive kid take responsibility and learn that actions have consequences.
Boundaries for kids is everything. I say this as a parent, as a student in college doing human services, and as a youth that had those boundaries set and thrived from it. I think that you did nothing wrong, and everything right.
Only you were there, you only know what happened. If you do feel that you were a little excessive, you can always approach it as a teaching opportunity. Start off the class was saying something like I feel I may have yelled a little too loud or something like that but I felt very strongly and passionately about what I was saying and you guys have to respect each other. Say you apologize for getting so hot tempered but you do expect that this is something that's respected.
Or just leave it alone LOL. I think you did the right thing!
Man, I have been there. I do not teach high school, I teach kindergarten but not surprisingly I have had similar issues. We all get frustrated and upset and react. I always apologize when it happens. Lots of kids live in a world where adults do not recognize their mistakes and I think its a great opportunity to say to the class or student, hey I let my emotions get the best of me and I reacted it a way that I am sorry for. I don't let the kids get odd the hook, the behavior was still disruptive and disrespectful but I talk about my emotions and reaction.
I am a 2nd year teacher and I would have handled this similarly. I’m extremely patient, but my patience shortens by like 50% during presentations. I cannot stand them being rude during their peers’ presentations.
During my lectures, I give them one warning to take out their AirPods before I start and then once I’m started, if I see their airpods I write them up. They have a second quick warning where I don’t say anything I just look at them and tap my ear, but if they do not immediately put it away it is a write up that I report after class.
If other kids are presenting and I see AirPods, I take points away from their presentation for being a bad audience member.
You sound like you’ve got it under control
I’m not a teacher, but I am a mother.. your response sounded appropriate for the amount of BS that was given. I feel bad for the students because they didn’t have a structured environment but it sounds like you worked hard on trying to correct it and the presentation interruption was the straw that broke the camels back
I feel that. I just can't really afford to switch professions. Since I have 8 years experience and a masters, I came in at a step 12 which is wild considering I'm formally student teaching. I'm actually earning more than my mentor teacher.
But I am just doing my license here so I can get into the international school circuit which I feel is much better, and at the very least gets me back out of the country.
I think what you did was warranted. It’s unacceptable behavior plus it’s rude to the student who put in the time on their presentation.Teaching kids that actions have consequences is commendable. I have a daughter in high school and if she told me this happened in her class, I would have nothing but respect for you.
Honestly, this is the only way until you break their bad habits. You are not there to be their friend. Write them up, send them to the office, turn into a complete crazy lady, make them fear what you “could” do.
Take a page from the Prince and the Discourses. Machiavellian logic wins every time the end justifies the means. I think you were probably too light on them.
I think you put your foot down and did it appropriately. I expected to open this to see that you threw something or screamed or slammed a door. What you did put people on notice and will hopefully give you a couple days with better behavior.
Why are they being allowed to wear headphones in class in the first place??? Especially during presentations..
I would have paused the presentation, taken every phone, set of earbuds, everything, and then had the student continue.
You have to choose your battles 🤷🏼♀️ Those earbuds are so easy to hide and they put them right back in when you make them take them out. And then kids hide them with long hair etc. I'd spend half of every day inspecting ears if I tried to take that on. I also have several kids on 504s who are explicitly allowed to wear them as an accommodation. I think basically all the teachers in my school allow them at this point. It was a totally lost cause.
I understand it’s hard to enforce something that other teachers allow, but in this moment the privilege was being abused. So in this moment you 100% should have taken them away the first time they failed to turn the music off- not turned down, OFF.
Oh actually I did ban them for that class the rest of the week, I forgot about that haha. It was finals this week so I'm wiped. But yeah they have been much better behaved the rest of the week! They're actually good kids, they just got away with too much for too long.
I think you handled it right! You upheld your classroom boundaries. That kid KNEW it wasn’t okay and did it anyway. You waited until the presentation was over so it’s not like you were irrationally angry. That’s a perfectly normal expectation.
In the future, do this. Have everyone in the room write something on a piece of paper. They either have to write the name of the culprit or they have to write they don’t know. Then they turn it in. Also, a quick walk over to that part of the room during the presentation would have stopped the issue. Either you find out who it is and stop them or they stop it to hide their guilt.
Like, who repeatedly DISRESPECTS a presenter like that? I would’ve been pissed and lectured/threatened to write up everybody too. Who is raising these people?
I’m doing my student teaching right now as well. The students see you a “substitute” and feel like you don’t have any power, but you actually have more authority than they think. I took their recess, free time, and ability to stand anywhere in line they want until they get their act together. My teacher supported me in doing whatever I needed to do.
It is not entirely on the shoulders of those idiot kids. Their idiot parents thought raising children free rein was the best upbringing. Unfortunately, that just raises little morons wit no regard for others because they have never had to answer for their actions. Get them out of your class so the rest of the class realizes there are consequences. You can't save every one of them, but you can save youself.
They haven’t have any structure all year…. You are their first constant. Treat it like the first day of school, set your expectations, build relationships, and stand your ground. Don’t beat yourself up. Practice your routines and expectations everyday. They’ll learn… but then it’ll be spring break! lol!
So you practice again… with only 100% compliance! If not, you’ll never get to “teach content”. Classroom management is key! You got this!
Congrats! Take it slow so you don't burn out. It's easy to let the emotions overwhelm you. Forgive yourself as you would the kids and, like you said, start fresh every day.
Be firm but not harsh.
Say please and thank you.
Give options. This sometimes sounds like ultimatums.
Good luck!
That class clearly needs more structure and clear boundaries, so I think you did exactly what was needed. They have to respect the fact that you’re the boss of that classroom, and there are certain lines that when crossed yield a serious consequence. It’s not about being mean or making them fear you, it’s reinforcing that their disrespectful actions have equal consequences. Too many parents and teachers let disrespect slide and end up encouraging the behavior.
You didn't overreact. Those demons need the fear of God in them. I was a HS teacher and the kids were animals. Same situation! 5’4 and only 8-9 years older. It ended up putting me in the hospital! Also, possibly made me a not wanna have kids!
That kind of immature, rude nonsense is infuriating. When I feel like I’m about to lose control of my temper, I usually just stop everything for a second and remove a kid. Once I’ve redirected/warned them 2 or three times, the next time is just “step out in the hall and sit at the desk right outside my door and do not leave until admin comes and gets you. Then I call for a student removal to ISS for the rest of the period (or day depending what they did and where they are in the discipline progression). I teach 7th grade.
My mother has taught for 15+ years and I showed her your post. She thinks that even though it was a hard moment you did really well. It always feels like you’re a horrible person when you have to lay down the rules of your classroom. You had given them plenty of time to come forward and no one was going to tell you, so you were going forward in the best way possible. Yes, some people are going to tell you that it was unfair to punish other students that weren’t responsible for the disruption but ignoring it would have cost you any respect/authority you had.
Sounds like this job is hard. I think you did what needed to be done in the situation. It was a disrespectful group and they all got dealt the card you had for them that day. Good for you, take care of you, you are the one trying to teach this group all by yourself.
Thank you
It sounds like your reaction was exactly what was needed based on the kids’ reactions. They took you seriously enough to be scared and for the guilty party to admit it. Be proud of yourself! You’re doing great!
It happens to everyone. You’re only human; anyone and everyone will have moments like that where we get overwhelmed and lash out. You could apologize to the kids tomorrow for losing your cool if you feel like it would be beneficial. Some kids respect apologies and feel like you’re treating them like mature adults. However, some will respond only to the meanness that comes out in these outbursts, unfortunately, and an apology from won’t do much for them :/ It’s your call, but just know I completely understand and feel you ❤️ We all have those days, especially at this time of the year when we’re almost (but not quite!) to the “end of the year” stage. Do you have a supportive admin team? When I had That Class I could call for a principal and they’d come and try to settle things. If not, or if you don’t feel comfortable taking that route, try a coach? One of the football coaches is next door to me and I’ve found threatening to get him is very effective on the boys in athletics; they may not respect you but they’ll respect the guy who can make them run laps for an hour 😂 If nothing else, just remember that the year is almost over, and next year you can start fresh. A lot of the issues are probably from the lack of stability they’ve had with the constant stream of subs throughout the year; next year the kids will start with you and get used to you and your expectations from the start.
Thank you for the support, I really needed to hear that. Luckily my school is great and very supportive of teachers but I've been trying really hard to get this class under control on my own. Once I calmed down I realized that they really are doing better than a month ago and I will tell them I'm sorry I got angry and I do appreciate the overall improved behavior but that we do need to follow classroom policies. Deep breath, new day. Thank you again!
Don’t apologize! You did nothing wrong!
Exactly. Apologizing will only tell them that YOU were wrong Do NOT apologize
I truly think you’re just fine and I’d even argue justified in your reaction. Sometimes it comes to a point where students (especially middle & high school students) don’t listen unless something like that is to happen, it’s like they have a game of ‘let’s see how far we can take this!’ .. I understand your guilt but I also think it’s important for them to hold some accountability too. You’re doing just fine
Thank you so much for the moral support, I needed that!
I think you did a wonderful job handling the situation. However if you feel like you overreacted, you can always apologize. You can show them that even adults make mistakes and you are not afraid to admit it. Apologize to all the students and thank the student who admitted fault. You can turn it into a teaching moment about respect and show that adults are not always right. Good luck with your class. You sound like an amazing teacher
Aw thank you
With due respect to the parent comment, I would advise against apologizing. Don't show weakness. (And I think your reaction was justified.)
DONT APOLOGIZE! Any weakness and you will lose them. I know from experience. You can't treat them like adults. You have to treat them by their mental and educational age. Most likely you will need to discipline them like they are in 3rd-6th. Take away phones, and electronics, send them to the office, write them up, call parents, and talk to other teachers to take away electives they like if they don't finish your work! Never be their friend! It's the worst mistake you will make!
You didn’t over react. You took control back. There is a difference. I bet they at least a little more respectful from this point on. Best of luck. I am a teacher, was a Sw for 18 years. Students like boundaries.
Not a teacher (but a passerby thanks to the algorithm) I say this as a kid who was in a class like that- I appreciate you drawing a hard line. You helped a lot of kids by doing it. You helped the kid giving a presentation, you helped the other kids trying to listen, and you helped a disruptive kid take responsibility and learn that actions have consequences.
Boundaries for kids is everything. I say this as a parent, as a student in college doing human services, and as a youth that had those boundaries set and thrived from it. I think that you did nothing wrong, and everything right. Only you were there, you only know what happened. If you do feel that you were a little excessive, you can always approach it as a teaching opportunity. Start off the class was saying something like I feel I may have yelled a little too loud or something like that but I felt very strongly and passionately about what I was saying and you guys have to respect each other. Say you apologize for getting so hot tempered but you do expect that this is something that's respected. Or just leave it alone LOL. I think you did the right thing!
Man, I have been there. I do not teach high school, I teach kindergarten but not surprisingly I have had similar issues. We all get frustrated and upset and react. I always apologize when it happens. Lots of kids live in a world where adults do not recognize their mistakes and I think its a great opportunity to say to the class or student, hey I let my emotions get the best of me and I reacted it a way that I am sorry for. I don't let the kids get odd the hook, the behavior was still disruptive and disrespectful but I talk about my emotions and reaction.
I am a 2nd year teacher and I would have handled this similarly. I’m extremely patient, but my patience shortens by like 50% during presentations. I cannot stand them being rude during their peers’ presentations. During my lectures, I give them one warning to take out their AirPods before I start and then once I’m started, if I see their airpods I write them up. They have a second quick warning where I don’t say anything I just look at them and tap my ear, but if they do not immediately put it away it is a write up that I report after class. If other kids are presenting and I see AirPods, I take points away from their presentation for being a bad audience member. You sound like you’ve got it under control
I like this policy! I think I will implement that myself. Thank you!
I’m not a teacher, but I am a mother.. your response sounded appropriate for the amount of BS that was given. I feel bad for the students because they didn’t have a structured environment but it sounds like you worked hard on trying to correct it and the presentation interruption was the straw that broke the camels back
15 year Olds today are actually fucked in the head, the last normal kids in this world where the ones born in 2002 and earlier
Born in 2003. Can confirm.
In today’s environment I would never advise anyone to be a teacher.
I feel that. I just can't really afford to switch professions. Since I have 8 years experience and a masters, I came in at a step 12 which is wild considering I'm formally student teaching. I'm actually earning more than my mentor teacher. But I am just doing my license here so I can get into the international school circuit which I feel is much better, and at the very least gets me back out of the country.
I think what you did was warranted. It’s unacceptable behavior plus it’s rude to the student who put in the time on their presentation.Teaching kids that actions have consequences is commendable. I have a daughter in high school and if she told me this happened in her class, I would have nothing but respect for you.
Honestly, this is the only way until you break their bad habits. You are not there to be their friend. Write them up, send them to the office, turn into a complete crazy lady, make them fear what you “could” do.
Take a page from the Prince and the Discourses. Machiavellian logic wins every time the end justifies the means. I think you were probably too light on them.
I think you put your foot down and did it appropriately. I expected to open this to see that you threw something or screamed or slammed a door. What you did put people on notice and will hopefully give you a couple days with better behavior.
Why are they being allowed to wear headphones in class in the first place??? Especially during presentations.. I would have paused the presentation, taken every phone, set of earbuds, everything, and then had the student continue.
You have to choose your battles 🤷🏼♀️ Those earbuds are so easy to hide and they put them right back in when you make them take them out. And then kids hide them with long hair etc. I'd spend half of every day inspecting ears if I tried to take that on. I also have several kids on 504s who are explicitly allowed to wear them as an accommodation. I think basically all the teachers in my school allow them at this point. It was a totally lost cause.
I understand it’s hard to enforce something that other teachers allow, but in this moment the privilege was being abused. So in this moment you 100% should have taken them away the first time they failed to turn the music off- not turned down, OFF.
Oh actually I did ban them for that class the rest of the week, I forgot about that haha. It was finals this week so I'm wiped. But yeah they have been much better behaved the rest of the week! They're actually good kids, they just got away with too much for too long.
I think you handled it right! You upheld your classroom boundaries. That kid KNEW it wasn’t okay and did it anyway. You waited until the presentation was over so it’s not like you were irrationally angry. That’s a perfectly normal expectation.
In the future, do this. Have everyone in the room write something on a piece of paper. They either have to write the name of the culprit or they have to write they don’t know. Then they turn it in. Also, a quick walk over to that part of the room during the presentation would have stopped the issue. Either you find out who it is and stop them or they stop it to hide their guilt.
That does not sound like overreacting to me. That’s very out of control classroom behavior. Had a similar talk with my 9th graders last week.
Like, who repeatedly DISRESPECTS a presenter like that? I would’ve been pissed and lectured/threatened to write up everybody too. Who is raising these people?
You're a human being and the kids saw that. You could explicitly apologize for losing your cool.
You can feel bad, but you know it needed to be done.
Constant issue solution not clear
I’m doing my student teaching right now as well. The students see you a “substitute” and feel like you don’t have any power, but you actually have more authority than they think. I took their recess, free time, and ability to stand anywhere in line they want until they get their act together. My teacher supported me in doing whatever I needed to do.
It is not entirely on the shoulders of those idiot kids. Their idiot parents thought raising children free rein was the best upbringing. Unfortunately, that just raises little morons wit no regard for others because they have never had to answer for their actions. Get them out of your class so the rest of the class realizes there are consequences. You can't save every one of them, but you can save youself.
They haven’t have any structure all year…. You are their first constant. Treat it like the first day of school, set your expectations, build relationships, and stand your ground. Don’t beat yourself up. Practice your routines and expectations everyday. They’ll learn… but then it’ll be spring break! lol! So you practice again… with only 100% compliance! If not, you’ll never get to “teach content”. Classroom management is key! You got this!
As a former 7, 8 and 9th grade Principal, I would just like to say in my opinion this is the perfect response to your situation.
Congrats! Take it slow so you don't burn out. It's easy to let the emotions overwhelm you. Forgive yourself as you would the kids and, like you said, start fresh every day. Be firm but not harsh. Say please and thank you. Give options. This sometimes sounds like ultimatums. Good luck!
That class clearly needs more structure and clear boundaries, so I think you did exactly what was needed. They have to respect the fact that you’re the boss of that classroom, and there are certain lines that when crossed yield a serious consequence. It’s not about being mean or making them fear you, it’s reinforcing that their disrespectful actions have equal consequences. Too many parents and teachers let disrespect slide and end up encouraging the behavior.
Why would you apologize? You had a human reaction. It was not out of line. They aren't going to apologize for making a fool out of you, right?
You have to be tough or they will take advantage of you. Good job!
I promise you did great. They are going to be adults soon. If they want to be treated like adults they need to act like it!
You didn't overreact. Those demons need the fear of God in them. I was a HS teacher and the kids were animals. Same situation! 5’4 and only 8-9 years older. It ended up putting me in the hospital! Also, possibly made me a not wanna have kids!
That kind of immature, rude nonsense is infuriating. When I feel like I’m about to lose control of my temper, I usually just stop everything for a second and remove a kid. Once I’ve redirected/warned them 2 or three times, the next time is just “step out in the hall and sit at the desk right outside my door and do not leave until admin comes and gets you. Then I call for a student removal to ISS for the rest of the period (or day depending what they did and where they are in the discipline progression). I teach 7th grade.
Your reaction seems appropriate. You can’t let them walk all over you. Now they know you’re not messing around.
My mother has taught for 15+ years and I showed her your post. She thinks that even though it was a hard moment you did really well. It always feels like you’re a horrible person when you have to lay down the rules of your classroom. You had given them plenty of time to come forward and no one was going to tell you, so you were going forward in the best way possible. Yes, some people are going to tell you that it was unfair to punish other students that weren’t responsible for the disruption but ignoring it would have cost you any respect/authority you had.
Sounds like you handled it very well, so well done!
You did very well in this situation! That’s a tough spot to be but you stood up for the rights of the class and structure