You're Not Mean Enough

My principal told me this today. In the last post, I told you that my principal vowed to help me solve some of the issues that were going on in my classroom. Because every kid knows who the principal is, she sent her intern into do an informal observation. Of course, the kids showed their true colors so she got a true picture of what I deal with on a daily basis.

Today we had our post conference to discuss her intern's findings. My principal listened to my positions and then pointed out some areas of improvement. One area she said is that I'm too nice to the kids. She says that I expect them to do what I say (DUH! who wouldn't think someone would do what they ask esp. when you are the adult and they are a child), but she says I don't have enough follow through when a kids misbehaves. She says I'm not mean enough.

I would agree with this because I feel like there are very few options I can use as a consequence. The consequences I do have are not affecting some of these kids who are always giving me trouble. They don't care that I call their parents or that they have to walk part of their recess. They simply don't care! As for being mean, I would agree that I am not mean enough. I'm not mean by nature...I want to love on these kids and show them Jesus as much as I can (without saying it). Many of them don't have that love and support at home and I want them to feel like they have it at school. I'm just confused on how to do both...how to be firm but loving.

In thinking about this, I am so worried about how I will be when disciplining my own children. Will I be too much of a softy? Luckily I have an amazing Savior who is there to offer guidance and support. In addition to him, I have a terrific husband who will be there to support me and help. As I've told him, I feel like the Lord has used this stage and teaching to teach me how to be a better parent.

Ok so fast forward two hours after the conversation with my principal, one of my problem child decide to have a huge outburst because I asked him to move to the back of the line. He blows up yelling at me in the hall, stomps up the stairs, and refuses to come into the classroom. Needless to say, I was hot! I was very unprofessional in my tone with him but I had had it with his fits of rage...and I was out to prove that he wasn't going to do this anymore. So I put my foot down and called the office to come and get him. I proved my point as he spent the rest of the afternoon in the office. The kids from that point were scared because they had heard my tone and by golly we had a calm afternoon for once. So maybe being mean does work...