New Teacher Nightmares

Adapted from https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/use-positive-language-embrace-whats-actually-martin-richards/ by Martin Richards

You are a new teacher. You're smart. You learn fast. By the third week of the first term, you knew which classes were going to be easiest to teach, and which ones were going to be the hardest. You knew for each class which students were funny, which students were easy to reach, and which were going to give you a hard time. You were especially clear about which students were going to give you a hard time.

By the end of last term, at the back of your mind a voice was beginning to make certain statements:

• “They are going to make things difficult”
• “They are out to stop me teaching”
• “This class is difficult to teach”
• “These students aren’t teachable”
• “These students are aggressive / rude / stupid”
• “These students will laugh at me / not take me seriously.”

A new term dawns

Every day, as certain classes start, so does the voice. It tells you what to expect of that class, which students are going to challenge your authority, to trip you up and make your lessons into a shambles. And guess what. The voice is right.

Everything it predicts happens; and more.

At the start of some lessons you are mentally fired up, ready to defend yourself, to return fire, to give back what you are receiving and do so to such a degree that you will win. Because you are the teacher, and you are in charge. Or are you?

Taming your Inner Dragon

That voice at the back of your mind sounds negative, but there's a POSITIVE message attached. When you find that message, you can take action.

• “They are going to make things difficult, SO THAT I LEARN WHAT THEY NEED FROM ME”
• “They are out to stop me teaching SO I CAN BUILD A BETTER WORKING RELATIONSHIP”
• “This class is difficult to teach UNTIL WE HAVE MORE TRUST AND AUTHENTICITY”
• “These students aren’t teachable YET. I MUST FIND OUT HOW TO REACH THEM”
• “These students are aggressive / rude / stupid, BECAUSE THEY ARE DISAPPOINTED”
• “These students will laugh at me / not take me seriously, UNTIL I STOP BEING ANGRY WITH THEM AND TAKE THEM SERIOUSLY”