HOW TO COMMAND RESPECT AS A TEACHER
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To command respect from students, you don't have to be born with a royal bloodline or have the bearing of a drill sergeant and you don't need to have any magical powers.
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Testimonial-
What you're about to read made me an award winning & sought after teacher since I started at age 17.
(It has always been your desire to command respect irrespective of your physical stature or subject taught.)
Feed from this ......
Just like yesterday, after my WASSCE I got an application and a CV well drafted out and decided to give it a trial.
After various hunting, I saw a school and went straight in to apply.
The fair lady who claimed to be the head teacher after exchanging pleasantries without even asking what I wanted remarked "we just wrote our entrance exam last two weeks".
(She said that because I was brief I.e not too tall and I have a baby look)
I answered, "ma, I came to apply for a job".
I used and I am still using the following to command respect:
✅ ESTABLISH YOURSELF AS THE AUTHORITY OF THE CLASSROOM
✅ SHOW YOU KNOW YOUR BUSINESS
✅ LOOK PROFESSIONAL
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✅ ESTABLISH YOURSELF AS THE AUTHORITY OF THE CLASSROOM
First understand that respect is not fear. Fear and respect are two different things. You might fear somebody you have respect for or respect somebody you fear, but they are essentially two different things.
Like dogs, students can sense fear a mile away and will prey upon it if given the opportunity.
Establishing yourself as the authority of your classroom requires:
◀ Use confident body language
Keep your head up, shoulders back and look directly at students when speaking with them.
◀ Slow down
When you rush around it creates negative excitable energy and makes you appear as if you're not in control. Move efficiently and gracefully.
◀ Pause before speaking
Always wait until every students is attentive and looking at you before giving instructions. Trust me this will shift control and add importance to whatever you say.
◀ Do exactly what you say you will do
Here your students will respect this above all else. When you give instructions clearly state the penalty and let nothing change that.
(P.S- They are not slaves, slight punishment)
◀ Listen
I'm a good listener, I let my students speak and wait until they finish before responding. If you don't respect them and what they have to contribute to your classroom. They won't respect you.
✅ SHOW YOU KNOW YOUR BUSINESS
Students quickly clue into behavior that appears weak and not worthy of following. On the other hand, most students are craving for a leader, for someone to look up to. So when a teacher comes into their life that displays the qualities they respect, they bend over backwards trying to please him/ her.
To show you know your business, kindly
◀ Move around the room
I've never understood teachers who just want to sit at their desks or stand up at the front. Classrooms are teachers territory and students need to see that you can teach from any corner. Walking around the classroom has a few benefits.
First, it marks degrees of authority, at least subconsciously. It also indirectly let students know they can't hide in a corner or in the back.
◀ Teach what you know
Students recognize those who read only the questions in the teachers edition, use publisher presentation and read them word for word.
Be really good at your job, be confident and be ready to answer questions.
It's expedient you plan your lesson well, never go to class when you're not fully prepared. I'm trying to say if you've not properly understood a material, do not teach it.
Don't try to appear as a super-hero, wow! Your class with what you know.
◀ Be creative
Creativity?
I will teach you a strategy I use here
I'm a writer who wants my voice to be heard and have an unquantifiable love for mankind.
For every questions answered in my class, I make my latest printed article available to that student or sometimes give cash prize.
What if you devise a strategy of giving a free ticket of one of your booked speaking session/ concert/ online class to any student who perform well in your test?
The respect will be in bunch.
(Message me for details)
✅ LOOK PROFESSIONAL
Students will see you before they hear you. Dressing professionally sets a tone in the classroom. Mind the combination of colour.
Strip on strip is a taboo, don't try it. Get a good T shirt, it doesn't cost much to look good. Ensure your hair is neatly combed and plaited.
Mind heavy cosmetics, let it be something light.
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Practice the points listed above, and be cognizant of the image you're projecting, and you will notice a big difference in how they respond to you .
