Growth is difficult and perceived undesired at time but it’s all too necessary. I've grown quite a bit in the last few short months of this year and it shows in my approach to to my work. It's a pity I can't make others grow with me.
If people are persistent in doing things how they used to in the past whilst seeing that they no longer have an effect is sad to witness. Growth is necessary to help us adapt to new situations and find solutions we're currently facing. I had to stop doing thing the old way and find a different approach towards solving my issues. This has led to growth in my psyche and in my perspective on my current situation.
Discipline is an issue that teachers across the world are struggling with. The departments of education aren't helping much either but instead are making the situation worse by giving learners more power over teachers. I've written a few posts about this topic and I've finally found my solution this problem. Please bear in mind that it is a working process.
I've tried punishing my learners by detaining them after school in detention, doesn't work. I tried punishing them by making them clean the class by themselves without the help of others, didn’t work. I tried writing their names in my incident book and explained to them to the repercussions thereof, didn’t work. I've asked for the assistance of the older teachers who whooped my learners to compliance; it didn’t work long and I just don’t have and don’t want the stomach for that so that didn’t work.
So what actually works? Nothing. So far nothing works for me but I've made and still are making significant progress in modifying their ill-mannered behaviour without using punishment. What I am doing now shifting the responsibility to them. They are responsible for learning as much as I am responsible for teaching them. If they don’t want to learn then I can't teach them. I make this point very clear every single day and I seem to be getting through to them little by little.
It is still too early to make a definite conclusion on my new method. So far it is showing a great amount of promise. I will be consistent and untiring until I reach them all. I am building a relationship with them of trust and mutual respect. Sometimes force and physical strength aren’t the only way to enforce discipline. A gentle approach could get the job done as well.
