I think a big part of the success this week was giving the responsibility to the students, and treating them with respect. They know that every action they decide to make has a consequence, good or bad. I let them decide on the class rules, the class jobs and I let them know that everything I do in the room is a result of their actions. I even let them set expectations for me, and they were honest with what they what from their teacher. And, I'm not talking about silly expectations like, "Mr. Salinas must bring us candy everyday - no. They said things like "Mr. Salinas must be thankful, forgiving, positive.." I'll post a picture later..I've never done it before, but it was a powerful conversation.
I don't know if that makes sense, but all of that takes away the "man, my teacher is really mean...let's find his weakness and revolt!" mentality. They feel like they are in control. Now I just need to keep it going for, what, nine more months?
I know I can do it - it's all mental. It's about faking confidence even when something doesn't go as planned. It's about the way I word things to the students. Letting them know that they have an influence with everything that happens in their classroom. Most importantly though, it's about staying positive. My students deserve to come in feeling important, knowing that they have a responsibility and a purpose. They don't need me to put them down, they need me to push them. To keep them in line. They need me to teach them to be better. I am strict with my students, but in a fair way.
I've never been on a roller coaster, but I always say that the year feels like one. There's some screaming. There's anxiety. There's adrenaline. It takes off really fast, goes through loops and changes, but if you do what you're suppose to - everything will be fine. In the end you'll smile, and do it again. Just to reiterate, I've never been on a roller coaster, but I imagine teaching is the same thing.
