I care enough about you to enforce the rules!
This should be the first words school leaders and teachers tell the student body on the first minute of the first hour of the first day of school.
They should go on to say, “And I have boundaries that I will follow and enforce impartially.”
Lately in this country we have seen the horrible results of appeasement and cowardly policies of many school administrators, teachers, and parents-and even one mayor.
Teachers, including myself, wanted to just dive into the content after having only briefly discussed the rules. I should have been saying, “I care enough about you to enforce the rules and boundaries that I will follow impartially.”
We must not only discuss them, but we must explain why they are important.
We must have students practice by acting out rules and expectations.
We must have quizzes.
We must have reminders.
And we must have sincere dialogue.
Heck, we can even create a play based on them.
It needs to be instilled in them.
I did not realize how much a teacher needs to present, discuss and practice not only rules, but expectations.
You cannot just say it.
You must model it by I do, we do, you do.
Students do not necessarily know how to behave, and upon reflection, that was probably my biggest mistake as a new teacher. The expectations must be clear and measurable and enforced with an immediate, but fair consequence.
Otherwise you will have adults growing up not respecting or acknowledging boundaries and individual rights. They will say, “why do we have to wear masks?”
It is perfectly healthy for young people to question authority, but it is not healthy for them to see inconsistent (or non-existent boundaries and direct consequences).
“You can’t tell me what to do!”
“I can destroy private property if I want to!”
You create a generation of entitled individuals brainwashed by allowing destruction and chaos only to be excused as “exercising their rights” and” healthy expression of anger”.
If we do not teach these civil matters in school, they will never be taught.
Young people have received a “pass” on ignoring the teacher or any symbol of authority. Remember your rights.
It is funny that no matter what political side you are on, people act based on convenience and not on philosophy or principle.
Weak teachers and school administrators enable students to throw temper tantrums and allow them to escape consequences. You do not have to be a tough leader who yells or starts scaring kids; you simply give them a choice: do the right thing or do not. Whatever you decide, this will be the direct result whether it is a 5-day suspension, or expulsion. Students will use fear, guilt, and deceit disguised as a plea for compassion as weapons. Do not fall for it!
They will try to drag you into an argument. Again, don’t fall for it. You can respond, “I understand. Nevertheless, the consequence is…”
Draw the line in the sand and follow it every time, no matter how difficult it will be. As soon as young people see the boundaries and realize they will be enforced, you will eliminate 99% of your problems. That is a heck of a start!
