MiddleView

 

I hope this post catches your attention.  Discipline is not exciting, glossy fun or new.  In fact, if I sent out survey asking you to rank your least favorite part of your job, I would be willing to say I can guess the top vote getter (I know, I know, I am from Florida so not voting jokes please).  However, as an assistant principal, discipline consumes a good portion of my time.  Here are a few tips on how I handle discipline.  I doubt any of it is researched based or part of a “program”, but these techniques have helped me deal with the discipline issues we all face.

Time

How your school is set up will directly effect how you handle time and discipline.  It you are at a school where you are the only administrator or at a school with 5 other administrators, the makeup will affect the time aspect.  When I was working at the high school level, we implemented a plan that worked well.  There were 5 assistant principals, including myself.  Every day, there were two A.P.’s assigned to discipline.  This meant you were stuck doing discipline all day for about 2 days a week.  However, this left you with three complete days to be an instructional leader and handle your other duties. 

It worked well and I think we all liked the system.  Of course, our office days were not our favorite, but we knew we would have time on the other days to get out and work with our teachers.  That was the purpose of the system and it worked well.  The only downside is that there was not any continuity for the kids.  If they found themselves in trouble, they never knew who would be handling the situation.  I hampered the ability to grow relationships.  At the middle school I currently work at we are each responsible for our grade level.

This is great as far as developing relationships and getting to know the kids.  You are better able to sense things and intervene before it is too late.  You are also able to set your expectations more clearly.  If one of your students gets in trouble, they know they have to face you!  On the down side I usually have to handle discipline issues daily.  I though about setting up a schedule for minor discipline.  However, I would rather deal with it ASAP.  I think my teacher’s deserve it.  The discipline that seems minor to us, is probably huge for that teacher. 

Style

I would assume most of us are on the same page with this one.  I do not attempt to degrade or humiliate my students.  If they misbehave, I want to handle it in a manner that will prevent future incidents.  I try to follow the catch phrase “discipline with dignity”.  If my own child was in school and misbehaved (of course, he never will misbehave!) I would want the same.  I do not see any reason for degrading a child in the name of discipline.  Of course, we need to be firm.  I think I am when I deal with discipline issues.  The students need to know their actions are unacceptable.  You have to establish yourself as the authority figure.

Relationships

You have to work to develop relationships with your students.  It is funny, at the high school, I never seemed to even think about this.  Maybe it is just the middle school, but I see the value of it now.  I want my students to feel as if they can talk to me before a situation gets out of control.  I also make sure they know I am the authority figure.  I do not back off on consequences.  The kids need this type of structure.  Many do not get it at home.  I would almost always rather deal with the child. The parents often present the most challenges.  Of course their child would never do that!

Consistency

Whatever you do, stay consistent!  The kids will pick up on it if you are not.  Handle situations as similar as possible.  We all know that each one is different, but stay as consistent as possible. 

Stay Tuned for Part II