Self Control Strategies
When it comes to classroom management, the best offense is a good defense. The more preventative measures that can be taken through the use of proactive strategies, the less likely teachers will be to encounter problem behavior. But conflict is inevitable: even the most well-run classrooms will experience problems from time to time. For some teachers, discipline problems may be rare, occurring only in unusual circumstances or situations. But for others, behavior problems in the classroom are a common occurrence that results from a growing culture of disrespect progressively infiltrating our schools. Regardless of their frequency, we know they are guaranteed to happen.
Teachers need the tools to take on these challenges professionally and respectfully while both minimizing disruptions to learning and holding students accountable. This is a lot to ask, but it can be achieved in all but the most extreme circumstances through the use of the reactive strategies taught in my course.
In all cases, a proper response to unwanted behavior occurs early on in the chain of events. Teachers must commit to dealing with behavior problems when they occur by first assessing the threat of the behavior to their classroom integrity and then by responding appropriately. Conflict is inevitable; combat is optional. When teachers intervene early and appropriately to emergent misbehavior, up to ninety percent of minor, pesky behavior problems can be eliminated in the classroom.