I have basically been a bit of a bitch the last few days. I've met eight new classes and shown little mercy. I was too soft when I got to know classes in my training school and consequently struggled to establish my authority, so I didn't want to take any risks this time.
Firstly, I lined the class up in silence outside the classroom: "No leaning on the wall, please".
When I let students into the room, I asked them to line up at the back before I sat them individually and alphabetically. This threw them off a bit and let me match names to faces.
I really am shocking with names so I take the register making eye contact with each student. The alphabetical seating helps too, as does trying to memorise a handful of names from the register while students are doing a task in order to nonchalantly call them out later on in the lesson.
In the meantime, if anyone has appeared even a little disruptive I have challenged it instantly and sternly.
I recommend getting students up to year 11 to volunteer up some rules they think will help them get the most out of lessons. I was impressed with their ideas including to respect each other and keeping your hands and work to yourself. Heaping praise on those that contributed resulted in lots of pupils wanting to come up with rules. This contract of sorts was written and signed in the front of their books so that I can remind individuals of it as and when they step out of line in the coming few weeks. In return, I asked students what they expect from me which helped to demonstrate that respect cuts both ways. They asked for fun lessons, obviously, but also that I mark their books and homework regularly, for example, and that I didn't set a long homework to be handed in the following day.
It also helped me find out more about how certain classes or students like to learn and gave me the opportunity to show off the those names I had memorised.
I only briefly talked through my expectations. Students know how to behave and I don't want to repeat what lots of other teachers will have told them; so I got straight down to work if there was time.
I'm definitely nobody's favourite teacher, probably not even in the top five, but when it is clear I'm no push over and I have got through the honeymoon period (which is when they behave quite well as they suss you out) I will relax more. I do look forward to chilling out a bit, but for the moment, I am a hard-nosed science teacher you don't mess with. I hope.
Some teachers say you should tell students a bit about yourself and your background to show you are human. Well, I don't mind if I'm alien. I now teach all boys and, as a relatively young, female NQT, it feels like I have to be more serious and stricter than my male or older colleagues in order to gain the same levels of respect. I feel I need to clamp down hard on any low-level disruption or lack of effort now so that barriers are clear. In the same breath, while being very firm and not smiling much, I am trying hard to be fair and give lots of praise. I am not being erratic, and I do not shout or go overboard with sanctions as it will only make a rod for my own back.
At the end of the lesson, I ask students to stand in silence behind their tucked in chairs. More praise, more praise, then off they go, table by table. So far so good; long may the honeymoon last is all I can say.
