I know, right?
But, seriously, I'm pretty mellow when it comes to teaching, at least as long as the kids don't cross the line, and I've only had that happen once in my two years as a teacher. Usually it's enough for me to just change my tone, and I always tell them that I'm not angry with them, just disappointed. One day, though, during one my chemistry lessons in the lab, three of the guys started channeling their kindergarten behavior, and when they ignored my command to stop the asshattery, I had to bring out the Hulk, but only to stop them before they hurt anyone.
It's a strength and a weakness. The kids are always happy to see me, and I enjoy the lessons much more when I can crack jokes and get some interaction going with the kids rather than them being afraid of speaking up. Of course, some of them also think they can **** around with me - especially the classes I only teach once or twice a week - because I never seem to get mad. It's a fine line, and I'm still trying to stay on it, but I've never had a class that openly disrespected me like I see some of my other colleagues struggling with.
I teach chemistry and physics to a class of eighth-graders, and their primary teacher keeps telling me stories about how they're being flippant when he reprimands them - one of the guys even got in his face and started pushing him around when he was told to leave the room. And one of the substitute teachers filed a formal complaint, because one of the kids called her a ***** for no apparent reason. Yet, whenever I'm teaching them, they always apologize and ask nicely before doing anything. Sure, they keep their cellphones out when I tell them to put them away, and I spend too much time shushing them, but I've never had any of them get in my face.
Probably because I've told them exactly what would happen - and that I know where to punch a person without leaving a mark.
But, really, I'm a nice guy.
Edited, Jun 11th 2015 10:40pm by Mazra