The Guilt of Silencing
Yesterday was a rough day in class. I am trying to be more intentional with my students about what our focus is at different moments in class. We were engaged in an activity that required them to read a biography and complete the corresponding activity within a time frame. (I am trying to push my students to work within a time frame to push their processing and work skills.) My instructions and expectations were explicit, and not unlike other days in class. However, they would not respond accordingly. After reminding students three times, I raised my voice (which I rarely have had to do this year), questioning their distractedness and informing them that their voices were cut for the remainder of the now 15 minutes left.
Students' eyes got big at the volume my voice was raised to and in my head all I could think about was how I was being hypocritical, informing my kids their voice matters but not allowing them to use it. To make matters worse, one student continued to mutter under her breath and so I asked her to step out of the classroom, which turned into a scuffle, which resulted in sending her to the Dean's office. My first this entire school year... (I don't like to send students out with issues because there is rarely a conversation that takes place, which I feel is not restorative for the student and whatever behavior was displayed. However, this student was not willing to engage in a conversation with me so with my other students in the classroom, I sent her down).
Upon returning to the classroom, there was no discussion. I game them my two cents about the current situation and sent them to their work.
As a teacher I know I have to lead that balance of being firm and fair. Of being a warm demander. To allow them voice but then to intervene when needed. But is there a way to do it so it doesn't feel so tyrannical or even hypocritical?
At the end of the class, we ended with a laugh and a smile...
Students' eyes got big at the volume my voice was raised to and in my head all I could think about was how I was being hypocritical, informing my kids their voice matters but not allowing them to use it. To make matters worse, one student continued to mutter under her breath and so I asked her to step out of the classroom, which turned into a scuffle, which resulted in sending her to the Dean's office. My first this entire school year... (I don't like to send students out with issues because there is rarely a conversation that takes place, which I feel is not restorative for the student and whatever behavior was displayed. However, this student was not willing to engage in a conversation with me so with my other students in the classroom, I sent her down).
Upon returning to the classroom, there was no discussion. I game them my two cents about the current situation and sent them to their work.
As a teacher I know I have to lead that balance of being firm and fair. Of being a warm demander. To allow them voice but then to intervene when needed. But is there a way to do it so it doesn't feel so tyrannical or even hypocritical?
At the end of the class, we ended with a laugh and a smile...
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