Regardless of how positive you are, there will be times when students’ behaviour is unacceptable. You don’t have to suffer verbal or physical abuse from pupils; you have rights too. For more information on dealing with these situations, read our factsheet ‘Dealing with aggression‘.
You should also share your concerns with colleagues and managers. You will find, invariably, that others are experiencing the same problems, probably with the same pupils. If this happens, you will need to follow the school’s procedures for dealing with indiscipline. Your school mentor should also be able to offer support with behaviour management. Invite them to observe your lesson and they may be able to help you identify what isn’t working and suggest strategies you could use to improve the situation. Many teachers worry about admitting they are struggling, as they fear it will reflect badly on their ability to do the job.
Remember that inviting your colleagues into your classroom is also an opportunity to show them what you are doing well.
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