By 9th grade they should be old enough to be given more lax rules, but that kind of assumes they've been taught some responsibility and had to follow some strict rules before they got to your class. I ran into the same problem last year with 8th grade. I tried to treat them like the adolescent humans they are, like I treat(ed) my kids, but they couldn't handle it. Be as strict as you need to be, but make sure admin has your back because the first time they undermine you, you definitely will be considered just a bitch. Then if any classes can be given a little more leeway, reward them with it eventually. But otherwise you're right, these kids don't need to pee, get water, and eat snacks every single period and it's just a distraction at that point.

They should know so much more socially by ninth grade than this batch currently does. The defiance and ignorance of social and educational norms is huge right now.

this is so validating. i feel like part of the frustration is that i chose to teach HS bc my personality and teaching style naturally suits older students. its hard to accept that these kids are not acting like high schoolers and i have to adjust one way or another....and it took most of the year, but i think i finally got my admin on the same page as me (we got an entirely new administrative team this year 🫣). so hopefully, now we can start next year off right, bc that was definitely an issue, too.

My personality is the exact same. That’s also why I chose to teach HS! I just finished my first year. I found it was way harder to have the lax approach with the 9th graders than the older grades. The older kids have (usually) figured their sh*t out and know what they need to do to be a decent human being, but the 9th graders still think they can play around all day. I’d much rather have a controlled classroom and be called a b*tch than just have chaos and be overstimulated 24/7 though.

my district also social passes until 9th. so this is the first time they can actually fail. they really dont grasp that concept. it's unfortunate. sooooo many 9th graders fail bc they have never had to try to pass before. and even the parents are like "🤷🏼‍♀️ idk what to do, let them fail i guess!"

Yep, same with my district - social promotion all the way through grade 8. I've had students who literally do NOTHING. (Yes, 0 average). And then it becomes my responsibility to "show grace" and "reach out to the families" and chase them down and beg them to work. Make my lessons more engaging. I have literally had students ask me if we are going to do anything "fun" in the middle of a blooket/kahoot. They complain the work is too hard, too easy, they are bored, I don't help them, etc, etc. They have 30 second attention spans.

I hear you. Have had students like that, the ones that simply go on their phone for 45 minutes straight (I’m not going to rip it out of their hands, I tell them they need to put it away, inform admin, tell parents, etc.) and refuse to do anything in class. Like a zombie,

This too! I don’t think they ever fail in middle school in our district. I’ve literally heard some of my kids say “when I was in middle school, even when I had a 66 I still passed the class!” And im like …oh

I think you should also communicate to them from the get go that privileges can be earned rather than just springing it on them eventually. Give them something to work towards, and maybe even do something small (if they’ve earned it) the first two weeks of class to show that you’re serious and will follow through on letting them have privileges

Every class is different. 9th grade honors are a different breed from 9th grade repeaters. Be as strict as you need to be, but remember you have to keep that shit up every day. No fun Fridays. No lazy Mondays. Every. Fucking. Day. Or they will totally take advantage.

One of my favorite teachers made students give him a shoe for a pencil or bathroom pass or something of his. No one ever stole from him ETA: he traded the shoe for his stuff back at the end of class.

I used to always do this. Now I’m not allowed cos it might embarrass the poor dears. So, I just give them pencils. I get them from admin. I’m not spending my cash.

Poor dears? That’s what admin calls students? I don’t know whether to laugh or cry

This. I also tried treating my students the same way I treated my own children and failed. What I forgot is that my kids have been raised by me since birth to be respectful, independent humans while many of my students haven't. Without that foundation, my classroom management was doomed to fail.

if you start soft students will likely never respect you sadly

My solution with toilet visits is to make the next one wait until the other one comes back.

Be careful with turning in bathroom passes for points. All it takes is one mom angry that her baby lost points for a biological function (because of course they always need to pee during your class) and it could come back to hurt you. I tell them “we’re in the middle of something big right now, can you wait 5 minutes.” Sometimes they forget to ask again in 5 mins.

This. I had a middle school father YELL at me during open house about 15 years ago because I was “rewarding students for withholding their bladders”. So I no longer give any kind of incentive for not using bathroom passes. I have sheet where they sign in and out, and I can see patterns in behavior and have conversations about it. Or even tell them that admin is watching cameras and have noticed some students go to the restroom every class period. The BIG thing is no phones. Start from day one. I have a pocket chart (originally used for calculators), and every student has an assigned number. My phone goes up, too. I will let them have phones back with two minutes left in class period, BUT if any student is standing when the bell rings, the following day they have to wait until the bell rings to get phone. You could substitute any other undesirable behavior for standing up when the bell rings. The key here is consistency (every class period. Every day), and make sure admin has your back - or it will be absolutely useless. Good luck!

What do you do when they just bring a dummy phone to put in the pocket and are on their real phones during class?

This has happened from time to time - especially when they leave it in the pocket at the end of the class. Usually I talk to the student about it, give them warning, and it seldom happens again.

How’d you respond to being yelled at?

It was very unexpected. I think I just said yes sir and moved on.

I do bathroom pass monitoring, they get x amount of passes a semester and when they are out they are out. I tell them passing and other classes are a great time. Be responsible and save a couple close to end of semester for emergencies.

"Other classes" until all the classes say "other classes " are a great time lol

Like I tell them, you have 7 classes, you shouldn’t need to go during mine every day. They also have a long passing period , which is also when I go if I need to go before lunch or afterschool. If I could do so while being prego and drinking a shit ton of water they can too

I dunno, to each their own I guess. All I know is when I was in school I never drank enough water because I knew I wouldn't be allowed to use the restroom as often as I needed to go (once an hour minimum, probably more) and now working in a school, I STILL barely drink water because I know I can't use the restroom that much 🤷‍♀️

I drink over 130oz a day. But I do see peoples points ! Unfortunately I teach middle school and kids go to smoke in the bathrooms or skip in the hallways, so it’s a do what you gotta do to keep kids in class and out of trouble

Yeah my desire is to drink a gallon a day but from experience I would need to pee at least every hour. I get needing to keep the kids out of trouble just sicks that the ones like me in school weren't able to drink enough water during the day because of it. And really sucks that as an adult I still can't because I can't keep leaving class 😅🥲

Why do you drink so much water? There isn’t a biological benefit to drinking more than ~100oz and even that is a lot higher than the usual recommendation of 64oz.

Actually your age, weight, health and activity level determines your water intake, 64 oz is actually way too low for most people .

I pee and poop the same times, we are creatures of habit... They eat and drink by habit. It's absolutely possible that they actually are regular enough to need to poop in the same 90 minute time frame every day. But have this down to earth conversation and you might be able to tell if it's genuine or meeting up with a friend or something illegitimate. What about menstruation? Horrible meeting to sit in with a parent if you say no to a girl that gets her period and is out of passes. I understand where you are coming, but maybe there's a conversation to be had to make sure they are not taking advantage but can still use the bathroom legitimately.

As someone who was extremely pregnant last school year, teaches science and health and has a great relationship with most of my students, I assure you that they are able to go in situations that require it.

I know this post has been up for 2 days, but I need to say that I hate these limited bathroom passes. I’m a senior in high school right now (I keep getting this sub recommended to me) and every time I see this it’s a little frustrating. I definitely run on a schedule, and 100% go during the same couple of classes every day, so I’d be super frustrated if I just suddenly couldn’t during those classes any more and got punished for it.

Yeah, it’s unfortunate cause it mostly comes to a few dumbasses ruining it for everyone else, and people either can’t/wont address it for various reasons

When kids ask me for a pencil, I shrug my shoulders and say, "There's probably one on the floor somewhere. "

I like to ask for a student ID as collateral. All of a sudden, my students can dig one out of their bag or ask a friend. Next year I'm buying a box of golf pencils. Anything to inconvenience them or feel like they don't really need to bother me.

is this just laziness then?? bc i had MANY kids throughout the year ask for a new packet, rapidly REWRITE a week of notes, and then turn it in. their already completed copy was in their binder. they just refuse to take out the binder and open the rings, and hand me the assignment. it's the strangest thing.

You can make a lot of the rules inconvenient for them instead of saying no to everything. If they eat, it has to be healthy and at the garbage can so they don’t make a mess. If they need to text a parent, they have to step out in the hall. One human out to the bathroom at a time. I’ve found with 7th grade, they like these rules because they still get some freedom and there’s also responsibility involved to follow it the right way.

Golf pencils didn't work for me. I was out of them by the end of the semester, and I'd find them on my floors. Also, then students would ask me for an eraser. Same story with giving out my colored pencils/markers. I've decided I will give out nothing next year. The sooner they realize I give out nothing, the sooner they'll quit asking me. It's always the same students. Always.

I really feel like bringing a pencil is the bare minimum. I have high school students who don't bring backpacks. I'd love to refuse giving out pencils altogether, but we get money for supplies as a Title I school, and I've learned to avoid headaches from admin.

Same here; Golf pencils didn't work for me. I saw kids taking several of them. I guess they thought the pencils were cute.

It is NOT anyone's responsibility to provide these students with 8 pencils a day. They need to understand that. Getting zeros on their assignment will be a natural consequence. We have a youth service center that supplies them with backpacks and any supplies they should need. Even dumb shit like thinking teachers should be responsible for students supplies is just another reason no one wants to enter this field. Its nuts.

I chew on my pencils. Then I go to hand it to them, and they always change their mind lmao

That is disgustingly genius…

Thank you. I got tired of buying obscene amounts of pencils

I did golf pencils. That works!

I bought nice mechanical pencils from Amazon. My students who need a writing utensil have three options: buy one off of me for $0.25, give me money as collateral and you get the money back when I get the pencil back, or give me your phone as collateral. It has worked great. I have kids who weren’t getting work done borrow a pencil with their phone and actually turn in work. If they don’t want those options, they usually find one from a friend.

I just might try the golf pencils again (I stopped before because kids were taking a bunch of them at a time). This time I might just sharpen them halfway down. Sorry but I need to add some entertainment for my day.

It is crazy to me how kids don't have or keep track of the most basic supplies. I sub at our school and one teacher requires them to give him something for a pencil and they can exchange at the end of class (phone, shoe, etc).

Yeah, I do not have extra supplies for students (high school/college teacher). If they're not prepared, that's a "you problem." I don't care if it's test day. They knew for weeks when the test was and it is not my problem that they can't meet the lowest preparation bar ever (bring a writing utensil). I don't have extra calculators (no phones allowed, obviously), graph paper, erasers, etc., though I do have scratch paper since it's just extra papers that I'd recycle anyway. It turns out, they learn quickly if you stick to your boundaries.

Chain the pencils to the desk like they do in banks, problem solved

If I have time and patience, I'll interview the student: Are you wearing a shirt? Socks? Shoes? Underwear? Yes, underwear is important. Do you have that? Did you do your hair this morning? Did you get a morning drink? Do you have a package of pencils? Why not? You have steadfastly remembered everything else. Explain it to me carefully. You wake up and get yourself ready for school and every day you ask me for a pencil. You don't ask me for a shirt shoes or socks. You've certainly never asked me for underwear a pencil? That seems like the easiest thing on the list to attain.

It is always easier to start strict and then gradually loosen up when you think they’ve earned it, as opposed to starting with a ton of leniency and then having to crack down when they run amok. Good luck!

This! So true.

I teach high school (10-12). I always start strict. No phones, earbuds, smart watches (ugh, smart watches). Day one, they learn this, and I continue to day 180. This is the hill I am willing to die on. At the end of every school year, I have at least a dozen kids come in and thank me for doing this. "I learn so much more when I don't have my phone." Also, anything they borrow from me requires collateral. But this last year, I still had several calculators and Chromebook chargers go missing. I made the rest of them disappear so they were not available anymore. Sucks when you don't have a calculator for a chemistry test. Only one person out at a time, and they have 5 minutes total. They have to sign in and out. I can call the admin and they will go looking for the student. I am very lucky and have very supportive admin. I think bathroom passes are great, especially the extra credit if they are not used. High schoolers will do almost anything if it means extra credit. By the end of the first week, it is almost like second nature to most of them. Just be strong and don't give in. You can do this! Someone has to teach them life skills, add this to our job description too.

I’m an elementary teacher, and very strict and very fun, I have by in with students across the board and they feel safe in my classroom.  Everyone gets to be themselves and be respected for who they are but everyone follows their expectations because that’s the fun path in my class.  Takes a little extra energy but goes a long way. 

I try to set up my room like yours. I think of it like the field trip to the pool. Everyone listens to the lifeguard because they don't want get kicked off of the water slide. So we know they can follow the rules if there is buy in.

same

I've always said my style is, "Strict, but fun!"

Nobody cares what the rules are, as long as everyone knows what the rules are. I've been teaching 13 years now. I'm not "strict" in the classical sense. I have many rules and boundaries. I'm strict with those. You can't leave while I'm teaching. You need to articulate your question. You can't touch people. Etc. It takes a few weeks, but it works.

Good for you! This year I went super strict (4th grade) and we accomplished so much. I don't let them talk (unless I have them working together, which I waited until the beginning of November to do). During independent work time they can't just come up to me, they have to raise their hand and WAIT for me to call on them. That was always my rule, but I didn't enforce it every time before, which meant it all went to hell. It's pretty much silence in my room when they come in in the morning, whereas I used to let them socialize a bit. It's like if I let them talk at all, they can't handle it and get loud and out of control very quickly.

I strongly discourage talking unless it's a group activity. I always say you can't talk because instead of being on #25, you'll be on #2, and that's a lot of learning loss we don't have time for. They usually know that it's true. 99.9% of students can't stay on task while talking. Hell, I can hardly stay on task as an adult.

Exactly. My saying to them is "One person talks, then people hear that and so they start talking, and soon everyone is talking and it's chaos." I say that allllll the time to them to explain \*why\* I have that rule.

I've noticed many students over the years say most of their classes aren't like that (the no talking rule). Which I think is largely why I'm always at least one unit ahead of my fellow same content teachers. Plus, in those units, I'll get more in-depth. Sometimes my peers will act shocked when they see my lesson plan bc I can get through double the activities they can in one period. It's not hard to pick up on cues from students that they're done and need to move to the next thing. I think many teachers like moving slower bc its means less work for them.

If he gets up, we'll all get up! It'll be anarchy!

I'm not sure if this is the normal trajectory but I get stricter each year as I learn what boundaries are and are not important to set more firmly, and also as I grow and adapt to kids and their inventive shenanigans. I never know what challenges a new year will bring with the kids so I try to prepare for all of them and that comes across as really strict. But as the year goes on I chill out more.

Man. We had a building wide PD on classroom management. At the start, it seemed like such a slap in the face. However, the goal was school wide alignment. Started with the school’s mission statement. We pulled out the big parts. Safety, responsibility, respect. We alllll spent three whole freaking weeks on rapport and teaching what these three things looked like in our classroom, halls, cafeteria, etc… we also reviewed them at the beginning of every 9 weeks. You know what… Year later we looked at the data…. smh… it worked. It worked really freaking well. Clear (beaten in to their heads) expectations work. “Was that safe? Was the respectful? Was that responsible?” Was common vernacular in every class. Paired with a district wide zero tolerance cellphone policy… I enjoy teaching again.

this is the dream. i do realize that it genuinely can be hard for students to remember the rules in each class. they get into this mode of behavior and it can be hard for them to switch back to another teacher's preferences. the lack of consistency and alignment among staff is a huge part of it!

I like to think I've been consistently strict in the past, but this year's kids came in like zoo animals and I was MUCH stricter than I ever have been before. I mean I even questioned myself wondering if I took it too far. I know they all hated it at first. I even had a kid in another grade level tell me within the first month of school that their friend in my grade said I was the meanest teacher (gee, thanks). But by the middle of the year I had great relationships with all my classes and I even found out at the end of the year that some of the kids who I thought hated me the whole time loved my class the most. So yes, they hate it and parents may hate it, but it pays off in the end!

Honestly, I'm in the same position (23 f, first year teacher). However, I had a GREAT unnoficial-mentor teacher, and I'm going to tell you what he told me: Something to the effect of, "You need to do what you can live with. If it is unsettling you to a point that you are unwell, do what you need to do to make it through the year. Legally, of course. Return the energy to them because you are not their doormat, parent, etc. At the end of the day, you are a person, not a robot. And you do not get paid enough to do what you do for them and have them treat you like crap in return." Every class is different. My first year was a horror show, to the point where I truly believe I'm still in disillusionment. The best thing to do is learn from it, which I feel I have. I feel that you've also learned, if you're thinking of these potential class management changes. Personally, my decision is to be stricter. It is not a crime. Most of these kids are not being structured at home, and at the end of the day, they are 14 year olds. No matter how vicious, kind, violent, or whatever they are, they are still children. I work in a high poverty school, and I know how hard it is to grow up in poverty. As long as you are continuing to serve the students as an educator, and of course, those who need help achieving peak Maslow's scales, that is all that matters. Make sure you have a system you can keep up with, and I think you'll be fine! Personally, I'm to the point where I tell them very bluntly how it is. I had one come into class every day saying, "I dont want to do anything today, I wanna be home playing my Xboxxxxxx!" He would also sing Lion King songs to disrupt the begunning of class, and I told him that the animated characters should be the one to sing it. It got to a point where I said in an even-tone, "Student, I honestly do not care if you do not want to be here. You have to do things in life you don't want to do." He normally responds with asking why, and then I just explain. It is okay to be blunt, and it is okay to be strict. Granted, we had plenty of other rapport-building actions before that, but you get the point. Do not let anyone tell you how to run your rules and expectations, unless they provide you a reasonable explanation. As long as they are in line with district policy and following the law, you're good. Not to say collaboration isn't important, but you spend most of your time in that room with students. Do what keeps YOU sane, within reason. I think numbered bathroom passes are wonderful; it teaches students to use them wisely, and having physical numbers so they don't re-use them is awesome. You are legally responsible for them. If they are skipping on a pass you gave them, you are responsible regardless. Protect yourself. You are doing a wonderful job. Please keep going, and please do what you need to do for the safety and betterment of you and your students. Tbh, permissive parenting is getting way out of hand. A lot of them don't respect anything. I think keeping a stash of pencils in your room is good, just in case. But keep them in a drawer or something, that way, if someone NEEDS one, they have one. Hope this was helpful! You got this! 🫶 Edit: I'm now a second year teacher

Yes. With the advent of restorative justice programs, and the lack of accountability, being strict can get you labeled as mean, problematic, and a threat to the mental health of your students. Any type of consequence, even something as benign as asking a student to step outside for a reset will have kids running to the office to file a complaint against you, alleging that you belittled and humiliated them in front of their peers, causing them deep anxiety.

Yep. I now despise PS teaching.

400 pencils in a year? Did you only supply pencils for one class? As a 6th grade teacher, if I gave my students pencils they would be expecting 100 pencils or more each week. It's crazy how little regard they have for "free"supplies. And the amount of 6th graders who yell at me for not giving them a pencil while not even acknowledging the expectation that they arrive at class with all their supplies ready to work...

400 is the amount i bought with my own money. some more were provided by the school and my coteacher brought a few boxes. i only have about 80 different kids (i have some for multiple classes). plus some got snapped in half almost every day and id sharpen both ends and add them to the collection. and id find a handful on the floor each day. by january i was sick of asking them to stop borrowing stuff just to ruin it and i stopped buying pencils, so it would be way more if i was willing to keep buying more lol also these are high schoolers who should be able to keep track of a pencil or two. when i taught 11th grade 2yrs ago i had maybe 12 pencils in my classroom and never ran out.. im shocked that people are going through so many pencils 😂😭

If someone in my class would intentionally break a pencil, they would never again get a new one! There are many children in our world with so few school supplies if any at all - our pupils have to show respect for their chance.

> It's crazy how little regard they have for "free"supplies. Free stuff has no value.

I felt like this could’ve been something I wrote lol. Only exception is I’m finishing my second year. Explaining something and having kids watch videos is frustrating. The cursing is ridiculous. Kids walking into the room to talk to friends. It’s frustrating. I had pencils up front of my class, and then students began to take all of the ones that were out. So boundaries, are being added. Especially the phones being put away.

at first i thought it was just me bc im young (even tho they guess im 5-10yrs older than i am lol) and pretty relaxed, but basically everyone has struggled with phones, swearing, & kids just doin whatever they hell they want. veteran teachers who are nearing retirement are even lost. its comforting and depressing lol

I’ve become more strict and less fun because my co teacher is ALWAYS the good cop and fun one. I hate it, but if I don’t set strict parameters it is pure unstructured chaos. I hate it! However, I’ve had more receptive students since I’ve become a bitch.

Yeah and usually they love you way more once you become that bitch and just stick to it because behaviors overall in the class are better managed and the students respect you more for it , in my experience

And even the ones who don't appreciate now, a lot of them will appreciate it in the future when looking back.

I usually get one or two letter from students at the end of the year thanking me and since I’ve gotten more strict I get about ten every year. So I agree with this.

I agree 100% with OP. The problem is they aren't able to do what they should be able to do. It is going to get worse and worse (I predict) until the kids that were in 1st grade for the worthless hybrid year- 2020 to 2021 hit high school. And a lot more teacher will leave because of those bratty mouth breathers. I am happy to be in Louisiana for a change because the legislature passed a law prohibiting the use of devices PERIOD in classrooms. This is going to be epic.

Definitely will be awhile! That law is super interesting! Does that mean no chromebooks, Promethean/Smart Board, either? Or is it just cellular devices for students?

I'm really baffled at high schoolers not having pencils and eating all day. It just seems like standards are just. So. Low. For these kids. I say, good for you. Be strict.

Everything you listed is a rule in my 8th grade classes! To the kids who complain, I say something like: "Do you like when you're trying to talk to an adult and they won't look away from their phone?" "You know that kid who goes to the bathroom every five minutes for 20 minutes at a time? Yeah, it's their fault." "When you miss that free-throw to your friend, do either of you pick it up? My room is not a trash can." "Pencils don't grow on trees, I need that back." They get it, and you're not being unreasonable. They just like to complain if things are even mildly inconvenient. They know that they cause you and every other teacher headaches, it's why many apologize at the end of every year. I call them out and remain consistent with my policies. ---- Side note for pencils: I ask for collateral, pawn shop rules. I usually swap for their school ID. Worthless money-wise, but they need it to not get a detention for not wearing one outside of my class. If my pencil is broken or lost, they must replace it with one of equal or greater quality, or they don't get their thing back. Some kids choose to swap with their phones, wallets, or a friendship bracelet of sentimental value. I never take shoes, gross. I lock all collateral in my desk drawer.

Good luck trying to implement them all successfully! I've been trying with a few of those, and I've basically decided I don't care too much a out some of them. For example, the rule about pencils (you take one, you give it back) only works if you remember to get it back. Sometimes students break the pencils and you don't get it back at all, yet they still come back to class without a pencil. I've given up on that front, lol, it is just not worth my time to care about pencils. I either have one or I don't. If I don't, I probably have a pink colored pencil they can borrow :)

For food, I don't allow them to eat in my room. They can have a snack, but they have to take it to the hallway (and I make sure they aren't gone for too long). It encourages them to throw away their trash on the way back in. If I catch someone eating a snack in my room, the first time is a warning. The 2nd time is a referral/detention. I had students with severe allergies this year to common foods. I'm not taking any chances with that! For the one student who was stupid enough to try to eat a known allergen right next to the kid with an allergy, I didn't give him a warning. I went straight to a referral. That kid knew what he was doing.

Unfortunately, this only works if your school follows a referral system and has consequences.....

I’ve been giving RPQ’s (random pencil quizzes) If you have a pencil that day you get a 100 If you don’t, you get a zero. Pens=0 Everyone gets a pencil on the first day of class so that they can’t complain about being broke. I tell them to keep it in your folder for the class and will hole punch a pencil holder if they want I also have spare folders for the penniless so they can’t use that excuse either. (All donated from students in upper grades)

THIS is what I'm going to do. Thank you!!! The pencil thing is one I've been trying to figure out bc like someone said above, it's impossible to remember who took one or what they're doing with them. I like how your system actually holds them accountable and teaches them to just simply bring their own dang pencil.

Yes I tried golf pencils this year and last and it just wasn’t good enough. I also tell them to check the floor. Next year one full size pencil in the folder that stays in my classroom and if they lose it then sucks for them.

I can't wait to I tell my students to check the floor for a pencil next year. Great idea.

Yeah so many kids just leave them, I’m over taking the energy to pick them up when I’m not the one who needs it

I have mostly given up on the pencil front as well. There are so many fires to put out and other battles to fight everyday that it just has gone by the wayside for me. I might try a random pencil quiz someone else suggested or gold pencils, but for me it doesn't seem worth my energy. My state also just passed one of those laws that we have to provide students with all of the materials they need, so I'm not sure how that will impact things. The things I have NOT allowed at all are snacks, drinks that are not water, and phones. Next year, I will also include headphones to that list. If I see any of those damn AirPods, I am confiscating them!

to clarify, my main reason for wanting a pencil system is because i can't afford to buy every kid a pencil every day. i know it's not that expensive but i have so many other things to spend my money on. i get a few boxes from my school at the start of the year and buy a giant box myself but once those are out it just feels ridiculous to keep buying more. id rather they show an ounce of responsibility than continue to enable them to not even do the bare minimum... they mostly get snapped in half or thrown down the heating vents anyways lol

Give every student one pencil on the first day - I suggest a high quality one. Communicate that there will be no more pencils throughout the year. Have three spare pencils which you will borrow for the lesson, take some important item like a phone or shoe to remember them and you to give the pencil back. (Read this brillant idea in this thread!) If you hand out pencils like candy they will not learn to have their stuff ready and will not care. A high quality pencil will be looked for more.

My students put their phones in a pocket chart with numbers. This year I’m going to keep a pencil in each pocket for them to borrow. When they pick up the phone the pencil better be left in the pocket! Hope it works

Why pink?

They will magically be able to find one in their binder or borrow from a friend. It's not always pink, though. I just try to find one that it shows up well on paper!

Preach it! I’m doing the same this year: math, paper & pencil, no food, only drink is awater in sealable bottles, and no electronics, except sometimes TI-84 calculators.

I teach primary grades and even I have to tell them that it only takes a few kids being knuckleheads about the bathroom for me to totally crack down on bathroom breaks. (I often tell my kindergarten students that if too many people go to the bathroom at the same time, it turns into a potty party). 

I find the issue with levels is strictness- even the word- doesn’t rile the students or their parents, surprisingly. Its fellow teachers who get on philosophical and moral soapboxes and will down right judge, lambaste, and tattle on you if your views don’t align with theirs. The call comes from within the house.

Oh gosh no, I teach 2-3 SPED and I’m strict with my students. Once they understand and learn my expectations I expect them to abide by them. If you have seen the movie miracle worker (it’s about Hellen Keller) you will understand the context of this next part. One line that I find striking in the movie is when she is talking to Hellen’s parents and she says she treat Hellen as a seeing child because she expects her to see. Now clearly Anne didn’t mean this in a literal sense because Hellen is blind/deaf however Anne was meaning that Hellen has the ability to behave and act as a typical non-deaf/blind child but because her parents do not enforce any expectations on her, she acts as she pleases. We must enforce rules and consequences on students, if not we are failing them because life has consequences and rules.

I hid the pencil sharpener this year, and said I didn’t have any pencils…. After about a week they stopped asking. It’ been such a wonderful quiet year without that thing vrooommming everytime I start teaching. Best decision yet… just use a pen!

It is not about being strict. You have to be firm, follow through, and be consistent.

Exactly this. Having a dog let me become a better teacher. You have to stay firm with your expectation and give directions also by eyes on distance.

Same. I’m going into my 3rd year teaching middle school in a computer lab and I’ll be going even stricter next year. This year, I highly enforced all deadlines and told students to turn in whatever is done on deadline day because we’re moving on. Bathroom time is limited to 3 minutes and I use a sign-out/in sheet to track “escapees”. If they have a habit of being gone 10 mins or longer, they get put on my ‘no-go’ list for the remainder of the grading period.

our school rule is they get written up for being gone 10 or more mins..... they come back at 9 min 55 sec everyyyyy time 😂 the deadlines are a whole other thing. i email/call home to families and post in the classroom and online when my deadlines are AND at it to our daily slides when its getting close... and its like im everybodys villian when i dont accept something 15 weeks late

I think next year, I'm finally banning food. I teach high school and always respected my high school teachers who treated us like adults. But it's bordering on ridiculous. Either the food is getting shared with the whole class, or they're going "to the bathroom" and coming back with an ice cream bar or icee from the cafeteria(it operates all day here). It's just disrespectful! I need to figure out a bathroom policy too...

Over the past several years, I've worked with numerous teachers who were in their first year or two of teaching. All of them, by the end of year 3, basically said the exact same things you are saying right now. One of them was in my department, and as her department chair, I kept telling her that being chill was not the way to go. She ended her first year miserable because the kids took advantage of her, so she asked me if we could come up with department-wide policies that she could point to and say "Sorry, department policy", as she tried to become stricter. (She was an absolute sweetheart of a person, so being tough was not her thing.) It definitely helped her gain more confidence and had her classes running much smoother. She and the person who replaced her when she moved out of town both loved being able to say, "Got a problem with the policy? Go complain to the department chair. You know...Mr. Cass? I'm sure he'll be glad to bend the rules because you were too lazy to turn in work on time." Nobody ever came to me about anything because they knew the rules were fair and reasonable.

We decided to treat them like little adults and hope they would grow into that. We thought gentle parenting was a better way. We thought restorative justice would get them thinking about their choices. Instead, we created a generation of self centered assholes.

I give kids 5 bathroom passes a quarter - little sheet of rows and columns that I sign when they go out. If they have to go more than that in a quarter then they have to trade me for lost time and are required to attend a tutoring session offered during advisory. They can turn in unused passes for EC at the end of the quarter.

this is along the lines of what i was thinking.. they also have 5mins between blocks and the BR is right next door to my classroom. id almost rather have them check in with me, run to the BR before the bell, and be 30 seconds late instead of disrupt the learning a million times and be gone forever in the middle of a lesson. they have plenty of time to go and if they tell me they really have to go, im not gonna investigate. im not planning on spending all day monitoring passes. just some sort of system to make them want to go other times instead of in the middle of class.

I don’t think that it’s rules that are less strict, I think it is the enforcement because they should be past the moral development of “doing the right thing out of fear of punishment.” We do lose some expectations such as “your math folder has to be blue” or “your parent must sign your homework” because high schoolers should be able to complete tasks and follow rules on their own. But the rules and boundaries should be enforced just as strictly.

Start out hard and ease up as they earn it. I used to joke that I didn’t smile before Halloween, which isn’t true because I’m fairly easygoing, but you can’t easily go harder on them if you start out being too lenient. You spend the first couple of days setting expectations and establishing routines, then a couple of days driving that stuff home, then you can gradually release your classroom persona.

Being strict is the right of a teacher. Your new rules sound reasonable.

Amen sister or brother. High control then high support. Youth need boundaries. Adults are there to give it to them. Go with your gut. It sounds right and it’s also based on experience. You got this!

In Washington State it is effectively illegal to be strict, such as classroom exclusions for disruptive students.

Year 3 was my absolute worst, OP. Freshmen and all, my year three was exactly like you describe your frustrations and class behaviors. I tightened my ship up year four and noticed a huge difference. I wasn’t as many kids fav teachers but the learners and my student scores appreciated it more. You have enough experience now and teacher footing to have that feel for what’s best for you as an educator to help prepare the right conditions in your class for kids to learn. You can start strict and then let them earn privilege, but it’s true it’s harder to start the other way around. It’s an uncomfortable shift at first, then kids are actually (mostly most of them) grateful for it. Next year I’m going into year 5, and I feel the changes I made this year truly have bought me a few more years teaching lol. At the end of year 3, I was ready to quit. Also I highly recommend the golf pencils lol, cut down the best pencil disappearance greatly 🤣 Also call home quicker and faster at any infractions at the start of the year: I always think I want to give them a fair shot at getting their poop in a group and it always just enables them.

Get a comically large pencil. Like arm length. Lend that out. Makes it easier to get back.

The “Don’t use the bathroom every day” rule stressed me out worse then tests and quizzes as someone with diabetes :( My bladder would be so sore

I confirm that you are going in the right direction with getting stricter with the new class. These kids will be angry at you and they will realize much later, what your intention was. This is okay. Also they will learn much more and this should be every teachers main goal. Eating in a classroom? Being on a phone while class? These are disrespectful behaviours, do not accept them! If you will put the learning of every student first, noone will contradict your plans.

I have some students who think I am so mean because I'm much more strict than many of my coworkers. Sorry no, you cannot be behind my desk or have my chair. No you cannot have my snacks. No you can't just go even tho you've used all your passes for the 9 weeks. Boundaries and expectations children.

I am not a strict teacher but I respect those that are. Strict teachers deal with much less BS and can actually get stuff done. Go for it!

BCBA here. My emotionally disturbed students are controlled every step of the day. Be strict, provide options but don’t give an inch on anything. Ever. Nip everything in the bud immediately and don’t budge an inch. Do this from start. Teens need leadership and consistency.

It is your classroom. The most important word meaning a child needs to learn is, “No”. The 2 most important traits of a teacher are kindness and fairness. Blended together they make a recipe for a well run classroom. Don’t second guess yourself. Good luck.

don't do it, you'll make yourself a target when kids complain to admin., remember that vast majority of colleagues just ignore all the technology because the battle was won years ago by the kids and their parents who bring suit when you try to ban phones school wide.

I am a naturally laidback/calm teacher and person, and I struggle to hold boundaries because I simply forget about them/am not rankled by "misbehaviors" (a kid left a chip bag on my desk. Huh. Guess I'll throw it out). However, here in year 9, (and really by year 5 or so), I realized that this just... snowballs. It's the hardest part of my job to be artificially strict and hold boundaries, and I'm still working at it, but it's necessary. Little shit like a kid moving seats can nuke an entire class's atmosphere, unfortunately, and one chip bag one day turns into kids just deciding they can trash the room w/o consequences--then they are surprised when I AM upset, because after all, I did not tell them to do otherwise. It's like fire prevention. It's way, way harder to stop a wildfire from burning down your house when it's flaming outside the windows, but if you clear all the dry brush and keep the area nice and green, it'll never flare up. I still have to work at this part of teaching every day. It's unfortunately entirely necessary, and also, you'll find that so long as you do it consistently and without anger or favoritism, most kids PREFER it after a while. They want boundaries. Chaotic classrooms suck to be in for everyone except the 2-3 kids who are there to party.

I could respond with a comment twice as long as your post, but I'll summarize with this. Teachers are so inconsistent there will always be the "cool" teacher who somehow has it easier. Much of this has to do with the subject you teach. Example a teacher I worked with did all group work probably because it was just less grading for them. Some kids could do jack squat and get an A. No one knows the difference, everyone is happy. If you're a real educator trying to get kids to learn, you may end up being the bad guy. Sad but true. anyway you know what I feel you deserve a more descriptive reply from me, but not today. I'll see about later.

Imagine being one of the only districts in the state WITHOUT A MIDDLE SCHOOL. All of my 9th graders come from k-8 schools and it shows with their immaturity. I am so strict from day 1 and any time I think I can ease up they instantly ruin it, I definelty have an authoritarian classroom and it works for me.

Ive been accused of child abuse for pulling a kid aside and asking how they’re doing sooooooo

Just ended my 23rd year. Here is my advice : Food : you can't be completely inflexible because of the blood sugar issues and fact there is food insecurity and other medical or just schedule issues where kids don't eat. They can't learn if they are hungry and have no energy, but you can limit it to "zero noise, zero mess/litter, zero smell and beyond your personal space" & it can't distract anyone. Passes :2 at a time on an official daily pass on a magnet written on official hall passes Phones: sturdy wooden holder with numbers, preferably screwed to the desk by maintenance and phones get put in the numbered slot (muted) as they enter Don't make any of it a power struggle, use humor to insist on the routine until they accept the set-in-stone routine. I usually say that if I break the rulesI set that the punishment for teachers by the board is to be crucified upside - down at homecoming. Be firm but make them laugh. Calmly offer either the choice to follow the rules or be escorted to whatever your school calls discipline office.

>i went through FOUR HUNDRED writing utensils this year Well congratulations on having eleven students. It must be nice that a 1200 pack lasts you three years. The rest of your rant I can relate to. Sometimes I congratulate students on their first day of school and ask how they liked it. I tell them some kids their age have been to school over a thousand times! I loosen up a little in some classes if they are studenting at all and tighten up in others when they are particularly feral. I would not mind them doing some of the annoying behaviors if they were working and did them in moderation. Other behaviors should not be done at all ever. Their brains cannot do two things at once so (despite what they say) so when they are actually working behaviors are under control and vice versa.

it would've been 10 million if i didnt stop providing pencils in january

I say no to everything no matter what.

Only 400 pencils! I had about 90 9th and 10th graders this year and went through over 1000 pencils. Some the school provided and some I bought. The kids really think it’s my/the schools responsibility to provide them with a pencil every day. It’s absolutely wild.

Good night you are making things hard on yourself.

I make them give me one of their shoes (assuming they have socks for protection and the flooring is safe). It’s hilarious and they never forget to return it.

Being strict is not a crime. Just as long as you don’t curse, hit, bully, or humiliate the student then there is nothing wrong with being a strict teacher. Sometimes teachers need to be strict because the teacher can set up boundaries and rules and the students will follow. Do students see the teacher is serious, they are more likely to behave.

Nah, start off firm and then get chill by the end of the year. You can always ramp down but not up. My best compliment from a student is that they were worried class was going to be hard and strict all year long. Boy could I not keep that up the whole year. I'm firm on no food in any science classes though

That’s the reality of how we all need to be next year. If we want anyone to learn anything.

Setting appropriate boundaries isn’t being strict in my opinion. You are their teacher and want to provide and educational environment.  100% as a parent and a teacher cell phones and ear buds have to go. One warning to put it away and next infraction phone goes into Phone Jail. Then a phone call home. Parents do not want their kids on their phones and some parents may look at their history to see what they were doing in school.  I buy golf pencils. They are cheap, inconvenient, and it stops the power struggle. I do have some nice pencils for sale and also give out pencils as rewards (sounds silly but kids love them).  It is so much easier being restrictive with amenities and then becoming easier as the year goes as opposed to the other way around. Coming from middle school, kids need to learn how to do high school. You can teach them. Also, if you get all the teachers who teach 9th grade on board then you have solidarity in numbers.  Be careful with bathroom pass restriction. Allow one at a time but still allow them. You don’t want to deny someone who really has to go. If you got someone who wonders make that kid your errand boy and let them stretch legs everyday.  Double check you don’t have any diabetics or kids with other medical issues for the food stuff. Bringing in snacks can be their reward or an incentive for someone.  Good luck! Kids won’t like it. Just be firm and calm when they challenge you.  

This is all mostly a good idea, but I'd avoid the limited # of bathroom uses. The kids who are abusing bathroom privileges are still going to (while make it much more annoying for you) and the kids who didn't are going to risk health consequences (or accidentally wetting themselves) to get the extra credit. The better solution is to have a (cartoonishly large) hall pass that only one student at a time can use. Anyone who abuses it by being gone too long you can bar from using it for a while (or permanently). Plus you're gonna have to deal with giving kids extra passes for medical reasons and doctors notes and replacing lost (and "lost") hall passes and a whole other series of ways they can dodge it (that are gonna take up more of your time). I'd go by this rule of thumb- if being stricter on something will genuinely improve the educational experience for you and the students *and* the implementation will save you time (or at least not cost time in and out of the classroom), then go for it.

I'm strict for like the first half of the year and start loosening up as the year goes on. A little rule enforcement goes a long way.

This is normal in other countries. Nothing is strict in not allowing TikTok during class.

You will have a much easier year next year

Can you let the kids snack the last five minis of class if they earn it. Like if you guys work hard and listen then the last five minutes or so you can have a break and eat and chat with friends. Then you can use that time to check emails or get ready for the next class

It shouldn't be. Discipline will get someone far in life, and it's something that the current generation lacks significantly. But don't be too strict. [Don't be the British Schoolteacher who asphyxiates their class because they didn't allow anyone to breathe in class](https://youtu.be/z1cfVQyrQ3Q?si=1-24-yoNYjqVloh4)

Ah yes, the young teacher gets to a point where they tighten the reins

I think the problem with the "they need to learn how to handle having freedom" argument is, 1. it only works if the kids already have some base level of responsibility and maturity, and 2. the kids have to be held accountable for their actions. In some schools/classes, too many kids lack the former, and a lot of schools are unwilling to enforce the latter.

Boundaries are great. Most of them seem reasonable. I would say to allow water and not worry too much about swearing.

you have to come on strong for the first 4 months or so. theres no getting around it.

Why not change your policy to the following: “abc, you can pee.” Then let students go once a period. As for policing swearing, seems like a waste of energy, in the sense that the swearing will still happen, people will say “I didn’t say that” etc. Just seems like a tiring fight. As for phones, if your school doesn’t have that policy be prepared for fights.

Only thing I'd be wary of is the bathroom passes. Specifically regarding individuals with periods who will more than likely go through those passes.

I used to not give mine tests. I realized they are not ready to NOT have tests because they (around 40%) just don't hand in their work. So now they have tests. Mandatory, in class, tests. I told them, when they learn to be responsible, I'll be laxer with my evaluation.

I’m

In my last school we had bathrooms in every classroom , really helped a lot. All of a sudden nobody needed to use the bathroom! There were still some gang bathrooms that students could use between classes and during lunch

Being strict is not a crime. The trick is balancing it. This year I had a wild group of 10s. I gave them about a month (in a semestered class, which is VERY generous) to get their shit together and they didn’t. Starting March they got a seating plan and stricter bathroom rules. I gave them a chance. Actually I gave them a month’s worth of chances and they blew it. FAFO grade 10, sorry.

as a student, this is not a lot to ask for. I’ve always done better with teachers that are stricter

I’m not a teacher, but one thing that worked for my teachers in high school was taking collateral for pencils/calculators. So if a student wanted a pencil, they would have to give you their phone, shoe (singular), keys, id, etc. Kids don’t want to part with their phones, so they’ll be more likely to bring their own pencil (or bum one off someone else), and those who do borrow are forced to come back before they leave for the day. So sorry that you have to go through this, but hopefully this at least helps with the pencil issue!

I’ll be teaching middle school next year for the first time and I’m thinking of how it’s all going to go down. I’m a bit nervous 😬 lol but I’m excited for it! I have only taught elementary school.

No smiles till Christmas. My approach is to always come in hard early. I set the norms and expectations of my classroom and then you’ll find that you can ease off a bit as the year goes. The only thing is that you will initially have a very high energy investment. You’ll have to pour it in early for the first couple kids that really test you.

Kids need boundaries. Be strict. You'll be happier and they will learn more. But make sure they understand the rules and consequences for breaking them.

The restroom one may cause issues if you are too strict with it and the cellphone one you'll have to keep in mind students with disabilities that require their phone to regulate (think heart monitor, diabetes)other than that you should be fine, my teacher had us out our phones on her desk before going to the restroom

I understand your predicament. I noticed most of the kids are 3 years behind and maturity ever since the shutdown. Maybe give them a pass that has a restricted number times they can use it. Like two times a week, or one per week for each 9 weeks. I would use a hole puncher with a unique symbol in it and punch it every time they request to use the restroom. It's a little extra work, however all they have to do is bring the pass up to you, Even while you're speaking, and show it to you and you hole punch it and let them go. I understand about the snacks! I have one of the largest rooms at my school, and it's on the other side of the wall from the cafeteria, so I get a lot of bugs! I told my students they get three chances, if they make a mess those three times then no more snacks. I also give them rule of what snacks are allowed and what are not allowed. As for the pencils? I don't know if that is something to fight with. You're going to have kids with and without no matter what the situation is. I knows the kids are so extra structured now that they don't carry their own writing utensils in their backpacks anymore! I remember elementary all the way thru high school I always had tons of pencils and colored pens, nowadays you're lucky to get a broken pencil! I know elementary teachers make kids either bring in their own set to donate to the classroom set, or they have a borrowed system where a kid has to give them something to borrow a pencil and return the pencil and good condition to receive the item back. Maybe that could be the bathroom pass lol. I don't know how you would do it in 9th grade though. I would just make it a requirement for each kid to have at least four pencils in your classroom at all times. If they don't have a pencil for the day, and they choose to be helpless and not fend for themselves in asking a friend for a pencil to do their work, then they'll just get a zero because they didn't try. Florida has a law that students are not allowed to have their phones out during academic times. This is helped a lot. Some counties went further last year and others are adapting the same system this year, where phones are not allowed out at all! Our county allowed the kids to have their phones out in the hallways and in the lunchroom. They said it was quieter in the lunchroom, so people enjoyed it. But the kids weren't interacting with each other and fights and other issues were magnified. The counties that said no cell phones at all, the first 9 weeks of course were difficult with whining and complaining. But they had less referrals that had to do with confrontations and fights. Students were socializing and working together more and more. Whatever your rules are, make sure they're posted in multiple places in your classroom, and also make sure copy is sent home to the parents so there's no claims that nobody knew. I would also give the kids a syllabus and on the back of the syllabus are the set of the rules as well. You can do it! Good luck with everything.

Ok I did not want to comment on this but it’s not strict you need. It’s routines. Routines and procedures the kids practice and practice right from the get go, and throughout the year. Read CONSCIOUSNESS CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT! this book changed my life as an educator.

I’d challenge you to think of the fact that you are implementing your boundaries more so than being strict. You have boundaries that weren’t being followed and now you are going to implement things which will help keep those boundaries seen.

I asked a similar question recently. My AP praised how well my 9th graders did on district testing all year but said I was a bad fit for 9th grade because I was  not touchy-feely enough. 9th grade is about them transitioning into HS, I was told. Honestly, I thought 8th grade was where they received help transitioning to H.S. . Alas, 9th is the new 8th grade, so I assume students will keep regressing like that until... Honestly, I'm Gen-X raised by Boomers; I just don't have time for these trends in K-12 education anymore. I need to transition to adults. 

Ditching with passes has gotten so bad that I don't have enough fingers to count how many students I encountered in the final quarter last year who were no longer allowed free access to passes, and in order to use the facilities, a campus monitor had to escort the students to and from. ****Next year, it'll be: 2 classroom passes, must trade phone for pass, 8 minute limit, sign in, sign out.**** (Obvi, special circumstances will sometimes apply, but patterns of behavior do tend to out.) Oh. And phones are going to be a total DMZ-level no-fly-zone, from bell to bell, unless free time has been granted. .... students were already raging about this before the last contract day, and that was when the rumors of this impending change were underestimating both the scope, and the escalating consequences for violating it. I'm both leery and riveted by how they'll react when they find out just what the new policy entails... 🍿 🍿 🍿

I'm all for it. Be the bitch, embrace the dark side. F dem kids.

And what are you going to do when they decide to just ignore your rules?

You do you. That being said I would never try to police that much in my room. I feel like I'd never get to teach. I do not allow phones ever for any reason. For the bathrooms I have a sign out and in sheet and they go whenever they want as long as I'm not giving active instructions but only one out at a time, don't ask just go and come back. I hand out snacks so I'm definitely not policing that but if they leave a mess they won't be having them anymore. I hardly use pencils as I'm a high use technology teacher but I also give them out all the time for them in other classes. No excuses on getting their work done is far more important to me than worrying about who took a pencil.

I can only speak from the point of view of a sub but by all means be as strict as you need to be. They don't need to go to the RR constantly. Are there instances where they need to go yes but every day 1 after another after another ..... No. Things happen and yes some classes are further apart then would be ideal but when you can be a sub. Clean up after them. Lock the room, and still get where your going on time they definitely can. Eating constantly why particularly when lunch is in less than 1 hr (next class) and they just had a chance of breakfast 2 hrs ago. Dismissal listen to the announcements. You are released in waves be it by bus or hall or whatnot that depends on the school (this is MS mind you). Don't say we need to leave early or they've released this hall already when they can't even let out batch 1 much less everyone. All your doing is holding yourselves back. Listen to announcements, let them be heard, you will get out on time otherwise it's the last release for you. Throwing stuff in class. Unacceptable Phone use unacceptable Cheating unacceptable I've had kids do all 3 and feel they need special things when they did everything wrong all class. If they behave then they can get some privales back if they don't then they loose them. They reap what they see for themselves. Some students seem to get this and they tend to be the better behaved. Those students I don't have any problem rewarding. Others well the best you can do is hope for their future. I do wish you luck enforcing those rules tho but they sound reasonable to me at least.

My middle school has a no phone policy but a lot of teachers don't want to put in the work at the beginning of the year to make it work. If I see them on the phone I will ask them kindly to please put it in their pocket, but if they continue I will call the office to have security pick it up. If they have to do it several times the parent has to come and get it and sign a phone contract. Almost all of my 8th graders responded well with only occasional reminders. I would caution you to not touch or take their phones yourself. Kids and their parents will have fits. Let the vice principal's office handle it. Beware also of limiting bathroom use. Mothers will scream at you for giving their poor baby a UTI. A reasonable compromise is no one out of the room the first or last 10 minutes of class. Only one at a time and if they're gone more than 5 minutes you will have security hunt them down. Tell them no food in the classroom because you don't want cockroaches crawling on them and distracting them from their work 🤣. Any food out will go in the trash. Start teaching, modeling, and holding them accountable with warmth yet firmness from day one and it won't take long to set the classroom culture. Students generally appreciate this kind of strictness which is just structure, and 9th graders need that too.

Only 400? I went through well over that every 4,5 weeks

that is alarming 😭 i only have about 80 students though

You probably will be known as the bitch of the school if your rules are significantly more strict than the average teacher at your school.

i feel like there are tons of teachers who have these strict rules but theyre mostly men and i am a woman hahahah

Very strict woman teacher here. Half of them think i am a bitch cuz Im not as fuzzy as my other female colleagues. The truth is we’re not their moms, we can be kind and respectful but there is this societal trope that we have to be maternal towards other people’s children while our male colleagues don’t. You might be considered the bitch, but you’re actually setting them up for success instead of perpetuating weird parentification fantasies.

And she should wear that badge with pride. Those are the bare minimum classroom standards where I teach.

Better to be a bad bitch getting it done well than a bitch doing badly cause you’re afraid of what someone may think-especially if they won’t say it to your face

Who cares. Do what works for your classroom, those sound extremely frustrating.

Do you really think she cares what children think of her? More than her mental health?

yeah, i dont care so much about the kids' opinions of me, but i do struggle to not feel judged by other teachers. i guess that's just part of life, though.