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Texas ISD School Guide
Texas ISD School Guide







Articles for Teachers

Building a Reputation - Tips For First Time Teachers
By:Dominic Bartalino

Discipline comes with teaching. There's no way around it, and most teachers don't like to hear this fact. They wish that they could just teach and not have to worry about keeping their students in line. In our world it doesn't quite work this way. Students will try to test your limits at any given opportunity. They will always try to act up in class to see how much you'll tolerate. Because of this, they will eventually go too far. At this point you need to put your foot down to stamp out the unwanted behavior. If you do this enough times, and you are consistent with it, you'll develop a reputation as a teacher that doesn't take any guff.

You will deal with more behavior issues in your first 3-5 months of teaching than you will in the rest of your teaching career. The reason for this is that you may not know exactly where your behavior boundaries are. After you find them out, you'll recognize early on what the signs are and you'll be able to put the nix on it right away. Also, word spreads very quickly in class and the students will let other classes no what does and doesn't fly in your class. After the word spreads, you'll find that your students are pre-trained in a way and you won't have to give as much discipline as you remember having to give.

Your students will be very curious about you. They will try to gain as much information about you as they can. This will include:

Your given name. This is only if you just go by your family name in class.
Your age. Probably the number one question, if you are one of those people that are hard to figure out.
Where you home is. This is important for days like Halloween, where your residence will be the target of tricks and pranks.
If you are married. Handle this question carefully...
How often you blow your top. And what causes you to really flip out.
Why you seem to have a very limited wardrobe. Some of your students will be keeping track of what you are wearing and how often you wear it. There's no getting around this, unless you have a rather extensive clothing collection.
Your students will gradually form their opinion about you. It may take them a few weeks or more. They will judge you based on how you react to their antics in class. They will take into account your teaching style and will take not on how consistently you enforce your rules, as well as those of the school. So don't take any individual item too seriously. It is the sum of all of the parts that will eventually give you your reputation as a hard or soft teacher.

Dominic wants to go traveling again, but isn't sure where to. His most recent website is on the subject of a California King bed frame including information on California King headboards http://californiakingbedframe.org/california-king-headboards so you can find the best one for your bedroom.


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