It is a common myth that classroom teachers have to be “Harsh” with their students in order to maintain classroom order. If you are smart you will save yourself a lot of energy and stress if you approach the students intelligently and with kindness.

I am not stating here that you need to be a sucker and let the students set the tone of the classroom. Order in the classroom is establish by the school District in implemented by the classroom teacher, most teachers are not aware of this.

The most effect way to get good classroom behavior is to be open, loving, and honest with the students. Have clear guidelines of what you expect of them and how you want your objectives implemented. If you let the students know what your expectations are you have won the battle.

Students want to be guided and shown what to do. Most of the trouble teachers have with students stems from their own lack of understanding who they are working with. Either the teacher is trying to be cool with the students or trying too hard to keep the class in order. Just be natural and order will flow. Any infractions on your protocol should be dealt with quickly and efficiently.

Above all things love and respect the kids, they want it, they need it, and they will give it back to you ten fold.

I was born and raised on the south side of Chicago in Hyde Park Township, near the University of Chicago. As I child I was always drawing and painting. My father owned an art supply company, Favor Ruhl & Watson, where I was able to get all that I needed to progress in my work.

I have always enjoyed portraiture and landscape painting. In High School (Naperville Central High School) I took Drafting from Mr. Pierce. I quickly grasped the principles of perspective and drafting and hence made a career with both Fine Art and Architectural Renderings.

In the mid 1970's I joined the US Navy and was stationed on board the USS Midway, CV-41. The Midway was home ported in Yokosuka, Japan (A suburb of Tokyo). While in service I traveled all over Asia including such countries as Korea, China, Philippines, Singapore, Pakistan, Hong Kong, and Japan. While in Japan I learned Japanese. I speak German and Spanish as well.