My 9th grade English teacher had a scary reputation for being fierce and demanding. We all groaned when we found out who we had and entered her class with much trepidation. But she was “of the first variety” and ended up being my all-time favorite teacher. I continued to return to her for visits in high school, college, and after I graduated.
favorite teacher of all time was high school American History teacher, he had a reputation of being funny but strict at the same time, he expected certain things and if you complied then he was a great teacher. Just never try to cheat in his class……great job Mr. Stanchos.
My daughter just had one of those teachers last year. As soon as she found out which teacher she had, the other kids said things like “Oh that’s terrible! She’s so mean.” But she ended up liking her a lot and I think it was a great year.
My hardest teacher was my 11th grade history teacher, and he was a hard teacher, and I didn’t get good grades in his class. But I learned a lot from him just by listening to him. He was a very intelligent man.
Start out serious and get the kids used to actually listening. Then you can add humor and slip in some life stories. English teachers have the best subject.
When I started teaching, I was told “Don’t smile until the third week of school.” I didn’t follow that advice, and things usually turned out just fine.
I found that your idea worked in most classes. Be nice to the teacher and do your work as best you can and the teachers usually turned out to be pretty nice.
I had a history teacher in 7th grade who had anger issues. One time in class he got mad and took a ruler and broke it over one of the girl’s desk. She broke out crying. She and I laughed about it years later. He died of a heart attack a few years later.
My brother warned me about “Witch Hazel,” the social studies teacher in Junior High. When I was unfortunate enough to get into her class, I was prepared, but not prepared to become her pet that she sent on all her errands. She gave me a B because I wasn’t in class enough.
That can be true; though I’ve had some that start good and stayed that way, which is nice. I do recall my 6th grade math teacher seeming like a jerk very early on, but before long and through all the years since I was in his class, he became one of my favorite teachers in my whole time in school.
The first day of school was always exciting for me, and a new teacher was fresh meat. The ones who were most successful in taming our classes began by setting down the rules. They were strict, no-nonsense people who could stand up to the most irritating kids. If they also turned out to be creative, entertaining, funny, and fair, they had us in the palms of their hands, and we learned — just to earn their praise.
I teach 6th grade German and the first strategy is exactly the one I use with a new group of students :-)I also make it a rule to be really strict with the younger kids in the hallway and the yard so that they’re already wary when they come to my class. After a few weeks they usually find out that I’m quite fun to have class with ;-)
When I first started teaching, someone said to me “If you’re going to be a tyrant, be one in the first week.” I followed her advice. The first week or two, I set down the ground rules, show the students that I am not afraid to enforce them and crack down on the talkers!! After that, I can loosen the bonds a little bit. My students eventually find out that I have a great sense of humour!!
LeslieBark over 10 years ago
My 9th grade English teacher had a scary reputation for being fierce and demanding. We all groaned when we found out who we had and entered her class with much trepidation. But she was “of the first variety” and ended up being my all-time favorite teacher. I continued to return to her for visits in high school, college, and after I graduated.
jeanie5448 over 10 years ago
favorite teacher of all time was high school American History teacher, he had a reputation of being funny but strict at the same time, he expected certain things and if you complied then he was a great teacher. Just never try to cheat in his class……great job Mr. Stanchos.
lightenup Premium Member over 10 years ago
My daughter just had one of those teachers last year. As soon as she found out which teacher she had, the other kids said things like “Oh that’s terrible! She’s so mean.” But she ended up liking her a lot and I think it was a great year.
Aaberon over 10 years ago
I was in high school before I realized it was ok like a teacher. It was just always ‘show up and shut up’.
alondra over 10 years ago
My hardest teacher was my 11th grade history teacher, and he was a hard teacher, and I didn’t get good grades in his class. But I learned a lot from him just by listening to him. He was a very intelligent man.
mcsnick over 10 years ago
Start out serious and get the kids used to actually listening. Then you can add humor and slip in some life stories. English teachers have the best subject.
catsarge10 over 10 years ago
When I started teaching, I was told “Don’t smile until the third week of school.” I didn’t follow that advice, and things usually turned out just fine.
JanLC over 10 years ago
I found that your idea worked in most classes. Be nice to the teacher and do your work as best you can and the teachers usually turned out to be pretty nice.
USN1977 over 10 years ago
I knew all about my teachers and I loved them…I was homeschooled! :)
angusdad over 10 years ago
I had a history teacher in 7th grade who had anger issues. One time in class he got mad and took a ruler and broke it over one of the girl’s desk. She broke out crying. She and I laughed about it years later. He died of a heart attack a few years later.
rekam Premium Member over 10 years ago
My brother warned me about “Witch Hazel,” the social studies teacher in Junior High. When I was unfortunate enough to get into her class, I was prepared, but not prepared to become her pet that she sent on all her errands. She gave me a B because I wasn’t in class enough.
thestargazer1682 over 10 years ago
That can be true; though I’ve had some that start good and stayed that way, which is nice. I do recall my 6th grade math teacher seeming like a jerk very early on, but before long and through all the years since I was in his class, he became one of my favorite teachers in my whole time in school.
JP Steve Premium Member over 10 years ago
Full marks to Mike for the optimistic attitude!
JP Steve Premium Member over 10 years ago
And since nobody’s done it yet:
The first day of school was always exciting for me, and a new teacher was fresh meat. The ones who were most successful in taming our classes began by setting down the rules. They were strict, no-nonsense people who could stand up to the most irritating kids. If they also turned out to be creative, entertaining, funny, and fair, they had us in the palms of their hands, and we learned — just to earn their praise.
Lynn Johnson
Adele Derwald over 10 years ago
I teach 6th grade German and the first strategy is exactly the one I use with a new group of students :-)I also make it a rule to be really strict with the younger kids in the hallway and the yard so that they’re already wary when they come to my class. After a few weeks they usually find out that I’m quite fun to have class with ;-)
jenwithblueeyes over 10 years ago
When I first started teaching, someone said to me “If you’re going to be a tyrant, be one in the first week.” I followed her advice. The first week or two, I set down the ground rules, show the students that I am not afraid to enforce them and crack down on the talkers!! After that, I can loosen the bonds a little bit. My students eventually find out that I have a great sense of humour!!