1. You Aren't Their Favorite Teacher
Students will tell you that you are in fact their favorite teacher. They want to make good grades and stay off your bad list. But the truth is, student opinions change with the wind. Don't put a lot of stock into what students think about you or how popular a teacher you seem to be. Wining a popularity contest is not what you got into teaching to do.
In my experience, the "favorite teacher" label usually went to the teacher who allowed their students to get away with anything and didn't require a lot. Who'd want that label if that's the case?!
2. You Don't Make Learning as Fun as You Should
Students can only compare their current learning with their previous experiences. If they haven't experienced fun and engaging learning, changes are, they don't know what they're missing. However, that's not an excuse for that bored look on their faces. If your students don't look like they're having fun learning, then they're not. Do your homework and plan lessons that can engage your students and provide memorable learning experiences.
3. They Cheated on Their Homework
Why do students cheat? Because they don't "get" the homework or they're lazy. US News and World Report says roughly 50% of students say they've cheated, so chances are, 50% of your class is cheating, too, if given the opportunity. Homework isn't busy work, so make sure you're assigning meaningful ways for students to test their knowledge.
4. They Don't Like School
There comes a time in every student's schooling where they may hate the tradition and routine of it all. Even if it's short lived, not liking the school experience is a challenging period in a child's life. Outside influences could be coming in to play, so keep your eye out for students who change suddenly in demeanor, or never seem to fit in. Don't let them slip off the grid. There's a little place in every school where students should feel welcome and enjoy learning.
5. No One Likes Them
Students want to be popular and well-liked. And when they fail, sharing that feeling isn't something that comes easy. Kids can be cruel, and sometimes the older the student, the more cruel the joke. Kids face all sorts of challenges at school, from what they wear to what club they join. Try to help students out of their shell to find a group of students who will accept them for who they are. Don't forget, you liking them might mean a lot, so offer to eat lunch with them every now and then to check in.
6. They Aren't Scared of the Principal
In my childhood, the principal walked the halls with a wooden paddle in hand. Those days are over, and so is the big fear that students used to feel for principals. The fear of the past should have been traded for respect, but sometimes it isn't. Don't rely on using "I'm going to tell the principal" to get what you want out of students. Your room is your world, and the respect you set up there should be all you need.
7. Bad Behavior is Entertaining
Wouldn't it be great if all students wanted to please the teacher by working hard and following the rules? The truth is, some students live for the attention of getting in trouble. And those angelic students sitting on the side line watching it all? They think it's pretty entertaining. If you haven't figured it out yet, you need to find a way to get order in your class and discipline students without causing a scene. The less attention you draw to the behavior, the less likely the "entertainment" of it all will happen again.
8. Their Parents Don't Care
So you've tried the "your parents will be disappointed" speech to a student and it just isn't motivating them like you want. Know why? They know their parents don't really care about their grades or performance at school. While sad, this can sometimes be true. Do your best as a teacher to make a connection with each student's parent. In the end, relying on a parent's perception to motivate a student isn't your best bet. Take the parent out of the situation and connect with the child and find their individual motiviation to do well.
9. You Make Things Too Easy
Students are the first ones to complain about things being too hard in class, but have you heard many students complain about things being too easy? Not likely. Make sure you present your students with challenges, and don't forget about the students at the head of the class. Differentiate your instruction.
10. Other Teachers Talk About You
Let's be honest, teachers love to gossip. While gossiping is unfortunate, it seems to be a part of the school workplace that's here to stay. Good or bad, students have probably heard other teachers talking about you. If it's something really good or really bad, they might tell you about it, but don't count on it. Remain professional and hopefully the gossip won't be about you.
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