Discipline, A New Perspective

Discipline as an administrator is completely different than in the classroom. This is something we already know. It is nice to learn how it is different.

As a classroom teacher, you have more “wiggle” room. You can negotiate more with the students, try to find an alternative to an office referral. Really, your goal is to not send them to the office. As I have been told over and over again, “You lose control of the situation when you send a child to the office.” Once they are sent out of your classroom, you don’t have control over their consequences, or sometimes when or if they come back into your classroom.

As administrator, you are the final person, the last resort, the end all, be all. When a child is sent to your office, you are the final decision maker, the investigator, the judge and jury. Yes, you can have your fellow administrator help you out with the consequences, but other than that, you are on your own. Sometimes it can be difficult to find out the real story or the truth. It can be even harder to find the right, and most effective consequence.

As a teacher, thinking about making those decisions, the right decisions is very intimidating. You have to be tougher as an administrator, sometimes not as flexible, and sometimes downright harsh. Deciding on the right consequence can be scary, especially when you think about the consequences you might face from parents or teachers because of the decision you made.

Whether you are a teacher or an administrator, discipline is always difficult. You have to find the balance between tough and kind, fair and loving. In the end, we have to keep in mind the child, and what they will learn from the consequences they face.