Muslim Teacher Tips: Styles of Managing Behaviour

In the name of God, compassionate & merciful | Peace be with you السلام عليكم


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

Previously in the MUSLIMNESS Muslim Teacher Feature series we listed some effective principles that separate the average forgettable teachers from the "oh my gawd they were a frikkin' awesome" teachers.

Use those life skills outside of the classroom also to reap productivity.

Here, MUSLIMNESS focuses on using your personality and character to show students some TLC - Tough Learning and Care.

Part Two: Styles of Managing Behaviour
There are three broad styles of managing children's behaviour in class. Although most teachers can identify with all three, it's your personal characteristic style that counts.

What's your style?
1) Mrs Trunchbull - the Lucifer of female teachers - She believes that:

• Children must be controlled.
• Adults deserve respect automatically, children should earn it.
• "If one person gets away with it, they'll all do it!"
• Teaching is a battle that she must win all the time.

Mrs Trunchbull's strategies include:

• "Telling them what do to."
• Threatening them with punishments.
• Sending them to someone else when it's unbearable.

Consequences of Mrs Trunchbull's style:

• Create poor quality relationships with students.
• Increase high quality stress, yay.
• Significantly damage learning, risk taking and motivation.
• Result = School is a Prison. For everyone.

2) Mr Fluffy - your bestest and smiliest friend - He believes:

• Children need nurturing like pretty flowers.
• Being nice and friendly makes children like you.
• Planning good work and differentiating prevents misbehaviour.
• "Classrooms are a democracy where negotiation is the key."

Mr Fluffy's strategies include:

• Asking. Then asking again. Then negotiating.
• In exhaustion resorting to pleading. Followed by getting frustrated and insanely cross.
• Example: "How many times do I have to tell you to be quiet?!" (heavy sigh) "Why are you still doing that?" (hurt and bewildered) "Wait outside. I'm fed up with you", (emotional overload). This is where the sirens go off and Mr Fluffy has a seizure.

Outcomes of such strategies lead to:

• Uncertainty, which leads to insecurity.
• The leadership in the classroom being 'up for grabs'.
• Learning and challenges are impaired.

3) Ms. Tough Care - the classroom rock - believes:

• A teacher's job is to set boundaries.
• The child's job is to test them.
• Children making mistakes about their behaviour is normal.
• Children should be helped to feel achievement.
• Caring means saying 'No' and meaning 'No' at the same time.
• "There is always more to a child than the problems they present."

Ms. Tough Care's strategies state:

• Treat all behaviour as a choice that's made.
• Hold students accountable for their choices.
• Create a culture of praise, focusing on what is done well.
• Redirect children towards success.
• Apply sanctions if needed but not grudges.
• Look to teach social skills to lead to better choices.

Outcomes of Ms. Tough Care's strategies include:

• Children learning boundaries whilst retaining dignity.
• The teachers is both leader and coach in the classroom.
• Learning is motivational, relationships and risk-taking are significantly enhanced.

We've all had teachers that reflect the personalities of Mrs Trunchbull the demon, Mr Fluffy the teddy, and it is the rare gems of the Madam Tough Care's whose teaching style and presence in the classroom that we remember most.

Reflect on yourself as a person
On a scale of 1-10 (where 10 is the best and 0 is Mrs Trunchbull) to what extent does your practice reflect the tough care approach? (in teaching and in life)


Final Note: Do you remember your favourite (or most hated) teacher's style? What made it memorable?

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

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