This is the single most important teacher interview question…get it wrong and you won’t get the job.

Here is an article that answers this very question:

http://www.teacherinterviewtips.com/teacher_interview_question.htm

Hospitals sometimes have “healing animals”. They have a group of dogs who are brought to the childrens ward for companionship. These dogs are picked because they can be poked, prodded and pulled without reacting negatively (nipping, barking, biting). I often say we middle school teachers are just like that!

You have to show the kids that you have no buttons. As a middle school teacher, I have heard it all. They do not get the reaction they were looking for, so for the most part the behavior stops.

The key to full control is to have procedures in place so that there is a minimum of down time. Kids should have a purpose in the classroom so that any off track behavior is immediately noticable by all. You the should have two reactions. If a large group of students are off track, you must refocus. A procedure for getting all students attention is used, focus on the global problem without blaming, and specifically address what should be happening. If it is one or two students, you can pull them aside, and quietly deal with it.

You should have a mix of positive and negative type reinforcements.. but always the punishment should fit the crime.

good luck

It’s human nature for kids to push buttons to find out how far they can go, the teacher needs to learn how to not let it show by reacting to the buttons being pushed.

Until they are able to not allow their buttons being pushed show their weakness the children will always keep pushing.

Kids do that to their parents too, it’s part of growing up, they push to find out how far their boundaries are. If there is no reaction to the buttons being pushed they stop pushing because they think that is a far as their boundaries go.

Thus the teacher retains control and keeps the class on track.

Well..it is important from day 1 to establish the type of relationship you want with the students. Let them know you mean business and there are consequences. So when a situation does arise follow through with what you say….now if it is one of those who aren’t necessarily doing anything wrong…just seeing how far he can go….ignore him let him know he will not get attention for negative things…only positive

set up positive reinforcement in your classroom for good behavior. you want to make sure that you compliment positive behavior more than mentioning the negative behavior. most children want to please the adults in their lives. keep the students actively involved in the lesson. the less down time they have the less time there is for problem behavior to develope. don’t ignore problem behavior, that will only cause it to get worse. also whatever else you do, DON’T get into a power struggle. you don’t want to argue with your student because that will make the student escalate. all you do is make a request, if the student complies, praise the behavior. if the student doesn’t, make the request again and tell him/her what the consequences will be. (i want you to take out your text book. i need you to take out your text book or you will have detention). if the student complies, praise the behavior, if not follow through on the consequences. there is no bargaining or negotiating, you simply walk away.

It is difficult and hard to explain but less difficult with a bit of experience. I think you have to learn how to keep calm. Then, you should have a perfect balance between being friendly and still letting them know who’s the boss. Of course, that balance differs from class to class. It’s really hard for someone without experience but eventually most people will get there.

Fear. Fear of the unknown. Keep quiet and calm. Look the offender straight in the eye for a few seconds with a look of total disdain on your face. Say nothing, and then carry on with your lesson. And never, ever, make a threat that you can`t carry out. If you do make any threat whatsoever, carry it out as soon as possible. Once they`ve learned that they can`t wind you up, they won`t try it again.

You have to show no buttons.

Perfect the art of being unflappable.

Keep them on-task and moving in the right direction at all times.

1.stay CALM.

2.Always get inside a classroom READY.

3.Remember always that kids are kids.

4.Just let the kids feel that they are loved, regardless of what they can or they would possibly do, or regardless of their own lapses, because you ase a teacher have your own lapses too.