Can I read example statements for undergraduate students?

How do I get students to accept me as an authority that they respect and obey?

• I am working as a substitute teacher. My students are in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades. They are placed in groups by reading level, not by grade level. I am sub teaching in an afterschool supplemental program, with small classes of about 7 students each. The classes last around 90 minutes long. In many classes in which I sub teach there often will be one or two students who will not stop talking in class, and who will not comply with my directions to stop talking without permission. This disrupts the learning of the other students, and also prevents the learning of the noncompliant students. Since this is an afterschool program run by an outside private company, the usual disciplinary procedures in a school are not available to me. For example, I cannot send a student to the office. There is a Lead Teacher, who in theory can take a non-compliant child out of the class, and who can contact the child's parent. But there is a strong pressure for the teachers in the afterschool program to handle classroom management on their own. I've used the tactic of moving the disruptive student to a desk away from the other students, and that has worked. But then this disruptive student isn't learning anything. I think that really this is all my fault. I think I am doing something wrong in how I present myself to students in class, in how I speak to them. I think I am not being perceived as an Authority Type. One day a regular teacher at the school came into the class I was sub teaching and saw that a few of my students were not complying with my instruction to not talk without permission. This regular teacher said a few things such as, "I don't see respect here." And "I think some of you students don't want to be here." That's all she said, but instantly the student stopped misbehaving. Perhaps they knew her from the regular school day, and so were scared of her and the consequences she could bring down upon them. I don't know. Yet, I perceived in her voice and demeanor a sense of Authority that I seem to lack. I am thinking about quitting this sub teaching job. I think these students need someone who is better at classroom management. It is very important that these students get the full benefit of this afterschool educational enrichment. Many of them are behind their grade level. Any suggestions would be appreciated about how I can get my student to respect me and comply with my instructions in this situation. P.S. I've gotten and read a bunch of books on classroom management, such as "Teaching with Love and Logic," and "Setting Limits in the Classroom." I have improved, but not enough.

• Answer:

  Do their parents pick them up at the end? If so, go up to them. Be friendly and concerned: You're worried that Little Jimmy won't catch up and pass to the next grade because he _________. You're doing your best and other students are behaving and making progress, but you're really worried about him. "Nice to see you. Have a nice evening, Jimmy, and I'll see you tomorrow."