Pupils Behaviour!

[Netwacky87]

Hi there,

 

As a newly employed IT Technician, the day has come when i have had to interact with the children, and i must admit i was over-whelmed!

 

They can be rather "intimidating", I really do not know what to do or say if a pupil starts playing up, like today i was changing a PSU in a PC and they were pulling faces through the window and knockin the door and running off.

 

Can anybody give me any advice on what to do?

 

Im only 19 so im a little shy/nervous to have a go or shout at them i just stare at them with evil eyes.

 

I know you cant say much to them because....well you just cant can you?

 

Im at a loose end cuz if you do nothing then they think you're a push over and if you do something you cant do much...... Ive been at my new school about 2 weeks now and this is the 1st day im actually not liking the job (just down to the flamin kids!)

 

Cheers Guys!

 

Martin

[StewartKnight]

I just play along with them, I'm not a teacher, so I can be a bit more "Pally Pally"!

[TechMonkey]

It's hard to say really, you have to develop you're own style. Look at teachers that you think do a good job and try and take some ideas. I still remember being 19 (that makes me sound really old!) looking after a lunch time open IT room and having a kid hiding under the tables. Without even looking under there I just said in a loud voice, "Reception class is down the hall if you want to play hide and seek or have a nap. Leave now." Whole room laughed nad the kid decided to leave quickly. As you said, becareful being too easy as then it's harder to be taken serious.

Easier to be hard arse and become softer than soft and then try and be hard arse

[localzuk]

I was in the same position for a while. Don't worry about it, they soon level out. Just be fair (but not a pushover). The kids will respect you for that. Also don't treat them like idiots, treat them like you'd treat anyone else.

 

If they act up, warn them a couple of times and ensure you follow your disciplinary policies (ie, breaktime detentions, etc...). You have to follow through at some point else they will realise that you are all talk and no action.

[Netwacky87]

Hmmm, as far as im aware i cant give detentions....Im just support staff really.

 

A good idea is what TechMonkey said, maybe if i open up the IT rooms for lunch times and sit in there then maybe they might get to know me, and then i ca be a bit stricter, but i just honestly havent got it in myself to shout (not yet anyway)

[russdev]

Hi Martin

 

First found out the punishment procedures etc for example to we have to fill in a green slip with details on and what we did. Next found out how to put a student into detention.

 

Best way is act confident for example in case of pulling faces go out to them in stern voice "Say if you don't have anything better to do then you can join me at break/lunch and we can discuss your behaviour."

 

Then when they come back make them write one A4 side of why their behaviour was not appropriate.

 

When it comes to student saying "your not a teacher you can't do anything" make a show of them and get them into detention..

 

General advice start of really hard with them and as they get to know you ease of little bit.

 

As for knocking on the door let me guess they are girls maybe sorry you being young and male won't help.

 

Try and find the form tutor of said people and have word with form tutor.

 

Read up on how actors project their voice speaking from diaphragm (trurst me it helps)

 

Do a google classroom behaviour management techniques ok not all going to be relevant but some will be..

 

Also go and ask person who is charge of NQT's for advice as they will often be able to help you with ideas and technique.

 

Most of all don't let it get you down you will be fine...

 

Russell

[russdev]

Also just because you are support staff doesn't mean you can't give out detentions.

 

Russell

[pallen]

Only ever once gave a detention where 2 pupils were playing up for a suply teacher. They had deleted each others work and then come to ask me to restore it. I told them that as they had wasted my time looking and loading the files, I would waste theirs and got them in at lunchtime to clean keyboards

 

Never happend since. But then I treat the kids the same as they treat me(mostly) If they are nice to me I am nice back. I'm not paid to discipline the kids and will only say something if it could cause problems with my work (ie. kids swinging their bags stood next to monitors) But then I have told staff that anyone I find misusing the computers/network will have their access removed...no debate. But I am lucky and am supported by the ICT Co-Ordinator. Talk to the teaching staff and explain that you want support for any discipline you give the pupils. They may be able to suggest ways that will work for your pupils, or at the very least back you up when you do shout/give detention etc.

[Netwacky87]

As for knocking on the door let me guess they are girls maybe sorry you being young and male won't help.

 

They actually wasn't, they were a group of 15/16 (age wise) lads, i just opened the door and the one chap ran off and i gave the rest "cut eyes".

 

I might actually look into classroom techniques that is a good idea! - Thanks

 

Like i was sitting next to a group of 10/11 yr old lads and the one looked at me and said "Are You A Geek?" i just went what makes you say that?

and he said "You've got a palmtop" i said well there you go you know what it is!, and his reply was "Yeh Duh everyone knows what one is"

 

God i really wanna smack em (obviously i wouldnt) lol

 

Its something i think that comes with time but god that time had better come quick!

[webman]

"Yes I am a geek" would have been my response. And proud of it I've just turned 20 and been doing this since 2003 and it does come with time... slightly more difficult for me as I was a student here before but it does get better

[localzuk]

In the 10 months I've been here I have given half a dozen break time detentions and sent a couple of people to our behaviour manager to be 'blue slipped' which means they get letters home.

 

Oh and I've done plenty of shouting :-P

[Netwacky87]

There is a BIG twist in this topic which im really sorry but forgot to mention

 

Im working in a private school, and i get the impression the kids are like "im paying you" if you get me, its over 8,000 quid to come to this school so its a big thing really.

 

Sorry forgot to mention that part!

[localzuk]

I don't see that as a problem. If their parents knew that their kids were behaving in a less than satisfactory manner then I am sure they would be complaining that the school wasn't doing its job.

 

It doesn't matter if it is a private school or not, the kids still need discipline.

[Halfmad]

I generally ignore kids entirely, they don't really exist unless they speak to me directly and politely, then i'm polite and apparently quite funny back.

 

It's VERY rare for a students to be anything less than polite to me, partly because I control their internet access and by god do they know it! I'm far from popular though.

 

Perhaps my "style" is just well developed, been working as I.T. support in schools for almost 10 years, god I feel old!

 

I agree with those that mentioned making a stand, get to staff and get those kids in detention. You're there to do a job not be a target.

[Heebeejeebee]

I generally ignore kids entirely, they don't really exist unless they speak to me directly and politely, then i'm polite and apparently quite funny back.

 

It's VERY rare for a students to be anything less than polite to me, partly because I control their internet access and by god do they know it! I'm far from popular though.

 

Perhaps my "style" is just well developed, been working as I.T. support in schools for almost 10 years, god I feel old!

 

I agree with those that mentioned making a stand, get to staff and get those kids in detention. You're there to do a job not be a target.

 

Wow - that's spooky. Are you me?

 

HBJB

[elsiegee40]

I'm in a Private School too -all be it a prep school, so the kids are younger and more manageable. Arrogance won't be tolerated by the teaching staff and it shouldn't be by you.

 

You really do need to talk other support staff (the caretaker is probably a good one - he'll have seen it all) and find out what actions you can take. As soon as the kids discover that you do know exactly what you are able to do, they are more likely to co-operate.

 

One thing I will say is something that I say to my own children... don't react to minor wind-ups like banging on windows.

 

You're not much older than these kids and they just see you as another lad they can try to wind up. If they think they can do it easily they'll continue. If they can see it has no effect they'll move on to someone easier to wind up.

 

Selective deafness is an asset - as is razor sharp hearing when they're whispering in the IT Suite.

 

Good Luck

[bishopsgarthstockton]

I just enforce the rules, not just the AUP but general school rules, when i started working at the school, i was 23 and i got all sorts of comments from mainly the girls. soon sorted that out by standing up to them. Im polite and patient with the kids when there sweet, but I can come down on them like ton of bricks when i get shit from them. kids love computers and been the tech support dude i can soon wipe away internet, email or even the computer account. we have a kid recently who refussed to go to lessons. his computer account got dissabled, thus he got bored as he couldnt play internet games, he soon got the idea, and started going to his lessons. I will be enabling his computer account on tuesday. I do lunch time duty, which has been fantastic as i get to know the kids much better. I dont know if any one has noticed this but if you know the kids name and you are giving them an instruction they take loads more notice, were as if you dont they tend to try and walk all over you.

[localzuk]

I just enforce the rules, not just the AUP but general school rules, when i started working at the school, i was 23 and i got all sorts of comments from mainly the girls.

 

I will agree with this 100%. I enforce the school rules (even if I don't personally agree with some of them) as do the other support staff. It presents a uniform front from the staff to the kids. Remember, girls will be girls, you'll soon get used to it and start to find their behaviour funny.

[Netwacky87]

Thanks for all the help guys,

 

Im just finding it really hard to be able to shout or have authority over the kids.

 

Is this something that comes with time or does it take you to be that sort of person?

[bishopsgarthstockton]

you dont want to shout at the kids, it gets you know where with them, you only ever hear a teacher shout when they feel the disipline is going out the window. You just have to be calm. It will pass over, dont let it bother you. Right now I would concentrate on getting to know the staff and the network.

[localzuk]

Having the confidence to be an authority figure comes with time. I agree you shouldn't often shout at the kids. The only time I have done is when they are outrageously badly behaved, the rest of the time it is just a stern, strong voice that is needed.

[Netwacky87]

Yeah i suppose just got me quite down today when all this happened, I felt useless and jst stupid really!

 

When the kids were pulling faces at the window i just went to the door and opened it and he ran off, i just looked at the others and no words would come out of my mouth and that makes me look stupid, oh well!

[russdev]

@Ric

 

I disagree raising voice has a place but use it with care the students know If I have to raise my voice then it means trouble.

 

But that is why suggest look at how actors project the voice as that is what your after not the pure hurt your throat shouting.

 

Russ

[elsiegee40]

I agree about shouting... Remember your own teachers? Remember the ones who went purple in the face and had no control of the class? Remember the teachers who never seemed to have to shout at exactly the same class?

 

There is a tone of voice that lets them know that you will stand no nonsense but isn't shouting - more of a warning really. My 13 year old calls it my scarey voice. She says it means she's in serious trouble if she carries on! (Doesn't always stop her though; but that's because I'm her Mum!!)

 

Your confidence will improve with time... and do learn their names. The truly appalling ones are usually easy the first you learn as you here all the other staff disciplining them. Remember that you are a member of staff, you are an adult and that they will be expected by the school to behave with everyone.

 

Finally, a teacher's tip: Get a copy of "Getting the Buggers to Behave" by Sue Cowley ISBN-10: 0826449786 - It's well worth a tenner.

[Oops_my_bad]

The only people you should be shouting at are the teachers