In the Office

I am wondering how many of you have ever sent a student to the office for misbehaving and what exactly did they do. I have some fairly funny stories but I will save those for later once I see some of your stories.

Here is one of my worst stories when I actually had to call the principal to come remove a child from class. I was taking over for a woman about to go on maternity leave. Her 5th grade class was really poorly behaved for the most part, but one child, "Brandon," was the worst I've ever seen. One day he decided to stand on his desk and scream at the top of his lungs. Nothing I could do would stop him from disrupting the class. I tried talking to him, ignoring him, telling him I was going to call him mother but nothing worked. I ended up calling the principal and the boy's mother to come get him from class. The principal picked him up and carried him to the office, and his mother was FURIOUS at him for pulling a stunt like that...she marched him right down the hall and made him apologize in front of the whole class. He was suspended for the day, and when he returned, he was much better, since he knew I would follow through with discipline when necessary!

Kids these days think they can get away with anything. I have seen plenty a student that will misbehave to no end and get away with it. That of course does nothing but encourage them even more. Parents need to be stricter with their kids and teachers need to be able to punish their kids to a greater extent.

since he knew I would follow through with discipline when necessary!

That's a great point on why he was better once this went down. Kids just love testing the boundaries, and they love to see how close they came come to the edge. If a teacher keeps backing off and doesn't stand their ground, the kids will keep pushing and pushing to see just how far they will be able to go.

i don't know about sending to the office but once i was sent to the office for burping

Burping? I can't believe you were punished for GAS!

Well nothing serious happened to me, but this other teacher got quite a disruptive student. He cursed him off and then walked away. That teacher became furious and called the principal. The kid got suspended for a few days I believe.

Originally Posted by ebonyeyez

i don't know about sending to the office but once i was sent to the office for burping

You were probably doing it over and over again. Most teachers will not punish you for burping once or twice. Sounds like you were probably being disruptive.

Just about the only time the office gets involved with the sorts of students I normally deal with, is when a physical restraint has been necessary.

The principle will usually call the parents to come pick up the child, and a conference is scheduled for the student' re-entry to class.

It is important to always have the students understand the need for respect in the classroom. Too many students feel that they have no boundaries or should have no boundaries at home, this results in that expectation being carried over into the classroom setting. Students need consistency in their lives and often crave discipline because it shows parents and teachers care about them and the choices that they make. Remember also that the office should not be used as a "disciplinary threat". The principal or vice principal welcome positive remarks just as often as he/she hears about the disruptive behavior of students. There are students who have difficulties with remaining in control during school, before "throwing" the child out, try to work out a behavior modification plan for the student so that he/she can be held accountable for thing. ie: you may call out 3 times in one period before you are moved to the back of the room, you may stand up near your desk (be sure the child's desk is positioned in the back of the room) as long as you are working but when you stop working you will need to sit down, you may squeeze your stress ball under your desk but the minute that I see it, I will have to take it... these types of modifications will help your classroom function easier. Remember to be consistent and always treat the students in your room with respect no matter how much their actions frustrate you. You can also keep a behavior journal for the students which can be sent home each day to chart the child's good and bad days. Praise the good days with a trip to the principal office-- be sure to give your principal a heads up for these good visit days!!