As a newly assigned K-12 teacher in a school district, one must accept the challenges that come from being a newly appointed teacher. While teaching and helping students learn and prepare for their future can be rewarding, the daily tasks of disciplining and keeping order in the classroom can be exhausting. Being a teacher can be difficult because one have to interact with students with diverse family backgrounds and attitudes. (“Peek”)Problems on classroom violence, outdated teaching methods and parents concern on their children’s education are added responsibilities of a teacher.
The World Report on Violence against Children identifies the main forms of violence
a) Physical and psychological punishment- these are forms of violence that uses physical force to cause undue pain and discomfort. In the classroom, it may be involve hitting with the hand or an object, pulling the hair, and forcing students to feel uncomfortable. This violence also includes punishments that are cruel and degrading and are usually inflicted by a larger and stronger student. Physical and psychological punishment can have a serious effect on the victims’ mental and physical health. It can be damaging not only to the student but also to the teachers and parents as it breeds difficult attitude and relationships.
b) Bullying- this is a type of violence that repeatedly exposed the victim to aggressive behavior. Children who are prone to bullying tend to be those who have disability, those who come from minority or cultural groups or a certain socio-economic background. Bullied students would show some forms of anxiety, depression and usually suffer from low self-esteem.
c) Sexual and Gender violence- this form of violence relates to the enforcing or upholding of power imbalance between the sexes. Boys and girls are both at risk of gender violence but the girls tend to be more at risk. This violence may take the form of rape, harassment or exploitation, or putting the students to shame because of their sexuality. Consequences of this violence may result in low enrollment and higher drop-out rate. It can also expose the victim to sexually transmitted disease, unwanted pregnancy, low self-esteem and poor performance in school.
d) External violence: the effect of gang and outside factors- this form of violence includes severe beatings, stabbings and shootings. This violence that occur outside the school premises may still find its’ way into the campus. Some students may carry weapons due to threat or because it is an accepted practice in the community to do so. Situations where violence is common can negatively affect the students’ ability to learn. Conflicts outside the community may distract teachers and qualified educators may not be willing to teach in that area.(SRSG)
The following are plans on how to address the different type of violence in the classroom
a) The clear message of power and intimidation is clearly manifested in physical aggression by a stronger student to the weaker ones. The teacher can reduce the occurrence of this violence by teaching students non-violent conflict resolution skills. The teacher may conduct an activity by which the students are encouraged to talk with one another and discuss what is violent and what is not. The teacher can teach conflict resolution and anger management skills. A teacher should help the students to practice applying these skills in everyday life.
b) Bullies often act out in response to frustrations, humiliation and ridicule. As a teacher, one should become an active force to stop bullying. As a faculty member, the teacher should work with other teachers, student leaders, staffs and community members to define what actions consist bullying and enforce strict consequences for observed verbal and physical aggression. In the classroom, the teacher should support the students targeted by the class bully. Peer mediation and conflict resolution should be enforced to trains students to support each other. Role playing of conflict resolution may be done where students act out conflicts and discuss how each conflict should be properly resolved. The teacher may need to explain why some students behave differently. Emphasis should be made on individual differences and that these differences are what make each one of them unique. In the classroom, ask the students to treat their classmates with equality especially those who came from different cultures. Help should be given to students who came from different cultures, integrating them as part of the class will make everyone aware of the value of diversity.
c) Sexual and gender based violence should be addressed by actively speaking out against it. Make use of reporting mechanism and encourage co- teachers to name those who commit violence both inside and outside the school premises. The teacher should be aware of gender of discrimination. There should be an increased awareness of gender bias in the classroom. The teacher should also consider that both boys and girls can be both perpetrators and victims of abuse. In the classroom, the students should be told to avoid using insulting or teasing words.
d) Encouragement to join extra- curricular activities. Children who are made to read and study the whole day may become dull. Parents and teachers should have a joint effort to encourage the children to join other educating activities.(King)
e) Kids should not be allowed to carry weapons. The teachers and parents should be watchful of the children. They should be given more time and affection because this is what they need.
f) A teacher who wishes to stop violence in her school, one can offer form a committee to develop and implement a Safe school plan, including how teachers and other school staff should respond in emergencies.
Recommendations on how the needs of students and teachers will be met as it relates to student and teacher freedom)
a) In order to be able to use the appropriate method in teaching, one must first know the background of the students. They come from different families and places, and a good teacher knows each of her students have different learning needs.
b) A good teacher must use considerate communication. She has to bear in mind that many students regardless of gender or cultural background may feel discouraged when faced with an inconsiderate educator. A teacher should be willing to invest time and effort just she can provide a classroom that is friendly and conducive to learning.
c.) The first step of the teacher in order to get to know her students is to hand out a questionnaire. The teacher must know the previous subjects taken by the students. With the help of the questionnaire, one will know the level of comprehension of the student, their interest, knowledge and what they expect from the classroom. As a teacher, you must reach out to them at the personal level. You may ask them if topics in class may affect their beliefs, religion or other unique circumstances.(Center)
Plan for classroom safety, including bullying and cyber-bullying
Bullying can terrorize the students and can have a negative impact on the students learning capability. To get started with the plan of eliminating bullying in the classroom and school, the teacher may first assess the schools intervention and prevention efforts; from there tone can start to build or integrate further strategies. It is needed that the teacher will make an effort to make a safe, and positive classroom where her students can achieve high academic standard and where no one shall be victimized by bullying and, or cyber-bullying. Bullying is defined as the repeated use by one or more students of a written, verbal, electronic or physical act that causes physical or emotional harm on the victim. Cyber bullying, on the other hand is the use of technology or electronic device with the purpose of inflicting the same harm. Prevention of such kind of violence can be done through the following:
a) Engage parents and youth- parents play a major role to prevent any type of bullying. As a teacher, we propose a plan to educate parents to let them and their children have the skill to deal with bullying. Included in the plan is the integration of a bullying and safety section in the schools newsletter which the school should send to parents regularly. It is important that the community is involved in sending a clear message against bullying. Awareness program with the objective of reaching out to the whole community should be launched. Invite parents to school and discuss the role of both parents and teachers in supporting the youths’ social and emotional growth.
b) Create policies and rules-create a school environment where bullying is not acceptable. A mission statement, code of conduct and school wide rules should be implemented in order to let the bullies know that their behavior is not at all acceptable.
c) Build a safe environment- There is a plan about reporting incidents of bullying. These reports can be made by school staffs, students, and parents. After a report of such incident, the parents of both parties will be notified. There will be prompt investigation, and disciplinary action may be imposed if needed.
d) Educate students and school staff- let the student write and re-write the definition of bullying and the school’s determination to stop bullying altogether. Students who are prone to exhibit bullying behavior shall be given individualized social skill learning in order to tone down their aggressive behavior.
e) Additional areas of concern that needs to be done:
*promoting the use of respectful language in and out of the school campus
*engaging students in school or classroom planning and decision making
*using positive behavioral intervention strategies
*engaging school staff and those responsible for the implementation and oversight of the plan to distinguish between acceptable behavior designed to correct misconduct, instill accountability in the school setting, and bullying behaviors.
Cyber-bullying
Young people today are fortunate to have experience the newest innovation in technology, new mobile phones and the latest gadget you can think of. Unfortunately, advances in technology are being used negatively. As mobile phone and the internet has been commonly used today, and so is the improper use of this gadgets.
What is cyber-bullying? It is the use of technology, commonly mobile phones to cause someone to be upset. The following features characterized cyber-bullying:
- can take place at any time and can intrude into spaces that was regarded as safe
- People who cyber-bully often attempt to be anonymous
- the audience can be very large
Cyber-bullying, just like bullying is never acceptable. The school has the responsibility to provide a safe and supportive environment that protects the emotional and physical well-being of the students. The best way to prevent cyber-bullying, is to never allow it to happen in the first place. There is no single solution for cyber-bullying but the following may address the problem as a preventive plan:
a) Understanding and talking about cyber-bullying- There should be an agreed and shared definition of cyber-bullying. Students and their parents’ use of mobiles and the internet should be coupled with care and sense of responsibility.
b) Updating existing policies and practices- Review and update the schools’ policy on anti-bullying and other relevant topics. It should include the rules that the student should follow in order for them to be able to bring their ICT in school. Knowing that the school works against any malicious act discourages bullies to do their act.
c) Promoting the positive use of technology. The teacher should explore ways to use technology in a way that it boosts self-esteem, assertiveness and participation. There should also be a regular review on the plan to make sure that the plan is working.
The plan to address the needs of students who do not speak English well
Immigration in recent years has brought learners from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds in English speaking countries like the United States. Teachers from this country are then faced with the challenges of meeting the educational needs of students from different cultural backgrounds. Here are the plans to meet the educational needs of these students:
a) Make the classroom and school atmosphere as comfortable as possible. The classroom and school setting make the student feel that he is highly valued and that cultural diversity is something that is worth celebrating. The student should be encouraged to interact with his classmates. On the part of the teacher, she can:
*in a gently manner, correct the students’ manner of speaking and pronouncing words.
*make course content more understandable by speaking slowly
*provide class activity instructions in written and oral form
*repeat key points and frequent checking of comprehension
*make use of visuals such as maps, pictures and graphs.(ESL learning)
b) Buddies would be good supporters for the new student as he starts to learn and be oriented with his new school environment. A friend will not only help the student with the English language but, their companionship may also have a chance to develop into lasting friendship.
c) Keep talking to the student. She may be silent and her silence can lasts up to weeks but, do not force her to speak English if she is not up to it yet.
d) Use a grading system that shows her academic progress in other areas like class participation, arts, and the sciences. Keep records of social and verbal interactions, including writing samples.
e) Always remember to include the new student in all class activity. To make the student feel welcome, try integrating folklore from many cultures and read different versions of the same story to learn the value of cultural similarities and differences.(MISD)
3 Potential challenges to your propose plan and how you plan to address them
a) Lack of cooperation from parents or guardian. The teacher alone cannot handle and stop bullying by her-self. The success of the anti- violence campaign is heavily dependent on the support that the community can provide. In order to get the parents to cooperate, the teacher can make letters that are personally addressed to the parents. The teacher can also perform regular home visitation to get to know the families within the community.
b) Lack of access to resources and services- Shortage of manpower and material resources are seen as one of the potential setbacks. The school district should be able to provide counseling and other services to students. Lack of staff and teachers can be addressed by reviewing the staffing requirements of the school and further develop recommendation or request for the needed man power.
c) Another potential challenge to the proposed plan is the indifference of the students who are used to the old system of the school. As the plan would not tolerate unruly and disruptive behavior, problem students will tend to test the rules. This is expected and the plan will be tested by the first students who will break the rules. Any shortcoming of the rules will be modified to suit what is needed by the school.
References
Center for the integral of Research, Technology and Learning. Addressing Students Needs.
Retrieved for the Integral Research, from http://wwwctrl.net/
ESL Learning Experiece of Immigrant students in Highschool in a Small City. Retrieved from http://freelibrary.com/ESL+learning+Experience+of/
King, L., Stopping Violence in School: a Guide For Teachers. Retrieved from IES/NFXOSJP/184162E.pdf
MISD Bilingual/ESL Department. Retrieved from www.misd.net/bilingual/resource/whatifthey.pdf
Peek, S. K-12 Teacher. Retrieved from http://education-career-review-toptenreviews.com/k-12-teacher.pdf
SRSG on Violence Against Women. Tackling Violence in School. Retrieved from Osloreport.en.pdf
