Overreacting equals underperforming

We’re all stubborn to some extent. And you know that when someone is rude to you or is telling you Not to do something in a less than positive manner, our knee jerk reaction is to give a big ole f u and become defiant in that moment.

I caught myself today causing that reaction from my students in advisory. They were writing thank you cards for teacher appreciation week. We wanted them to do it independently to make it more thoughtful.

they weren’t. They were laughing and bouncing ideas off of each other.

theres 3 teachers leading it. One yelled and said it must be silent, the other soon followed and I right behind.

but as I raised my voice to tell them to be quiet I had two thoughts cross my mind

1. why am I yelling? This is not who I want to be showing up as. Students are literally writing about teachers they appreciate And If I were them, I wouldn’t be appreciative of a teaching yelling at them to write a thank you note. Just because the tone was set by one teacher does not mean that had to be my tone.

2. Students are collaborating because they are talking about funny or good memories! how is that a bad thing?

I get myself caught up in the tone other teachers set of being rigid and controlled. But I have to remind myself of how long these kids LOST connection with others and face to face interaction.

give them space to breath and learn to be kids again.

allow some noise.

I caught mys c

and I hope tomorrow, I catch myself before I let it out.