Internship Week 7

This week, I learned that sometimes "tough love" needs to be established.  I have learned this week that  I needed to establish that I was an authority figure, and I know I should have done this a long time ago. My students certainly respect me, that wasn't the issue.  I just feel that they didn't take me as seriously as they would another adult figure in the room.  I think it is because they looked at me more as a helper in the classroom rather than a teacher.  This week, I talked to them in a group setting and set some rules.  I let them know that in a week, I will be a full time teacher, and they needed to treat me like one.  I told them that I would appreciate it if they acted the same for me as they did for their classroom teacher.  I talked firmly, yet positively, when something inappropriate happened in the classroom, took apples where needed (behavior plan in the classroom), and encouraged students to do the right thing when I had to correct their behavior.  I feel that the students really took me much more seriously.  I no longer feel that I am looked at as a helper in the classroom.  I feel like I am someone they can come to now initially.  However, if there is one thing I have noticed, it is that my mentor teacher is always extremely positive, even when something undesirable happened.  I have noticed the students do no shut down this way, rather they learn to try harder next time, instead.  I am really excited for this week and will continue to remind them of my position in the class.