A Letter of Thanks (Reflections on Classroom Management in a Different Genre)

Dear Josh,

            Hello my friend! I hope all is going well with your new job and your students are behaving themselves. I wanted to drop you a line to say thank you for your advice on classroom management. I just had an experience that brought home what you said about finding rapport with the students. I know you are busy first year teaching, but I have to share this story with you.

            I was in my placement classroom the other day (this is the Freshman Honors English class that I was telling you about) when one of the teachers down the hall, Ms. A, came in over passing period to ask for some help. Her Literacy class was about to start, and she had to get the laptop cart from another floor since her students were typing papers that day. Hurriedly she explained that she needed someone to watch the class after the bell rang—passing period being almost over by this point—until she got back. She looked to my CT who, in turn, looked to me with a grin; “Ms. Krystal would be glad to,” he said, claiming that he had to get the freshmen started on a project right away. Of course I agreed, I mean, what an exciting chance to visit another teacher’s class!

            As I followed Ms. A to her room she explained that the students would come and pick up their drafts and make final changes to them while she got the laptops. She added, slightly hesitantly, that they should be alright for the five minutes she was gone. I grimaced internally, wondering about her moment of hesitation in regard to their behavior. Now I was a little worried. Mind racing, I wondered if this class had behavioral challenges, and if so, would I be up to handling them? I get nervous around a class I don’t know; I’m sure this is natural, but if the students saw my insecurity they might be tempted to behave badly. I was sure that if they could hear how fast my heart was beating and feel how clammy my palms were they would know I was an easy mark. Of course, all this ran through my head in a few seconds, and, as I struggled to master my nerve, I noticed we had reached her door. I strode in behind her, trying to exude confidence and certainty, but I couldn’t help thinking, “What will I do if they refuse to sit down or start getting too loud?” Ms. A snapped me out of my moment of reverie, addressing the class, “Ok guys, this is Ms. Krystal from down the hall. She is going to stay in here while I get the computer cart.” I waved, hoping to seem friendly, but my salutation was received over groans of, “We don’t need no babysitter,” and “Aw man, she treat us like freshmen.”

            Ms. A had already scooted out the door and I knew by the looks on their faces that I only had a moment to prove myself or this could be the longest five minutes ever. Then I remembered our conversation about your first day this year and how you caught your students off guard by talking about music and being your darkly funny, sarcastic self. I turned to one of the groaners with just enough sass to take him by surprise,“If you act like the adult you think you are, I won’t need to babysit you will I?” One of the girls in the back chimed in, “She told you!” I countered her comment, explaining that I was just letting them know what to expect from me and what I expect from them.

 I asked her name and if she would pass out their drafts. She came up, took the papers, and read my name tag. “How do you say your name?” Knowing my last name always befuddles students, I told her, and the rest of the class, they could call me Ms. Krystal. Immediately, another boy, one of the earlier complainers, began asking me questions: “Where you go to school at?” “You studying to be a teacher?” “You like rap music?” I could have been more strict, insisting that they quiet down and look over their drafts, but this seemed to be working. The whole class was paying attention as I answered his rapid fire questions. “WSU (Go Shox)!” I replied. “Yes I’m studying to be a teacher; it’s my senior year… And yes, I like some old school rap like Sugar Hill Gang, and some newer stuff like Outkast, but I’m more into funk, soul, Motown and classic rock.”

After some remarks about Sugar Hill Gang being cool and classic rock not being cool, I got them quieted back down by asking if anyone else had questions. Ms. A could be heard rolling the cart down the hall, so I told the class to hold onto their questions and get out their drafts. A few more groans….but this time, they were not directed towards me. In fact, one girl in the back asked if I would be coming back in tomorrow. I told her no, but that I’d be around if she wanted to talk music, or books. By the time Ms. A made it to the room and thanked me for helping her out, I was more comfortable with those students than I thought possible in that short amount of time.

To make a long story short (too late for that—I know), I think your advice on rapport saved the day. I could have gone in several directions, you know, like those choose-your-own-adventure books, but I feel like I made the right choice. Plus, if I do get to go back, I already have a foundation to build on. Sorry that took a whole page to tell, but I do like to tell stories you know. I’d love to hear some thrilling tales from first-year teacher-dom. Mail me back when you have the chance and have a fabulous rest of your week!

Thankfully yours,

Krystal

P.S. Good luck with conferences!