There's No Crying WHILE Teaching!

I am offline until Friday, so I am posting some of my older blog posts from my Wordpress account.

I was watching a Geico commercial where  a psychiatrist told his patient to "Man up!".  Well, not in those words, but that's what he meant. I laughed when he offered the patient the tissue box, and as the sniffling patient reached for the box, instead of handing it to him, he threw it.

 I know, that's cruel, and what type of person must I be to find that funny? But I hold firm to this belief. Do not, under any circumstances, (except sad or happy occasions), cry in front of your students!

This is the scenario: The class is out of control, and you are extremely frustrated. You cry, they feel sorry for you, straighten up, and behave for the remainder of the school year. This is a fairy tale. Instead, you have just demonstrated weakness and they will pounce like lions on a carcass!

Remember the bus monitor Karen Klein? One of the kids asked was she sweating. She replied, "No, I am crying", and my first thought was "Oh,oh." Some of you are fortunate enough not to work with students who would treat you this way, lucky you. But for those of us who are not, please take my advice.

Have I cried because of my frustration with my students? Yes, during my early years of teaching, but never in front of them. If it's that bad, get an adult  to watch your class, run to the nearest bathroom, bawl your eyes out, and go back to your room. After school, find teachers, articles, or videos,online and/or, off who can help with classroom management.

 I recently read a cartoon where a boy says to his friend, "I've made teachers cry before, but this was the first time I made one sob!":) Once they make you cry, because of them, you are theirs for the rest of the year.  (I know there are always exceptions)

I end with words of compassionate advice, "Man up, and wait until you get home to cry!" :)

What are your thoughts?