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Blame

Apparently at some point a student spray painted the side of the school. I am not sure about the details of where and when. The really interesting part about it is that when the parent was shown the video footage of her daughter vandalizing the school building, the first question she asked was, "Well, where were the teachers?"

What?!?! 

This seems to be a theme in education. Not just for the bigger issues such as vandalism, but also classroom disruption, bad grades, or other similar problems. Many of the parents immediately assume that the teachers are doing something wrong, or that they aren't doing enough.

Mixed Signals

The biggest point that my adviser noted on my observation was room presence. He mentioned in a few places on my review that I should not stay at the front of the room while getting the class' attention, but stand in the middle.

The reason I was moving towards the front of the room was so that those students sitting in the front could see me. I thought this would be the best way to get everyone's attention. I would also start by saying something like, "It's time to move on, you need to stop talking," in a raised voice, but not yelling. When that did not work (it never does), I said firmly and loudly, "Stop Talking - Now." Again, not yelling but rasing my voice and being very firm. He did not like that technique much either. Here are his comments:

"When they are talking and your want to get the class going on an activity, 

please don’t just yell “Stop Talking,” or “Get Quiet.” Try standing in the 

middle of the room and say, “When everyone is ready, we’ll get going!” 

That often works better without antagonism which only disrupts the class 

activity. Also, please stand in the middle of the class when you demand their 

attention."

and

"ask for quiet in a more diplomatic way, i.e. when my hand goes up, I need 

your attention. There really are better ways to get their attention than shouting 

for quiet."

I believe he is making a valid point - for someone with more control over the classroom than I currently have. If I stood in the center of the room and quietly asked for their attention they would just ignore me. I could stand there all day, but these students do not respond well to requests. They respect teachers when they fear getting in trouble. I am sure not all students are this way, and many would become quiet with a signal such as the teacher raising their hand. However, my students aren't going to. I have tried it. It doesn't work. When I told Mr. Dorray and the other teachers on our team about those comments they just laughed. I have received advice from the teachers at Sweetwater, they all say be firm and be mean until you have their respect. When I have my own classroom, I can try to "train" my students to become quiet if I raise my hand, or flicker the lights. Until then, I will try to stay consistent with the style of my mentor teacher.

Mr. Dorray "grilled" his homeroom class at the end of the day yesterday
about why they do not behave for me.  
The consensus was that I was "too nice".