The Student Room Group

ECT 1 - Behavior Management Help!

Hi!
I am 4 weeks into my first ECT year and I am really struggling with behavior management and it is really getting me down, and I feel like I am failing as a teacher and not living up to potential.
For context - I had a really good ITT year and there were teething problems with my behavior management to begin with, but I really feIt I was on top of it by the end and could really show off my 'teaching'. I was told I was way beyond my years and it was like I had been teaching for years.
Yet I have come to my first employer school and I am really struggling and finding it so much harder than my PGCE. It is very difficult to get through lessons because I am constantly having to get attention back to the front. Students often starting shouting across the class, throwing things, make noises etc. and very little work gets done - every time there is an opportunity it feels like the students grab on to it. I have spoken to my mentor, my head of department, followed the behavior policy and even observed other teachers; I have then tried to do what they recommend and wait for silence, re establish expectations, be strict with the policy etc and it just feels like it is getting worse.
I just want to preface it by saying that everyone has been really supportive, but I can't help feel like I am failing. It is incredible frustrating and every lesson feels like its the first time I have stepped in front of a class of 30 teens before.
Any suggestions?

Reply 1

Original post by chloesweeney95
Hi!
I am 4 weeks into my first ECT year and I am really struggling with behavior management and it is really getting me down, and I feel like I am failing as a teacher and not living up to potential.
For context - I had a really good ITT year and there were teething problems with my behavior management to begin with, but I really feIt I was on top of it by the end and could really show off my 'teaching'. I was told I was way beyond my years and it was like I had been teaching for years.
Yet I have come to my first employer school and I am really struggling and finding it so much harder than my PGCE. It is very difficult to get through lessons because I am constantly having to get attention back to the front. Students often starting shouting across the class, throwing things, make noises etc. and very little work gets done - every time there is an opportunity it feels like the students grab on to it. I have spoken to my mentor, my head of department, followed the behavior policy and even observed other teachers; I have then tried to do what they recommend and wait for silence, re establish expectations, be strict with the policy etc and it just feels like it is getting worse.
I just want to preface it by saying that everyone has been really supportive, but I can't help feel like I am failing. It is incredible frustrating and every lesson feels like its the first time I have stepped in front of a class of 30 teens before.
Any suggestions?

I'm an ECT1 too but in primary - apart from that, having pretty much an identical experience to you!! It feels endless. Apologies, have no advice haha but want to let you know that you are not alone and I found this post because I'm in exactly the same position. Hoping things have got a little better for you since you posted this!!!

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