7 quick tips for managing behaviour

Even the best and most experienced teachers can struggle with classroom control and it is likely your experiences will vary day-to-day. Here are some quick tips for managing challenging behaviour and better understanding what we mean by challenging behaviour, why it occurs and who's to blame: 

1. Recognise that there are different types of challenging behaviour.
   This can be intimidatory (violent or abusive), inappropriate (persistently annoying) or passive (non-engaging).
2. Accept that it can occur when you least or most expect it and that you can be a contributory factor to it occurring.
   Believe that you can escalate or de-escalate the disruption by inappropriate or appropriate actions.
3. Accept that acting aggressively or passively is not the way.
   This may get you results in the short term, but always trying for a win–win resolution when dealing with challenging behaviour will work better in the long term.
4. Know what sources of power you have access to as a teacher.
   Decide whether you are using them in a positive or negative manner. Identify who in your organisation exercises power and what can you learn from them.
5. Don’t feel that you should always be deceitful or ruthless as a teacher.
   Accept that you should be able to play the game in the best interests of your organisation and its learners.
6. Recognise that you are not infallable.
   Whilst there is little doubt that teachers should be a good role model, it's important to recognise that you are only human.

Read more inside A Quick Guide to Behaviour Management by Bob Bates, Andy Bailey and Derek Lever.