Re: "Older" Teacher-Need suggestions for management

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I'm 53 and having the same problem. When I was younger, I had
perfect classroom management. Looks and youth are power in
today's society.

On 9/01/11, Maria wrote:
> I want to preface this post by saying that I hope this does
> not offend anyone. I am a female teacher in my late 40s who
> is also obese. I am losing weight but it is difficult. I
> never had classroom management issues until I turned 45 and
> gained weight. I'd rather not state what subject I teach but
> I will say it is a 9-12 grade environment with about 75%
> male students and 25% female.
>
> I strive to make lessons interesting and sometimes humorous.
> I have been in other younger and /or "in shape" teacher's
> classrooms and feel that their lessons are not as
> interesting. In fact, sometimes they lecture all period
> which I was told NEVER to do. But they seem to have a much
> better control of their classrooms, especially the younger
> male teachers. It seems the male students are more "afraid"
> of the younger males and the females think they are
> attractive or look up to them like an older brother. I
> cannot help but think that it is human nature that the
> students will listen better and be more likely to follow
> directions. They also seem to get more out of the students
> than I do.
>
> I am wondering if anyone can give me suggestions on how to
> deal with this? The main management problems I have are 1)
> students constantly trying to get out their phones to text
> when I am not looking, 2) talking when I am giving a lesson,
> 3) completely ignoring me when I am giving out instructions,
> 4) forcing me to talk loudly because they just will not
> quiet down, 5) not working unless I am standing right over
> them. Again...it is not my intent to offend anyone. Thank
> you in advance.

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