Described as ‘scary’ today? Raised by voice for the first time?

[worried23xxx]

Im a very calm teacher I just impose sanctions and warn them of consequences.

I had an assessment lesson with year 9 today and most of the classes behaviour was appalling. They were late to the lesson. were chatting constantly not following instructions etc so I had to be a lot stricter than usual and raise my voice at times.

I needed to speak to a pupil outside and they started shouting in the class so I opened the door and said ‘i dont know why you’re all talking Ive done assessments with every class even year 7s and they have been able to work in silence get on with your work’ etc. I ended up having to set two after school detentions.

A girl said ‘miss you’re scary today’ and another one said ‘no she’s not’. I said ‘i know lots of you are doing the right thing so well done but there are a certain few pupils who are letting down the class today and disrupting you when you need to do your assessment’

Its not my nature to be a strict scary teacher but I felt I had to be today. I have felt guilty all day that I have been too harsh and shouldn’t have raised my voice and I’ll get a complaint made about me.

Teachers will literally beat themselves up over anything, won't they? We are our own worst enemies.

Every successful teacher has a battleaxe they keep in abeyance for special occasions. Well done for finding yours.

Is that all? No disrespect but why are you beating yourself up over an off the cuff comment like that, which sounds fairly typical of a teen to say?

I’ve been called everything under the sun - good and bad by teenagers!

Strict doesn't mean unpleasant and sometimes it is 100% appropriate to remind students of your expectations.
Students respect teachers who are firm and fair. Being strict doesn't prevent teachers being kind. It sounds like many overstepped the mark that lesson and know that you won't tolerate poor behaviour.

One of my Year 2s told me she hated me on Friday (full on snarl too 😂).

My crime? I put her name on the black cloud because she'd had 3 warnings about messing with her ruler, and finally snapped it!

It literally never occurred to me to be upset about her comment. But then, I'm in my 28th year of teaching...not much gets to me now 😄

I think you need to grow a harder shell OP, or this job will finish you off!