How can I stop dreading a challenging Year 10 class?

[Kepler22B]

How to stop having dread with ‘that’ class! Year 10 with a few bouncy students but one who keeps pushing boundaries, creating negative situations and drawing attention to himself.

I am starting to dread this class. So I’m in need to strategies, not to handle the class I can do that (consistent clear expectations, follow school behaviour policy) but to stop me dwelling and going round and round in circles.

Tough classes can feel draining and it's awful when you feel the dread.

It sounds like you are doing the right things in terms of following behaviour policy etc.

In terms of the dread - when I had a very difficult Y11 class a few years ago, I used to force myself to note down something positive after every lesson. It made me focus on the positives.
Hard to do but relentless positivity in lessons too.

It's so hard though!

Sending hugs, it’s bloody awful isn’t it.
many many years in and I have never mastered the art of losing the dread and spending hours of the night stressing about certain individuals, though like you my handling of the class is fine and any lesson drops ins never identify issues over behaviour management etx.

I don’t see this class til Wednesday and still giving me the Sunday dread.

It's horrible dreading classes! It sounds silly but I take a deep breath before the come in, stand on the door smiling like an idiot to try and convince my brain to be happy, and digging into my deepest positivity and energy reserves for that one hour.

It sounds like you're on top of behaviour, if your school have a parking system then perhaps consider that for students who really push the boundaries. I know it doesn't solve the problem long-term, but it at least give you some mental/emotional respite, and might deter them slightly in future.

Sadly there is no cure and I have no doubt that most teachers have classes that make them feel like this, but we are all here for you!

Also maybe make a countdown of how many lessons you have left with them until the end of the year. Even if the number is large, seeing it go down each lesson might make you feel better?!

Second the idea to write down a positive after each lesson!

Positive contacts home for the good kids in the class, will remind you that they're not all awful and help them get on board with you.

Be glad that we're not primary school teachers and you might only need to see them once a day not all day every day!

Lesson today was good as the head of year join the lesson, We got so much done as I could teach. Maybe this will be the reset they need.

I have that class! When I start to ruminate about the few challenging pupils that suck all the attention, I remind myself that they are a small minority and that most are great respectful hardworking kids. It helps to put it into perspective, I actually have counted how many students I teach so I can do the maths and put my mind to rest. Good luck!

I write down every date and lesson on a large piece of paper on my home office wall and cross them off with thick black marker pen each night.

You never know, someone else may be allocated the class in September!

Agree with others that giving credits/positive feedback to those who are working hard makes me feel better about these sorts of class.

Seating plan? I've moved my rowdy attention seeker to the back before and put better behaved children around them, as I find it makes a difference if they can't be so easily seen.

Other teachers started making a noise as well as some parents so the class is being supported more. HOY popping into lessons (not just mine) of the key players. End of lunchtime check ins for some who struggle to transition back to class behaviour.

Early days but it is working.