Archive of ‘Rants’ category

Behavior in the Library: Another Covid Side Effect

Something I’ve always prided myself is rarely calling administration to handle behavior or discipline in my classroom. I’ve called my admins once in my three years of teaching. This has nothing to do with not liking my principal or thinking I don’t need their help; this is because I value the relationship I build with my students, so I want to solve problems together. I’m by no means a classroom management or student behavior expert, but I’ve always felt like I had a backup plan to keep the rest of my students occupied while handling a struggling student. Yet, this year I’m feeling drained in more ways than one.

Usually the extent of behavior problems in the library are having a bad day and not wanting to work, interpersonal spats with a classmate, or just needing a reminder of the rules in my room. Nothing a quick sidebar with a student can’t fix, and usually the rest of my students are working independently at a learning center. But then school year 2020-2021 hit…

We started the first few months learning virtually, so student behavior was a nonissue. When we finally came back in-person, students were grateful to be back, but still timid. Behavior issues were still dormant.

An empty classroom with chairs on top of desks.
We thought this was the hard part.
“Classroom” by -Marlith- is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Then, around the halfway point, students began to feel more comfortable; they began to welcome new students daily as well. Our in-person exploded; everyday I would see a new (masked) face, whether a transfer or just switching from eLearning to in-person. This is where everything has gone downhill and I feel like I’m losing my mind.

Part of the new behavior problems seem to stem from new students; we have an influx of foster students, as well as students who are obviously flustered by the big changes this school year has brought. In addition, since I have new students every single class period and I still have my goals/yearly evaluations to meet, I simply don’t have time to review library rules and expectations with every new students; I barely have the time to introduce myself to them! My independent learning centers are all but forgotten with the requirement of no shared materials and no close quarters, understandably.

I believe the secondary cause of the behavior problems is simply not allowing my to do my job; this year has forced every teacher to sacrifice their normal routines and I was no exception. In addition to the already restrictive fixed schedule I’ve had with in-person teaching, I’ve also taken on the role of lunch monitor, dismissal wrangler, eLearning teacher, and second P.E. teacher. When my kids see me more doing these duties throughout the week, how are they seeing me fully as a media specialist? I barely even feel like one this year.

I know these are things that are out of anybody’s control and it seems silly to complain, but sometimes we just need to feel not alone. There are many others in the same position in me, and possibly handling it better; if you’re one of those people, then help a girl out and tell me your secret. If not, then you’re invited to my pity party.

Now what?

I know the situation I’m in is temporary, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be lasting effects or another circumstance with the same side effects. So even though I just want to wallow, I know the best choice is to tackle this. I don’t have a solid plan yet, but I have some ideas.

A surgical mask.
The source of at least 59% of my behavior problems.
“File:A surgical mask (2017).jpg” by AlexChirkin is marked with CC0 1.0
  • Develop better communication with classroom teachers. Classroom teachers are just as busy, if not more, with this school year. I always want to make their job easier, but sometimes I need their help, too. Asking teachers to communicate when they have a new student is the most important; it’s a lot harder to spot a new student with masks!
  • Create a welcome video. As I said earlier, we have new students coming in at an alarming rate. I don’t always have the time to stop and review our expectations in the library. Instead, I could take advantage of our school’s 1-to-1 and allow new students to get introduced to the library (and the librarian) with a welcome video. I’d love to do this especially since my old students know my face, but my new students only recognize me with a mask.
  • Recruit students for help. My students love a chance to help. I say ” I need…” and my students are already waving their hands in the air. Choosing a reliable student from each class to be a library tour guide would instill some responsibility in a student while also freeing me up.
  • Be louder. Although this year we’re stuck with the hand we’ve been dealt, next year is hopefully more predictable. I’ll be using the next few months to advocate for myself so that I can better do my job next year. I’ll be more open about the time and resources I need to properly service my school; this should always be happening, but this year has definitively given me a push.

These might not be a one-size-fits-all solution, but since I feel a lot of my problems stem from the constant in-and-out of students, this might best help me. How has student behavior changed for you in the classroom this year?

Welcome to the blog

I’m not 100% sure the direction of this blog yet, but I know I want to use this as a chance to reflect on my job, especially after this past year. Teaching has always been a difficult, scary, and uncertain task, but I’m sure I’m not alone in feeling the weight of this job more than ever.

Taking home work, planning yearly goals when you don’t even know what next week will look like, beating yourself up after the next failed flipped/remote lesson plan using a digital resource your district bought for you… it’s a lot.

But that doesn’t mean I’ve lost my love for this job. In fact, it’s shown me how impactful I can be when I push through all of that. I might not be able to check out books, but I can facilitate book talks. I can’t open my makerspace, but I can offer opportunities for digital creation. And I might not see my kids in person everyday, but I can find new ways to build relationships.

I guess I’m just trying to keep that spark alive long enough to get through this funk. Or I can just make goofy bulletin boards. Hopefully others can relate. Peace.

Goofy bulletin boards make me feel better.