Okay, 100 words on the idea of a “teacher bully”….It’s easier to become one than you’d think. Teaching isn’t easy–stresses your time, patience, and emotional reserves. Some days, it seems certain students want to watch the world burn.But no matter how well-designed learning experiences are, the tone of your interactions with students can deflate a classroom in a hurry.

Students need to respond. They have to be accessible. They have to ‘listen.’ So when they don’t, respond by design. Start with your relationship. Create a sequence. Adjust to the child. Do what works, and toss what doesn’t.

Whatever you do, don’t be a teacher bully.

image attribution flickr user ciron810