What Great Teachers Do Differently - When You Say Something, Mean It

When You Say Something, Mean It
As we continue through the book, "What Great Teachers Do Differently- 17 Things That Matter Most", by Todd Whitaker, we will review the previous 2 weeks.

1. It's People, Not Programs
2. The Power of Expectations

Now we will examine the chapter titled, "If you say something, mean it".  This chapter is exactly as the title describes.  Great teachers follow through with what they say they are going to do.  This chapter focuses primarily on classroom management, but I believe it can apply to all facets of things including, but not limited to, helping organize school events, meeting preparation, attending student events, etc...  It's not about how many things you are involved in or how many events you attend, it's about following through when you say you will do something.

In terms of discipline, if you say there is going to be a consequence, then follow through on your consequence.  If kids know you don't follow through on consequences, they will push you to the limit, thus disrupting quality instructional time.  Whitaker also points out that, although follow through is important, so is how you deal with the misbehavior.  For instance, often times you can acknowledge a behavior, without letting the whole class know you have seen the behavior.  Often times the student misbehaving is seeking attention.  By acknowledging the misbehavior in a loud way, you are giving the student what they want, attention.  So communicating the consequence is often times just as important as following through on the consequence.

"Great teachers manage their classrooms thoughtfully.  When they say something, they mean it (Whitaker, 24)."