Tell students what is expected

I spent 38 wonderful years in the classroom and I have three successful tips to share.

▪  The first day of school sets the tone for the entire school year. I set the tone by explaining the daily operations of the class. Then I explained the following: I have the right to teach and no one is going to distract me from my job! Every student has the right to learn and I am not going to let anyone distract my students from learning! I let them know that I am not here to win a popularity contest; I am your teacher. I assigned two hours of homework the first day of school. Education started the first day of school not later in the week; business first! There are too few teaching days.

▪  Be consistently firm but fair to your students. Your class should not know who your pets are! Mine never did. I think!

▪  No hidden agendas from your class. Be sure they know all the rules and expectations, and you never change them. Many students told me that their former teachers weren’t always upfront with them.

This story was originally published August 14, 2015 at 9:27 AM with the headline "Tell students what is expected."