One of the great things about school, is that we don't necessarily have to wait for a new "school" year to make changes, or address challenges. In fact, we probably shouldn't. Each quarter (sometimes even each week, or each day) offers an opportunity for a fresh start. It is pretty easy to adopt an attitude that "next year will be different," but if something doesn't seem to be working, it is reasonable, and preferable, to take steps to improve the situation...now.
As a teacher, I can remember one year in particular, when I really struggled with the management of a couple groups of students. These classes really put a dent in my self-confidence, forced me to change plans frequently, and generally made my days a struggle. This certainly wasn't the only time that I had challenges, but it stands out. It was about this time of the school year (December), that my frustration got the best of me and I sought the advice of a veteran teacher on our campus. I remember she told me that it might be time to hit the "restart" button--time to identify the 3-5 things that really bothered me, and then work with my classes on a fresh start to address those concerns. I won't say it was perfect, but I can remember making changes (particularly to the way we started class), that made a significant difference in the climate of our classroom...as well as my attitude toward school.
If this sounds familiar to you...if you have a class (or five) that seems to be wearing you out, I would encourage you to spend some time reflecting on what isn't working and try something different. Don't wait until next school year. I would suggest you take the advice I was given and choose 3-5 things that really bother, and go to work on those challenges. You don't have to start from scratch, but make enough changes that students see a noticeable difference. For example, you might change the way students enter the classroom (i.e. lining up at the door and shaking hands), or begin the period with a few minutes of classical music as students settle in and begin their warm-up.
Please don't hesitate to ask for advice from a trusted colleague, or seek assistance from the administrative staff. While we don't profess to have the answers, we will gladly assist in brainstorming ideas and providing supports as you implement change.
As you consider possible adjustments to your classroom routines and procedures, here are a few resources that might be helpful:
Ten Ways to Deal With a Hard Year - blog post by John T. Spencer
When A “Good” Class Goes “Bad” (And Back To “Good” Again!) - blog post by Larry Ferlazzo
Discipline with Dignity: New Challenges, New Solutions - book by Richard Curwin and Allen Mendler
Discipline with Dignity for Challenging Youth - book by Allen N. Mendler
