Tier Your Discipline Note #3 to My Son who is a New Teacher

Dear Son,

As you start out as a new teacher, discipline is important.  Be consistent and be slow at any escalations.  Be up front with how you plan to discipline them.  They will feel safe in knowing what the plan is.

Tell your students you want to keep discipline between you and them.  You will try your hardest not to make it a public event.  You are not out to embarrass anyone.  

Tier 1: In the moment corrections.  These are usually verbal instructions given to students when they need some behavior correction but sometimes it could be non-verbal like a look or pointing or your hands at your hips.  The majority of your disciplining will be in this Tier 1 category.  

Examples: "Please get back on task."  "How is your work going?"  "Could you redirect your energies to the assignment?" "Please head back to your seat."  "Help me understand why this group is so off task?" "Please lower your voice."  or it could be a look that you give a student, or you could go over to the group that is having trouble and just stand there, or you could point to a student to go back to their seat.    Etc.

Tier 2:  After the moment discussion.  After a number of Tier 1 re-directions you will need to move up the ladder to a discussion about the issue and away from the rest of the class.  Always try to have this discussion away from the other students.  No audience!!  Also, be clear that the student is not in trouble, we are only trying to figure out how we can move forward with a short discussion.

Example:  "Let's go chat in the hallway so we can figure this out."  "See me after class please."  "Could you come to my desk so we can iron this little wrinkle out?" 

Tier 3:  After the moment discussion with a possibility of a consequence.

Examples:  "We've talked about this incident a few times, do we need to incorporate a consequence?" 

Tier 4:  Consequence (light)

Examples:  Change the student's seat. Limit participation in an activity. Take a walk with an aide to figure out a plan. Make a written document between you and the student explaining next actions when this comes up again.

Tier 5:  Consequence (involving others)

Examples:  Talk to the parents via email or phone.  Talk with other teachers about possible solutions in their classes.  Talk to the student's guidance counselor to find out any background information.

Tier 6:  Consequence (team meeting with parents)

Example:  Team Meeting with Parents AND STUDENT.  Create a contract.

Tier 7:  Consequence (Dean)

Example:  Notify the school dean for possible discipline action.

Remember the real estate phrase, location, location, location?  You should think of discipline the same way, communicate, communicate, communicate.  

Love you much son,

Dad