Module 3 -  Blog 3 Ed. Psych. – “The Angry Teacher”

       

                                                            
                           

                 Creation                                                                            Fall


                                        

                                                 

  Redemption                                                                             New Creation                                                          

                                                                                                                                                                                                   

After looking at the video and then listening to Rick talk about a classroom management plan and the Trinity model of Creation, Fall, Redemption, and New Creation, I was intrigued to investigate this model further.  

Though I have never studied this model before, from what I was able to uncover, I think the “Angry Teacher” could easily fit into this model, if I am understanding it correctly. 

The video doesn't really show what set the teacher off, or when the process of escalation began with him and his students.  I believe God is directly involved in everything we do, including teaching.  Because teaching is a calling, He is our guiding force and therefore we are His Creation.  Perhaps the teacher in this video started out with a purpose and a direction to teaching and learning which somehow got lost on this day. The Fall occurred in this clip when the teacher rejected God’s Creation by becoming irate and degrading his students.  The Fall continued as he was unable to get a grip.   Clearly, he was out of control and seemed unable to calm himself, yet at one point, he did give recognition to the person who was videotaping him. 

I’m thinking that at that point,  he could have gone into the Redemption mode with the entire class.  He could have said, 'OK class, things are out of control with all of us, so why don’t we look at what was videotaped here, and then see how we got to this point."   After looking at the video, and hopefully seeing where he was wrong, he would then apologize to the classroom for his part in it, and suggest that together they rewrite the rules as a "Bill of Rights" so that the students could see what their part in it was as well.  By including the students input on what the rules and consequences should be, everyone would have a clear understanding on how to conduct themselves in the classroom.  This would be the beginning of their  New Creation.

I really liked the idea suggested in our text book on page 479 to create a “Bill of Rights” instead of having rules.  It states that "when a teacher works with his students to establish a student’s “Bill of Rights”, instead of defining rules, the “rights” cover most situations that might require a “rule” and help the students move toward the goal of becoming self-managing."   I’m wondering if this teacher even had a classroom management plan, because if he did, which is also stated in our text on page 480, the ideal way to manage problems is to prevent them from happening in the first place

As I continue to work toward becoming a teacher, I can’t ever forget that God is in charge, not I.  It is His will that I wish to carry out, so that I can teach, nurture, and guide my students with a caring heart.