As a teacher, it used to be considered positive to be in control and be the authoritarian in the classroom. I think that is why so many adults hate school.
Some in education got smarter and now we know there are approaches that work. We have to give students a sense of power. If they have a sense of being respected, then great things happen. Think of your ownself. If someone pulls power plays on you and shames you, is that positive for you? Do you respect the person that does power plays on you and shames you? Maybe someone does. Most of us would not like that.
If a student chooses not to stand, what difference does it make in my life?
Teachers who have to pull the control issue on a student need to take a step back and ask themselves what their own issues are. Why are they threatened by this? What does it indicate about issues the teacher has with his or her own sense of self?
There are wonderful methods of establishing relationships with students. The first couple of weeks need to be donated to making relatonships. Establishing classroom rules with students is step one. Rules that you can call upon if needed.
It is a thing of beauty to be in a classroom where you have made relationships with students. I always worked in the schools of poverty. My students had big issues.
I wish I had known what I knew in the last few years before I retired. Relationships relationships relationships. The only thing that works. And make relationships with the parents as well. I get teary eyed thinking of changing the world where kids at school are treated like human beings with emotions, needs, ideas, etc etc etc.
