I know I’m sure you are thinking, “Don’t kids want a teacher they can relate to?”. While I’m sure that is likely, my problem stems from responding to low-brow humor.
In other words, it is hard for me to act seriously sometimes. I work as an instructor in an after-school program, working with 3 kids at a time. Since I started a month ago, I’ve really enjoyed the job. Since many of the students would work under a teacher for long spans of time (6-12 months) it is important for them to be able to build rapport with kids. Sometimes they will do things (annoy each other, blurt out obscene words/phrases, etc. While some instructors will act angry/offended/disgusted, I’m trying my damnedest not to laugh my ass off.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, I have this bad habit of laughing when I get nervous. So today, one of my students was kind of acting up, but it wasn’t anything major. However, it was really hard for me to avoid laughing (which obviously encourages the behavior). When I try to supress the laughter, it just makes things worse. I felt mightily embarassed today since none of the other instructors found the kids’ behavior so funny.
I would like to be a teacher someday, but I’m worried I’ll never be able to hack it if I can’t keep this problem under control.
I was a teacher, and I was also a director of several departments and from what you have said, I would probably hire you in a minute.
There is nothing worse than the “serious” teacher. Every time you are about to walk into a classroom, you should think, “it’s showtime!”
Sometimes it is good to laugh, be silly, and have a good time. Sure, you have to balance that with control, but kids (and adult students) can pick up on things you are not even aware of. They know if you are unprepared, if you are nervous, if you are a prick. But if you just be who you really are - and in your case, it sounds like a real and fun person to be with - they will relate.
Just learn to balance these feelings with control of the classroom. Not as difficult as you might think. And go ahead and laugh out loud!
As long as you’re nice to the kids and not an asshole, I think it’s a good thing and would support your candidacy (if I were on the school board - which I’m not).
I used to have this teacher who thought he was funny, but most just thought he was a jerk (including me).
As a teacher, I will tell a joke to liven up a worthy (=dull) subject.
I also snigger automatically if somebody farts. Then I get serious and say “Yes, I did find that funny - but it’s not the right thing to do in class.”
If you are teaching with a colleague, it is correct to present a united front.
Some of my best moments in teaching have come when a kid shows they trust me. It is important to be trustworthy and approachable, especially so the victims of bullying will pluck up courage to speak to you. (Some of my colleagues are very solemn and strict, and I worry that they will not receive confidences.)
