National Education > Tuition Advice

Student receiving poor grades

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meganrobyn:
Just remember that coddling people or meeting them far more than halfway doesn't actually benefit them in the long run, either - refusing to do it doesn't mean you don't care. Caring about someone means wanting the best for them - and that's not necessarily to be happy all the time. I don't want to get too psychological about it, but sometimes I think we can cushion people too much (particularly those over whom we have some influence or responsibility and perhaps feel protective) because it makes us feel good and not 100% because it's best for them in the big picture.

By the way, though, I'm not particularly supportive of 'punishment'. Legitimate consequences YES, because every action has a consequence - but not punishment for the sake of inflicting some pain or hardship merely for its own purpose. I never found it particularly effective when I was teaching, either. So I wouldn't take that recommendation to heart. I don't think, however, that it's your job to make up for inattentiveness or bad behaviour (you're not a dancing bear at the front of the class!) - you meet them halfway by putting in an effort to run an informative and beneficial class, and they meet you halfway by switching on and putting effort in to engage with it. Anyone old enough to have basic verbal skills and cause-effect cognition is capable of rational conversation and understanding the effects of their actions, though - not to mention the importance of responsibility and empathy. I always prefer that communication approach over 'punishment' - and you build a better relationship, too, which makes future interactions and 'management' much easier. So I'd support you on eschewing punishment.

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