Every teacher longs for a perfect class that has no discipline problems. Unfortunately, that wish seldom comes true. How can a teacher handle discipline issues so that they will not become persistent problems? Discover a multitude of proven strategies that will enable any teacher to become exceptional at discipline.

Preventative Discipline
It is always better to address discipline issues before they become problems. Most discipline issues can be prevented with proper management strategies. Below are management strategies that may be of help.

• Build rapport with students and parents.
• Establish and communicate behavioral expectations.
• Be consistent with enforcing behavioral and classroom expectations.
• Discuss common discipline issues and solutions with the entire class.
• Acknowledge students' good behavior.
• Create a positive classroom environment of respect.
• Develop lessons and activities that encourage on-task behavior.
• Prepare enough instructional material to extent to the end of class.
• Be an active participant in the instructional process. (Do not sit at your desk all period! Walk around the room checking for questions and students' understanding during independent and group work.)

How to Handle Discipline Problems
Preventative discipline management works for a great number of discipline problems. Unfortunately, prevention will not eliminate all problems. The following are strategies for confronting behavior problems when they occur.

1. Remind students of behavioral expectations.
   Address the entire class with reminders on a regular basis. This ensure effective a clear communiaction.
   
   
2. Use non-verbal cuing to encourage the student to get back on-task.
   Walk by the misbehaving student. Tap lightly on their desk. Make eye contact. Ask the student a question during class discussions.
   
   
3. Have a one on one conversation with the student to address the inappropriate behavior.
   Talk to the student in private so they will not feel threatened or embarrassed in class. Ask the student the reason for the misbehavior and what solution he/she could offer. Remind them of potential consequences if the behavior is not corrected.
   
   
4. Give the student the appropriate consequence for the misbehavior.
   The teacher should have communicated the consequences prior to the incident occurring. All consequences must be reasonable and appropriate in comparison to the behavior. Consequences are only effective if they are used consistently.
   
   
5. Create a behavior correction plan with the student.
   If the problem persists, the student may need an improvement plan to motivate proper behavior. The improvement plan should encourage good behavior while keeping a record of the student's progress.
   
   
6. Call parents to inform them of the problem and illicit their help toward a solution.
   When the teacher and student are unsuccessful in correcting the behavior, then parents should be involved. Students may need reinforcement from home to motivate success. Parents have greater flexibility and access to the student. They may have insights that can help bring understanding and solutions to the persistent problem.
   
   
7. Contact other teachers who teach or have taught the student to see what has worked for them.
   There are occasions when parents are of no help and do not reinforce or support the teacher's efforts. Another successful strategy is to find out what has worked for others with the student. Most persistent problems occur in more than one teacher's class. Another teacher or counselor may know the key to encouraging the student to correct misbehavior.
   
   
8. Write a discipline referral to the administration.
   When all else fails, it is time to turn to the administration for support. Be sure to keep detailed records of previous efforts in attempting to correct the problem. Sharing these records with the administrator may help them determine an appropriate consequence.
   
   
9. Follow-up with the administrator for repeated offenses.
   After involving the administration in the continuing behavior problems of a student, it is important to continue keeping them informed of repeat offenses. This will allow them to increase the administrative consequences for the student.

Keys to Successful Student Behavior Interventions

• Remain calm, composed and in control at all times.

• Do not make it personal! (It is not the student you dislike, it is their behavior you dislike.)

• Be consistent in giving consequences for misbehavior with all students. (Do not have favorites by letting some students get by without consequences while punishing others for the same offence.)

• Do what you say, and only say what you are willing to do. (Do not make threats of punishment that you will not or cannot enforce.)

• Guarantee that all stated consequences are enforceable and will not instigate worse behavior.

• Do not embarrass or corner a student while correcting them. Treat them with respect and you will receive a more desirable response.

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