When you signed up to work at the school you had a things you were planning to do. You were hired to be a teacher, a coach, a secretary, a counselor, a psychologist, a janitor, or an administrator. What is missing? Being a kids authority figure or role model.
One of my favorite shows that I started watching last spring was "World's Strictest Parents". You don't know me, but I enjoy giving attention to the kids that most would stay away from. As a substitute teacher, I've had my moments when I had to draw my line. Whether it is taking a cell phone away or letting kids go early for lunch, they've had to learn where I stand.
If you haven't seen the show, it is about a boy and a girl, somewhere between the ages of 15-18 who go to a "strict" parent's house for a week. Usually one of them smokes, maybe even does drugs or drinks. The females tend to dress immodestly. Most of the time, though they have their struggles of understanding who's in charge, they do figure out that life with rules and boundaries are something they, ironically, enjoy.
Often you find out that they didn't have a good parental figure in their life, so to have someone give them boundaries is something they actually want. Sometimes the person who shows interest and gives them boundaries will become the "involuntary authority figure" in their life. You may already have experienced this and if you have, you know it probably wasn't what you "originally signed up for".
However, I applaud you to be in that position. Sure it is different than being a "buddy" or "BFF" to someone. That is not what authority is all about. When they see you as an authority figure you have a priceless position in their life. They respect you, look up to you, and listen to you! The bottom-line is that though you didn't sign up for it, you have an invaluable position in their life to help them become a respectable person. Use it to THEIR advantage!
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