“You’re Hired!” Classroom Management Approach

DISCLAIMER: This approach may not be for everyone, but I hope it helps someone.

Click HERE to hear the clip of me sharing this on the Teachers Off Duty Podcast on Bored Teachers

Click HERE to read about it on TODAY

 
 
 
 

Why?

Honestly I created this as a result of having my high school students refuse to complete assignments, taking zeros, refusing to participate in class activities, extreme apathy, etc. I wanted to create an approach that would allow them to see that this approach to a “work” environment won’t be effective when they graduate and walk out those double doors. I wanted them to see that right now their “school work” simulates their place of work. 

 
 
 

Download PDF

Click HERE to download a PDF that explains my approach.

 

FAQs + Criticisms

 

What grade level have you tried this with?

I currently use this approach in my high school classroom. I’ve also used it in my classroom in at-risk, title 1 and suburban high schools.

How do you get admin on board?

Of course, most admin have been apprehensive and wanted to see a “proof of concept”. My current and previous school admin were very supportive after seeing it implemented successfully.

Do you get any push back from parents?

So far, I have not. Most parents seem to like that it provides real-world application for their child.

What do they do when they’re using PTO and don’t have a phone?

  • Catch up on work for another class

  • Run errands

  • Read

  • Draw

  • Socialize (when appropriate)

  • Play board or card games

  • Help out as an aide for other school staff

 
 

So you only do 20 minutes of instruction a day?

No. As students are “working their shift” I am able to circle the room to: check in with students, do one-on-one and small group instruction.

So you’re training kids to be workers instead of thinkers?

Actually, my kids were refusing to work or think, so I created this system to positively motivate them to do both. Traditional forms of negative motivation like: giving zeros, saying “I’ll call home”, etc became null and void as they now are willing to: “take the zero as long as they pass the class” or tell me: “You can call my mama, matter of fact I’ll text her right now”.

This sounds like indoctrination.

Not going to lie, I had to Google what that word means before I could respond to this one. I’d heard the word before, but didn’t know what it means. Now that I know what it means: “indoctrination - the process of repeating an idea or belief to someone until they accept it without criticism or question”. I can honestly say that if I’m repeating anything, it’s the directions to the assignments.

What if students try to use their PTO for a test, exam, lab or major project?

That’s where “black out dates” come in. Just like certain jobs have black out dates in which employees are not permitted to request time off, the same is the case in this classroom management approach.

 

Do you get any push back from students?

No. My students have actually said they prefer it over traditional instruction. They’re also high school students and some have jobs already, so this approach and the verbiage makes sense to them. Hear from them…

“Myself I really like this class and the way everything runs cause all I gotta do is a lil work and every just goes fine. And the fact I be getting PTO low key helps when I’m just stressed and wanna sleep.”

“As a student who takes advanced classes I often am swamped with work. Mrs. Rob’s method and way of handling her classroom is one the least stressful environments I’ve been in. We’re constantly working, but none of it feels heavy. Being able to sit out for a day when I’m stressed out and still knowing that my grade will be okay makes her class the best.”

“In school, teachers have babied us as students forever. It feels nice to feel respected and treated as an adult.”

“My personal experience being a student in Ms. Rob’s Class has been great. It’s probably my favorite class model to be a part of because it makes me feel like an adult. I feel like I’m free to work as fast or as slow as I want.”

“As a student in Ms. Rob’s Class. I love that she allows us to have free will and be lets us be able to do our work on our own. Unlike other teachers Ms. Rob is able to make the work fun she can make an assignment so creative, like when we made a board game to help learn kitchen safety. I love Ms. Rob.”

“My experience in Miss Rob’s class has been great. All my other classes have felt controlled and stressful this class has lots of freedom unlike my other teachers. Miss Rob always makes a way to make work fun.”

“This is a great class to be in. We still have work, but being able to have these breaks are very relaxing. They also help you gather your thoughts. The PTO is amazing. Sometimes you don’t want to do certain things. All of these things can help to prepare us for the real world, I’m personally glad she’s my teacher. Ms. Rob is the most chill and fun teacher I’ve ever had.”