No matter how much a teacher enjoys students there is no doubt every teacher at some time loses his or her patience. When the normal strategies for regaining self-control fail, try one or more of the following suggestions:

Remember who is the adult and who is the child. Stop and remember that as the adult in the situation there are guidelines that must be followd and allowing one's emotion to dictate the response is unacceptable. Allow preofessional behavior to overrule an emotional response.

Give yourself some space. When a situation arises that doesn't have an easy solution, inform the student that at the moment it is impossible to decide on what the appropriate punishment should be for the offense. Explain to the student what he or she has done is very disturbing and more time will be needed before a solution can be found. This is a very powerful intervention. This strategy allows you to distance yourself from the situation. Tempers can cool and advice can be sought.

Don't get angry, take action. Develop effective strategies for inappropriate behaviors and use them. Do not threaten, do not nag, take action.

Realize that you are not alone. Techers need the support of other educational personnel in order to face the day in and day out pressure of the c;lassroom. Find a group od professionals who can talk about the stress of teaching and be able to discover positive strategies to deal with students.

Keep a sense of humor. Childrean are fun, forgiving and playful. They nees to feel accepted by their teachers. Laugh with them and feel free to laugh at yourself. Laughter is still good medicine.

* from Positive Classroom Management, Breeden & Egan, 1997