Discipline in Our Schools by Allen Manry

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Oct 4, 1906

Discipline in Our Schools

By Allen Manry

In all schools, the subject of discipline is one of the most vital questions the teachers have to meet. Not one of them need hope for success unless he can govern well. Yet to do this he must be master of himself, able to control his every action. In other words, he should endeavor at all times to be master of the situation.

The first day of school is very important. On this occasion each pupil forms his opinion of the teacher. While this is not always correct by any means, it leaves a strong impression upon the mind which has much to do with the future of the school. It is here that disorder usually begins, and hinders the work more or less. It is essential that the teacher favorably impress the pupils at this time.

It is a good plan to have a program made out and placed before the school as soon as the bell rings. This will give each an opportunity of knowing when his classes are to be called, and the time for preparing the lesson. “Idleness is the devil’s workshop,” has an especial application at this period of the school.

A neatly dressed teacher with pleasing

ways will do more good than the one who is careless in dress and haughty and stern. The former will draw the pupils toward her, while the latter repels them. As self-government is the object of discipline, the kind of tone a teacher should use is obvious to the reader.

Many homes have been ruined by parents’ exercising justice to the exclusion of mercy. A wise teacher tries to gain the confidence of his school by getting so near the young hearts that he is the first to hear of the little trials incident to school life. Go to their homes and be interested in their plans; let them see you are a friend. Love is the power which draws the youth. Remember you are in a position to mold characters for eternity.

Let the rules be few, and see that they are obeyed. Just as soon as a rule becomes a dead letter, so to speak, just so soon the teacher loses the respect of his school. It is better to let the pupils help make the laws which govern the school than to require obedience in such a way that the justice is questioned by the school.

The second offense should not be punished as the first. Neither should all be punished alike for breaking the same rule.

The same offense might be committed under far different circumstances. Suppose a boy, who would not purposely violate a rule, should see a fellow student studying the wrong lesson, and quietly tell him where the right lesson is to be found, and then resume his study. While James, a bad boy, in an impudent way whispers across the aisle. A gentle reproof would be sufficient for one, but of little value to the second.

Some good teachers have taken the Bible plan to settle difficulties. When a rule is broken, the teacher talks to the offender privately. If this does not accomplish the desired result, two or three pupils together with the teacher try to show the wrong doer his error. But if this fails, the matter is taken before the school, and harmony is secured, or the pupil requested to leave. It is better to sever a member than allow the whole body to suffer. Jesus gave us many examples of how to govern well. A thorough conversion and daily communion with our blessed Saviour will solve all these knotty questions we have to meet.

ALLEN MANRY.