The Godfather of the Classroom

I have had the wonderful and privileged opportunity to see many teachers in their element.  From all across the city of Los Angeles, to various schools in Baltimore, and even a school in Philidelphia, I have seen teachers working their craft with students from very different backgrounds.  All of these teachers were not exemplary or model teachers, but a good chunk of them were.  I have seen many different practices, approaches, and strategies which are simply amazing and set both students and the teacher up for success.  One which has stayed with me and still brings a smile to my face is a teacher who used The Godfather in her classroom.




The idea with using this book/movie was to underline the quote "It's not personal. It's business."  This is such a humorous yet important way to let students know: I am not doing this perceived mean thing "to you" because I am mean, I am doing it because I have to do it.  I am not personally attacking you.  When I move your seat because you won't stop talking to the student next to you and no one can focus (me included), it is not because I dislike you, it is so the class can continue functioning; not personal, just business.  When you curse in class, I'll ask you to repeat what you said using more appropriate language because you cannot use those words in the workplace.  When you yell at or disrespect me or any other student, I'm probably going to kick you out of my class.  I like my employees to be safe, emotionally and physically.

This could be a really useful tactic to use in the classroom.  It can be a good way to check students if they think their teacher is being unjust.  The set up could run like this: please do as I, the teacher, say because I am trying to run the classroom in the best way.  If you have a better way, talk to me after class or privately.  If you complain when I ask you to do something, I will put up the above picture, tell you it is just business, and probably have some good-natured fun with that.  In this case, you have to stop complaining.  If you ask me to prove how it is just business and I can't, then I am a bad CEO, stock prices drop, and I concede that I do not know everything and have made a mistake.

I really like this idea, all that is left is to wait until I have my own class to try out this approach.  Just another reason I can't wait for August (if I have a job then).