New band directors sometimes face the mighty challenge of the misbehavior jungle. A school's administration needs the involvement of faculty to keep standards of discipline current. When outside classroom management slides, the kids can run wild.

The signs of the wilderness are many: crude drawings, bad language, pranks, damaged equipment, and even ransacking the office you thought was locked. If a school's discipline comes to this level, you'll need to roll up your sleeves and clear enough space to trim the hedges. Respect takes time to build with students in such an atmosphere.

Your administration needs to know from you what's going on. Serious safety and legal issues, not to mention costs, are at stake. If students are injured while unsupervised, the district might be sued. Vandalized property incurs costs to the taxpayers in district money to repair or replace. Some important matters to keep in mind are:

• Ask other teachers in your building if they are having similar problems. Banding together as a group will make more of an impact on how urgent improvements in security and student supervision are.
• Work with the technology coordinator to secure computers.
• Talk to the custodian so that you are on the same page as to which doors need to remain locked.
• Make sure subs have all materials they might need in the classroom.
• Request lockers or padlocked storage. Make the students put instruments and equipment away every day.
• Don't leave personal things at school and lock all temptations in your desk.
   

While doing your part to improve the outside classroom environment, you'll also need to work on inside the classroom. Start with simple, firm measures for misbehavior. Students need structure and a strong example. For example, 2008 November Band Mentor Steve Damon says, "Have the student relax and take a very short walk. We can talk about the problem after class, preferably after I've also taken a walk." Never give up! You'll need honesty and perseverence to clear that field for cultivation.

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Read Part 2 of this series.
Read Part 3 of this series.

Coming in two weeks: Managing the Misbehavior Jungle Part 2.
 

-- Paul Fergus, November 12, 2008, © MENC: The National Association for Music Education (www.menc.org)