Control Versus Leadership

I have just started to read A Sustainable Start by John Spencer but there are two words that have stuck with me and are causing some deep reflection on my part: Control and Leadership.

We often talk about being in control of a classroom or having control of the students but I question this choice of words.  Does anyone like or want to be controlled?  Do we as adults?  I don't.  Don't we still do the opposite when someone tells us what to do? Think about that before you honestly answer especially in relation to your mom telling you to do something.

Why then do we think we should control the children?

Control:
a: to exercise restraint or direct influence over: regulate
b: to have power over: rule
c: to reduce the incidence of severity of especially to innocuous levels (control an insect population)

I especially like option C in relation to our students.  So let's see, when we control our students we exert power, dominance, and influence over them.  What comes to mins is "my way to the highway."  This isn't how I want my students to feel about me or how I want to feel about them.

Now, let's think about Leadership.

  

What makes one stand out in the world of many?

Are leaders born?  Or are they made?

I think we need to change the way we think about our classrooms.  We need to lead not control.  And in the process we need to help young leaders grow into older leaders.  This can be done.

I have watched a substitute try and try to control the classroom: to quiet the students, to maintain order, to focus students.  All to no avail.  Why?  Some of it had to do with word choice, some with tone of voice, some with the impression of self given to the students.  The substitute was not leading.  Like a pack of wolves with an ailing alpha female, the pack was preparing to replace its leader. (Did I just find my teaching metaphor?)

Try different scenarios.  Try running the class meeting yourself (trying to control where it is going) and try letting you students run the class meeting (don't think second graders can't do this) and watch your students develop leadership skills (they are following your leadership example).  

So I ask you this, do you want to control your students today or lead them into tomorrow?

Note:  I have also seen a great substitute.  Who led the class beautifully!