Psychology

Barbara Coloroso developed a third classroom management approach known as Inner Discipline in 2002. Coloroso was a former nun and is now a teacher and an author. She firmly dislikes the idea of a “quick-fix” solution to discipline problems. Instead, she advices teachers to focus on helping students develop inner discipline that will allow them to recognize their mistakes, and allow them to take responsibility for her or his actions. Even more, teachers should encourage students to think through solutions, and correct their faults. Santilli & Hudson (1992) suggest that this can be achieved by simply discussing ethical and moral problems that are in the news. Encouraging adolescents to think through issues out loud. Without challenging his or her point of view, wonder aloud about how others might have different perspectives on the issue and what might cause others to have these different perspectives. Teachers who follow this approach believe that school becomes a place where both teachers and students work together to learn, relate, grow and create a community.

Coloroso recommends that teachers treat all of their students with respect by giving them a sense of power in their own lives with opportunities to make their own decisions and grow from the results of those decisions, even if this mean learning a valuable lesson by making the wrong choice. However, teachers who are often mandated reporters should make sure that students’ decisions do not place them in situations that are life threatening, morally threatening or unhealthy. Teachers should give students reasonable consequences that should be invoked consistently when rules are violated. This approach allows students to develop and gain inner discipline and self-confidenc...

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