In my role as a Cover Officer, I have faced many challenges relating to students not wanting to complete their work, because “it’s only supply”, or “it’s not a real lesson”. Sometimes, as a responsible adult, it can feel as though the weight of the world is on your shoulders and that if the students don’t complete their work, it’s the end of the world and it’s all your fault. Wrong. You have your job, you have proved that you are capable, you have passed your GCSEs/A Levels/training courses (I imagine). So the first point is to not get yourself upset if the students fail to complete their assigned work. They are the ones who are losing out and will likely be required to catch up in their own time when their teacher returns.
I’m not saying you need to be careless. You still have a certain level of responsibility, after all. But some students have made their mind up the second they see they don’t have their usual teacher, that they are not going to work. Sometimes, their mind is made up and that’s that. In that situation, all you can do is try your best to win them over. This can be achieved in various ways.
First of all, remember that they are a human being – a less-experienced human being. You used to be their age, so think back to what it was like. Did you always want to work hard? Perhaps, perhaps not. Did you want to have fun with your friends? Probably.
Another point to remember is, that times have changed since you were at school. I spoke with a young man who was on work experience as part of his course, and at twenty years old, he said he felt shocked at how different things were compared to when he was at school, four years before…There are always new gadgets, new fashions, new distractions. Don’t try to be the students’ friend/pal. Be their mentor, their example, their listening ear.
Talk to them. If they aren’t working, where’s the harm in asking them about their interests? Striking up conversations about subjects that interest them can often lead students to see that you’re human too, and not some robot who gets mad because they aren’t “doing what they are told!” More often than not, you will be able to get them back on track by giving them the opportunity to express themselves about subjects they already feel confident in, and this can boost their motivation.
Finally, have a sense of humour. If they won’t work, it’s not your fault. Just try to laugh it off, along with any abuse you suffer along the way.
A Cover Officer 