1045) I can’t say exactly when it happened in my career, but as a teacher from “the old school,” meaning, running a classroom with rigid rules and the expectation my students would adhere to it, I discovered these expectations weren’t working. Yes, I am in charge. Yes, the students have a standard to meet, but the method in how I navigate them has changed. We can sit around and list many reasons this change has come about, but the why’s don’t really matter; this is a reality.

So, I had a choice. I could demand my students do things rule by rule, when I may or may not have their parents’ support or I can adapt. It took several years of “battles” within for me to leave this old way of doing things–mainly because it made me feel like I wasn’t doing a “proper” job. When I finally adjusted, I found my classroom ran better with gentle discipline.

What do I mean by gentle discipline? I changed my authority to one who embraces meekness; that I had my power (or authority) under a quiet control. In adjusting my classroom management in this manner, my students were more at ease–though not out of control and therefore, I was too. There are still times when I have to shift and have a higher or stricter range of discipline but, mostly, my classroom runs better this way.

Galatians 5:22-23 tells of another one of God’s fruits: gentleness. The Greek word used here is prautés which means meekness or gentle strength. God knew we can accomplish more with honey than with vinegar.

Should I still demand to have a classroom the way it used to be, so I’ll feel like I’m doing a “proper” job? Well, I think I need to decide, Do I want to be right, or do I want to be happy?

God wants what is best for us and gentleness is part of that best.