Watch Your Mouth

by Brian Mendler, Baruti Kafele (Foreword)

Through personal experience this book reminds us we have a moral responsibility to do whatever it takes to save the most challenging kids. The book provides true, transparent resources, interventions, and prevention strategies all educators can use immediately. This book will refresh your commitment and desire to work with all kids.

Genres: Education

Perfect Paperback

Published January 1, 2018

Reviews

[Alex Valencic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some key takeaways from this book that I think are worth highlighting:

Any time there is a problem in the classroom, I, as the teacher, am a part of the cause. This isn’t written to shame or to blame; it is simply an observation of truth. In that precise moment, at that precise time, I am a part of the cause and therefore I am also a part of the solution.

Too many teachers believe they must have the last word with a student. Having the second-to-last word is far, far more effective.

“Success, confidence, and competence are breeders of each other. Being successful leads to confidence, which eventually leads to competence. The more competent, the more success someone has and the more confident he becomes.” If I am not doing everything I can to create opportunities for success for my students, then I am not going to be able to help them become confident, competent individuals.

Consistency is doing the same thing but not necessarily how we do it. We must be consistently fair, consistently kind, consistently focused on doing what is best for that student at that time. Fairness is rarely the same thing as equality; in fact, equality is generally one of the most unfair systems. What we need is equity: giving everyone what they need when they need it in order to allow them to be successful.

Students misbehave in class for one of seven reasons: 1) they aren’t getting enough attention or they are getting too much attention, 2) they don’t have enough power or they have too much power, 3) they don’t have enough control or they have too much control, 4) they don’t believe they are competent enough or they believe they are too competent, 5) because don’t feel like they belong or they believe they are the centre of everyone’s universe, 6) they are completely and utterly unaware of their misbehaviour, or 7) they have a need to look “cool” in front of others. Our responsibility, as teachers, is to get to the root of the cause and provide students with an alternative.

At the end of the day, you get to be one of two types of teachers: you can be that teacher who inspired a student to be a better version of themselves or you can be the teacher who makes the student hate everything about school and learning. Anything in-between is forgettable and forgotten and doesn’t matter.

[James Wayman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the tale of how a difficult student turns into a caring teacher. Like many teachers, the author brought certain baggage with him to the position and has worked to find ways to correct those 'best practices' that turned him off of certain teachers.

As a teacher myself, I felt like this book set out to motivate more than it did to inform; and Mendler sticks to what he knows (his own experiences). Unfortunately, this is to the modern trauma-informed classroom what Harry Wong was to a generation of teachers before; in the idea that anyone following their guidance can become a master teacher. [Been at it nearly 25 years now, and still feel like there's more to learn.]

To my experience, what fails in this book is the fact that any practice has to ring true to the individual educator's values and personality. I can see why Mendler is considered 'cool' by his students and 'effective' to those around him; but his is an outlier personality for a teacher. Any teacher willing to work and striving to improve can do so; but it is more likely to happen with a reflection on practice and calculated changes in strategy. Mendler CAN do these things because of who he is in his personality; anyone else coming into these practices cold may experience a more disappointing result.

This is a good read for recharging for your classroom; there are some takeaways about perspectives and in finding the specific way you can best serve each student. There's value in perusing these pages, but don't expect the kind of secrets that turn zeroes to heroes.

[Erinn Camp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I have a unique perspective about the author because Brian is a couple years younger than me and we went to school together. Brian WAS loud and energetic, a great little league coach, and comes from an amazing family. With that said, I loved reading this book for a couple reasons - one, I recognized I do a bunch of this in my classroom already (yay,me!) but two, it reminds me that all students can be reached by someone. Sometimes we need to push our own ego aside and admit WE may not be that person, but if we are, we’ve got to go head first into working with that student. I have been pushing my district into bringing Brian into speak, I’m hoping that happens! I will also be encouraging my HS to implement the On-A-Roll list. As an alternative education teacher, most don’t find themselves on the Honor Roll list. I think the On-A-Roll list would allow us to highlight their successes.

[Kayla · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the worst professional development book I've ever had the displeasure of reading. The whole text is one long rant about his life and the extremely unethical tactics he's used to manipulate "troublesome" students. Mendler has no academic sources or studies to back up his claims. A lot of stories are completely irrelevant to the point he's trying to make. This book is an example of a man with a huge ego thinking his opinion is a gift to humanity. It is not. His viewpoints are degrading and cynical towards teachers without true warrant or cause. If I could say one thing to the author, I would say "do better, Mendler."

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Has a lot of ideas for teachers and schools. Some things just rub me the wrong way, however. Experiences I have had have did not yield the same results he garnered. I think this goes to show us that we have to have the right personality type to implement certain kinds of strategies.

The book is still a great read because of the ideas in it. And, evidently a teacher I really enjoyed working with is mentioned in the back among the credits!!! what a surprise it was to see his name back there!

[Mainey Schneden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, poignant story about the authors life and how he blended his past experiences into his teaching. This is the type of teacher I aspire to be. I’m glad I read it because it was a great reminder that we all leave an impact on every student in our class whether positive or negative. I’ve had to check myself with bribes vs. rewards. I found his other creative teaching strategies useful. It’s a short read and I’d recommend it for all teachers.

[J. S. Seebauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every educator can take something from this book. It will shape how you look at your interactions with all students & staff, from the "good" kids to the "challenging" kids. It has slowed me down in moments when I was ready to react, giving me a momentary pause to think, "What really is the best choice right now?"

[Jennifer Herbe · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are an educator or work with children in any capacity, this book is a must read!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

“During the down cycle, kids need you the most.”

“Smiling shows I am inviting, and arms crossed shows authority.”

“Expectations tell a student what to do, and values answer why they do it.”

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was ok. I provided some strategies to help work with tough kids, but a lot of it was common sense.

[Ali Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Any good teacher should already know most if not all of this. Sorry I was annoyed reading this. Majority of the time, I rolled my eyes and thought in my head “duh”.

[Mark Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome. Must read for all teachers

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Offered some insights and useful tips for working with some of our most challenging students. A quick read with ideas you can immediately apply to your teaching.

[Cheryl Broach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! I saw Brain speak and knew I had to read his book. It did not disappoint! Outstanding! Great ideas, strategies and ideas for all teachers to use in their classrooms.

[Jill Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are a teacher, you need to read this book. Great tips!